Are Saltair landowners being left OUT IN THE COLD under the CVRD Electoral Area Official Community (OCP) Bylaw 4373? Are owners being forced into a one residential land-use designation for 99.999% of residential parcels when the other eight electoral areas have six-plus residential land-use designations? What happened to residential land-use flexibility in Saltair? Does this look like a complete community?
It appears that this decision was made by the Area G Saltair Director Jesse McClinton in 2023, over two years ago. Why has he not brought this to the community for consultation? Seems strange when an OCP is a document for the community by the community.
CVRD staff can point out that they have ticked all the boxes under the Local Government Act OCP requirements. Do you feel you have had a say and have been fully consulted and informed on these changes?
No CVRD staff, consultants and the Area G director have held a Town Hall meeting in Saltair to go over these changes. Why? Saltair has gone from having an 88-page OCP in 2005 (including 13 maps and four pages of definitions) to having a 545-page OCP, plus a 169-page Local Area Plan – a total of 714 pages. At the beginning, the CVRD staff advised this would be a clean, easy-to-read document – user-friendly.
What does it say when 284 Saltair residents have participated in a petition against the removal of Small Lot Rural from the Saltair residential land use designations? This document was presented to CVRD electoral area directors on the September 3rd EASC meeting. Why is this request being ignored by the nine electoral area directors?
What now? There will be a public hearing for residents to comment on the OCP Bylaw 4373. A Public hearing is not an
information session. We can all speak up at that time and have our comments recorded.
Keep your eyes open for when and where the public hearing will be held. What is best for some regions should not be detrimental to others.
It is a sad day when Saltair is being LEFT OUT IN THE COLD under this modernized OCP. – Lynne Smith, Saltair
Island Rail Corridor
Who is in charge of this slumbering train?
No axels creak nor couplings strain
The destinations are near and the purpose clear
But apathy has deadened the driver’s ear
The signals stand ready, but wait in vain
For procrastination controls this dormant train
The time is right. ... We need a train ... electric, double track. Take pressure off the freeway. Stop polluting the air. Make it a public company. Sell shares to the public. ... When enough shares are sold, buy a wheelbarrow and GET STARTED. ... If required, put a toll on vehicular traffic. – Eric Fryer
Gas Prices
How is it possible that with crude oil in the low $60 range, we have seen a nearly 20-cent-per-litre increase in gasoline prices fluctating overnight?
It’s hard not to feel that we are being ripped off again by the collective greed of our gasoline suppliers.
Not long ago, like only a few years, when crude was in the $60 range, we were getting our gasoline for 40 to 50 cents less than current prices. What has changed?
What is the justification when consumers are reeling from higher prices across the whole range of necessities?
This sham – orchestrated by the oil industry, where every company increases their prices in lock step – demonstrates how helpless consumers are to the whims of Big Oil. There is obviously zero price competition in this industry.
We might once have had some sympathy for Big Oil, when the federal government enacted policies such as the West Coast tanker ban and refused to allow western oil producers to construct pipelines to market their product to Eastern Canada, while the Eastern provinces were buying their crude from Saudi Arabia.
Now we face the spectre of Big Oil trying to pad their bottom line at the expense of beleaguered consumers – many of whom have no choice but to use this grossly overpriced commodity.
Many of us shudder at the thought of price controls, but when industry can subject us to this type of price gouging, what other solution is there? – Michael Smith, Ladysmith
Mike Gogo Pond Credit Response
What an excellent idea Mike has for catchment ponds on his property. These would go a long way for a rapid response to a fire occurrence. Both for airborne initial attack or local firefighting – especially at remote rural locations, where finding enough water to attack an outbreak would be paramount. As well, a bonus to any small acreage for irrigation.
– Colin Blake, Ladysmith
Letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. editor@take5.ca
Bell-Ringing Choir Completes LRCA, Church Dream
BY RICK RAKE
Magical, musical ringing by the Glenora Farm Bell Choir stole the show with its rendition of I Have a Dream on September 12 as a bell that once hung in the steeple of Ladysmith’s St. John’s Anglican Church made its way back home.
Dignitaries and guests assembled on the outside landing of Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA) Heart on the Hill affordable housing project at 314 Buller Street to dedicate the 1904 bell restored and permanently mounted by Ladysmith & District Historical Society.
Unveiled by Ladysmith Mayor Deena Beeston, blessed by Rev. Leslie Flynn of the Anglican Parish of St. Philip Cedar, the bell’s return was a commitment to the church to honour its legacy, explained LRCA past president Sandra Marquis.
“May the St. John’s bell continue to bring together neighbours and friends, strengthening the bonds that make Ladysmith such a vibrant and caring community,” said Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis.
The bell choir directed by Annette Lamspon is part of the community inclusion program at Glenora Farm, funded by Community Living BC. The
farm is located in the Cowichan Valley, southwest of Duncan.
Lampson has directed the choir since its inception 20 years ago, and it features as many as 18 members for the six to seven invites it receives each year, at annual events in the summer and at Christmas.
The choir delights in performing for the public, and invitations can be sent by calling 250-715-1559.
Ita Wegman Association, a provincially registered charity, operates Glenora Farm, a 100-acre biodynamic farm where adults with developmental disabilities live, work and learn together with their caregivers.
New Hope Building
A new four-storey modular building was installed at The Salvation Army New Hope Centre in downtown Nanaimo on September 16th. Ground for the new project was first broken in Janu-
ary 2024. Intended to provide support for persons experiencing hopelessness, homelessness, and often addiction, the new building will include a modern dining space, commercial kitchen, and 28 shelter beds, while freeing up muchneeded program space in the existing structure at 19 Nicol Street. The existing building and the new building will be connected at the ground floor level. The Salvation Army has been serving the community of Nanaimo since 1892, when the doors first opened at its present downtown address. The SA’s range of services in the city have expanded to include food, clothing, and blanket distribution, emergency shelter and housing support, sports and social programs, chaplain services, family support, spiritual and social supports for men, women
Bell dedication at Ladysmith Resources Centre’s heart on the Hill. Photo: Rick Rake
New Hope Centre under construction.
Photo: Rick Rake
and children, camps, crafts, and more. The Salvation Army believes that human connections are essential, and that kindness, compassion, and encouragement can transform lives.
As an international non-profit committed to reducing human suffering, The Salvation Army is active in over 130 countries. The SA helps one person at a time, believing that every person is infinitely valuable and equally worthy.
Please consider helping in this important work for our community. For further information, https://NanaimoNewHope.ca or phone 250 714 1142.
New education programs will increase First Nation K-12 teachers
There is a significant shortage of First Nations teachers in the province and new community-based education programs seek to rectify the issue. The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) in partnership with the Province, are supporting the training of more First Nations teachers.
“First Nations learners deserve to see First Nations teachers in their classrooms. This is an important first step and we look forward to working with the Province to ensure ongoing support for First Nation community-based teachereducation programs,” said K x ysel q, Tyrone McNeil, president, First Nations Education Steering Committee.
As part of the StrongerBC: Future Ready action plan, the Ministry of PostSecondary Education and Future Skills allocated $5.4 million over two years to support community based First Nations teacher education. This funding will help create a more inclusive education system in B.C.
Three First Nations, including Stz’uminus First Nation, received $1 million to support the delivery of their Bachelor of Education programs. Stz’uminus Education Society, in partnership with the University of Victoria (UVic), has launched a language revitalization certificate program, laddering into a diploma and then a Bachelor of Education in Indigenous language revitalization in Hul’q’umi’num’. The inaugural cohort includes 17 learners from the Stz’uminus First Nation.
Railway station revitalization
The Ladysmith Train Station Redevelopment project received a $1 million initiative fund to bring new regional connection and transportation between Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and Chemianus.
The project, funded through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) and in partnership with the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) proposes a HiRail bus to bring accessibility and sustainable transportation to the area.
In September, the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the ICF hosted a HiRail bus at the historic Ladysmith Station to spark conversation around the project. The next steps include early site preparation and in 2026, beginning major renovations on the train station.
Submit your nominations now!
The Ladysmith & District Historical Society is calling for nominations from the community for the annual Ladysmith Heritage Awards. The awards recognise the individuals, businesses, and societies that have played a vital role in this past year through their actions or
initiatives toward preserving or promoting local heritage.
Anyone can nominate, including themselves, their business, or their society. Applications can be submitted to info@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca
The application deadline is October 31st and the award recipients will be celebrated Feb 21, 2026 at the Ladysmith Eagles Hall, during BC Heritage Week.
Island Rail Corridor is proposing a HiRail bus, pictured here, that could run on the tracks. Photo: Bob Burgess
Blues Artist Guy Davis
Performs in Duncan
The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre presents Grammy nominee, Guy Davis. The performance will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM. A musician, actor, author, and songwriter, Davis has twice been nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album. His work blends roots, blues, folk, rock, rap, spoken word, and world music to address social injustice, historical events, and life struggles.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. They can be purchased online, by calling the Cowichan PAC.
O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy
Grab your teacups and ring in the holiday season with fun, frivolity, and merriment! O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy will take the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on November 5th.
The British Comedy duo of James and Jamesy is renowned for their impeccable timing, comic physicality, and endearing chemistry. The production has worked its way into the hearts of thousands and has become a cherished annual tradition for many.
The show’s characters approach the production from very different perspectives. For James, on-stage events are make-believe, and the audience is of the real world. To Jamesy, on-stage events are real, and the audience ceases to exist. This perspective contrast dissipates as the play progresses, compelling the audience to join the performers in the world of imagination and the delight of
‘play.’
“We’re inspired to dream big and tap into our child-like imagination,” Malkin, who portrays James, says. “We’re excited to introduce new elements that will make this year’s performance even more unforgettable. Every year…the show develops, which keeps the whole experience fresh and thrilling for audiences and ourselves…We can’t wait!”
Hungry for Laughs Raise Funds for Local Non-profits
One of Canada’s most heartfelt entertainment experiences is bringing its unique blend of comedy and community care to Vancouver Island—reminding us that laughter can be a powerful force for good.
The tour will take stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on October 10th and the Port Theatre on October 11th. The evening of acclaimed
Christmas tradition O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy returns. Photo submitted.
stand-up comedy will support the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society and Nanaimo Family Life Association.
The Hungry for Laughs Comedy Tour combines comedy with local impact. Each event partners with a community-based charity to ensure proceeds go directly to where they are needed most.
The 2025 tour features Amazon Prime and Melbourne Comedy Festival performer Alex Mackenzie, Just for Laughs veteran Chris Griffin, Vancouver’s Funniest Comedian and CBC’s The Debaters and Roast Battle Canada feature Brittany Lyseng, and Comedy Network performer and Bill Burr opener, Sunee Dhaliwal.
If We Are Women on at Cedar Community Hall
Yellow Point Drama Group at Cedar Community Hall presents If We
Are Women. While it is a play about women, it’s for everyone who’s ever had a mother!
The morning after 18-year-old Polly loses her virginity in the Congregational Church, her two grandmothers—one an illiterate farmer from Saskatoon, the other a Jewish intellectual from Pennsylvania—draw upon their own life experiences to offer advice to Polly and her mother, Jessica, who is mourning her lover’s recent death. Filled with passion, regret, and humour, this play touches on every woman’s experiences and the choices we all have to make.
A special group rate of $20 per person to parties of 10 or more is on offer. Tickets and showtimes are available on the Yellow Point Drama Group’s website.
Upcoming Writer’s Workshops and Bookfest
Jackie Sharp, a local fiction and non-fiction author, is set to showcase and support aspiring and independent writers through workshops and a Winter Book Fest.
Yellow Point Drama Group’s new play If We Are Women cast members. Photo submitted.
The two workshops are designed to help authors of all genres achieve their publishing dreams.
Crafting compelling characters and mastering the technical aspects of selfpublishing take place on October 18th. Writing murder mysteries will take place on October 25th.
“There is nothing more fun than spending time plotting how to kill people—fictionally of course,” Sharp joked. Sharp is additionally planning a Winter Book Fest, set to take place in November. The event will introduce local readers to the indie author community. “Canada, and BC in particular, has so much writing talent, and I know that local readers will find some gems,” she says.
The Book Fest promises to be a unique opportunity for residents to discover new authors and support the thriving local independent writing scene. By bringing together writers and readers, Sharp hopes to foster a sense of community and celebrate the diverse voices that make up BC’s literary landscape.
Sharp also writes under the pen name Jackie Elliott and made waves last year when she used a Kickstarter project to launch her novel, Murder at the Marina. Sharp donated its proceeds to the Ladysmith Maritime Society, the organization which inspired the novel.
Building on her first novel’s momentum, Sharp has since penned three more books in the series. She has also authored the popular Coffin Cove mystery series, published by Joffe Books. Sharp’s success in self-publishing also includes non-fiction works, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of the process.
Registration start at $65. For more information on the workshops, the Winter Book Fest, and to register, visit the website: jackiesharpauthor.com
A Spooky Night of Dancing at the Legion!
The Royal Canadian Legion Ranch 171 is hosting a full, spooky costume dance on October 25th with Duncan’s Trip’n Me band. The evening begins at 7:00 PM and will feature a variety of music covers, from classic rock to contemporary country. A live DJ will also play.
Advance tickets are $20, available at the Legion Lounge, or $25 at the door.
Authentic Indian flavours at AARKUL
BY PAUL LEGACY
This month’s food adventure took us to a warm and inviting restaurant in Cedar called AARKUL. Kulbeer Bhandari, AARKUL’s head chef, opened the restaurant a year ago with his wife, Rakhi, who works alongside him.
Kulbeer began his cooking career in India in 2004, where he worked in various restaurants throughout the country. He then moved to Germany, England, and Vancouver, where he continued to hone his culinary skills in restaurants in Victoria and Duncan. His dreams of opening his own restaurant came true in Cedar.
In all the dishes, he uses authentic Indian spices for maximum flavour. Much of the menu is from Northern India, but some dishes are from the State of Goa.
The decor features a calming and relaxing atmosphere, accompanied by gentle background music.
We were seated quickly, and after reviewing some dishes with the chef, we decided on the masala-fried calamari as our starter.
As this dish was presented to us, it was very eye-pleasing, and the taste was mouth-watering. The sauce offered welcoming flavours to the palate. It came with papadum – very thin bread made of gram flour with added cumin seeds. This added a nice crunch to the dish. Our next dish was tandoori prawns, cooked in a clay oven and accompanied by a large bowl of perfectly cooked rice, as well as a yogurt-based marinade that left us wanting more.
Our final dish was chicken korma cooked in a rich, creamy cashew sauce served with rice. The aroma was inviting, and the taste was excellent. We also had garlic-and-cheese naan bread, which offered a welcoming taste and texture to our dishes.
All our dishes were presented beautifully, and the flavours of onions, garlic and ginger, blended with turmeric, coriander, cumin and garam masala, came through abundantly on the palate. Our dishes were mild in spices, but AARKUL caters to all palates, and the dishes can be adjusted to your needs.
Indian food is rich in natural spices, which promote heart and digestive health and support the immune system. It also
provides sustained energy and overall nutrition, as well as antiinflammatory and bone health.
Although we only tried three dishes and naan bread, I feel confident that the chef’s knowledge of Indian cooking, combined with the use of authentic Indian spices, will make the rest of the menu nothing short of excellent.
This young chef has a passion for cooking traditional dishes from his country, accompanied by excellent service. I certainly will return for more dishes in the near future.
You can follow Paul Legacy’s food blog: A Legacy in Thyme at https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvhVXYW3a/?mibextid= wwXIfr
Kulbeer Bhandari, AARKUL’s head chef. Photo: Paul Legacy
Ironman? No, make that Ironwoman
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Breanna Bradley didn’t know how to swim in a race when she signed up for her first triathlon. Now, she’s headed for Kona, Hawaii, to race in the Ironman World Championship on October 11, 2025. Along the way, she’s using her platform to fundraise $5,000 for the Nanaimo-based charity, the Haven Society. It was hard work over the last couple years that got her to this point. “I wasn’t a swimmer. I didn’t own a bike before signing up … and it’s a sport that’s definitely not instant gratification. Like you ought to work at running and biking and swimming to get better. It’s not just overnight.”
While she is a long-time runner, she only started racing in triathlons a few years ago. “I started training, and my sister and I decided that we would sign up for our first, just standard Olympic triathlon in June of 2023.”
Since then, she’s run a handful of triathlons, several half marathons and an Ironman last summer in Penticton. “It was five days after my thirtieth birthday. And that was kind of the reason I decided to sign up for it, as I was turning thirty and I thought, ‘Why not do something fun for your thirtieth?’”
The race did give her a qualifying time for Kona, but the swim portion was can-
celled due to the water being too cold. “I feel like I have a lot to prove because I got my spot without a swim.”
The Ironman is a type of triathlon consisting of a 3.9-km swim, a 180-km bike ride, and a 42.2-km marathon. In Kona, it’s an ocean swim, followed by a ride and run across the big island’s dynamic landscape.
Even with careful training, things can unexpectedly go wrong. In June, Breanna got very sick, even having to be hospitalized for a few days. “I had something called mycoplasma pneumonia and had a severe rash all over my body. … Then I got something really weird [called] erythema nodosum, and I had these red lumps all over my shins, and so I was basically put on bedrest.”
Her recovery took a month. She spent that time wondering if she’d even make it to Kona. “When I had this huge setback, it’s kind of like [I had] put all this work in and I’m thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I did this for nothing if I can’t race.’”
Breanna Bradley as she crosses the finish line in Victoria. She is heading to Kona, Hawaii for the famous Ironman World Championship. Photos submitted.
But instead of listening to the doubt, she trusted her ability to recover and continued with the training she could do. “I went to the pool and I swam. I couldn’t really use my legs, so I used the little buoy that goes in between your legs, and I just used my arms, because for me not doing any activity is just impossible.”
When she’s not training, Breanna works as an elementary school teacher in Ladysmith. She’s hoping to inspire the kids in her class. “I just really wanna show kids that with hard work and dedication … anything is possible.”
After her health setback, she began a 12-week training plan to get back to a place where she could compete. Now she’s up to 20 hours of training a week. She’s training before and after school, as well as on the weekends. The amount of time that goes into preparing for a race like this is hard on relationships, but she said her husband, Jim, has been incredibly supportive of her. “He’s just been so understanding about it and been my number-one cheerleader.”
Community support is a big part of Breanna’s athletic journey. “Especially being new in this sport, it’s just really nice to be able to turn to some people who have done this or have … quite a bit of experience in this sport.”
She’s found connections in run clubs and among her peers, but her aunt is her mentor. “She’s a big reason why I got into running. She ran all the cool marathons, and she did three Ironmans, and I think she started in her forties. So she’s been my coach.”
One of her concerns ahead of the race is the difference in environment between Vancouver Island and Kona. The course
will be challenging, but she’s been training with elevation in mind. The curve ball could be the swimming portion. “I haven’t done an ocean swim in a race. I’ve only done a freshwater swim.” But perhaps the biggest potential snag, she says, is that, “the water temperature could be too warm for me to wear my wetsuit,” which would affect her buoyancy and speed in the water.
She is going a few days ahead of the race to test the water and the terrain, but regardless of the outcome, she’s keeping an open mind. “This is only gonna be my second full-distance Ironman. Whereas some people that are going, they’ve been in this world for a decade, and so it’s still definitely very much a learning experience for me.”
The Haven House connection came through her desire to share her platform with an organization that is making a difference in the Nanaimo community. “I’m going to an all-women’s race. The best women are competing at this high level, and then you have Haven Society and their whole mission is empowering women.”
The society’s mission, which is to provide shelter and programs for women and families who have experienced abuse, is also close to Breanna’s heart as a teacher. “I work with kids and families. I know how important it is for families to feel safe.”
She asks that anyone able to donate to the Haven Society consider doing so. “We all greatly appreciate it.” She also hopes that anyone who wants to watch will tune in on October 11 to the Ironman tracking app or Ironman World. “If you’re contemplating starting your running journey or your biking journey or your swimming journey – or whatever it may be – just
Life and times of Caden Teneycke
BY GABRIELLE LEE
The public has long been fascinated by Caden Teneycke.
At twenty years old, the Ladysmith native stands at three-and-a-half feet tall. He’s often found roaming the city in his lifted truck or moving from place to place on his Segway, all while donning his signature backwards cap. “[People] always remember me,” he admits. “[People] always … [have] the questions.”
Indeed, Teneycke leaves an impression – one so significant that it’s been the catalyst for his career. The last few years have given rise to his social media presence, which continues to grow rapidly. As of today, he’s accumulated over 2.5 million followers across his platforms on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Teneycke is a little person. He has a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, which, in addition to his height, affects his physical health and mobility in a number of ways. His videos offer an authentic peek into his day-to-day life. “I pretty much show everything. … If it’s a part of me and a part of my life, it’s probably going to be featured in my videos,” Teneycke says. “I think it … cater[s] towards … a lot of people … because it is kind of raw and authentic.”
Though Teneycke’s online popularity has skyrocketed within the past couple of years, he’s been producing content and has been interested in the field since he was a boy. “I first got into social media …
when I was 11. Growing up with my condition, I was … not the most physically able. So, after school, my friends would be at … hockey practice, [and] I would … find myself [watching] different YouTubers,” Teneycke explains. “My parents understood … [I had] limited physical ability, but I’m sure they would’ve loved for me to draw or to go throw the ball for the dog instead of always being on my iPod.” He laughs. “[Once], my dad came around the corner. I was watching … a vlog … and he [said], ‘You know, Caden, instead of watching all that stuff, why don’t you try and learn how to make it?’ And of course, 11-year-old me … not having the most entertaining lifestyle, I was like, ‘There’s no way people are going to watch this.’ … But that’s when I went to YouTube and searched up how to make YouTube videos, instead of just watching others. I got my first camera about … a month later and [made] my first video about a week after that.”
Teneycke’s interest in producing content waned in secondary school, but other involvements during his adolescent years helped to familiarize him with public-facing work. He secured a job as a Youth Contributor for CBC Kids News. He spent time hosting galas with BC Children’s Hospital – experiences he credits for helping him develop his public speaking skills as well as his ability to build a personal brand and manage the business aspects of video production. As Teneycke’s high school years came to a close, he was inspired by friends who he saw making an income on social media. He picked his camera back up and has been consistent with his output ever since.
Teneycke realized that he had a notable perspective – one that people were drawn to when shared. “[I] figured [my identity] was what would set me apart from everybody else that was in the space. … There’s not a lot of little people out there making the content that I do [and] … it allowed me to really stand out,” he expresses. “[The] first video that showed me on my TikTok was how I wash my Jeep at three-and-a-half feet tall. That was my first viral video. … Everybody was so interested, [wondering] how to drive the Jeep? Why do I drive a Jeep? … And then it just spiralled from there, [with] people being intrigued about how I live my life at [my height].”
Teneycke focuses on producing engaging, diverse content that’s shared through the lens of his unique outlook. While his videos do touch on his experience as a little person, they also highlight his time as a fourth-year business student at the University of Victoria, as well as his hobbies, travels, and friends.
Caden Teneycke. Photo submitted.
Caden Teneycke has a passion for cars. Photo submitted.
“I post a variety of content. Some days, it’s cooking; some days, it’s taking the Jeep off-roading. Some days, it’s talking about my surgeries. I’ve really tried to cater my content to be specifically about me and how I do things. … People watch it because of how I tell the story and how I present things in [my] perspective.”
Naturally, his content also showcases his most memorable interests, lifted vehicles. Teneycke depicts all that comes along with owning the cars he does: the alterations that make the vehicles drivable for him, the places he’s able to access, why he chooses the cars he does, as well as the care and maintenance that comes along with it all. “My dad, who’s a little person ... my whole life, he had lifted Jeeps, lifted trucks, side-bysides. … I feel like a lot of young kids want to be like their dad … and I had a quad when I was really young, so I kind of fell in love with … riding and driving,” Teneycke says. “Being myself while getting out of a jacked-up truck is [also] just a gold mine for content, so that definitely helped foster my addiction to vehicles and anything with wheels. … Now that I’ve been able to incorporate it [in] my content ... I have some vehicles that I probably wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the videos.”
Caden Teneycke at one of his many speaking engagements. Photo submitted.
Though Teneycke crafts his content with engagement in mind, a core message remains throughout all his work – one that’s rooted in awareness. “I think this goes for anybody who’s living with a unique feature. … Maybe it takes me one or two
extra steps to do something, but I can always do it. If I want to drive a jacked-up truck, I can modify it to do so. If I want to reach something on the top shelf, I can grab a hockey stick to fling it down. … There’s always a way. And I think I try to showcase … just that,” Teneycke explains. “A lot of the time … you might look at somebody with a difference and think, ‘Oh, it must suck to be them,’ or, ‘I can’t imagine what it’s like,’ and of course … there’s extra hurdles … but at the end of the day, I’m just Caden. I’m an average 20-year-old kid. I just happen to be half the size.”
The balance Teneycke manages with his work is fine, especially with his more lighthearted content like skits. He remains cognizant of educating and not exploiting, stating, “I like to spread awareness, I like to showcase what it’s like to live with my condition, but at the same time, I don’t want to exploit it. I don’t want to kind of take advantage of it to where it’s almost making fun of it [or presenting it] ... in a different light.”
This message from Teneycke has resonated with people; his career and business continue to rise. He has goals of eventually accumulating ten million followers and is interested in building a team and starting a media company. At the same time, he remains aware of the often fleeting nature of social media prominence and understands that his current role may not be enduring. “I think content has a bit of a shelf life,” he says. “My goal has always been to be in front of the camera for probably five, ten years and then eventually move behind [it and] work with other creators.”
Teneycke remains connected to the place where he was raised, and, like most people, hopes his work will one day allow him to purchase a house or an acreage in his hometown. He also speaks of bringing more opportunities to Vancouver Island. “There’s not a lot of creative opportunities [here], especially in Ladysmith and in the smaller towns. So I think bringing that into a community might have some benefit. … I think it’s a valuable skill … [and what] the world is going to slowly be moving towards,” he states.
Teneycke expresses that since childhood, he has always been paid attention to, stared at, and wondered about. With social media, he now has the chance to engage and express himself on his own terms, in a way that is creatively fulfilling, flexible and rewarding. “I can kind of live my life, and people somehow love to watch it,” he says. Indeed, it seems like more and more will continue to tune in to see just that – how Teneycke, like any other 20-year-old student, navigates the world.
Teneycke can be found at @officialcadenteneycke on TikTok and @CadenTeneycke on YouTube.
Investing in downtown
With the start of the redevelopment of the Island Hotel – from a building in dire need of repairs and upgrades to a new and much-needed residential housing complex – the nature and character of downtown Ladysmith are continuing to evolve. The rebuild of the Islander, as it is now being called, is just the latest example of a quiet and ongoing trend to preserve our downtown heritage buildings while gradually expanding the downtown core.
Over the past decade or so, noticeable and not-so-obvious changes have been occurring. One of the first buildings to be renovated was the building at 431 First Avenue. Today, the building is home to Plantitude Restaurant, In the Beantime and White Space Living, with three rental units on the top floor.
Owner Karen Olenik invested well over $1.5 million to save the 125-yearold building, which needed major structural upgrades. These upgrades have added another 100 years or more of life to the building.
Another significant investment is in the former Home Hardware store. It was modified by the Iven family at great expense to become the Fox and Hounds Pub. The Ivens family invested well over $750,000 dollars into the well-loved and respected establishment, creating employment while meeting the needs of the area. Across the street from the Fox and Hounds, in the former location of In the Bean Time, new owners of the building are investing over half a million dollars in renovation and equipment to open the new Owl’s Nest, demonstrating their faith in the community.
Another excellent example of a place where the owner is giving new life to a character building is the Temperance Hotel. Owners Stefan Queitsch and Denise Bergquist have invested over $1.5
million and countless hours of sweat equity to create a unique boutique hotel experience offering accommodation in the heart of downtown.
Along First Avenue, there are other renovations and improvements underway in many of our heritage buildings. Some are obvious changes like Zack’s Lounge, with its outdoor patio. Other downtown changes include combining the Wild Poppy and Old Town Ice Cream shops, as well as renovations to the bookstore, now called Boundless Books.
Some renovations are not apparent from the street. There is now an updated two-bedroom apartment above Appetite Food for Thought. The owners of the Johnson Shoe Building, as well as the owners of the Worldly Gourmet and Pemberton Realty, have invested a lot of money in upgrading the apartments above their buildings, creating desirable residences.
Recently, the building housing the Old Town Bakery and the apartments above it was purchased by Kate and Geoff Cram, owners of the Old Town Bakery. They have plans to make further improvements that complement the investment they have made in making the building even more sustainable for the coming year.
Farther along First Avenue, the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary purchased additional land and expanded its thriving Thrift shop. Over the last few years, they have invested nearly $2 million to expand their store, enabling them to raise even more money to support the health and well-being of those in our area.
At the other end of First Avenue, Bayview Brewery owner Rod Alsop and his partners, Johnny Ludtke, Alfred Elviss and Geoff Alsop, have also shown their faith in the future of the community by
Bayview Brewing. Photo: Bob Burgess
spending more than half a million dollars to change what was once a residential home into a 30-seat local gathering place.
FMC, a local company owned by the Crucil family, has invested a vast sum of money to clean up what was a contaminated gas station and garage site, and has developed Dalby’s on Dogwood – a multi-unit condo complex on the site. The new building offers some of the finest views of Ladysmith harbour within walking distance of downtown.
But this will not be the most significant residential development along First Avenue. A company called Framework Projects owned by Tom Awram, has submitted plans to the Town to redevelop a quarter of the 300 block of First Avenue, constructing a $50 million, sixstorey, 142-apartment complex that includes more than 10,000 square feet of commercial space.
Today, the most apparent sign of confidence in the future of Ladysmith is the renovation of the Islander Hotel site. This is no small task. It is an investment of more than $12 million and two years of the owners’ time in this venture.
What is it that drives people to invest in our community? I believe that there is a commonality in their thinking.
One developer (First Avenue Freeholders) summed it up: “We like Ladysmith because it represents the best of the old and the new.” Randy Repass went on to say, “We like the culture and the overall feel of the area, especially the carefully restored town of Ladysmith, with its large working harbour. We admire the dedication and strong civic involvement of the many people who invest their time and resources into making downtown Ladysmith a unique town that has retained its charm and history. These many upgrades are bringing needed housing and commerce – all within walking distance.”
Personally, I find it most interesting that all these projects are privately driven. Today, various governments are either unwilling or unable to underwrite investments to help revitalize our historic downtown core, as they did in the 1980s – a time when numerous grants were available for downtown redevelopment. Back then, many businesses took advantage of these grants, and the town’s appearance underwent
Framework Projects has submitted plans to the Town to redevelop a quarter of the 300 block of First Avenue. Photo: Bob Burgess
a dramatic transformation. Today, the private sector is investing its money in the future of our town, particularly its heritage downtown core. Ladysmith is changing, like it or not.
I, for one, appreciate that our heritage buildings are being preserved where it is practical, even if some significant alterations are needed to meet today’s needs. I hope that developers recognize the value in Ladysmith’s heritage look and will want to preserve our remaining heritage buildings, finding a new purpose for
them in their future.
Developing more housing in the downtown area is key to keeping our city core alive and exciting – although I do have concerns about increased traffic and its impact on parking in the downtown area.
These individuals are taking significant financial risks that, in my opinion, will significantly benefit our town. I plan to support the commercial businesses that are part of these developments, at least, that’s as I see it.
Harvest House addressing hunger
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
The table is set, and the people are hungry. Amid the rise in poverty and food scarcity, local food banks are filling the gap to keep people fed.
Emily Holmes, coordinator for Harvest House, a food bank in Chemainus, spoke about the increased demand. “There’s just this constant growth and adjusting. Last year, we were on average 120 households a week, and right now, we’re hitting 170 households a week.”
Over the last three years since Holmes’ started at the food bank, she has seen the demand triple. In the July 2025 report, she noted they were serving 713 individuals throughout the month, compared to the 425 in January of this year.
She noted that there is an increase in households that are working and trying to support kids, a trend also seen by Food Banks Canada. The 2024 report noted that 18 per cent of people accessing support were working but simply couldn’t make ends meet. That’s the highest it’s ever recorded.
Not being able to make ends meet is a common problem, but it can be difficult
to ask for help. “I think for anybody using the food bank, it’s sometimes a really hard step to say, ‘I need help.’ And we’re seeing more people who are waiting like it’s their last thing. We’ve had people show up who literally haven’t eaten.”
The 2024 Hunger Report showed a dramatic 90 per cent increase in use from March 2019 to March 2024. The report went on to describe this change as marking the breaking point for the food bank system. “The increased rate of change in usage since [2023] is just over six per cent, and food banks are struggling to continue meeting the sustained elevated demand.” And that’s before the global trade upheaval that Canada is facing this year.
While the full annual report hasn’t been released yet, Food Banks Canada did release their 2025 Report Cards in mid-September. This system measures the poverty trends, standards of living and legislative progress, and presents it in an easily accessible and comparable method: a letter grade.
Poverty in Canada, according to the report, received an “F” with the poverty rate at 10.2 per cent, and unemployment rate worsened from last year at 6.7 per cent. However, there is hope in this re-
port. The section on Material Deprivation notes that Inadequate Standards of Living and Severely Inadequate Standards of Living have improved, jumping a full letter grade from a “D+” to now a “C+.”
The report noted that “food insecurity remains at record highs, but early signs of progress … offer hope.” The report outlines recommendations for the federal government regarding housing improvements, updating tax structures and investing in northern and Indigenous communities to ensure they’re getting the right support. If these are heeded, the report says that Canada could cut its food insecurity crisis in half by 2030. In the meantime, though, the local food banks are still on the front line of this crisis.
Despite this national pressure, Harvest House is a quiet space. Located in the basement of the Chemainus United Church, it’s peaceful and surrounded by old fruit trees and a community garden. Inside, the quiet facade falls away to reveal towering rows of shelving units and carts full of toiletries and non-perishable goods. Volunteers sort donations in the back, stacking them together on the shelves. In the hall, tables are set out with fresh vegetables, bread and canned goods, ready for the people to arrive.
“We do a once-a-week pickup, and you can get a small supply of non-perishable, canned goods. If you were a single person, that would be five items. Plus, a rice or pasta … then there would be a litre of milk, half a dozen eggs, a selection of produce, and a protein. This week was cheese and canned beans.”
Since its start in 2001, Harvest House has been feeding the smaller communities around Chemainus. “We do what’s called a Stop and Shop. … We set up tables, and then people come in to do their own shopping. We do that in Crofton on
Mondays. … Then on Tuesday morning, we do Penelakut at the youth centre over on the island. We go over, set up tables, [and] set up the food, [and] people come in and select what they need. Then Thetis is Thursday, and we do Chemainus on Tuesday evening and Friday morning.” Premade hampers can also be ordered online and either picked up or delivered as needed. Monetary donations and government funding are used to purchase the much-needed staples, but it’s a team effort to feed the community. They receive regular food donations from local businesses and citizens, support from other food banks like the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association and Loaves and Fishes, and financial donations.
While there are executives on staff, the organization is largely run by volunteers. “We currently have about 60 active volunteers. … We have open positions, especially for people who can lift.” A lot of their volunteers are retired and no longer have the strength to lift the food boxes or tables that are required for the weekly outreaches.
Local food banks are always asking for help, both in donations and volunteers. It’s one of the best ways to make a difference in your community. For information on how to help, visit the Harvest House website, and if you’re hungry, come and eat.
Volunteers at Harvest House food bank in Chemainus helping to fill a growing need. Photo submitted.
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
As you may have heard, the RDN has a conditional agreement to purchase a 360-hectare property, known as Hamilton Marsh, from Island Timberlands/ Mosaic Forest Management. The purchase price is $30 million. The primary condition affecting the sale is the requirement that funding partners and community fundraising contribute a minimum of $7.5 million by January 30, 2026. Should the fundraising achieve the minimum level, the sale will be completed on March 31, 2026.
Acquiring Hamilton Marsh, as a conservation site, has been a priority for the RDN for many years – well before my time as director. Hamilton Marsh contains several wetland habitats, waterfowl brood marsh and several species of wildlife, including those labelled “at-risk” or “of concern.” The area surrounding the marsh has mature Coastal Douglas-fir forests with incredible biodiversity. These lands form part of the French Creek watershed and serve to store rainwater and recharge groundwater. Hamilton Marsh is an effective natural asset that protects the drinking water of northern RDN communities, such as Qualicum Beach.
Unfortunately, RDN Board debate about purchasing land must occur in private and be kept confidential, as it could easily influence negotiations for
purchase. This is true for all land acquisitions and limits what I can say about any potential land acquisition. However, I want the community to know that this decision and the financial impacts were not taken lightly and were heavily debated. The financial impact for Area A is an annual debt repayment of $2.42 per $100,000 of assessed property value. For the average Area A home value of $791,473, this is $19.15 annually at the beginning of the debt repayment process. This is equal to nearly 25 per cent of last year’s RDN tax increase for the averaged value property.
From a financial perspective and given the role of these intact lands in providing drinking water to northern communities, ensuring their protection is a smart decision when compared to the cost of creating and maintaining infrastructure to provide drinking water. Although Hamilton Marsh has more direct benefits for northern RDN communities, such is the reality of being part of a federation. Sometimes we pay for stuff in their area, and sometimes they pay for stuff in ours. I look forward to celebrating when regional investment directly benefits Area A – for which I assure you, I will be a strong advocate.
The necessity and benefits of protecting these lands is not debatable. Who should do that and for how much could be debated. I believe it is a legitimate question to ask which level of government should be primarily responsible for
protecting ecologically significant lands like Hamilton Marsh. Whose role is it to ensure watersheds and thus drinking water is protected now and for the years to come? Alternatively, we could question if conservation of natural assets is a role that local government should fulfill or if their primary responsibility is to provide recreational opportunities. It’s all taxpayer money, but there are differences in how it’s acquired and from whom. Local governments acquire their funds through taxation of property, whereas provincial and federal governments have additional sources (e.g., sales tax and income tax).
As the RDN seeks funding partners to support the purchase and protection of these lands, other groups and levels of government could – in acknowledgement of the importance of Hamilton Marsh – make significant financial contributions beyond the minimum fundraising requirement. (Fingers crossed.) Ultimately, ensuring the protection and availability of drinking-water sources must be a priority. As changing weather patterns affect the availability of water, we will need to protect natural systems that provide water or create infrastructure. Mother Nature’s solutions are usually cheap and require less maintenance. Neither is cheap, but what’s the alternative?
I am interested in your opinions on this (and all topics). Email me at jessica. stanley@rdn.bc.ca or 250-268-7359.
CVRD Area H North Oyster/ Diamond
Town Hall Invitation – October Community is built on conversations. Whether we’re talking about the future of our neighbourhoods, the safety of our roads or how to balance growth with affordability, it all comes down to people gathering, sharing ideas and shaping the direction we move in together. This fall, these conversations are happening in two important ways: the recent Local Area Plan (LAP) information session in the Diamond, and the upcoming Director’s Town Hall on October 9. September’s Local Area Plan Session in the Diamond
On September 12, 2025, the Diamond Hall was buzzing with energy. We hosted an information session and Town Hall on the draft Local Area Plan (LAP) – a major milestone as the Official Community Plan (OCP) process nears completion. While the OCP is close to its final stages, the LAP is being completed as a separate but connected piece. Once it’s finalized, it will fold into the OCP, with a public hearing expected in early 2026.
A lot of work has already gone into the draft LAP; months of community engagement, referrals to agencies like the Agricultural Land Commission, a housing needs report, and countless hours of effort from both CVRD staff and consultants. With so much invested, I wanted the community to see the draft and weigh in before it goes further. Although it wasn’t originally part of the project plan, the CVRD Board supported my request to hold this extra session.
But here’s the truth: hosting a meeting is one thing – getting people to come out is another. That’s where the volunteers came in. Myfawny Plecas and Pauline
Hunt sat down with me for a couple of brainstorming sessions, and from there, we pulled together a team of nearly a dozen neighbours. They went door to door handing out pamphlets, set up sandwich boards around the community and even added balloons the day of the event to catch attention. Thanks to their energy, the turnout was strong.
A Night of Posters, Pizza and Participation
Walking into the Daimond Hall, you could see the effort that went into the setup. Each page of the draft LAP was blown up on poster boards and lined along the walls, with large maps filling in the details. And right in the middle of it all – an inviting table of piping-hot Roberts Street pizza. (For the record: Hawaiian and meat lovers were the crowd favourites, and not a single slice was left by the end of the night.)
Helping field questions were CVRD Planning Coordinator Alison Garnett, Area H Parks Advisory Commissioner Brian Brown and Area H Advisory Planning Commissioner Chris Gerrand. Greeting attendees at the door with warmth and a smile were Pauline Hunt
Diamond Hall Meeting.
Photo: Pauline Hunt
and Sheila Colbert-Kerns.
Among the notable attendees were Area G Director Jesse McClinton, along with Ladysmith’s Mayor Deena Beeston and Councillor Trish McKay. I’ll let you decide whether they came for the planning discussion or the pizza.
In the end, around 100 people visited the information session, and about 60 stayed on for the Town Hall discussion.
What We Heard
The conversations were lively and thoughtful. Key themes emerged, including:
• Road safety – particularly along Christie Road and the tricky left turn from Grouhel Road onto the highway.
• Affordability – balancing the need for housing with the realities of rising costs.
• Trails vs. roads – whether potential waterfront trails might eventually become vehicle routes.
• Lot 106 logging concerns – the community voiced strong feelings that logging could harm the character and environment of the area.
• Heritage values – two additional historic homes were identified as potential heritage sites.
• The Bush Creek property – many questions focused on this large parcel of land. Residents wanted clarity on zoning, water access and road planning (which ultimately rests with the Ministry of Transportation). While the land is already zoned for development, no projects have moved forward in recent years, and if it follows existing zoning, the CVRD Board may not see it cross its desk at all.
What stood out most to me wasn’t just the issues raised, but
the spirit of the gathering. Neighbours who hadn’t spoken in years found themselves reconnecting. People listened to each other respectfully, even when they disagreed. There was a shared sense of pride and care for the community we all call home.
Given the success of this session, we’re planning a follow-up Town Hall for the Diamond in November, this time with the RCMP staff sergeant as a guest speaker.
Looking Ahead: October’s Town Hall
While the Diamond session was about the LAP, our next big conversation shifts to Comprehensive Zoning Bylaws (CZB) and Budget 2026. Both are foundational to how our communities function and grow.
The next Town Hall will be Thursday, October 9, 2025, at North Oyster Community Centre, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This is your chance to bring forward your stories, concerns and ideas. Updating the CZB is not just a technical exercise –it’s about shaping the very character of our region. And with budget discussions about to begin, this is also the time to weigh in before decisions are finalized.
In Closing
I left the Diamond session feeling encouraged. The turnout, the respectful dialogue and the community spirit remind me why these conversations matter. I hope you’ll bring that same energy to North Oyster on October 9.
The choices we make now – about zoning, about budgets, about how we grow – will echo for decades. Let’s make sure those choices reflect the values and voices of the people who live here.
ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca or 250-510-5930
CVRD Area G Saltair/Thetis
A Saltair Update: Fall’s Here, and So Is the Work
The days are shorter, the air is crisp, and the maples along our trails and shoreline are starting to glow. Fall is a season of transition – in nature and in our work together in Saltair and across the CVRD. Here’s where we are as we close out the 2025 summer:
Budget and Financial Planning
One of my core responsibilities as your Area G director is ensuring that Saltair has a strong, practical voice in the CVRD budget. This year, my focus is simple: a more sustainable budget that balances today’s needs with long-term stability.
The 2026 CVRD Budget process is underway with a maximum requisition increase of 4 per cent, and staff have been asked to model options closer to 2.5 per cent. A Special Committee of the Whole is set for November 6, 2025, to review those options.
Protecting Water and Environment
Stocking Lake Dam: Final design work is progressing. We don’t have a construction start date yet, but this project remains essential for long-term water reliability.
Watershed protection: I’ve been working with Mosaic and the RCMP on unauthorized camping in watershed areas. It’s a safety and environmental risk, and we’re pursuing coordinated solutions.
Community action: Thank you to everyone who joined the Lower Cowichan River Cleanup this summer. Your hands-on stewardship matters.
Roads, Transit and Connectivity
Roads and ditches are provincial responsibilities, and I continue to advocate hard on your behalf.
Davis Lagoon Bridge: I’m working with MOTT and our provincial contractor on improving both approaches. Timelines aren’t confirmed, but if funding aligns, the goal is to pave before winter.
Transit: Expanded service is rolling out this fall through the CVRD/BC Transit agreement, including Sunday and holiday service on the CVX (Cowichan–Victoria Express) and NCX (Nanaimo–Cowichan Express).
Rail corridor: I’m keeping Saltair at the table as discussions continue about the Island rail line’s future.
Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan: Stage 2 is underway, with strong engagement from First Nations and the public. This phase sets acquisition priorities and evaluation criteria for the next decade. Saltair’s trails and green spaces are central to our quality of life, and I’m pushing to keep our needs at the forefront.
Official Community Plan (OCP)
Saltair’s Modernized OCP review is shaping the long-term vision for our community. Residents have voiced clear priorities: protecting natural spaces, supporting small businesses and maintaining our rural, coastal character while modernizing infrastructure.
This process will guide local decisionmaking for years to come. It’s essential to understand that an OCP is an aspirational document that should be updated every five years.
Staying Safe and Connected
Fall brings storms, flooding and outages. Please check your emergency kits, look out for neighbours – especially seniors and those living alone – and report hazards promptly.
Save the Date
Community Meeting with MLA Stephanie Higginson: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Saltair Community Centre
Saltair thrives because of your ideas and efforts. My job is to listen, advocate and deliver results. Please reach out with updates – together, we’ll keep Saltair resilient and welcoming.
Email AreaG@jessemcclinton.com or 250-208-9919.
Back to Basics
Creatures That Live in the Damp, Dark Places
Towards the end of August, we led a summer camp group down a steep trail, into the deeper, wetter part of Wildwood’s ancient forest. I was looking for something specific – a few wooden boards strategically placed on the damp ground, surrounded by ferns and mosses.
Years ago, we placed these boards on the forest floor to provide refugia for newts, salamanders and frogs, so that we could easily lift them up to take a peek under. This day, we were looking for creepy crawlies, but it’s always a
treat to spot an amphibian lurking underneath. When we made it to the bottom of the hill, we were greeted by a downed Douglas-fir tree lying right on top of our wooden boards.
Insects and amphibians share many of the same preferences when it comes to good-quality habitat, with the two most important things being damp and dark. Drying out is the worst fate for an amphibian, as they rely on their moist skin to absorb oxygen. We’re lucky at Wildwood to have permanent and ephemeral (or seasonal) wetlands scattered throughout the forest, with the latter being particularly crucial for amphibians during the breeding season. Many young and adult frogs, newts, and salamanders fall prey to fish when inhabiting a pond or lake. But, if the pond is dry for half of the year, they are guaranteed to continue on with their life cycle with one less predator to worry about.
The Pacific tree frog, Hyla regilla, is one we see most often taking advantage of our seasonal wetlands. In the springtime, we hear them croaking and chirping through the trees, a chorus welcoming the first school field trips of the year.
Occasionally, we will spot one clinging to the bark of a Douglas-fir, crouching under a sword fern or perched on top of stair-step moss, as if waiting for us to gather round and marvel at it. Less abundant, and marked as “special concern” by both provincial and federal standards, is the red-legged frog, Rana aurora. I have been fortunate enough to spot a red-legged frog once or twice at
Pacific tree frog, Hyla regilla.
Photo: Nick Longo
Wildwood, but they are much harder to pick out, with their red-brown colouring, compared to the bright-green Pacific tree frog. Thankfully, there are a plethora of places within Wildwood that meet those two main criteria for amphibians; all is not lost with the loss of our wooden boards. We may still salvage the fallen tree, as we are a practising ecoforest, and there are many uses for a mature Douglas-fir. But a fallen tree left alone can provide countless places for amphibians, insects and small mammals to live and hide in, not to mention the nutrients it can supply to the other plants in the forest. We won’t be able to lift it to look underneath, but as the log returns to the earth, someone in the future will be able to sift through parts of the decaying trunk to observe the frogs and salamanders taking refuge within.
The Future of Truth
BY GABRIELLE LEE
After 27 years as an archivist, Christine Meutzner has some thoughts on truth and history. Up until her retirement in June, Metuzner worked as the manager of the Nanaimo Community Archives.
A non-profit society, the Nanaimo Community Archives are “dedicated to acquiring, preserving and providing public access to the historical records of the Nanaimo region.” They are the official repository for the records of the City of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Museum and the Nanaimo Historical Society, and their extensive collection includes maps, architectural drawings and photographs, published works and various community records. Since its opening, Meutzner has also contributed her expertise to the Ladysmith Archives, a role which she plans to continue to fulfill in the future.
Meutzner’s work has long been rooted in developing systems that allow communities to learn more about themselves. “[People] think … you can’t go in [the archives]. … They’re not even quite clear that it is open to the public,” Metuzner says, aware that her former workplace may seem mysterious and even intimidating. She is eager, however, to dispel this notion. “Every-
one is welcome,” she states. In fact, staff organize collections with the public in mind, ensuring that information is presented in a manner that is locatable and understandable. “You don’t have to be academic. You don’t have to be doing some giant project. You can just come in; find out what you need to know,” Meutzner expresses. “Some of the best researchers we’ve met over the years – the people who are really dogged and will follow every lead – [are people who] just have the time and the inclination to do a really good job.”
The archives, after all, are a backbone of the community, offering up knowledge that is unclouded by bias or personal history. Meutzner explains how people will “come in … [and] say ... somebody told me [this or that] ... about a person or a building or a site. And I’ll say, ‘Let’s go look it up,’ and then we get out [a record], like a tax assessment, where … we can see what the ownership is.”
The archives are a free and accessible way for people to verify claims and clear up personal questions – and are often much enjoyed by those who visit. “People, once they come into an archive, love it.” Meutzner says.
Even more, the credibility of archives protects people from one of Meutzner’s growing concerns in our modern age – ”the proliferation of misinformation.” Meutzner acknowledges that “sometimes, people contribute [information], and it’s not really history; it’s just individual nostalgia,” and that many “don’t know how to evaluate if one source is good and one is [not].” She’s observed a reliance on unverified websites for quick answers, noting a “shift in people not really checking facts [or] ... want[ing] to put the effort in … [when] Google has made everybody want everything immediately.” Archives, then, exist as the antithesis to these instant, unsubstantiated references. Instead, they are rooted in a consistent effort “to … research [and to] figure out … what the narrative is going to be.” By allowing people to access and learn from crucial records, they act as a safeguard of truth – preserving democracy, heritage and community history for current and future generations.
Indeed, Meutzner wants people to recognize and celebrate the ubiquity of history and heritage, even though many may not think of it as uniquely personal. “People want to put history and heritage in a separate bubble, as if it exists outside of you … [but] … it’s not … a separate … object out there in a book or something,” Meutzner says.
Heritage, in her eyes, is neither a frill nor an impersonal academic, touristic or governmental pursuit. “Walking down First Avenue in Ladysmith [is] being in heritage. … Every time you talk to your family … that’s part of your heritage.”
Meutzner sees the stories of a community as “personal heritage … community heritage … [and] the literal fabric of the landscape.” As we move towards navigating a future that can feel uncertain, it is often helpful to look to the past – and to acknowledge the truths that came before us that have very well shaped and altered the daily lives of all.
In our modern world, accessing the truth in a straightforward, uncomplicated manner can sometimes feel challenging. Indeed, it is common to turn to convenient sources, such as social media or word of mouth for information, even though it has become increasingly evident that careful research and concentrated effort are often necessary to reveal the facts most important to us.
