What’s Up on Vancouver Island

The Songhees Nation is grieving the death of 48-year-old Bernice Sam, a devoted mother of five and cherished member of the community. A spokesperson for the nation confirmed Sam is the pedestrian who died after she was struck by a vehicle near the border of View Royal and Songhees Nation. The collision occurred Aug. 14, on Admirals Road near Maple Bank Road. West Shore RCMP has said the cause of the collision remains under investigation. Sam has been described as a “dedicated and vibrant presence” within the Nation, assuming many roles including family member, friend and valued staff member, working multiple roles for the Songhees Education Department. “Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of our youth touched the lives of many far beyond our community,” said a statement from the Songhees Nation leadership team. Her colleagues at the Songhees Education Department, where she worked for three years, have said the impact of Sam’s work will be felt for generations.  “Bernice's warm, caring and compassionate nature brought comfort and nurturing to the students on the daily school bus run, and after school in the KKE program,” they said in a statement. “Her passion for supporting Songhees children and youth in their education was one of the many strengths that she contributed to our team.   “She was a fierce advocate for the health and well-being of all Songhees students and their families. She cared with all her heart, and that light and fire shone through every day in her work.” An online fundraiser with a target of $9,000 has been launched in Sam's memory. As of Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 19), over $8,400 had been raised, which will be used to help Sam's five children "navigate this challenging period," said the Nation. "Unfortunately, mom has passed; leaving the kiddos to move forward in a life without the one person who loved them the most. Anything helps," says a statement on the GoFundMe page. To make a donation, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/4uyt6q-the-sam-family [http://www.gofundme.com/f/4uyt6q-the-sam-family].

Last month's cancellation of a land lease tied to a controversial Vancouver Island shipbreaking operation has some in its neighbours celebrating. But those same people also say more work needs to be done to ensure adequate oversight of shipbreaking operations in Canada. Deep Water Recovery has been dismantling ships in Union Bay since late 2020, A letter sent to Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound from Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne’s office confirmed Deep Water's lease was revoked last month due to failure to provide an updated security deposit of $3.2 million and failure to comply with a pollution abatement order from March 15, 2024. The Crown lease had granted Deep Water Recovery permission to operate on the foreshore in Union Bay. The province ordered the firm to “cease all use and occupation of the crown foreshore area and to immediately vacate the lease area,” according to the letter. It also noted that the Pollution Abatement Order from March 15, 2024 was still in effect. Ian Munro, president of Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound, told The Discourse he thinks this lease cancellation is a critical step in the process to shut down the controversial shipbreaking operation. He said denying the operation access to the foreshore is important, but shared concern about vessels that he said still remain on the site one month after the lease was revoked. His group is waiting to have a better understanding as to what will happen with those vessels and how they will be disposed of.  “We don’t have any further indication of that right now,” he said.  The Discourse reached out to Deep Water Recovery with questions, but did not receive answers by the time of publication. Years of warnings and concern The regulatory regime governing Deep Water Recovery’s operations is complex. Generally, the federal government manages what happens offshore, including the transport of vessels to and from the site. It also has responsibilities related to the fish habitat in the tidal waters. The province manages the company’s foreshore lease, which covers activities in the water and below the high tide mark. But the land higher up is privately owned, and governed by the land use rules of the Comox Valley Regional District. The Indigenous land and water rights of the K’ómoks First Nation overlay all of this. For years, residents have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the operation on the land and water.  As of the publication date, the company has received five administrative penalties and over a dozen out-of-compliance warnings from the province. Deep Water Recovery brought one of the penalties to the Environmental Appeal Board, arguing that the requests for the province to submit monthly effluent sampling on time was unfair due to low rainfall. On July 28, 2025, the Ministry dismissed the appeal and upheld the $500 penalty. The other penalties range from $19,405 to $51,000 and in total, the fines add up to more than $100,000. The letter from Osborne’s office says Deep Water Recovery’s file is now in the hands of the Ministry of Forests’ Natural Resource Officer Service (NROS), and said this office will decide next steps after the lease cancellation. The Discourse reached out to the Ministry of Forests and a spokesperson responded with a statement saying the department will lead “administration and public engagement related to this file and will assess and address any actions required by DWR or any further contraventions of the Land Act.” “Until this investigation is resolved, we are unable to provide any further comments,” the statement concluded. MLA voices support of lease cancellation Osborne shared her support of the lease cancellation in a Facebook post last month. “Ship recycling, repair and maintenance are important components of B.C.’s maritime industries and they must be done safely, responsibly and in accordance with laws and regulations,” she said in the post.  Osborne pointed to concerns raised by various organizations, citizens and First Nations regarding the shipbreaking activities in Union Bay.  “Deep Water Recovery (DWR) has not demonstrated the level of regulatory compliance, operational responsibility, or environmental stewardship required to justify entrusting them with the use of Crown land to enable management and dismantling of end-of-life vessels,” Osborne’s post says, attributing this part of the statement to the province. “Protecting people and the environment while enabling responsible industrial activity is paramount. Seeking resolutions to this local issue and the larger issue of ship recycling regulations has been — and will continue to be —  a top priority for me and my MLA office staff,” Osborne said. In April 2022, Comox Valley Regional District filed a Notice of Civil Claim with the Supreme Court of B.C. to stop Deep Water Recovery’s shipbreaking operations in Union Bay. The CVRD said shipbreaking is not a permitted land use under the location’s current Industrial Marine zoning. The district asked a judge to order the company to stop shipbreaking on the site.  Deep Water recovery issued a response the following month stating its activities fall under “boat building and repairs and service and sales, barge facility, waterfront freight handling facility [and] storage and works yard and warehousing,” which are approved uses in the zoning bylaw.  The case has not been heard in court yet, according to Comox Valley Regional District A director Daniel Arbour. Munro also noted that both K’ómoks First Nation and Tla’amin Nation have been opposed to Deep Water Recovery’s operation. The company operates on both K’ómoks and Tla’amin traditional territory.  Both nations expressed their opposition to the shipbreaking operation during talks at the Baynes Sound Ecological Forum, which brought stakeholders together to discuss shipbreaking and the future of stewardship for Baynes Sound. During the forum, K’ómoks councillor and former Comox guardian said she is concerned to see so much of her nation’s harvesting area lost over the years to industrial operations.  “We feel a lot of pressure from all of the industries. Today, we’re just talking about Deep Water Recovery and its impacts on our rights, but it’s hard to separate that from everything else that is happening here in the Comox Valley and on the coast of B.C.” K’ómoks First Nation also expressed its opposition in 2021 via a press release. A legal win for Union Bay resident Mary Reynolds — another Union Bay local who has been actively opposed to Deep Water Recovery’s operation — is celebrating a win after she was informed that she would receive more than $165,000 for her legal costs under the Protection of Public Participation Act.  Reynolds has been using her drone to film Deep Water Recovery’s operations in Union Bay since its early days, and she filed a civil claim in 2022 against the company.  In a statement of claim, Reynolds alleges that Jurisich and other employees of Deep Water Recovery repeatedly intimidated and harassed her. On one occasion, Jurisich snatched her drone from the air and took it. It was later returned, but it had been damaged and was inoperable, according to the court document.  Deep Water Recovery denied all of the allegations in a response filed with the court. The company launched a countersuit against Reynolds, accusing her of trespassing on its property and airspace and engaging in a “malicious campaign” against the company. Reynolds told The Discourse that after Deep Water Recovery’s response, she “disseminated the images and recordings collected [by her drone] to third parties,” and that her lawyer, Jason Gratl, put in an application under the Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA).  The act is in place with an aim to protect those who may be silenced from strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as SLAPP suits. Reynolds told The Discourse the act is helpful for those who want to speak out about something and that it is often used to protect those speaking out on social, environmental or political issues.  “There are a lot of people who aren’t aware of it,” she said, adding that sometimes lawyers might send a cease and desist letter after someone speaks out against a project to scare the person. Reynolds is not an official member of Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound, but she shares the group’s concern about what will happen next.  She said she wants to know if the province can actually follow through on its decisions.  “I mean, we all applaud the decision, but you know — make it happen,” Reynolds said.  ‘This should be a lesson to Canada. We need regulations’ Munro said he and the other members of Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound are still feeling cautious about what’s going to happen next.  “Of course, we’d be concerned if activities continued,” he said. “There’s a history of activities continuing despite any government interventions.” In September, Bohn and Jurisich told The Discourse during a site tour that they did not think the effluent and pollutants on the site were from their company. On the tour, Bohn and Jurisich spent time explaining the company’s position in regards to the staunch opposition it has received. They argued that chemicals found in the water from the site by the province are not caused by Deep Water Recovery’s operations, but by the historical coal mining operations that existed near the site. Bohn and Jurisich said the company was being “unfairly hammered” and asked that community members who have been fighting against their operations leave them alone. Munro said Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound is ready to keep protesting the operation if it continues. Even if the shipbreaking activities stop, he said the group wants to make sure the uplands and foreshore are cleaned up and the vessels are removed.  He noted a recent press release shared by NGO shipbreaking platform — an international organization that advocates for safe ship dismantling practices — that says the Crown lease cancellation is “a victory for residents and environmental protection.” But Munro said it’s important to keep pressuring the Canadian government to create better ship dismantling standards, noting that he does not want to see similar issues happen elsewhere in the country. Currently, there are no robust rules in Canada that are specific to shipbreaking and instead, the country relies on guidelines and other rules such as hazardous waste or contaminated sites regulation. “This should be a lesson to Canada that we need regulations,” Munro said. 

A new device at Victoria General Hospital (VGH) could help shorten wait times, cut costs and quell youngsters’ fears – all thanks to a group of hard-working Camosun College students. With funding from the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, the soon-to-be engineering grads built a pediatric MRI simulator for their capstone project – a task that ate up a whopping 5,000 hours over the span of just three-and-a-half months. The device, which acts, sounds and looks like a real MRI, was unveiled at VGH on Monday. “We’re so grateful for this opportunity,” said Camosun student Julianna Kwan. “We were able to use the skills we learned during the program and actually make something with our own hands, which is super special, and it’s going to really impact a lot of people positively.” Just like training wheels help kids learn how to bike, the simulator will prepare youngsters for real MRI scans, which the hospital’s child life practice lead Becki Steel explained “can be a really overwhelming experience.” “If kids have an opportunity to practise things and … break things down into steps, it's really not as scary as it might seem,” she said. “But if you go directly into a tunnel and it plays loud clunking noises that sound like your refrigerator's broken, who wouldn't be scared?” Because receiving an MRI can be intimidating, the majority of patients under the age of eight are first sedated, according to Joshua Coulson, the hospital’s manager for pediatric surgical daycare and ambulatory clinics. He added the process requires “a sedation nurse with a sedation respiratory therapist and an intensivist to make sure all of the pieces are in place."  Though MRI scans at VGH take place 24 hours per day, the hospital only offers scans for kids requiring sedation three times per week. Right now, the waitlist for these sought-after appointments is 68-names long. “Getting access to the sedation team is a big roadblock because it requires a lot of resources,” said pediatric intensive care doctor Allon Beck. "The sedation team costs money to run and maintain." If VGH can ready kids for MRI scans, to the point where they are confident enough to opt not for sedation, they can be squeezed into any of the many MRI timeslots throughout the day – thereby cutting wait times and costs. Beck added that the simulator could also positively inform kids’ long-term perceptions of the health-care system. “I've seen children go into the MRI scanner not realizing just how loud and disorienting it is and come out of it in tears,” he said. “As soon as a child has a bad experience ... with a medical procedure like an MRI, then that just heightens their anxiety the next time they have to encounter the health-care system.” The hospital has already identified 53 children on the MRI waitlist to try the simulator, according to Coulson, who hopes the new machine will decrease the rate of sedation for kids' MRI scans by 50 to 90 per cent.

A renowned professor at the University of Victoria was fired last year after the school claimed he sexually harassed at least two students, according to two recent decisions made by the B.C. Labour Relations Board. According to the decisions, Robert Gifford, who had worked at UVic for 45 years as a professor of psychology and environmental studies, was first suspended in 2021 and then fired in June 2024 for "the serious nature of the findings against [him], the repeated harm to junior scholars, and [his] lack of accountability and understanding of [his] obligations as a senior scholar." The LRB panel found that in 2017, Gifford had met a visiting grad student who is named in the documents as "AB," and in 2018 they went to a conference to present a paper they had co-authored. In an email presented to the board, Gifford wrote to the student that he wished to share a hotel room. "This arrangement might require a bit of care in terms of other people who we know at the congress, but that can be managed," he wrote. "And, of course, everything beyond the mere sharing of the room is to be decided on a completely mutual basis, at the time. How does that sound?" AB wrote back that she wanted to remain "strictly professional" with Gifford. An investigation report had noted that AB had become more concerned with Gifford's conduct after she learned that he may have made similar advances towards other women affiliated with UVic. A recent decision by the board had noted there was a second individual who alleged he had sexually harassed them, however, there were no further details about the incident. After his termination, his union filed a grievance, alleging the school failed to provide Gifford with "progressive discipline," and failed to properly investigate the incidents related to his termination. However, the grievance was denied, and the union declined to bring the grievance to arbitration. Gifford alleged that the union breached its duty of fair representation by making the decision not to pursue the grievance to arbitration, which was denied in a decision from the board in May. In the most recent decision, Gifford applied for leave and reconsideration of the May decision, though that was also dismissed on Aug. 7. Gifford is a highly awarded academic with numerous awards, including being named as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He has also sat as president of several environmental psychology organizations and the chief editor of the Journal of Environmental Psychology. In an emailed statement, UVic said they are aware of the board's ruling, however, due to privacy concerns, they can't speak specifically to Gifford's case. "What we can share is that UVic is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful environment in which to work, learn and teach. If there is behaviour by a UVic employee that is contrary to UVic’s policies and collective agreements, we want people to come forward so the circumstances can be addressed," they said. UVic says they have policies that include a discrimination and harassment policy, which is complaint-based, and a sexualized violence response policy, which takes a "survivor-centred approach" to addressing concerns. "Terminating employment is not a step we take lightly and, when it happens, is indicative of the serious nature of the concerns raised," they concluded.

Langford’s dream of hosting soccer stars from around the globe has been shown the red card. Councillors have unanimously voted against continuing with its bid to offer Starlight Stadium as a Team Base Camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city had hoped the federal and provincial governments would help cover some of the cost to host the event – including up to $1.2 million to swap out artificial turf for natural grass – but both levels of government declined. With additional expenses for security escorts, road closures and permits, the mounting bill has proved too steep for Langford to shoulder alone. “We acknowledge that this is a great opportunity, but this is not something that is in our budget,” said Mayor Scott Goodmanson at the Aug. 18 meeting. While praising Langford’s ambitious spirit, Coun. Lillian Szpak criticized the province for not sharing a portion of the $115 million it received from the federal government to support FIFA 2026 – something that had been encouraged by MP Will Greaves. In his letter to the city explaining why the federal government would not be helping, Greaves called the training camp bid a “worthwhile initiative that offers benefits across the South Island.”  “ … (I) encourage the province to fulfill this request with their own funds or those received from the federal government for this file,” he wrote. Despite his appeal, the former minister of tourism, arts, culture, and sport Spencer Chandra Herbert, told Langford the province does not have “specific programs available” with the amount of funding support requested. “We have applied to the province, we did have our MLA go on bended knee,” Szpak said. “I just want to highlight that I am disappointed in how that money has been allocated.” The potential disruption to local sports teams and community events was another red flag for the city. If Langford had pressed ahead, Starlight Stadium would have been off-limits from February to early July 2026 for turf replacement and the World Cup group stage. “Displacing Pacific FC for two-thirds of its season in order to be a very small part of the World Cup activities would be a terrible trade-off,” said Langford resident Frazer Johnson. “Costs are too high, the risks can’t be mitigated, the benefits are questionable — there are so many drawbacks,” he added. “It’s a fun idea … but this isn’t the right move for the city.” Johnson’s feelings were echoed by other residents during the meeting’s period of public participation, where no one spoke in favour of the plan. Residents also called foul at the notion that hosting would “bring destination awareness to the City of Langford globally,” as suggested in a staff report. “That kind of recognition will be limited and unlikely to deliver lasting value to our community,” said Natalie McNeely. “Once the training camp packs up and leaves, it will be nothing more than a bit of trivia on Langford’s Wikipedia page.” But as one door closes, another opens, suggested Steven Rossander, offering up a last-minute substitution. Noting the BC Lions will be sidelined from BC Place while World Cup festivities are in play, Rossander said the city had an opportunity to play host to the football team again, as they did during their pre-season in May this year. “While we could maybe lose the FIFA, we could gain the Lions,” he said. “And I think we’ve shown that’s a great success and very well supported in the community." But as for Langford’s World Cup ambitions, the final whistle has been blown.  Or as sports commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme famously declared in the dying moments of England’s 1966 World Cup win over West Germany, “They think it’s all over. It is now.”

Comox Valley soccer player Liam Mackenzie has signed an MLS contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.  "Liam is a young player with a good mentality who continues to progress at our club," said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. "It is exciting to see another player from British Columbia signed to our roster. Liam has a fantastic work rate, and has adapted well to every level he has stepped up to. We look forward to helping him move forward into this next stage in his career."  The club signed Mackenzie, a Whitecaps FC BMO Academy and Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) midfielder to an MLS contract as a Homegrown player through 2028, with a club option for 2029. The Homegrown player rule lets MLS teams sign local talent directly to their first team rosters, which helps develop and foster local talent.  Mackenzie made his MLS debut on a short-term call-up from Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) when he started and recorded an assist against Chicago Fire FC at BC Place on March 22. Prior to the season, the 18-year-old enjoyed a productive preseason with Whitecaps FC in Marbella, Spain. "I'm incredibly grateful to have signed my first MLS contract with Whitecaps FC. This club has meant a lot to me growing up, and it's a special feeling to now be part of the first team. I'm excited to contribute and grow with the team and show what I can bring to the group. Thank you to my family, friends, coaches, and teammates who have supported me along the way. This is just the beginning of what I hope to achieve with the club," added Mackenzie. Mackenzie joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 13-year-old in 2020. He made his MLS debut with the Whitecaps FC2 team against Chicago Fire FC in March as part of a short-term contract. He's had multiple successes in the academy, and has represented Canada on the international stage at the U-17 level. 

Langford’s dream of hosting soccer stars from around the globe has been shown the red card. Councillors have unanimously voted against continuing with its bid to offer Starlight Stadium as a Team Base Camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city had hoped the federal and provincial governments would help cover some of the cost to host the event – including up to $1.2 million to swap out artificial turf for natural grass – but both levels of government declined. With additional expenses for security escorts, road closures and permits, the mounting bill has proved too steep for Langford to shoulder alone. “We acknowledge that this is a great opportunity, but this is not something that is in our budget,” said Mayor Scott Goodmanson at the Aug. 18 meeting. While praising Langford’s ambitious spirit, Coun. Lillian Szpak criticized the province for not sharing a portion of the $115 million it received from the federal government to support FIFA 2026 – something that had been encouraged by MP Will Greaves. In his letter to the city explaining why the federal government would not be helping, Greaves called the training camp bid a “worthwhile initiative that offers benefits across the South Island.”  “ … (I) encourage the province to fulfill this request with their own funds or those received from the federal government for this file,” he wrote. Despite his appeal, the former minister of tourism, arts, culture, and sport Spencer Chandra Herbert, told Langford the province does not have “specific programs available” with the amount of funding support requested. “We have applied to the province, we did have our MLA go on bended knee,” Szpak said. “I just want to highlight that I am disappointed in how that money has been allocated.” The potential disruption to local sports teams and community events was another red flag for the city. If Langford had pressed ahead, Starlight Stadium would have been off-limits from February to early July 2026 for turf replacement and the World Cup group stage. “Displacing Pacific FC for two-thirds of its season in order to be a very small part of the World Cup activities would be a terrible trade-off,” said Langford resident Frazer Johnson. “Costs are too high, the risks can’t be mitigated, the benefits are questionable — there are so many drawbacks,” he added. “It’s a fun idea … but this isn’t the right move for the city.” Johnson’s feelings were echoed by other residents during the meeting’s period of public participation, where no one spoke in favour of the plan. Residents also called foul at the notion that hosting would “bring destination awareness to the City of Langford globally,” as suggested in a staff report. “That kind of recognition will be limited and unlikely to deliver lasting value to our community,” said Natalie McNeely. “Once the training camp packs up and leaves, it will be nothing more than a bit of trivia on Langford’s Wikipedia page.” But as one door closes, another opens, suggested Steven Rossander, offering up a last-minute substitution. Noting the BC Lions will be sidelined from BC Place while World Cup festivities are in play, Rossander said the city had an opportunity to play host to the football team again, as they did during their pre-season in May this year. “While we could maybe lose the FIFA, we could gain the Lions,” he said. “And I think we’ve shown that’s a great success and very well supported in the community." But as for Langford’s World Cup ambitions, the final whistle has been blown.  Or as sports commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme famously declared in the dying moments of England’s 1966 World Cup win over West Germany, “They think it’s all over. It is now.”

Hockey season is only a month away. The Nanaimo Clippers recently announced their full schedule for the 2025-26 B.C. Hockey League season, and are now counting down to their season opener on Sept. 19, when the Alberni Valley Bulldogs visit Frank Crane Arena. “Fans can start planning for another action-packed year of Clippers hockey,” noted a team press release. Season ticket packages are now available and cover all exhibition home games in addition to all regular-season home games. The packages also include two ‘bring-a-friend’ vouchers as well as tickets to the first two home playoff games in 2026. The full schedule is available at http://nanaimoclippers.com/schedule.

Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich – Gulf Islands, shared that she will not lead the party into the next election. In an email sent to party members on Aug. 19, May, the only MP under the Green Party banner, shared the news, adding that she does intend to stay on as leader and as a member of parliament as the party soon begins their upcoming leadership review. "We have big plans for the fall 2025 session of parliament. My voice, as the sole Green MP in the House of Commons, is stronger as Leader. I intend to grow our parliamentary caucus before stepping down, just as I intend to focus on the climate crisis, on justice and peace in conflict-ridden areas around the world, and on the deepening struggles of Canadians of all ages to afford life’s necessities," she said in the email. The party will release more information regarding the mandatory leadership review in the future, she says, however she hopes to stay in her position for right now to avoid what she says is "something that the party doesn't need right now, which is internal instability." May has been the leader of the party for over 15 years, from 2006 to 2019, and again since November 2022 after Annamie Paul stepped down.

A new cycling amenity is coming to the area near Cedar Community Secondary thanks to the non-profit named after one of the school's alumni. In a press release, the Regional District of Nanaimo announced that a new pump track will be built thanks to money from the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation. The foundation will pay for design and installation of the track, which will be situated next to Cedar Skate Park in RDN Electoral Area A on land owned by Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. An initial concept plan, which will be refined, has been drafted "to show how the pump track could be integrated within the school district property," noted the press release, and will include a children's playground. The RDN will be responsible for track maintenance after the amenity opens and will utilize money from the area community parks and halls operating budget. Jessica Stanley, RDN Area A director, expressed gratitude to the foundation. "This new facility will provide riders of all skill levels with a space to develop their abilities and have fun in their own community," she said in the press release. "We look forward to working with the foundation on this exciting project." The foundation said it was looking forward to the collaboration. "The Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation is excited to partner with the RDN to bring our next project to fruition, a pump track located in the heart of Cedar … next to Cedar high school where Stevie himself graduated," said Michelle Corfield, foundation founder, in the press release. "This project is built to honour the memory of Mike Davidson (long-time BMX executive) who we lost suddenly just over a year ago," said Randy Little, foundation director. "The entire foundation is extremely excited to get shovels in the ground." Work to build the track is expected to begin in 2026. For more information, visit www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/cedar-community-park-expansion [http://www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/cedar-community-park-expansion].

September 10, 1943 - August 1, 2025 Ken lost a courageous battle against a mysterious malaise that was never clearly identified. Perhaps it was picked up during his many world adventures—canoeing along the Amazon, exploring the wilds of Africa or China, far from tourist destinations. Or perhaps it was right here at home, where he lived life to the fullest. A quiet-spoken man, Ken grew up in Vancouver, attended Vancouver Tech, and began a lifelong career with BC Hydro.With his then-wife Yvette, he welcomed two sons, and after a few years working at Burrard Thermal, he transferred to Cranbrook. Later, he settled and retired in Marysville. If it was interesting, challenging, or just plain fun, Ken would do it with gusto —from fishing, skiing, curling, and model airplanes, to renovating his house or hanging out with his tight-knit group of friends. His premier project was restoring an old 1941 Chevy pickup to incredible perfection. Ken lived to walk, but Kootenay winter streets are hazardous, so in 2017 he relocated to Nanaimo. There, he met Doreen Parry, who would become his partner and steadfast supporter as his health inexplicably began to fail. He passed away in Nanaimo Regional Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Elsie (née Card) and Victor Mauro. He is survived by his sons David (Brenda) and Dean (Shannon), grandsons Riley, Connor, and Colton, his sister Dianne (Wilfredo), Doreen, and her family. The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Nanaimo General ICU for their tireless efforts and compassion in caring for Ken during his last days. He was interred at Cedar Valley Memorial Center, and a celebration of his life will be held at the Marysville Pub on September 6 at 2 pm. SERVICE DETAILS Celebration of Life Saturday, September 6, 2025 2:00 PM Marysville Pub

The Sooke Pet Food Bank will continue to keep furry friends fed this fall, after a generous donor threw them a thousand bones.   On Aug. 8, the Paws at Home Sooke Pet Food Bank took to Facebook for help. The unthinkable had happened – they had no dog food. “The need has just grown and the donations have slowed, and for the first time since we started the pet food bank, we ran out of dog food,” said Linda Watson, president of Salish Paws, which operates the Paws at Home Sooke Pet Food Bank. The pet food bank began during COVID-19 in conjunction with Salish Paws. At first, it handed out portioned Ziploc bags of dog food. Later, they partnered with Sooke Bosley’s, which conducted multiple fundraisers for the pet food bank. For a time, they were even able to hand out entire bags of dog food, but since then, their supplies have dwindled. To make up for the shortage, Watson asked locals to donate cash or dog food at Sooke Bosley’s to help the food bank through this time of need. While she was optimistic the community would step up – and many did – she did not expect a single $1,000 donation – but that is what she got. “I just got a message through our Facebook page from someone saying, ‘I’d like to donate some money.’ We said, ‘Absolutely, we’re grateful for it, and we’ll take a picture of the receipt,’” Watson said. “When the e-transfer came through, it was for $1,000. I actually messaged the person back and said, ‘Are you sure this is the amount you meant to send?’ And she said, ‘Yeah, 100 per cent. Please take it and do what you need to do with it'.” Upon recieving the donation on Aug. 17, Watson then dashed to Bosley’s and asked to be shown every red-stickered bag of dog food on sale, hoping to stretch the money as far as possible. A thousand dollars’ worth of discounted food went a long way. “It all depends on how many people show up at the food bank, but I’m feeling really good that we are at least good for the rest of September and October,” she said. “We’re not going to be able to give away big bags like we were in the past, but we’ll be able to do extra-large Ziploc bags and give people whatever they need for the week.” Watson said the donation brought tears to her eyes. It comes at a time when she knows many in Sooke are struggling. “Living in Sooke is expensive, shopping in Sooke is expensive. I often go into the grocery stores and I’m like, ‘I don’t know how people with teenage boys are feeding their families with the price of food',” she said. “I think a lot of the time it comes down to: we buy groceries, or we make a donation. People are just really struggling right now.” Watson was not able to reveal the identity of the donor but said she hopes others will be inspired. She also hopes to let people know that the bar to help is not that high.  “It doesn’t have to be anywhere near what this wonderful woman did. You can go into Bosley’s and buy a can of cat food that costs $1 – just add $1 to your bill. We don’t need the most expensive stuff in the store. We just need to know that we’re feeding the community.”

Saanich council unanimously rejected a proposal to build a 12-storey highrise at the corner of Quadra Street and Nicholson Street on Aug. 18, after a staff report cited numerous concerns about the project.  The development application for 4085 Quadra and 945 Nicholson streets included 110 rental housing units, a 99-space childcare facility and two commercial spaces. The project also featured two levels of underground parking, a partially underground level providing daycare access, and a rooftop amenity area. The staff report also noted that the project would have helped address housing and childcare shortages within the municipality, with a family-friendly unit mix and 11 affordable units secured through federal funding. However, planning staff raised concerns about the tower’s scale and location. At up to 14 storeys on the sloped site, the building would have stood at the northern edge of the Quadra-McKenzie Centre, where lower-density housing is expected. Saanich's official community plan places the tallest buildings in the centre of growth areas, not the periphery. The report also warned the project would “orphan” the neighbouring property at 949 Nicholson St., leaving it isolated and difficult to redevelop.  2-birds-eye [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/saanich/2025-august/2-birds-eye.jpg;w=960] A bird’s-eye view of the proposed project. (Saanich staff report) While the developer made some changes, trying to adapt their application to fit Saanich’s requirements, staff concluded the project still did not meet key guidelines and core planning policies. Before council deliberations, several residents spoke against the development during the public input session, including local resident Evelyn Thompson-Smith, a former director of planning for the City of Victoria. “The 12-storey that we're looking at doesn't make sense, especially given the safety components of our already narrow streets, many of which don't have sidewalks,” she said. “Our daughter and her family would already be living with us, but they can't because it's not safe for their kids to go to school.” Shortly after, Loreen, a longtime North Quadra resident, shared her concerns about the impact of the development on the neighbourhood’s character and ecosystem, while expressing support for growth. “It's always been my view that Quadra should support greater height and density than our residential streets,” she said. “However, never in our wildest dreams did we expect… a building that is so dramatically out of scale and proportion, contrary to neighbourhood character.” Coun. Colin Plant, although appreciative of the applicant’s wish to do business in Saanich, said this project missed the mark for this given area. “I am not convinced on the whole that this is the appropriate thing for this site,” he said.  “I think it is too much at this site in this part of Quadra… so I don't think this is supportable. Coun. Nathalie Chambers also opposed the application, citing concerns about the potential impact of the development on key sensitive biodiversity areas, including nearby Christmas Hill and the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. Next to speak was Coun. Mena Westhaver, who echoed similar comments to Plant, particularly amid the district’s ongoing review of the Quadra-McKenzie Plan (QMP). “This just doesn't fit; it's not the time,” she said.  While Westhaver welcomes growth in the community, she advocates for development that fits the neighbourhood’s aspirations, character, and limitations. “I look forward to seeing (the area) grow in a very mindful way with increased density that's very respectful and something we can really enjoy into the future,” she said. “In the meantime, let's do what's right for the greater good of Saanich.” Closing the conversation was Mayor Dean Murdock, who discussed the challenge of balancing growth and what this vision might look like.  “In this case, I think that it became perfectly clear that this is not the form of land use council wishes to see in this location, and I think that that's a view shared by the neighbours,” he said. “We heard very clearly that the density is supported in locations where that makes sense, closer to the centre, closer to good public transit and amenities that people can walk to.  “This is not a location to have that scale of development.”  As the QMP moves into its next phase of public consultation, Murdock reiterated the importance of public input in shaping the community. “It's so important that we have a shared vision for what this vital community is going to look like, change is happening in all the neighbourhoods across Saanich,” said Murdoch. 

A Canadian Coast Guard ship out of Victoria and its crew are among those credited with continuing the nation’s global commitment to protect fish stocks, marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries through two months of joint surveillance, inspections and enforcement efforts in the North Pacific. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a serious problem around the world, posing a significant threat to fish populations and damaging marine environments. It also jeopardizes the incomes of law-abiding harvesters and fishing industries while putting food supplies at risk, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The DFO’s third patrol under the annual, multi-national high seas operation included representatives from four nations onboard a single patrol vessel. The Canadian patrol included representatives from Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States.   “The thousands of hours that our fishery officers spend patrolling the North Pacific Ocean each year, by air and sea, detecting and deterring illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, is a strong demonstration that Canada backs its support for international laws with concrete action. The ongoing success of Operation North Pacific Guard attests to the continued need for Canada to be a leader in securing marine species and ecosystems at home and abroad in support of both our conservation and economic objectives,” Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said in a news release. Fishery officers and support personnel patrolled 17,773 km while onboard the Canadian Coast Guard vessel CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a high-endurance, multi-purpose vessel that is also a light icebreaker and is biofuel capable. Over the course of two months, the crew aboard the Victoria-based ship monitored several hundred fishing vessels, conducted 41 high-seas inspections and interacted with more than 1,000 crew members onboard vessels. Canada also deployed one of the DFO’s long-range Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement aircraft, which is normally based in Campbell River, to Hokkaido, Japan, where daily patrols monitored fishing activity in the Northwest Pacific. Over the operation, 366 fishing vessels were inspected by air, discovering 51 potential violations related to shark finning, pollution, salmon retention, and marking requirements. High-seas inspections uncovered 39 potential violations of international fisheries requirements, including shark finning, the illegal harvest of dolphins, misreporting or inaccurate reporting of catch and bycatch, as well as obstruction and the destruction of evidence. North Pacific Guard Operation, which included Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP members, is among those working to protect both international waters and the resources they hold with an annual, multi-national high seas operation in the North Pacific. During this year’s mission, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier made a special port visit in Osaka, Japan, while the World Expo was underway. Thousands of members of the public learned about Canada’s role in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through tours of the vessel and engagement with Canadian Coast Guard crew and fishery officers at the Expo’s Canada Pavilion. Laurier also stopped in Hakodate, Japan, further strengthening relations. Find behind-the-scenes action online at https://ow.ly/TrMo50WGagL [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fow.ly%2FTrMo50WGagL%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSzR5RnFPbkg4Zjc2YXc0cgEeK6t8_N_Oev3cPlF-GmBnqp9BM6GNUGdwO-xX4NIj3OWWitatiK9q9qgNinY_aem_os0dCztDjkMB4yp9HE5OkQ&h=AT1RSpMN9Sc655W0FV13apb3yfmW4Em0XBCWdAjF9caaHt5PMaIyh1-8TN7viamWRloLBmL3th4JXSx5GEzLGxAI_ziLElzeT7BV542vPgrYeDuI64GqXtlFd6Lu86NHrw4Zu3DIMV2d-mHeidOxqg&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5B0%5D=AT09YccjcTuIlgOk5dqtUGSuLH6SZFmYLFlor9GlNnsGGfNMrLWD9Dw-wLsPwaBvDqOTZs4KStnkl9PFxBjocafpi6nzVL2uG9MzE0YpzEgbpAsoNPiL5jQUSxdDxiXTcVpxacsKrOnSp51HHQtAU7MusjlKU6a90L8n0mA_gL681iFJt01IEb8QnAB1ULSZj6ExSAmlZ7_T0BnCF_xt7RP3874QW7tSvseqMg].

The world-class sand sculptures in the Parksville Community Park will come down this week, after a successful five-and-a-half-week festival. This year’s Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Exhibition welcomed 119,092 visitors, up three per cent from last summer, according to the Parksville Beach Festival Society. “Strong visitor attendance is due to a fabulous exhibition, excellent weather, and our new location in the park,” said Cheryl Dill, society president, in a news release. “The encouragement from both residents and visitors is so uplifting for our hard-working volunteers and staff.” The event relocated to a section of the kite field in Parksville Community Park, next to the beach volleyball courts, after approval from council earlier in the year. The new, larger site is meant to allow for more spectators and improved mobility access, as well as reduced congestion at main beach access locations. While it’s always bittersweet to watch the sculptures fade back into sand, there’s plenty to celebrate — such as entertainment highlights like Chilliwack’s Farewell to Friends Tour, the lively Tim Hortons Summer Concert Series, Party City Buskers, Art in the Park and the Beachfest ROCKS! Music Festival. The Sculpture Light-Up added some extra magic on the final weekend, which also saw the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy close out the festival on the outdoor stage. More than 102,000 people voted for the People’s Choice Awards and crowned Manuel Campos, from Columbia for "Role Reversal" and Sue McGrew (USA) and Dmitry Klimenko (Russia) for "Peace Amid the Storm" in the singles and doubles categories, respectively. The festival is dedicated to giving back and since 1999, it has donated more than $1.2 million to local non-profits and community projects, including the Parksville Outdoor Theatre. In 2025, proceeds will again support 24 not-for-profit organizations and community initiatives. Before the sculptures are taken down, the Parksville Beach Festival Society is welcoming a group with visual impairments to experience the creations through touch, part of their ongoing commitment to improving accessibility. "The Parksville Beach Festival Society is proud to host a family-friendly, community-driven event that brings joy to thousands, supports local groups, and showcases incredible talent," the release said. For more information about Parksville Beach Festival visit parksvillebeachfest.ca [http://www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.].

Market-style tables with ribbons, resources, a memory tree and naloxone training will be hosted by Island Health at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on Aug. 31, with this year's theme 'one big family' representing that everyone is connected and through compassion and awareness people can honour the lives lost and support those impacted by the toxic drug poisoning crisis.  Starting Monday, Aug. 25, purple chairs will be stationed at 18 Island Health locations as a memorial exhibit for those who have died during the toxic drug crisis. Each location will include information and resources, purple ribbon pins and an interactive memory board. On Aug. 29, Nanaimo will host an open event with naloxone training from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tracey Thompson, Island Health harm reduction coordinator, told the News Bulletin that learning about and carrying naloxone is one way the general public can participate in reducing overdose deaths in the region. According to the B.C. Coroners Service, Nanaimo lost 94 lives in 2024 due to unregulated drugs. As of June 30 of this year, Nanaimo had 32 recorded unregulated drug deaths. "It's important for community members to know what resources are available to support them and if people are engaged in substance use and wanting some support, to understand what services are available," Thompson said. "That could be in the community through community agencies or through their physician, or through Island Health." She said it can sometimes be difficult for people to understand what motivates substance use and some may have preconceived ideas. "It's really important for us to try to reduce the stigma and think about how we can support people to get the help they might be looking for, rather than focusing on criminalizing or being punitive." In a press release, Dr. Réka Gustafson, Island Health's chief medical health officer, said preventing overdose deaths requires "actions beyond health services including investment in the social determinants of health, like housing, income, education and social connection, which shape people’s vulnerability to substance use." “These deaths are preventable,” Gustafson said. “Remembering those we have lost honours them and keeps them in the centre of the dialogue about a meaningful response to the crisis from the entire community.” Other events marking the day will be held in Port Alberni, Campbell River, Duncan, Gabriola Island, Crofton, Parksville, Sooke, Campbell River and Victoria.  In addition to in-person memorial stations, Island Health is hosting an online memory wall [https://app.mural.co/t/islandhealth6899/m/islandhealth6899/1747869109631/439e504eb6be0a4da5dfcf71e7c940e300813c0f], available until Sept. 20. People can visit the website to share memories, special words and photos at app.mural.co/t/islandhealth6899/m/islandhealth6899/1747869109631/439e504eb6be0a4da5dfcf71e7c940e300813c0f [http://app.mural.co/t/islandhealth6899/m/islandhealth6899/1747869109631/439e504eb6be0a4da5dfcf71e7c940e300813c0f]. Island Health advises that residents may call 1-888-885-8824 [tel:1-888-885-8824] to learn about supports that best meet their needs, and if someone is experiencing a crisis, they can contact the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, available 24/7, at 1-888-494-3888 [tel:1-888-494-3888]. Additionally, mental health and substance use services can be viewed at Island Health's mental health and substance use services page [http://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services] at http://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services [https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services]. To sign up for toxic drug health alerts via text message, text 'join' to 253787.

Five distinct one-person plays will bring a mixture of comedy, drama and LGBTQ programming to an upcoming Gabriola Island performing arts festival.  The plays, part of the Gabriola Theatre Festival, will showcase talents from Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Toronto, England and the Gulf island itself.   Associate festival producer, Dibs Barisic Sprem, said the selection committee whittled the original 18 applicants to the selected five, and focused on productions that could inspire, uplift and challenge audiences.  The festival is also planning for an opening night party and a closing night party. First to the stage will be an autobiographical story by Frank Moher called Boy Player on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Aug. 30. Boy Player tells of Moher's experience as a child suddenly orphaned and transplanted from Edmonton to New York City.  The following production, The Heterosexuals by Jonnie McNamara Walker, will be staged on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Aug. 27. Walker's performance will take a tongue-in-cheek 'deep-dive' into the shocking world of heterosexuality. "As a queer person, I love material that flips the script on cultural norms," Sprem said. "Johnnie McNamara Walker has been receiving rave reviews after having sold-out shows in Hamilton, Montreal, Orlando, Edmonton, and an off-Broadway run in NYC."  Next up will be Jem Rolls: Adventures in Canadian Parking Lots on Wednesday, Aug. 27 and Aug. 30. Rolls, who has "done more Fringe Festivals than anyone on earth this century," is a high-energy English performance poet who will feature "dumb comedy, smart comedy and dark tales" in his new show. How I Met My Mother by Jon Paterson will show on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 and follow a bachelor as he answers the call to care for his ailing mother.  "This gives me the impression that it's going to be one of those shows where people might shed a tear," Sprem said. "Paterson has described his show as cathartic … this is the first show that he has written for himself." Katie-Ellen Humphries joins the festival with her show No Worries If Not, which shows on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, and will deliver a "funny and surprising tale of love, lying and laundry." "No Worries is a show that speaks to me, as a recovering people-pleaser myself," the associate festival producer said. "Katie-Ellen has a very sharp way of writing jokes and connecting to audience members with relatable, observational humour."  All productions can be caught at the Gabriola Theatre Centre, 1475 Peterson Rd., from Aug. 26-30 with performances at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. Each production will have two stagings. Ticket information can be found online at www.gabriolatheatrecentre.ca [https://www.gabriolatheatrecentre.ca/].

A few Gabriola Island residents might just catch a glimpse of themselves in an art show this week.  Opening on Thursday, Aug. 21, artist Nic Cooper will present 'I Was Drawn To You' at the Nova Boutique and Gallery as an interpretive "portrait of a place." The show will feature a collection of drawings made on the spot at different social settings, including the Surf Lodge and Pub, Ground Up Café and Catering, and several beaches.  Cooper said the show emanated from their intuitive drive to always be drawing. "The idea is that it's kind of a diary for me. But also a portrait of the island and of its inhabitants and environments," they said. "It sort of shows the trace of the seasons as well." Their technique involves no pencils or erasers, just straight marker ink to paper. As part of picking a good scene, the artist will seek out an interesting angle with one or more subjects and a compelling vantage point to see what they're drawn to, figuratively and literally. And then they'll start drawing. Quickly and covertly, to interpret the fleeting moment.  While it's important to capture the feeling of a place, Cooper said, the 20-year practice is more about decompression and mindfulness.  "If I look back on drawings from 10 years ago, I'll have a clear memory of what croissant I ate, the cappuccino I had, where I was in the world, the time of day."  However, shortly after moving to Gabriola, they noticed their whimsically representational drawings emerged as a sort of story of the island as a whole, rather than lone, isolated scenes.  I Was Drawn To You is the first show Cooper will exhibit drawings that depict a portrait of a place, as their previous off-island showings have been paintings concerning queer history.  Cooper moved to Gabriola last summer and works as a learning and engagement coordinator at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. They attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design for an undergrad, then completed a master's degree at the University of Ottawa in visual arts. They have taught at various institutions, including the National Gallery of Canada.  There will be an opening party for I Was Drawn To You on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. and will remain up at the Nova Boutique and Gallery until Sept. 7.