And just in time, we have an issue filed to the brim with news, good readings, and – one of my personal favourites – the Hometown Tourist campaign, where we encourage locals to explore their local attractions and events with fresh eyes. On Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15, you can enjoy special events and discounts. Be sure to check out page 20 and follow us on our social media pages, as we will be posting updates regularly.
With waterways and mountains, we have significant potential to capture the tourism market and contribute to the local economy in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. And mountain biking can be one of those outdoor activities that we have yet to capitalize on – unlike Cumberland, which has built a world-class mountain biking network. The grant for a biking feasibility study could not have come at a better time. Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar gives us some valuable insights on rural tourism and resilience on Page 22.
More good news came this month with the announcement of a $1 million grant that will allow the renovation of the Ladysmith Railway Station to become a future Visitor Centre and community hub. Kudos to our local chamber.
This issue marks a special anniversary at TAKE 5, as we complete our 28 years of publishing and roll into 29. How time flies when you’re having fun!
Thank you, readers and advertisers, for allowing us to share community stories with you. Keep them coming. editor@take5.ca
Happy exploring.
- Marina Sacht and the TAKE 5 tourists
Letters
CVRD Community Satisfaction Survey Report
CVRD Community Satisfaction Survey Report did not include those who participated online.
Why even take the time to fill out a CVRD online survey when “results to the open link survey are not included in this report” (Leger Marketing Report)?
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Community Satisfaction Survey results show that those of us who took the time to participate in the “Consultation Survey” (667 participants for the online survey) were not included in the Leger Marketing report on April 30.
At the 2025 CVRD Special Board meeting, the Leger consultant stated that our survey participation was not included because we “tend to be people who are more opinionated.” Only those who answered their phone (412) were included in the “Scientific Survey.” One has to question who even answers their phone these days with so many scams.
A survey with results at a 30,000-foot level seems a long way from determining actual community satisfaction.
Let’s look at some of the “Scientific Survey” results. The Sci entific Survey has no breakdown between all of the CVRD 13 jurisdictions, so how can each area know where to make im provements, creating a massive error factor?
Fire services have a 77-per cent satisfaction, but with no breakdown. What exactly does this mean? Duncan, Lake Co wichan, Ladysmith, North Cowichan, and Saltair residents do not have CVRD Fire Services. Some areas have Improvement District fire services that are not CVRD fire services.
For parks and trails, some are CVRD services, but many
are under the municipalities — not the CVRD. For water and sewer utilities, some are CVRD services, but many are under the municipalities — not CVRD. For curbside collection services, electoral areas are under a CVRD service. Municipalities have their own service.
The CVRD chair stated, “This comprehensive feedback clearly shows us where we can continue to improve on our service delivery. This is excellent data that will help us with developing future budgets and for our staff to prioritize their work and determine areas of focus.”
Many of these services are under the municipalities of Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, North Cowichan, and not the CVRD. It feels like this “excellent data” is very flawed, and with CVRD taxpayers funding this survey, the question is, did the survey really provide a full picture of community satisfaction when those who participated using the online version were excluded? Are you satisfied with the CVRD? Email CVRD Chair Kate Segal at kate. segal@cvrd.bc.ca.
— Lynne Smith, Saltair
Op-Ed piece on VIU
I am responding to the letter written by Richard Tarnoff in the May 2025 edition of TAKE 5.
It is outrageous to make comments such as there is justification in the horrendous, murderous attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. It is offensive to those of us who support Israel’s right to defend themselves. And by calling it a genocide further perpetrates antisemitism. We all want peace. However, we need to be careful with the types of discussions that we have that further perpetrate stereotypes and stigmatism regarding different ethnic groups. It is an interesting fact that millions of other individuals are murdered around the world by terrorist groups with little or no protest involved. I suggest that the readers do some historical reading from reliable sources and make their own considerations.
— Fearn Edmonds, Nanaimo
Letters to the editor are welcomed. This is an open community forum. Hate, libel, defamation will not be tolerated. The letters published here do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5
Funding for Renovation of Historic Train Station
The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), in partnership with the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, secured $1 million in funding to renovate the historic Ladysmith Train Station through the Province of British Columbia’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP).
“Through REDIP, we’re empowering rural communities throughout B.C. to thrive and grow,” said Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith – Oceanside. “Together we’re building a sustainable future in every corner of our province.”
This significant investment will allow the historic Ladysmith Train Station to be refurbished into a community hub for economic and social activation, anchored by the Ladysmith area’s Chamber of Commerce office and Visitors Centre. This space will serve as a pulse for economic development, tourism, and community engagement.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Province and the strong partnership with the Island Corridor Foundation, we’re not only preserving a treasured piece of our heritage but transforming it into a dynamic space for future growth and collaboration,” said Roberta Bowman, Executive Director of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce.
The project will enhance the town’s capacity to support local businesses and attract visitors while also honouring the train station’s historical and cultural importance. The revitalized facility will include flexible meeting and display spaces, improved accessibility, and amenities that reflect the community’s past and aspirations for the future.
Ladysmith & District Historical Society’s efforts over the past years preserved the empty building from vandalism and deterioration.
The importance of the station to the
Town’s heritage was recognized by its being added to the Ladysmith Community Heritage Register and the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 2014.
The refurbishment of the heritage station, built in 1944 as a replacement for the original 1900 two-story structure, is an essential element in the redevelopment of the Harbour area where other work is ongoing including the refurbishment of the heritage Comox Logging Machine Shop as part of the Arts and Heritage Hub, a key part of the planned Waterfront Development.
Also receiving funding of $374,063 is Coast Salish Development Corporation, for constructing a waterfront restaurant in the existing marina building at the Oyster Bay Marina in the Ladysmith Harbour, boosting the local economy and providing significant benefits for Stz’uminus, according to Higginson.
Keeping It Fun Keeps 40-Year Volunteer Smiling
The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary’s Thank You dinner on May 6 at the Ladysmith Eagles Hall was a celebration of volunteers, with dinner and entertainment. Volunteers wearing costumes from donations to the Thrift Store played Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out,” Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart” remix, Coolio’s “Gangster in Paradise,” and Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.” The playful laughter and joyful atmosphere in the room spoke volumes as to why the LHA has several hundred volunteers — some of whom have been with the organization for half a century.
Take Miriam Rose, who has been a volunteer for 40 years, has worked at the Thrift Store for 39 years and is still working there. “When I first started, it
was a tiny hole in the wall on Gatacre Street, where the accounting firm is now,” she recalled. Rose was working fulltime at the Ladysmith Health Unit but still found time to help when a coworker suggested she get involved.
“I’d work on Saturdays once a month just to help out. And then we bought this building, and that’s where we’ve been ever since.”
And what has kept her there so long?
“We have a good time, and we do a lot of good for the community,” she said.
The LHA volunteers’ accomplishments are impressive. In 2024 alone, they logged 53,316 volunteer hours and donated $374,414 to various organizations. Significant donations included $60,000 to the Nanaimo District Hospital and $50,000 to the Victoria Hospital Foundation.
After a term as a cashier, supervisor and executive, Rose is now in the back,
Miriam Rose received 40 year pin from Eithne Reichert at Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary’s Thank You dinner.
Photo: Marina Sacht
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce President Cheri Mactier and Executive Director Roberta Bowman in front of the Ladysmith Railway Station. Photo: Bob Burgess
pricing items and having fun. “I’ve made some good friendships,” she said. “I enjoy doing it, and I feel it’s well worth it. We work hard, but we all get along.”
Is Rose planning to get her 50-year pin?
“I hope so!” She laughed. “We will wait and see.”
The Beat Goes On: Ladysmith’s History and Music exhibit opens
The Ladysmith Museum is turning up the volume on local history with the opening of its new feature exhibit, “The Beat Goes On: Ladysmith’s History and Music,” launching Saturday, June 14 during HomeTown Tourist Weekend.“The Beat Goes On: Ladysmith’s History and Music,” a new feature exhibit, will open at the Ladysmith Museum on June 14th during HomeTown Tourist Weekend.
The exhibit brings Ladysmith’s history to life like you have never heard before! First Nation songs, tragic laments, airs of defiance, opera, and rock ’n’ roll performed by local artists trace our multicultural community’s fascinating history from pre-contact to today’s vibrant music scene.
The museum opens at 11 am with live music in the garden from noon to 3 p.m., Local favourite Ryan McMahon and special guests will be performing — so bring a lawn chair, kick back, and enjoy the show. The Museum will open at 10.00am. To celebrate the new exhibit there will be live music from noon to 3 p.m. Ryan McMahon, along with special guests, will be playing in the outside gardens. Bring a lawn chair and stay a while.
The Museum exhibit “The Beat Goes On, Ladysmith’s History and Music” stems from a more comprehensive online project of the same name which was , developed under contract over the past several years by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society with the support of Digital Museums Canada, an investment program managed by the Canadian Museum of History as part of Digital Museums Canada’s Community Stories Program. Digital Museums Canada is managed by the Canadian Museum of History, with the financial support of the Government of Canada.
“The Beat Goes On, Ladysmith’s History and Music”, the online project
exhibit will also officially launch June 14,th 2025 and will be available through the following link:at: https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/music-in-ladysmith_vie-musicale-ladysmith/ Ladysmith & District Historical Society President Quentin Goodbody , who spearheaded the project research, describes the online exhibit’s 20 plus story pages, highlightsing aspects of our community’s history, illustrated with hundreds of archival photographs and over a dozen videos and soundbites— as: “a wonderful, fun, and unique way to illustrate the complex multicultural history and artistic talent of our community, with exposure to national and international audiences through the online Digital Museums Canada’s Community Stories Program.”
He continues: “We want to thank Digital Museums Canada for their technical and financial assistance in developing the online project and local companies, FMI and FMC, for sponsoring the accompanying exhibit at the Ladysmith Museum.
In addition to the opening of “The Beat Goes On” on June 14th, the Ladysmith Maritime Society will also be at the Museum celebrating its 40th anniversary with a maritime display and cake.
The Ladysmith Museum will be open from 11-3pm Saturday and & Sunday, June 14-15, for HomeTown Tourist Weekend. Watch for summer hours for museum opening on their socials or website.
Thanks to the Town of Ladysmith, the museum is now accessible via a new wheelchair ramp.
RDN New Biodiversity Plan
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has broadened the scope of its original invasive species management plan to a more comprehensive biodiversity plan. The new Parks Biodiversity Plan provides an integrated approach to managing invasive species and preserving, improving and restoring biodiversity in RDN parks. The plan will also make it easier to evaluate which parks are most at risk of biodiversity damage and prioritize those parks within work plans.
“Invasive species can take a heavy toll on our natural areas and push out native species essential for a healthy, balanced ecosystem,” said Vanessa Craig, RDN Chair. “Through the new Parks Biodiversity Plan, the RDN can help restore and protect ecologically important areas while still providing residents with outdoor recreational opportunities in our region’s parks.”
To view the new Parks Biodiversity Plan, visit rdn.bc.ca/parksand-trails-strategies. Residents can also learn about invasive species management in the RDN, including how to get involved as a community volunteer at getinvolved.rdn.ca/invasivespecies.
New English Speaking Group
Who wants to practice their English and make new friends?
With the launch of the latest chapter of the English Corner, the Baha’is of Ladysmith are making it easier for newcomers to our town to build their confidence to speak English and to feel part of the welcoming Ladysmith community.
The Colibri Learning Foundation, which had its beginnings in the Lower Mainland, has been promoting the English Corner model as a way of allowing newcomers to practice communicating in English, make new friends and together find opportunities to contribute to the wellbeing of the community.
“The Colibri Foundation’s website provides a wide array of conversation themes, which we explore with the participants, but we also use games and charades to help participants overcome their shyness,” said nurse, Wendy Rosen.
Since the launch of the programme in March of this year eight people of various international backgrounds and ages, ranging from 7 to 70, have attended the weekly gathering in the Ladysmith Museum meeting room.
“Conversation is a social activity,” remarked former teacher Trudy Reynen, “so we try to build relations with the participants through learning about each other’s cultures and food. We held our first purely social activity in April and hope to repeat this kind of sharing every couple of months.”
Any and all newcomers who would like to practice their spoken English are welcome to join this free program, every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the basement of the Ladysmith Museum.
LSS Class Of 1975 50th Reunion
Ladysmith Secondary School Class of 1975 finally exists!
LSS Class of 1975 is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation on Saturday, July 5, 2025. They welcome all Ladysmith grads and Ladysmith students who went to school with Nanaimo from grade 1 to 11. In 1972, Ladysmith and Nanaimo School Districts merged. Ladysmith students who graduated in 1975 graduated from Nanaimo.
For tickets and information, please contact Nikki Skarvig at nikkis15@hotmail.com or call Terri Mrus (250) 245-3840.
Participants and volunteers focused on a word game they created together. Photo: Phil Christensen
Public Art Awareness Growing in Ladysmith
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
“The purpose of art is to bring people into presence.”
So said actor Jim Carrey — and Don Stewart, arts, culture and events coordinator for the Town of Ladysmith, agrees. “If public art can bring even a fleeting moment of joy, reflection or inspiration, it has succeeded beautifully,” said Stewart.
Known colloquially as “public art” because it’s installed or performed in spaces accessible to all, it’s really an invitation to pause and enjoy beauty, whimsy, history or humour. Whether the piece is something you look at, interact with, or feel with your hands or your heart, it changes your day ever so slightly because, for a moment, you were asked simply to be present.
Many would argue that public art is without purpose: Stewart would argue that it’s that very lack of necessity that captures our attention and, however briefly, brings us into the present moment.
“Public art exists for the fun of it, and that is hugely important,” he said. “When the struggle for survival drives our daily actions, seeing something that doesn’t serve that purpose is absolutely refreshing. Public art can inspire conversation, inform and bring people together, celebrate shared history and allow people to share new ideas or ways of looking at things. All of which brings meaning and satisfaction to our lives.”
Realization of the importance of public art has been growing for years. The desire for a Ladysmith Public Art Strategy was presented as a recommendation stemming from the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan completed in 2016. In 2018, the Town awarded a contract to the Arts Council of Ladysmith
& District and Thoughtful Place Design to create such a strategy.
The resulting document is impressive.
The Ladysmith Public Arts Strategy defines public art, tallies the benefits it brings to a community and details the Town’s current inventory.
Most importantly, the extensive consultation that took place with area stakeholders — including youth, First Nations and the local business community — make the document a truly local, Ladysmith-driven initiative. The community spoke clearly about what kinds of public art it would like to see and where they would like to see it.
First of all, just what is public art?
“It’s not just sculpture and murals,” said Gordon Filewych, one of the cochairs of the Public Arts Committee. “It’s performance art, theatre and improv, unexpected art, Indigenous art, heritage and cultural work and art trails and parks. One hundred different people would define public art one hundred different ways. And they’d all be right!”
At present, Ladysmith’s inventory of public art includes such gems as the Rec Centre’s newly painted skatepark, the face carved into stone at Transfer Beach, the annual Arts on the Avenue art festival, the Ladysmith Festival of
Lights, a cedar canoe and heritage sign description and commemoration of the Stz’uminus First Nation at Transfer Beach, 49th Parallel markers and an outdoor, life-size chess set on First Avenue in front of the bakery. It’s a collection that’s growing all the time.
Francesca Reside, Ladysmith Gallery manager and marketing and communications coordinator for the Arts Council of Ladysmith, sums it up beautifully.
“I think public art has two functions,” she said. “The first is a community function that makes art accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic background while also allowing it to reflect the history, values and cultures of a community in a very expressive way. But it also has a function when it comes to tourism: it provides a cultural experience for visitors to understand a place’s heritage and creativity while also creating an economic impact by being an attraction to boost the local community.”
Francesca added, “Looking at public art from all sides, it can create public dialogue and awareness to many different things.”
Community members are invited to keep an eye out for updates and visit the Town’s website for upcoming projects and calls for submissions.
L adysmith Arts, Culture and Events Coordinator Don Stewart ( left) and co-chair Public Arts Committee Gordon Filewych. Photo: Kerith Waddington
New Book Explores the Connection Between Equines and Humans
Local author Barbra Ann King recently published a novel based on a true story called Nikkita. Can a human learn the wisdom of ancient equine teachings … from a horse?
When Bobbie hears a horse speak to her, a new world opens up as she embarks on a journey with a special equine teacher who challenges everything she knows about horses. A strong bond forms between them, and Bobbie discovers horses in a way she never thought possible.
The second book in this series will be out in November 2025.
Before writing fiction, King authored a nonfiction instructional book on horse psychology and behaviour. She is an internationally known horse behaviour specialist and the founder of the Relationship Riding method. For over thirty years, King has advocated for horses, specializing in those with behavioural and performance issues. She lives by her mission of bringing horses and people together — without pain, fear, or discomfort, whether physically, mentally and emotionally.
Nikkita is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback form and directly through the author.
Poet Philosopher Celebrates Love
Love is the thread that runs through In Country Heart, a new book of poetry and illustrations by renowned poet and philosopher John Edwards.
In Country Heart explores the theme of love and the love of nature. It is Edwards’ third book of poetry in three years. So what inspires him?
“Of all poets, it is Sappho,” he said.
A Rhodes Scholar, Edwards has been reading Sappho in Greek since his first term at Oxford. “Her work is mostly papyrus fragments, so sometimes I combine one or two of them and imagine what she might have said, had we the complete lyric. Even though only a few syllables have survived from most of her lyrics, I can always tell it’s her genuine voice and thus can attempt to reclaim her from the distant past.”
The book will be released this month and available at Rhodes House in Oxford, locally at Volume One in Duncan, the Ladysmith Art Gallery and on Amazon.
Among his other translation books, he has written The Roman Cookery of Apicius and Roman Cookery Revised. Edwards specializes in translations of Augustan and Silver Age
Latin poets and Archaic Greek lyricists.
“Sappho, Shakespeare, John Dunn and Robert Frost — that’s my progression. I love Frost because he writes about farm life,” he explained.
Following a life-threatening event in 2016, he turned away from satire and criticism. “The older I get, the more I want to celebrate everything about my farm, especially in springtime. … Everything has a life and gets consumed, but I try and look at the bright side.” The collection is based on a love and appreciation of the countryside, people and everything growing — a love of nature.
Edwards writes, paints, sketches and farms with his wife, Gillian, at Quinceotica Farm in Yellow Point. The active (almost) 80-year-old is also an accomplished runner who does daily sprints. He has placed second in the BC Senior Games.
In Country Heart sells for $20, and a launch at the farm is planned for this summer.
Self-Absorbed And Deeply Meaningless
With the summer comes the busy time for GOOEY Magazine’s editorial team. Production on the third issue began a week ago with the story selection. Now authors and editors are working together to polish their pieces for publication in the fall.
The online magazine specialalizing in the intersection of humour, horror, and the weird. Started as a class project at VIU in 2023, it has since become an independent organization run by Francesca Pacchiano and a team of editors fondly referred to as “the overlords.”
“There is a theme of Canadian literature right now that is embracing the weirdness at the heart of genre intersectionality,” Pacchiano said. “It’s in the works of Suzan Palumbo, Sydney Hegele and Premee Mohamed, but I’ve also seen it in the classroom. This is what the next generation is writing. It’s dark, it’s complex, and it’s uniquely Canadian.”
New blends of literature are often rejected by standard publications because of their non-compliance to genre. “The original concept for GOOEY was to create a space for our fellow writers to publish work that is often too much. It’s too funny for the horror publications, or too weird for the humor magazines. We wanted a space that says, ‘I see you, I hear you, your story, your voice, does matter.’”
With their third issue underway and the fourth open for submissions, this magazine is still just beginning. “The last issue, our second one, was hard. It felt like a ‘do or die’ moment, where we either let the idea burn or we push through. We had no funding and no support, but we’re a community and for now that’s enough.”
“It’s honestly such a fun project,” Pacchiano said. “I work with a team of editors who I admire and the stories submitted are exciting and mind-boggling. I can’t wait for the finished product and as long as it feels this way, I want to keep doing it.”
If you have writing or art that fits, submissions for the fourth issue: the micro issue, are currently open. For full details, visit the website at gooeymagazine.com.
Microtel Inn & Suites refresh
BY MARINA SACHT
TAKE 5 with Microtel Inn & Suites
Just in time for summer, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay in North Oyster is looking pretty spiffy with a completed refresh to their shared spaces.
“The ownership group decided to make a few changes to open the area. So, it’s a little more accessible all around. It’s a refresh with the biggest change in the lobby area. The breakfast seating area is also more open, with a welcoming modern look and feel throughout,” said General Manager Brande Terris.
The Microtel is situated in an ideal location for business and leisure travellers, just minutes away from Nanaimo Airport and the ferries. Tourists will find plenty of attractions nearby between Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Duncan.
The pool area and the water slide are an attraction. And with new furniture and a playful design, it’s even more popular. Pool party, anyone?
“We have two kids, and we drive up from Victoria for a quick stay at this hotel because our kids really love the water slide,” said Scott Lapin, as he and his son played in the pool. By the pool sat another father, working on his laptop while his kids rode down the water slide with peals of laughter. “This is our third stay at Microtel and we continue to be impressed with the staff, amenities, and the rooms,” said Lorne Gavinchuk. “Everyone and everything exceed our expectations. Will definitely be back for a fourth.”
With its slide, pool and hot tub, the area has the feel of an indoor tropical resort — fitting, given Vancouver Island was once part of the tropical island arc called Wrangellia, which collided with North America around 100 million years ago.
Recent updates have made the lobby area and meeting room more versatile, with expanded breakfast seating available during busy times. New décor and flooring have brightened up the area. With ample free parking, this hotel is also ideal for hosting conferences or meetings. Indeed, the refreshed lobby and common areas convey a welcoming, contemporary atmosphere. Guests often pause to admire the beautifully landscaped grounds, including a picnic area by the creek and a
gazebo — both popular gathering spots, according to Brande. “We try to do a lot of local sponsorships, whether it’s sponsoring a player, a team, giving prizes for different raffles, fundraising — things like that,” explained Brande, who plays an active role in the community herself. “I think that’s really important because we are so proud to be a part of this community, and involved in its vibrant spirit.”
Whether you are looking to host a meeting, travel for business, take the kids on a family vacation or just want a mini staycation, you’ll find it here. Along with award-winning service, the Microtel offers corporate and group rates. Right now, they are offering a local’s discount for the summer (some terms and conditions apply). For further details or to book a stay, visit microtelinn.com or call 250-912-9000.
Clockwise:Microtel Inn and Suites refresh of common areas and pool offer a modern welcoming feel. Photos submitted.
Scott Lapin and son. Photo: Bob Burgess
Microtel Inn & Suites General Manager Brande Terris in meeting room. Photo: Bob Burgess
It’s HomeTown Tourist Weekend
It’s that wonderful time of year when the sun is warm, the ocean beckons and you know you just have to get out there and explore. And that is what the annual be a HomeTown Tourist Weekend, on June 14 and 15, is all about. This marks the 14th year for this popular campaign designed to promoting events and attractions happening in your own backyard.
TAKE 5, as publishers of the annual Explore Ladysmith, Chemainus, Saltair, Cedar and Area Guide, wanted to do something to highlight the beauty of this area, so we teamed up with partners who are offering special events, activities and discounts to encourage residents and visitors to discover the resources in their own backyard. After all, we want to be prepared for the tourists who are choosing Canada this year.
This year, we are very grateful to Nanaimo Airport for sponsoring this event. Not only are they active in the community, but they also play a major role in promoting local tourism. The airport is convenient and easy to fly out of — without the has-
sle of larger airports.
One of the highlights this year is the opening of the Ladysmith Museum’s Beat Goes On exhibit on June 14, from noon to 3 p.m. Come down for live music, cake and special displays from Ladysmith Maritime Society. Ryan McMahon and special guests will play live outside, so bring a lawn chair and stick around. It’s going to be a great summer.
So, this year try kayaking, give golfing a chance, explore a new shop or take a walk on a path you have not travelled.
For updates on participants and specials: https://take5.ca/events/ hometown-tourist-weekend/.
Clockwise: Ladysmith Golf Course. Photo: Bob Burgess. Kayak Rentals. at Transfer Beach. Photo submitted. Kids enjoying Microtel Inn & Suites Pool. Photo: Bob Burgess.
Tourism offers rural communities resilience
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Tourism can be a struggle for rural communities. Places like Ladysmith and Chemainus are often known for one or two niche draws, such as the historic downtown or the murals.
It can be challenging to diversify and market these communities in such a way that people are interested in visiting. That’s where Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar’s research comes in.
Dr. Moghimehfar is a researcher at VIU, exploring the ability of rural and remote communities to become more resilient through tourism opportunities. He was also named the BC Regional Innovation Chair for Tourism and Sustainable Development in February last year.
His position is looking at “how to plan for sustainable world development in the province. It’s not just Vancouver Island; it’s a province-wide strategy and policy.” His research has already started and will continue for another four years. For the project, he will study communities that have adapted well to changes and those that have faced losses.
The goal is to have a plan for communities across the province where they can share ideas, see what works and learn from each other. “Tourism, if we plan it well [and] if we are aware of the ways that we can develop tourism in our region, can be quite sustainable.”
Sustainability isn’t just about consistent growth; it’s about adapting to challenges and learning from others about what works and what doesn’t.
The first big change this year has been the politics, especially those involving travel to the U.S. Many people who typically
travel south of the border chose to stay home and explore local holiday options.
“I was in Tofino last week, and it was fully booked. And I realized from my conversation with one of the tourism authorities there that the people in Tofino are people who did not go to the U.S.”
This has several benefits both for the local economy and for the travellers. Holidaying locally avoids expensive travel fares and exchange rates while also boosting local revenue.
But sometimes changes can be devastating. “I’ve been in Canada for 15 years. Every single year, there has been a wildfire in the province and other places in Canada.” And yet Moghimehfar notes that the response to this predictable hazard is almost always reactive.
“There are studies [showing] that many businesses that go out of business because of a wildfire don’t [reopen] even after a few years … because of what they lost during that wildfire.”
This loss, however, isn’t in isolation. Moghimehfar noted that the fires in Jasper National Park last summer impacted the park and the surrounding community. “A community like Valemount, in the same region, is now challenged by [how to develop] tourism in their region, [including addressing] those things that are not available in Jasper now, like enough accommodation for people.”
In order to build resilience, Moghimehfar says to stick together. “My biggest advice is to communicate with other business owners, with people like researchers, with the government.” It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about learning from what has and hasn’t worked before.
Left: Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar, BC Regional Innovation Chair for Tourism and Sustainable Development. Photo submitted. Above: Mountain biking trail development encourages visitors to region. Cowichan Lake network. Photo: Dave Silver.
One of the ways Moghimehfar is putting this research into action is through a mountain biking trail guide. “One of the goals of my mountain biking plan is to create something that we can report [on]. People can access these trails. Managers can access those reports, learn from other places and see what’s happening in the neighbourhood or another community across the province.”
Martin Littlejohn, the executive director of the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association, said this project will help determine the scope of trail use, maintenance and access needs.
A challenge for the trails project has been the land that they’re on. “A lot of this was done originally ‘shoot first and ask questions later.’ One [challenge] is certainly with those private landowners, but the other is with the Indigenous community who have been caring for this land since time immemorial. We want to develop some respectful relationships and partnerships with them going forward.”
These trails are a valuable resource both for short-term visitors and locals alike. “These are publicly accessible resources [where the] local community uses the trails regularly. These trails create community.”
The town of Ladysmith recently received $59,789 in grant funding from the Province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) in order to plan and build mountain biking trails around Ladysmith.
“Investing in a mountain bike trail network aligns with our vision of sustainable growth, supports our local businesses, and showcases the natural beauty that makes Ladysmith so special. We are thrilled to begin this planning work and explore new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and green economic development,” said Mayor Deena Beeston.
The North Cowichan and Nanaimo areas have already established themselves with networks of mountain biking trails. Building trails
and infrastructure in Ladysmith not only diversifies its attractiveness to tourists, but also helps to solidify the whole region as a hub for engagement. This is exactly what Moghimefar was saying in his study of tourism.
“The creation of a world-class trail network in Ladysmith will not only solidify the Nanaimo-Duncan region as a mountain biking hub but will also be instrumental in establishing our town as a premier tourist destination on Vancouver Island,” said Nicholas Pescod, the Town’s Communications and Engagement Specialist.
Community, paired with intentional communication, leads to sustainability. For Moghimehfar, the goal is big but clear: “By the end of the fifth year, I [will] have a plan or toolkit for communities so that they can come up with their own tourism and resilience plans — and maybe [create] a toolkit for the rest of Canada [to use] nationwide.”
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
Sometimes, from people who seem frustrated, I hear, “What does the RDN do? What do I get for my taxes?” I have empathy for this frustration, as I strongly believe that people should understand how our community’s collective funds are being used.
When RDN staff present to the board, I often ask how they plan to communicate this work to the community. There is some great work by RDN staff, but I think few are aware of this. Usually, this work is shared through press releases or on the RDN’s Get Involved page. However, it’s a significant challenge to reach people with this information. It seems that old modes of information sharing (e.g., newspapers) are not as effective,
and people are often too busy with their lives to seek out information about what is happening at the RDN.
At the May 13, 2025, board meeting, a report on the 2024 Year End Key Initiatives was shared. I thought this report was a good snapshot of last year’s work to help people understand the breadth of work occurring at the RDN. I will share the information relevant to Area A, but first, I will provide some basic RDN information.
The RDN provides services to the community. Residents only pay for the services that their community receives. In total, the RDN provides 114 services, but Area A only participates in 28 of these services. Six of these 28 services are provided in a small portion of Area A and are paid for by only those in that area. For example, an area of Cedar participates in a storm water management
service, and another participates in wastewater service. Some of the general services include community planning, Search and Rescue funding, public transit, 911 service funding, bylaw services, solid waste disposal and regional and community parks.
The work to provide these services is ongoing. Further, there are key initiatives in these services. One hundred and twelve key initiatives were reported for 2024. These are the 53 initiatives that were relevant for Area A:
• Regional and community park classification tool
• Regional park acquisition criteria and rating framework
• Waste shredder acquisition
• Southeast berm of the landfill construction project
• Efforts to reduce contamination in curbside collection
• Regional climate projections
• Moving towards 90 per cent waste diversion by 2029
• Solid waste bylaws: source separate and hauler licence
• Regional rainwater management strategy and water conservation plan
• Morden Colliery Regional Trail bridge
– geotechnical and hydrological studies
• Risk assessment for coastal floodplains
• Net zero building strategy
• Climate adaptation home retrofits
• Harmonized user rates for sewer
• Regional growth strategy
• Bill 44 housing needs and Bill 35 shortterm rental accommodations reports
• Geohazard risk priority assessment
• Bylaw 500 update
• Development approval process review
• South Wellington School conversion to community centre
• Transit exchange projects
• Transit service expansion for conven-
tional and custom transit
• New electronic fare system (Umo) and fare review process
• Island Rail Corridor planning project
• Asset management project
• Legislative reform initiative
• Inclusive regional governance study
• Strategic planning
• Accessibility plan
• Administration building renovation
• Nanaimo Regional Health District advocacy and healthcare projects
• Cold and heat emergency response report
• Business continuity plan
• Next Gen 911
• RDN volunteer firefighter recognition
• RDN fire structure and compensation policy
I apologize that lists are dry reading but thought it important to convey the vast amount of work paid for by your tax dollars. Plus, add all the electoral-area-specific services, like Community Parks and Area A Recreation and Culture, to this list. Also, you can include my services to the community. If anything on this list is of interest, you can find more information on the RDN website. Or you can always contact me at 250-268-7359 or at jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca.
In closing, I want to express my sincere and earnest gratitude for your willingness to read these articles and being engaged in community issues. Staying informed about local issues, and supporting local news sources is an important way to participate in our democracy. If you find something interesting in these pages, please consider sharing.
CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond
Public Information Session - Celebrating Our Local Parks and Trails
As your electoral area director, much of my recent communication has focused on governance, planning, and regional strategies. This month, I’d like to shift gears and spotlight something that truly defines our area’s character: the parks and trails of North Oyster and the Diamond.
First, a quick reminder—the next Director’s Town Hall will be held on Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m., at the North Oyster Community Centre. We’ll discuss insights from the CVRD public information session on the draft Modernized Official Community Plan and Local Area Plan for the Diamond and updates on the Regional Growth Strategy. I encourage all residents to participate in these important conversations.
Now, onto something that brings us all a little joy: nature. Whether walking your dog, exploring with kids or enjoying quiet reflection, our parks and trails offer accessible beauty outside your door.
Exploring the Diamond - Several community and potential parks enrich the Diamond:
• Christie Road Park – earmarked as a potential neighbourhood park.
• Oriosi Park – envisioned as a future linear corridor park.
• Trillium Park – designated as a community nature park.
• Cowichan Valley Trail (CVT) – also part of the Trans Canada Trail; a local gem for walking, biking, and hiking.
• Christie Falls – while not officially a park, this well-loved
trail, accessed from the CVT, rewards hikers with a stunning waterfall.
Thanks to a recent initiative led by the CVRD, local high school students, volunteers, community organizations and First Nations came together to remove invasive species from Trillium Park — an inspiring example of stewardship in action. Treasures of North Oyster
North Oyster is home to an array of diverse parks, each with its charm:
• Blue Heron Park (13485 Westby Road, Yellow Point) – a community park with easy sandstone beach access, picnic tables and a portable toilet.
• Elliots Beach Park (11846 Elliot Way, Ladysmith) is a quiet park featuring a ramp to a scenic beach, picnic area, and portable toilet; a nearby undeveloped parkland lot awaits future planning.
• Michael Lake Trail – a signed community access trail off Prospect Drive, maintained under permit with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
• Raise Road Beach Access – a classic example of public access via road right-of-way that leads to the beach by stairs.
• Raven Park (Shell Beach Road) – a picnic space with limited beach access; note that the shoreline becomes a mud flat at low tide.
• Yellow Point Park (4151 Yellow Point Road) – a community nature park on provincial Crown land managed locally through
a lease; features a four-kilometre moderate loop trail, picnic spots and a portable toilet. The CVRD is currently developing a management plan to support lease renewal and guide future improvements.
• Bute Island Regional Park – a 2.2-acre island in Ladysmith Harbour accessible by small vessel; ideal for day trips, with a scenic walking trail that loops around the tranquil bays and coastal vistas.
• Woodley Range and Yellow Point Ecological Reserves – protected Crown lands not open to the public, but essential for biodiversity conservation.
Stewardship and Planning - The care and upkeep of our community parks are funded through local property taxes. Oversight is provided by the Parks Advisory Commission (PAC), which makes recommendations to the CVRD Board on park operations and planning. PAC meetings are open to the public, and notices are posted on the CVRD website.
Looking Ahead: Yellow Point Trail
One final update — many of you have asked about the future Yellow Point Trail. We’ve been waiting for over a year for provincial approval for this and other proposed CVRD trails along road rights-of-way. Unfortunately, there’s still no confirmed timeline for approval. This delay has been frustrating, and CVRD staff and directors continue to press for meetings with the Province to resolve the hold-up and get these projects moving. ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca, 250-510-5930
Chemainus is a buzz this month with markets and musical events in full swing. This village has everything you need to start your summer adventures.
With the warm weather, don’t be afraid to get outside. Explore the stunning landscape of the estuary trail. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars; it’s the perfect place for birding.
Do you like classic cars? The Chemainus Classic Car Club and the Chemainus Wednesday Market have just the event for you. From June 4 until September, the two groups are partnering and sharing the Waterwheel Park space. The market will run first and then from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the club will be displaying a wide selection of cars, including classic, muscle, hot rod, and custom models. All are welcome to attend, and if you want to join, membership is only $25.
Looking for local delights? The Wednesday market is on every week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Waterwheel Park. Vendors sell jewellery, clothes, fresh produce and other handmade, locally grown and freshly baked items. Best of all, you get to meet the artisans and farmers at the stalls.
If your music tastes are more relaxed, stop in at St. Michael’s Church on Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m., for an afternoon with the Chemainus Classical Concerts. Antonio Pastor and Pia Bose take the stage with two pianos, highlighting the harmony and subtlety of human nature through the works of Debussy, Carl Vine, Liszt and Fazil Say.
The Chemainus Theatre Festival is celebrating thirty seasons with a musical trip down memory lane. Sarah Carlé and Heather Burns are excited to share their favourite songs from the musicals that have graced the stage. This cabaret event takes place in the Playbill Dining Room and tickets include the classic dinner buffet.
Also at the Chemainus Theatre, is Footloose. A story about standing up for what is right and the power of music, it’s a show you don’t want to miss. The production runs from June 27 to August 24, visit the Chemainus Theatre’s website for more information.
The Rotary of Chemainus is hosting Summer Fest on June 22. This festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes activities for the whole family to enjoy. There will be live music from Tropic Mayhem, bouncy castles, a children’s activity tent, free books to any child under 15, a barbecue lunch and a car show.
Annual Royalty Rod Run
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
The cruising season is well underway in Ladysmith. Every Thursday night, from May until September, hot rod owners gather at the A&W in Ladysmith to enjoy a cruise and a bit of community. Sometimes they even have live music.
Jason Kelland, the A&W Ladysmith franchise owner, said, “It’s just really about enjoying one another’s company. Come to the A&W and get an excuse for a burger while you check out incredible vehicles. Some of which you can buy too, if you are interested. But it really is about appreciating and chatting to the guys who love these vehicles and hearing their stories.”
They celebrate the last cruise of the season with cake and honouring the new royal members. “We hand out cruise and royalty jackets. In order to be a cruise and royalty member, you have to come to a minimum of 20 events in one year.” This year, he arranged licence plates to be made for the “cruising royalty.”
A&W Ladysmith’s Jason Kelland with daughter Chloe at weekly Crusin’ event. Photos: Marina Sacht
The A&W in Ladysmith is the one of the few franchies of the company that organizes events like this. The late Bruce McInnis started the gatherings, and it’s grown since then. “He said, ‘If you can offer a bit of a deal and put some music outside, it would be fun.’ And so we just took it and ran with it. Now, if you come visit with your classic or custom car, or … motorbikes, we’ll give you a ticket. That ticket gives you a free cup of tea and coffee and discounted meals. It also gets you into a prize draw at the end of the night, which we usually do around 7:30 in the evening.”
The Annual Royalty Rod Run is also a highlight for the group. Held on Friday, June 20, the run starts at the VIU campus in Duncan at 7 p.m. and winds through the back roads up to the A&W in Ladysmith for the trophy handout. “It’s a really beautiful drive, nice and curvy and a lot of right yields. A really great drive.”
The Thursday night gatherings have been a summer staple for Linda and Colin Keir for years. They bring Colin’s 1965 Impala. It’s been redone, but it’s stock with no modifications. He bought it twenty-one years ago as a tribute to his father. “He loved cars, but he didn’t have any old cars. He worked on cars all his life.”
While they love seeing the cars and showing off their car, these events are more than an opportunity to show off. “[It’s] the atmosphere and the people” that make these events special.
An Open Door Policy says new MP
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Tamara Kronis, the conservative MP elected for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding, has a long career as a politician and a lawyer. But there’s more to her than her resume.
Tamara is an avid bridge player. If you need a fourth at your table, send her an invite. She enjoys card games of any kind, particularly the connection that comes from playing with people.
“I love sitting around and talking stuff through and [that] kind of low pressure and just getting to know people.” In her non-sitting weeks, you can find her enjoying a game at a seniors’ home or other similar community events.
She’s also a proud dog owner of her rescue pup, Austin. “He’s now a five-year-old dog. But Austin came into our lives through a series of serendipitous events that had nothing to do with him being a rescue dog and everything to do with us and him being in the right place at the right time.”
He’s a mutt, but like many Canadian families, Tamara’s is a melting pot of heritage, and Austin fits right in. “I’ve probably got a dozen Canadian origin stories — a whole bunch of them lost to time, and a couple [to] which I have some access.”
One of those stories was of her grandmother, who immigrated to Canada after the 1919 flu pandemic in Glasgow, Scotland. “They lived in this tiny little bungalow. … It had a screen door. And so if the door was open and it was just the screen door, everybody was invited.”
She hopes that her time as MP mirrors that memory. “That’s the feeling I want. … My intention is to try and have it be the screen door as much as possible.”
Now that the election is over, she wants to represent your voice as best she can, which means getting to know you. “Don’t worry about my time. Invite me. I want to show up to things. I want to try things. I’m very curious as a quality.”
That curiosity has already paved the way for her to have interesting and hands-on experiences. On the campaign trail, she met people who let her take a turn at their careers. “I love trying things. … I got a chance to try welding. Now I’m a gold-
smith, and so I’ve used the little torches, but it was neat to try my hand at something else.”
It’s experiences like these that she relishes. “I like to immerse myself in issues. I don’t just like to do the surface stuff. I like to understand, because every time I stand up in the House of Commons, I would love it if it were about real experiences in our riding, not just things I learn about in books.”
Trying her hand at these jobs and experiencing these environments presents challenges for her. “I get really seasick, but I’m still very happy to go out and explore the coast and learn all kinds of things. And so, if no one minds my hanging over the edge of the side of the boat, I’m still completely happy to come and see what the challenges are that commercial fishery people are facing.”
Tamara noted that while Nanaimo and Ladysmith are both very different, there was a persistent idea among the people that the government was distant. “There’s this real sense that the decisions that are being made don’t take into account or see the realities of our daily lives. And to me, the way to counter that is to be immersed in community.”
That’s why she’s keen on meeting people and engaging with their organizations. It’s about bringing back the fundamentals of democracy and about being seen.
“Give me the opportunity to come and volunteer. Give me the opportunity to come and understand why you do the things that you do in your organizations and your communities. I hope that if I can experience and immerse myself in other people’s experiences, that will make people more confident that I’m able to represent them.”
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis with family. Photo submitted.
New Broom — Clean Sweep?
BY NIKKI TOXOPEUS
Every summer, it sweeps across the Island — a sea of yellow. Scotch broom! To some, it is beautiful. To others, it is a monstrous plague. It is highly invasive and highly flammable — a gift to any hungry forest fire in search of fuel. One plant can produce up to 18,000 seeds, lasting over 60 years in the soil. Yikes! When a seedpod bursts, it flings its babies around; soon, they are everywhere!
Right:
YES volunteers tackling the growing problem of invasive Scotch broom. Photo submitted.
They flourish in the sun, often in the same places where the camas and the shooting stars like to grow. Game over, for them.
Volunteer broombusters are active in a host of places. The Ladysmith Broombusters and the Friends of Holland Creek are working to clear Holland Creek and
Transfer Beach Parks, to get it off the right-of-ways that carry it into the heart of the parks. A big shout-out to the wonderful volunteers who clambered down steep slopes to stop the broom reaching the creek; who hauled up giant broom trees that, unbelievably, were only five years old; who dragged up fake Christmas trees that had been surreptitiously dumped in the park (coal in your stocking next year …); who snipped off the sprouts from previously mown broom bushes; and who quietly cleared broom from their yards and road frontages.
Once cut, what then? Disposal of brooms can be tricky. We are so grateful to the staff of Ladysmith Parks Operations, who clear the piles away in Ladysmith, and to others who selflessly use their trucks and trailers to take them to Peerless Road.
At the entrance to Yellow Point Park, volunteers have worked persistently for fifteen years to turn what used to be a sea of yellow broom into a sea of blue camas, fringed with yellow monkeyflowers. Yeah! Volunteers have also been working to help clear Trillium Park and Nanaimo River Canyon Community Park, where trilliums, pipsissewa, manzanita and paintbrush need protecting.
Why do we do this? We get great satisfaction from “tipping the balance” in favour of the native plants and seeing them survive and thrive after the broom is removed, provided we are quick enough to remove it before the invasive agronomic grasses have taken hold and prevented it from returning.
A big thank-you to everyone who stops to encourage us as we work. Even the honks on the highway are appreciated, although they make us jump every time. Public support is growing. While working in Holland Creek, a Yellow Point citizen even offered us a free barbecue if we cleared the broom from Yellow Point. Hmm. Do they know how hard the work is?
So, what more can we do? We—the Yellow Point Ecological Society—are pondering a pilot project to encourage property owners to keep their road frontages clear of broom, starting in 2026. If you have road frontage, might you be interested in signing up? If you have ideas on how we could do more, more effectively, please reach out to us at yellowpoint2020@gmail.
We invite you to join us when the 2025 Green Champion Hunter Jarratt shares his knowledge and wisdom on practical solutions for managing invasive species and what to replant to restore Garry oak meadows and other ecosystems. The event is free and will be held at the North Oyster Community Hall in Yellow Point on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Small but Mighty: The Hidden Power of Wildwood’s Thatching Ants
BY ALEXANDER SMITH EIS NATURALIST
Yesterday, after a group had left Wildwood, while I packed up, I left my hardearned sandwich unattended on a mossy log. I returned minutes later to find it completely overrun by western thatching ants (Formica obscuripes) — each one methodically dismantling my lunch and vanishing into the forest floor with military precision. I lost my sandwich, but
gained a fascination. These ants, though often overlooked beneath the towering Douglas-firs, are some of the most industrious and influential residents of this rare ecosystem on Vancouver Island. Western thatching ants are best known for their impressive mound nests — conical structures built from a mixture of soil, conifer needles, twigs and grasses. Scattered throughout Wildwood in sunlit forest clearings, these mounds can reach over a metre tall and serve as bustling hubs for colonies that sometimes number in the hundreds of thousands. The open, dry conditions of Wildwood’s Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem provide an ideal environment for them. These mounds are more than homes — they’re microhabitats, influencing soil chemistry, moisture and temperature, and supporting a whole suite of forest-floor life.
Formica obscuripes colonies are polygynous, with multiple queens, which allows them to grow rapidly and dominate large areas. Their foraging trails stretch out in all directions, often creating ant highways across Wildwood’s mossy paths. They are fierce defenders of their territory, using not just numbers
and coordinated aggression but also a unique chemical defence: formic acid. When threatened, these ants raise their
Western thatching ants, known for their impressive mound nests.
Photo: Gerry Beltgens
abdomens and spray this potent acid — a strong irritant with a vinegary sting. The scent alone is enough to keep many predators at bay. More than once, I’ve smelled that sharp tang in the air before realizing I was kneeling far too close to a mound.
Their role in the ecosystem, however, goes far beyond defence. These ants are voracious predators and scavengers, feeding on caterpillars, beetle larvae, termites and even ticks. By keeping pest populations in check, they contribute to the health of Wildwood’s aging trees and understory plants. Their scavenging also helps recycle organic material, accelerating decomposition and nutrient cycling in the soil.
In addition to being regulators and recyclers, western thatching ants are soil engineers. Their constant movement and mound construction mix and aerate the soil, improve drainage and enhance microbial activity. Over time, these changes benefit the surrounding plant life, including the Douglas-firs and salal that define the Wildwood landscape.
Their influence even touches plant dynamics. Thatching ants form mutualistic relationships with aphids, protecting them in exchange for sugary honeydew. While this can put pressure on host plants, it also illustrates the ants’ deep integration into the web of forest life.
At Wildwood, where forest management focuses on ecological integrity rather than extraction, the quiet labour of the western thatching ant fits perfectly. They are the uncelebrated caretakers of the understory — builders, defenders, farmers and recyclers — working tirelessly beneath our feet, thriving thanks to the lowimpact, selective practices of ecoforestry that protect their habitat and preserve the complex layers of life within Wildwood.
Raising Funds
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
When Sam left Pakistan as a refugee, he didn’t know if he’d ever see his family again. Twenty years later, his family is still stuck in Pakistan, and Sam needs your help to get them out.
Sam’s family is Hazara from Afghanistan. The Hazara are considered both an ethnic and a religious minority within the country and are often persecuted because of it. When Sam was only seven years old, the Taliban killed his father.
His family, consisting of his mother and three brothers, fled to Pakistan, but there they still faced discrimination. They live in a “town” designated for refugees. Sam’s brothers, now adults, do manual labour to support their family, but the women do not leave the house for fear of being attacked.
“My mother lives with my two younger brothers, my brother’s wife and their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The whole family lives together in one room. They are under the constant threat of being deported back to Afghanistan, where they would be at risk of being homeless and at high risk of suffering at the hands of the Taliban,” said Sam.
Sam left Pakistan and made his way to Sweden as a refugee shortly after they fled Afghanistan. As the eldest, he has been trying to get his family to safety. Unfortunately, that has not been easy.
As he established his own life in Sweden — finding a church community and getting married — he has tried to bring his mother and brothers to join him there, but the Swedish government has refused them.
Sam wasn’t sure where else to turn when a young woman from Ladysmith, on exchange in Sweden with Capernwray, connected him with Dr. John Potts.
Potts and his wife, Kathy, have sponsored groups since the ’80s. “We were involved with a Guatemalan Refugee family in the ’80s. We were involved with a Bosnian refugee family in the ’90s. And when ISIS started to attack in 2010, we helped a Palestinian family from Iraq, who had run to Syria, who were being attacked in Syria. In 2010 and 2011, we sponsored a Palestinian family. Then, in 2015, we helped two
families. And we helped a young Somali man get his mother here. … And once you finish your year with the refugee family, after that, you’re friends.”
Over the last two years, Potts has led the Ladysmith-based sponsorship group to raise funds for Sam’s family. “Canada allows you to sponsor a group. You could sponsor the husband who has a wife and a kid. That’s one group. The mother is another sponsor. The single brother is another sponsorship.”
In total, Potts and the sponsorship group aim to raise $110,000, which is approximately enough to sponsor the five family members for a year in the Cowichan Valley.
Sponsorships like this, Potts noted, are overseen by the Cowichan Intercultural Society. The money is raised and put into a trust with the CIS, and then when the family arrives, the CIS gives them a monthly allotment.
“[Sam] has a church that is very much behind this, and many of the pledges of money have come out of Sweden.” The sponsorship group has approached churches and individuals to raise the remaining funds, but they’re short $20,000.
“The biggest thing,” Potts said, “is donations.” While fundraising activities are planned for the future, including July 5, 2025, at the Chemainus Community Garage Sale, it’s generous donors who really contribute more than any coordinated activity could.
Donations can be made directly to the CIS’s website with the designation “Afghan sponsorship.” This method goes directly to the trust, but there is no tax receipt. Donations can also be made through the Canada Helps organization, indicating it’s in partnership with the CIS and with the same designation. This method does give tax receipts.
Potts said that while furniture and household items will be necessary in the future, it’s still too early and monetary donations are best.
The application to bring the family to Canada has been submitted and sent to Islamabad for the next processing stage. The CIS estimates about a 21-month wait time at this point. In the meantime, Potts and the sponsorship group will continue to raise funds. “There’s a long road ahead of us, but I have great optimism.”
