How U.S. Tariffs Could Reshape Tourism in Canada – A Boon or a Bust?

LGBTQ community members and allies gathered this week to mourn and remember transgender people murdered around the globe. In Nanaimo, the Transgender Day of Remembrance was held at Sands Funeral Chapel Cremation and Reception Centre on Thursday, Nov. 20, honouring 281 transgender people who were killed over 12 months between 2024-25. Organized by the Nanaimo Pride Society, Nanaimo’s candlelight vigil also counted lives lost to suicide, bringing the total to 360 – 25 pages of names that were read individually, along with the country they were from and age they died. Lauren Semple, Nanaimo Pride president, spoke at the ceremony, telling attendees the vigil serves to remember all the victims whose lives were taken by anti-transgender violence and hate. “This is not an easy gathering,” Semple said. “The Transgender Day of Remembrance asks as to look directly at loss, to look directly in the eyes of grief and the very real violence that trans, two-spirit, non-binary and gender non-conforming people face in our communities and around the world. “Here in Canada we like to tell ourselves a story that we are safer, that things are good here and in some ways that is true, in some ways there has been progress, but the reality is still very, very hard and uncertain.” Semple quoted a recent national survey [https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/gender-based-violence/facts-stats.html] that reported trans people were twice as likely as their cisgender counterparts to report unwanted sexual behaviours against them in public, at 58 versus 23 per cent, and three times as likely to report sexual harassment and violence in the workplace, 69 versus 23 per cent. While there are human rights protections in B.C. and Canada, she pointed to a “wave of political attacks” on the rights of trans people, including in Saskatchewan where there is a bill that would discipline school staff for using a trans person’s name or pronouns without parental consent. “In Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith spent this transgender week of awareness using the notwithstanding clause to protect a package of incredibly harmful laws that restrict gender-affirming health care for youths, ban trans girls and women from sports and force schools to out students to their parents. These laws target a tiny, tiny group of young people who already face higher rates of bullying, homelessness and suicide.” Even British Columbia isn’t immune from anti-trans political attacks, she said, pointing to a bill brought forward by One B.C. earlier this year which would have banned puberty blockers and other gender-affirming care for minors, restricted public health coverage for transgender British Columbians and opened up health-care providers to lawsuits for treating trans people. The bill failed at first reading. “The fact that it was tabled here should be warning these ideas are being tested, that the rhetoric is not that far from our doorstep,” Semple said. According to Trans Europe and Central Asia [https://tgeu.org/trans-murder-monitoring-2025-reveals-new-trend-in-anti-trans-violence-systematic-targeting-of-activists-and-movement-leaders/], a trans-led nonprofit which tracks the numbers, this year’s murders show “a dangerous shift” with a growing number of victims being trans movement leaders and activists, accounting for 14 per cent of reported murders. The report notes that this suggests an “attempt to silence those fighting for trans rights worldwide.” Following the ceremony, Semple told the News Bulletin it’s impossible not to feel rage and anger at the need for action. Earlier in the ceremony, she instructed people that while it is important to mourn the dead, people also need to commit to “fight like hell for the living.” “Individual allyship is powerful and important and everyone here tonight was showing that, but it is not enough to change power and change policy,” she said. “That is really where we need to stand up and speak up and help stand for the trans community and get us through what is raking back of rights and increasing violence and hateful rhetoric … If people don’t start speaking up and voting for human rights, for trans rights, when they hit the ballot box, we are going to continue to see this happen and it is only the beginning of the attacks and harm the 2SLGBTQIA-plus community will feel as a whole.” The Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 as a vigil by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender Massachusetts woman killed in 1998.

Ken Lavigne is coming to Parksville to get the audience into the spirit of Christmas on Dec. 4. He’s looking forward to singing a few classic holiday tunes like ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘White Christmas’ when he performs with his ensemble at Knox United Church. “I have some songs that are really special to me like ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Ave Maria’, these are songs that really tap into my classical singing chops,” Lavigne said. “We have a lot of fun.” He will be joined by a musical ensemble that includes a piano, double bass, violin and percussion, and he’s even considering a re-visitation of ‘Santa Baby’, the classic song made famous by Eartha Kitt. The Christmas season has always been a special and meaningful time for Lavigne. “With Christmas music, there’s such a sense of joy and light that can be really affecting for people,” he said. “And of course there’s so much nostalgia that’s sort of built into it.” He might be best known for being a founding member of the Canadian Tenors, and toured with them for several years. Lavigne also made one of his dreams come true when he performed with the New York Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Lavigne has always loved to sing, but he didn’t consider studying it for his career until he received a recommendation from his choir teacher as he was heading into his university years. That education opened his eyes to world of classical music and once he’d heard the voice of Luciano Pavarotti, he knew what he wanted to do. He is looking forward to returning to Parksville. “I absolutely love the space. Knox United is an incredible performance place, they just have so much going on and the audience is always warm and they’re always up for a good time.” Lavigne added that his Christmas shows always include a fun surprise that has become a tradition over the years, and although it’s “top secret”, anyone who has been there will remember. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are available online through Eventbrite [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/knox-presentsa-ken-lavigne-christmas-tickets-1825276684699] and with cash at local retailers Close to You Boutique, Edge Outdoors and Fireside Books.

This holiday season, the PQB News is reminding readers of the importance of shopping local. A massive part of that experience is the people, the folks behind the counter. Here’s a peek at just a few of the many businesses that keep our local economy buzzing: Business: Close to You Address: 174 Corfield St S, Parksville, BC V9P 0C1 Owner: Sandra Herle Years in Community: 35 years Offers: Women’s fashion, lingerie, nightwear, footwear, swimwear, and accessories. Quote: “Communities would not survive without small business to support sports teams, pay the taxes for sidewalks, the water and all that stuff. I know when I go on holiday, I like to go somewhere to shop or somewhere to eat. So, if there wasn’t a small business community, I think it would be tougher on tourism. We’ve got a strong tourism group.” Sandra Herle started Close To You, a lingerie business, in 1991. Over the years, the store has expanded and features a myriad of women’s clothing, accessories and shoes. The store continues to serve devoted clients, who Herle said have greatly helped her stay in business for 35 years. “This town has always been good to us,” said Herle, who was first in the bicycle shop business before transitioning to women’s fashion. “We have been through everything. We’ve been through the real dive in the economy and COVID was the worst because you didn’t know if there was going to be an end. But we’ve got such a loyal base of clients. They have aged with me.” Small businesses, said Herle, is vital to the local economy. Their success also relies on the support they receive from residents and visitors. “Communities would not survive without small business to support sports teams, pay the taxes for sidewalks, the water and all that stuff,” said Herle, who added that they are also an asset to local tourism. “I know when I go on holiday, I like to go somewhere to shop or somewhere to eat. So, if there wasn’t a small business community, I think it would be tougher on tourism. We’ve got a strong tourism group.” Business: Coast and Cottage Address: 5-160 Corfield St. S, Parksville, British Columbia V9P 2G3 Owner: Rianna Sharp Years in community: six years Offers: Ladies clothing, home decor, art kits and art works. Quote: “It makes a huge difference even just a little support like following us on social media or sharing our stuff or word to mouth.” Owner Rianna Sharp has been operating the business for six years now. When she started, she said they mainly had vintage and paint but they have now evolved and has included women’s clothing. As well, they promote over 80 artisans locally and all over the Island, which leads to a unique experience for shoppers looking for something different. “We have a ton from the Island,” said Sharp. “We try and something for everybody. We have a lot of decor and gift ware as well as home goods and a little bit of food, a little bit of health food. We try and have a sampling for everyone. Basically, whatever you could use or need, we try to carry.” Sharp says it’s important for the community to endorse the small businesses. “When we first opened, there was a lot of stores like us, which is great for the community,” said Sharp. “And then they’ve since closed because it’s really hard to be small business nowadays with many competitions and ordering online. It makes a huge difference even just a little support like following us on social media or sharing our stuff or word to mouth.” Sharp said their store is more than just a gift shop. “We have customers that come in and they say that it’s their happy place,” said Sharp. “We try to offer a bit of an experience.” Sharp hopes for a busy holiday season. “Having more foot traffic and even more events downtown that really support shopping locally would be amazing,” said Sharp. Business: Skulls Skates/PD’s Hot Shop Address: 164 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1T4 Owner: Peter Ducommun Years in Community: 4 years Offers: Canada made skateboards, parts, apparel Quote: “A large portion of the skateboard industry, the products are made off-shore these days and so to have something made locally is a little bit unusual. I think that’s what people appreciate about it.” Peter Ducommun set up his business in Qualicum Beach, with one of the oldest demographics in Canada. Choosing the town was unusual for Ducommun as the products in his store called PD’s Hot Shop, appeal to a more younger generation. Yet since he opened in the heart of downtown Qualicum Beach, his skateboard shop has become well-known in the business community. Ducommun said they were surprised with the reception they have received. “The people here have very been welcoming,” said Ducommun, who is also known as PD. “We love how diverse Qualicum Beach is because of its reputation that it’s a retirement community. It’s a bigger mix than you imagine. You assume that it would just be retired people only but it’s much more than that, I would say. That’s something we learned. We had no idea when we moved here that is the case.” What PD’s Hot Shop offers are skateboards, snowboards, skimboards and bicycles that they designed and are built in Canada. Ducommun said, they are so proud to offer to residents and visitors Canadian-made merchandise. For Ducommun, who created the skateboard brand in 1978, building the products locally also means jobs, which allows people to earn and spend money locally. It also helps the town’s economy. “Qualicum Beach is a beautiful little town and it requires a lot of upkeep,” said Ducommun. “They have a lot of staff and all that money has to come from somewhere. We’re fortunate that we do have a lot of visitors because it’s such a beautiful place to visit particularly in the summer. We’re finding since we opened here that winter is getting busier as well.”

Communities to Protect Our Coast has chosen Danny Hall as this month’s Climate Hugs recipient. Hall is a teacher of science, math and French at Kwalikum and Ballenas secondary schools. He also finds time to be on the executive of Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition and Strong Towns Nanaimo. An advocate for alternative transportation in the RDN, Hall brings careful research to this topic and offers thoughtful planning suggestions. “We can make small changes that will make a big difference for cyclists and pedestrians,” he said. Enthusiastic when he highlights the examples of good planning in Qualicum, Parksville and the Old Town area of Nanaimo, he still feels there is room for improvement. Traffic-calming designs and reformed parking mandates are tools he would like to see municipalities consider using more judiciously. He notes the Parksville Transportation Plan could better reflect the 80 per cent of people surveyed who wanted better walking and cycling infrastructure. He refers to the Qualicum/Parksville cycling route as excellent and well-used by cyclists of all ages. “Roads and parking for cars take up at least half or more land space in an area,” he said. “Cities and towns are a lot more sustainable if they have a diversity of housing options. This can be supported by alternatives to cars.” To add further clarity, Hall added, “if you want people to choose viable alternatives, they have to feel safe. I’m looking to make places where people can walk and cycle safely.” Hall’s parents were both teachers and he learned from them that volunteer work as an individual or with a community group could make a difference. As a young student hiking and skiing in the outdoors near his home, he was inspired to study science. “Green spaces even in high-density urban areas are important,” he said. “Large paved areas create heat islands and impermeable surfaces cause flooding. By design, these areas physically force people to drive. Walkable residential and business hubs are popular with everyone.” Hall points to the heat dome in June of 2021 which killed hundreds of people in B.C. and billions of sea creatures as a pivotal moment. He wanted to make a meaningful difference because “this is a crisis that threatens us all.” He became involved at that time volunteering with NALT to help eradicate invasive species and participating in the dialogue around climate change at Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. At home, he helped his parents to replace their front yard with pollinator plants. NALT was a source for these plants as well as Streamside Native Plant Nursery in Bowser. Now as a teacher himself, Hall said, “my hope is to help build a future where my students can be happy and thrive.” Hall asked that his $50 Climate Hugs award be donated to the Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Protection Society fund for purchasing Hamilton Marsh.

Works from Island artists will feature prominently across the Nanaimo area this weekend as part of a self-guided art tour. Nanaimo Artwalk, presented by Nanaimo Arts Council, will see 50 artists featured at 20 venues in downtown Nanaimo and the Old City Quarter, including at Nanaimo Museum and Nanaimo Art Gallery, on Saturday, Nov. 22 till 4 p.m. Coni Long, one of the featured at Nanaimo Museum who deals mainly in acrylics, said Nanaimo is a good place to paint en plein air (outdoors), as it has many options. “I’ve painted with a Nanaimo, group of artists and painted around Bowen Park, Neck Point, Jack Point, all around … I’m not here in the summer, so when I paint, it’s usually good,” she said. “If it’s not raining, it’s good.” Nanaimo Artwalk continues Sunday, Nov. 23 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more, go to https://nanaimoartscouncil.ca/ [https://nanaimoartscouncil.ca/] or search for Nanaimo Arts Council on Facebook.

A musical performance by the members of A Cappella Plus will raise voices about the gifts children give us to celebrate World Children’s Day. A Cappella Plus will perform Through the Eyes of a Child, to recognize UNICEF’s Global Day of Action for Children, held in November each year. The gifts of children – humour, wonder, innocence and simplicity – will be celebrated with an program of spiritual songs, popular tunes and traditional Christmas melodies, all children-oriented, noted a press release. The program will include This Little Light of Mine, The Gift to be Simple, Kookoorookoo, Teach Your Children Well, Away in a Manger and others. A Cappella Plus sings in support of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island which works to reduce barriers to health care access for Island families. The foundation’s Homes Away from Home program includes Jesse’s House, currently under construction at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Donations to the program can be made online or at the concert. A Cappella Plus performs Through the Eyes of a Child at Brechin United Church on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and will be available at the door or online at www.accappellaplus.ca.

The work of a young Nanaimo artist will represent the imagination, identity and insight of a new generation of artists when it is displayed on the city’s street banners next year. The City of Nanaimo has announced that Grade 11 student and local artist Solana Van de Leur’s design was selected for next year’s street banners, marking the first time in the program’s history a youth artist’s design has been chosen. According to a city press release from earlier this month, the street banner program this year invited young artists from across B.C. to help shape Nanaimo’s streetscape through original artwork that reflects youth identity, imagination and insight. The release described the winning artist as a passionate artist, writer and competitive figure skater who works across multiple mediums that include acrylic, watercolour, digital illustration and sculpture. Van de Leur’s design, depicting an arbutus tree framed by day and night as a symbol of resilience and transformation, was selected for its visual depth, rich symbolism and heartfelt storytelling, the release noted. “Art and storytelling have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and through this contest, I got to tell a story about myself while depicting something as iconically Nanaimo as an arbutus tree,” said Van de Leur in the release. “It is such an honour and so surreal to know that soon I will get to see the banner that I designed all over my neighbourhood and community.” The banners will be installed in the spring throughout downtown and along traffic corridors.

Via Choralis will return with its annual December concert with a new artistic director at the helm. Grant Harville, whose accomplishments include winning the London Conducting Masterclass Competition and the Agatha C. Church Conducting Award, will make his mark with Magnificat, a concert on Sunday, Dec. 7 at St. Elizabeth Church in Sidney. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a variety of local choirs and orchestras, and every new group I encounter is a new challenge and a new horizon to reach for,” Harville told Peninsula News Review. Harville came to the Island with his family in 2020, and has since been music director of the Civic Orchestra of Victoria and conductor of the Victoria Conservatory of Music Chorale during the fall 2025 term. He describes Via Choralis as a “Sidney institution” – one that he looks forward to both shaping and growing from. For Magnificat, he has chosen Christmas- and winter-themed music by John Rutter, Felix Mendelssohn, Gustav Holst and Indigenous composer Andrew Balfour, plus a sing-along of seasonal favourites. “‘Classical’ is more a marketing term than a musical one, and it’s less a single genre than 50 genres in a trenchcoat,” he said. “There’s a tremendous diversity in the world of classical music, and it is our privilege to explore and share it.” On accompaniment will be Kinza Tyrrell, who is music director of Vancouver Opera in Schools, a coach at UVic Faculty of Music and music director of the UVic Chamber Singers, while being considered one of Canada’s top collaborative pianists. Magnificat takes place at St. Elizabeth Church, 10030 Third St. in Sidney on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available at Tanner’s Book Store, from 3common.com and from members of the choir. Magnificat starts at 2 p.m. at 10030 Third St. As per what Harville hopes audiences will take away from his first concert as artistic director? “Joy, community, beauty, and an excuse to step outside of their day-to-day and enjoy an afternoon where their only obligation is to sit back and let the music wash over them.”

Molding creativity. Jane Wolters of Chemainus will be showing off her hand-made pottery and a selection of her paintings at Excellent Frameworks located at 115 Kenneth St. in Duncan with her solo exhibition titled Jane Wolters Retrospective from Nov. 3 to 23. Suzan Kostiuck, owner of Excellent Frameworks, the home of the EJ Hughes Gallery, is excited to showcase the work of Wolters who she met 10 years ago while working for the local arts council. Kostiuck was wowed with Wolters’s functional stoneware pottery line that had an image of lavender plants on it and bought a set for her family upon visiting Wolters’s home studio. “I’ve followed her work for years, and one of the galleries I worked for in the past carried her work as well, so I’ve always been able to keep in touch with Jane,” said Kostiuck. “Earlier this year I really wanted to host another retrospective show of a local artist and she was the first choice, so I was thrilled when she kindly accepted my offer to showcase her works. “Having her work in my gallery is an honour, and being able to see the variety of glazes, forms, and pathways that her works display is amazing.” Wolters, who has been creating artworks for the last 48 years, was born in England but has called Vancouver Island home for most of her life where she has been a professional potter with her focus mostly on stoneware and porcelain. While Wolters was technically self-taught, she does admit to taking some wheel-throwing lessons in the beginning. Over her artistic career her pottery has comprised of a wide range of styles: made-to-be-used tableware in nature-inspired patterns and fine porcelain glazed in classic copper reds and celadons, as well as one of a kind art pieces. “Mostly wheel-thrown, many of my pots are fired in a gas kiln to achieve the copper reds, celadons and other beautiful reduction glazes I love,” said Wolters. “I’ve also experimented with saggar firing, which involves firing the pieces in a container with weeds and other materials to produce lovely random markings.” Wolters said she has been fortunate to have attended many valuable workshops with outstanding potters from all over the world, and has also immersed herself in courses in various subjects including portrait sculpture. In additon to her pottery she began to learn how to paint several years ago in an effort to find another creative outlet that was less physically demanding. “In the process I’ve learned a great deal of art theory, history, and design,” said Wolters. “Oil on canvas has been my favourite painting medium; the sensuous feel of the paint coming off the brush onto the canvas, the way the paint smells, the look of the thick oil paint building up on the surface, all feel right.” On her painting path, she has also explored acrylics, which she finds to be a more playful and adventurous medium. Wolters has both a home studio and gallery and welcomes visitors to view her works by appointment by emailing [email protected] [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection]. “I feel incredibly lucky to be an artist,” said Wolters. “There are always new ideas, new paths to travel along, and there are never enough hours in the day to explore them. I hope attendees of the exhibit go away realizing the wide and interesting variety possible with clay.” “I hope people who come to see her works get a sense of the human touch that each piece contains,” said Kostiuck. “Every line, every spot the light touches, Jane’s artistic spirit has also touched, and that is part of the intrinsic beauty of art.” web1_jw-works-1 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_jw-works-1.jpg;w=960]Chemainus resident Jane Wolters, who has been a professional potter for the past 48 years, will have her solo exhibit titled Jane Wolters Retrospective on display at Excellent Frameworks in Duncan until Nov. 22. Seen here is one example of her work. (Submitted) web1_jw-works-2 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_jw-works-2.jpg;w=960]Chemainus resident Jane Wolters, who has been a professional potter for the past 48 years, will have her solo exhibit titled Jane Wolters Retrospective on display at Excellent Frameworks in Duncan until Nov. 22. Seen here is one example of her work. (Submitted)

Men’s mental health is Western Edge Theatre’s theme for the whole season, and appropriately, the first play takes place almost entirely inside the protagonist’s mind. A Baker’s Dozen, written by Ward Norcutt and directed by Jonathan Greenway, will be presented at Nanaimo’s OV Arts Centre from Nov. 21-30. The play has a single setting in one sense, with the protagonist alone in a hotel room, but he shares the stage at all times with family members acting out his memories. “While the hotel room is the physical setting, we do see these glimpses into the memories of his childhood, of his upbringing, of his young adulthood, of his life progressing through these vignettes of memory that pop up in different dramatizations,” Greenway said. A lot of writing is personal on some level, but Norcutt said with A Baker’s Dozen, “it couldn’t be more personal than this play.” Serious issues such as suicide, abuse and addiction come up as Norcutt’s protagonist tries to understand and work through intergenerational trauma. “It’s basically a fictional telling of a true story,” the playwright said. “I’ve based it very much off my own life and it’s been a cathartic, healing-process journey for me.” Norcutt said he didn’t want to direct the play and never meant to star in it, so taking on the lead role “makes it doubly flayed open.” “I guess it’s very easy to relate to the character, but hard in that it’s been an exhausting process,” he said. “But it’s a really good process and I hope it’s a really good play.” The surreal settings of the mind and memories appeal to Greenway, who said the theatre is the perfect place for audiences to suspend disbelief and be transported, through lighting, music and other techniques, into the protagonist’s thoughts. The director is working with a dream cast, he said, and rehearsals are going well, if a little emotional. “There’s often tears shed by one of the cast members or myself or the crew just watching the rehearsal process, which is cathartic all around,” he said. “I think there’s something in this piece that everyone can relate to in terms of their own mental health whether it’s good or bad.” Greenway is also Western Edge’s artistic director and chose men’s mental health as this season’s theme because it’s important to him, and also because it’s an “undiscussed topic” that still carries stigma. A Baker’s Dozen, the first of four productions this season, and is taking on the theme head-on. “It’s important, I think, for people – especially men – to understand that we need to own our own lives and try to work through our sadness, our anger, all the things that we hold onto so dearly, because we were taught to. I know I was,” Norcutt said. “Hopefully a play like this will help people realize that they can do that too and not have to run away from it, or hide from it, or mask it.” WHAT’S ON … Western Edge Theatre’s A Baker’s Dozen will be shown at the OV Arts Centre from Nov. 21-30. For tickets and more information, visit the Western Edge Theatre website. [https://westernedge.org/]

Jane Siberry is the first to admit she is not an easy singer to categorize. As music journalist Ian Grey once wrote: “She sings about dogs, God, angels, sex and more in a multi-octave voice unhampered by considerations of gravity.” Find out for yourself this week, when Siberry comes to Vancouver Island for performances, starting tonight in Victoria. Siberry is considered one of Canada’s most original and influential singer-songwriters. She was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Oct. 17 by fellow music icon k.d. lang. Siberry’s work is visionary and ever-evolving. Best known for transcendent works like ‘Calling All Angels,’ ‘Love is Everything’ and the iconic ‘Mimi on the Beach,’ she has created a singular body of work that defies labels. Her contribution to The Crow soundtrack, ‘It Won’t Rain All the Time,’ continues to resonate decades later. After leaving Warner/ Reprise Records in 1996, Siberry founded her own label, Sheeba, and pioneered a ‘pay-what-you-can’ model for music downloads. She also expanded live performances beyond traditional venues with global “salon tours” — from llama farms in New Zealand to garages in Australia, kominkas in Japan, kitchens in Finland and bell towers in rural England. Audiences describe her performances as “intense, heraldic, funny and startling.” Siberry opens her Island run at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Victoria Nov. 22, hits the Duncan Garage Showroom on Nov. 23, moves on to the Parksville Museum Heritage Church Nov. 24 and wraps at Char’s Landing in Port Alberni on Nov. 25. For more information, check out her website [https://janesiberry.com/tour].

One Saanich company is preparing to give back as the holiday season approaches. For the past 10 years, Rather Be Plumbing has offered free plumbing labour for residents in need. This year’s program runs from Dec. 2 to 5. Customers only pay for materials. The company says it’s ready to help with anything from leaky faucets to clogged drains or any other plumbing emergencies. Nominations for friends, loved ones, or a neighbour can be made by contacting 250-589-8555 or ratherbeplumbing@gmail.com. The program is intended for Greater Victoria residents facing financial hardship to ensure help goes to those who need it most.

Travel writer Bill Arnott has enjoyed visiting the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area so much he and his wife decided to make Qualicum Beach their part-time home. Arnott is well-known for his overseas travel saga Gone Viking, as well as A Season on Vancouver Island — a B.C. best-seller and now his most recent release A Festive Season on Vancouver Island. He and his wife, Deb, spent three months of “concentrated travel” up and down the Island, taking in the holiday sights, talking to locals and researching outside of the usual summer holiday peak season. “I was really trying to see and do as much as possible in the car and on foot, from November, right through the new year,” said Arnott, who divides his time between Vancouver and the Island. While checking out festive lights, concerts, plays and museums, he realized there is at least one commonality with every person he met, regardless of their religion – that the festive season brings everyone together. “Most folks are looking for this very same thing, especially through the festive season – gathering up loved ones past and present, celebrating a sense of abundance and gratitude and they’re just being together with the folks that we care about,” Arnott said. Whether people associated the season with their faith, or came at it from a secular point of view, many of the perspectives were the same: time with loved ones, lights, songs and sharing a meal. “Peacefulness” is one word that comes to mind when visiting the Island in the last few months of the year, Arnott said. Sometimes he would be the only person visiting a museum or find himself walking along the beach at low tide, with fewer people out walking their dogs or strolling the boardwalk at Parksville beach. “There’s a little bit more activity in nature because there’s a little bit fewer tourists, so it seems like the eagle and seal activity is a little more vibrant,” he added, and said he met birders who had spotted dozens of eagles hunting at spots such as the mouth of French Creek. Other times he would find himself at a bustling craft fair or the farmers’ market. “There’s a celebratory feel. You see the different things in the shops, in the decorations.” One highlight was Moonlight Madness in Qualicum Beach, where he and his wife were among thousands who turned out last year for carolling, evening downtown shopping and cocoa. A Festive Season combines Arnott’s travel narrative with the visual art of his painted photos – digitally stylized for the book. “What I love about it is I feel that it offers a much more engaging, or a richer, sensory engagement,” he said. A Festive Season completes a travel memoir trilogy that also includes A Season on Vancouver Island and A Season in the Okanagan and covers the different seasons. “One of the things I was communicating is the festive season – I feel isn’t really necessarily tied to a calendar. “It can be as much a state of mind as anything.” A Festive Season was released on Nov. 4 through Rocky Mountain Books [https://rmbooks.com/] and is available at books shops in the mid-Island area, including Fireside Books in Parksville and Bellflower Bookshop in Qualicum Beach. RELATED: B.C. travel writer visits Parksville Qualicum Beach for new book [https://pqbnews.com/2022/09/07/b-c-travel-writer-visits-parksville-qualicum-beach-for-new-book/] RELATED: Qualicum Beach couple publishes 1st book of photography [https://pqbnews.com/2025/07/20/qualicum-beach-couple-publishes-1st-book-of-photography/]

This article is from the winter edition of Boulevard Magazine. The gentle notes of a flute are almost drowned out by the deep baritone of the ocean swell rolling into the surrounding rocks. White spray mists the air with salt and the rhythmic sway of kelp caught in the surf has a hypnotic appearance. Settling back into a black lounger, I watch the sea and allow my mind to empty of the endless to-do lists, grocery orders and prep needed to be done for the upcoming holiday meal that will see a dozen or so family members gather in my home. Instead of focusing on all that still needs to be done – the birthday party I need to plan for my daughter and the Christmas shopping I haven’t started – I allow myself to be in the moment. It’s something I usually struggle with, but here, on the pool deck at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, it’s easy to get lost in the ambiance of Salish Sea. I’m here for the afternoon, enjoying the Boathouse Spa upgrade that gives me access to this serene waterfront. When I arrived at the spa, I was given a quick greeting while I was checked in, and then we were off on a tour. Past reception, I’m met with the smell of eucalyptus and cedar emanating from the indoor sauna. Tiled change rooms are stationed on the left – complete with a bathing suit spinner hanging on the wall outside them – and the last door on the right hides a private oasis filled with plants, cosy chairs and windows overlooking the pool deck. Despite two of the four walls being made of glass, the room feels private, like a secret retreat that offers hot and cold tea, infused water and a trail mix snack in case you find yourself peckish while you wait for your treatment. The treatment rooms themselves are not actually in this building; they’re nestled between the pool deck and the sea, and provide a front-row view of the ocean. Left to my own devices, I quickly change and wrap myself in the velvety plush robe provided before settling into a lounger beside the sea with a cup of iced yuzu herbal tea. It can be hard to give yourself permission to slow down during the holiday season, especially with so many commitments and expectations. But it’s vital to check in with yourself and be mindful of the harm stress causes on your body. While it was originally a reaction meant to protect our bodies from predators and other aggressors, stress has transformed to be triggered by everyday demands. Mayo Clinic staff note the nervous system response to stress triggers causes the body to release a surge of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. While adrenaline makes the heart beat faster and causes blood pressure to go up, cortisol increases sugar in the bloodstream. Cortisol also slows functions that would be harmful or non-essential in a fight-or-flight situation – changing immune system responses and suppressing the digestive system, reproductive system and growth processes. This reaction is meant to stop when the perceived threat has gone away but when stressors are always present, that fight-or-flight reaction stays on, putting you at risk for a number of health issues including depression, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, weight gain, sleep problems, trouble with memory and focus, and headaches, to name a few. That’s why the Mayo Clinic says it’s more important than ever to learn how to manage stress and relaxation is a key component. After soaking up the sea, it’s time to soak in one of the two hot tubs. I can feel the tension in my shoulders melt away as I lean back against the edge and look up towards the hotel. Rooted above the pool deck, its brown brick facade shines in the afternoon sun and its slate grey roof matches the rocks surrounding the hot tubs. While the furthest hot tub is tucked into a private little nook surrounded by greenery, the other is set higher up and gives views of the mineral pool and sea. After my body is sufficiently relaxed, I transition to the outdoor sauna. Inside this stargazer sauna I’m met with a large window framing the sea and making it feel as if I’m sitting on the rocks while the ocean laps at my feet. The heat from the 85-degree sauna immediately permeates my skin and I sit back against the bench. Breathing the cedar smell deep into my lungs, I look up and see the ceiling is also made of glass, showcasing blue sky. While tempted to cloud-watch, I turn my attention back to the ocean and continue to focus on the rolling waves, realizing they’re not grey, mirroring the clouds rolling past overhead, but a deep, dark aquamarine. Just as I’m starting to wonder how long I’ve been sitting here, the final grains of white sand fall in an hourglass timer by the door, indicating I’ve reached the end of the suggested 15 minute stay. Outside the sea air is chilly but refreshing and I hesitate beside the mineral pool, expecting it to feel frigid after the sauna. But I’m pleasantly surprised as I ease myself in. The heated pool is almost the temperature of a warm bath and I sit on the sunken ledge, allowing the water to wash over me as the sound of a little water fall trickles into the main pool. Deciding to complete the circuit, I venture back into the building to try out the eucalyptus-infused indoor sauna, returning to the pool again after 15 minutes. Looking at the subtle clock, I can’t believe I’ve spent two hours here already and it’s almost time for my treatment. With the holiday season usually packed full of events, meals and holiday cheer, it’s hard to escape for a weekend away to take a break from the hustle and bustle the season brings. An afternoon at the spa, however, can be just what the doctor ordered. Sitting in the lounge, enjoying a gemstone-infused glass of cold water, I’m greeted by Kim, my practitioner. She’s spent six years at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and more than 18 years in Korea perfecting her craft. Her enthusiasm is palpable but not overwhelming in the serene space. As she leads me back outside to the treatment rooms, I already feel like I’m in good hands. The Boathouse Spa offers a full menu of different treatments designed to help you slow down and unwind, including facials, massages and body treatments. Today, I’m receiving the botanical glow facial, which the spa describes as a cosmeceutical treatment that harnesses the power of nature while restoring the radiance of all skin types. Pre- and probiotics balance the microbiome while antioxidant-rich maple bark extract stimulates collagen and elastin. Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps, leaving skin healthy, resilient and glowing. Just what I need with a teething toddler that’s leaving me to survive on four hours of combined sleep a night. Inside the room I’m tucked into a heated bed adorned with a fluffy duvet that feels as if I’m being wrapped in a cloud. Already, I can feel my eyes grow heavy as Kim advises me to take a deep breath, drawing in a eucalyptus blend that continues the earthy scents layered throughout the spa spaces. Kim gets to work as I try – and fail – to pay attention to what she’s doing. It’s a delightful blur of warm towel wraps, soothing cold compresses, and Kim deftly painting my face like an artist with her brush. She uses a combination of products by Babor, a German company known for being a pioneer in skincare and as setting the standard in skincare research. There are also scalp, hand and arm massages that leave me in a zen-like coma state that Kim has to prompt me out of with a repeated request for a deep breath of that eucalyptus scent once again. I wish I could tell you more about the treatment itself but I’m left in the best kind of daze, knowing Kim has carefully tailored each selection, and my face is glowing. She does offer advice as she goes and reiterates that she will write it down, noting I’m in no state to be taking mental notes. True to her word, she leaves me a detailed regimen, written on a ‘Doctor Babor’ Rx prescription pad, outlining what types of product I should use and when – all geared to my specific skin requirements. Advice this tired mama desperately needs as I have been woefully neglecting my skin – and body – while going through the first years of parenthood. And just like that, I’m back sitting in the lounge, sipping on a hot cup of the custom ‘Oak Bay Fog’ tea blend and marvelling at a state of relaxation I didn’t know was possible. All without even leaving Greater Victoria. DO. Take advantage of the heated outdoor mineral pools and hot tubs. Amenities on the pool deck include water and towel service, assigned lounge chairs and use of the stargazer sauna. This optional upgrade for spa guests will leave you feeling replenished as you take in the surrounding Salish Sea. SEE. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Wellness Reset series wraps up Nov. 15 with a live taping of Jessi Cruickshank’s hit pop culture podcast Phone a Friend. The hotel is also offering a number of holiday-themed events including breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7, a Christmas Day brunch, and a New Year’s Day brunch. EAT. Guest utilizing the mineral pools also have poolside access to Boathouse Kitchen and Bar. The menu features a number of signature cocktails, slushy delights, wine and bubbles, and carefully curated brews that accompany lighter fares to nibble on. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel also offers coastal-inspired Italian dining at Faro, more traditional pub fare at the Snug Pub and premium cocktails in the Lobby Lounge. SLEEP. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers luxury accommodations highlighting traditional architecture with modern in-suite amenities. Choose from guest rooms, boutique suites, one-bedroom suites or penthouse options with either residential, marina or panoramic ocean views.

Generational wealth is being squandered on Vancouver Island through poor planning. A lack of planning, documentation and open dialogue can also lead to family conflict, legal disputes, tax inefficiencies, unintended beneficiaries, and business instability. These were some of the considerations brought forward by thought leader and best-selling author Dr. Thomas Deans, a renowned expert on generational wealth transfer, during a Nov. 6 visit to Campbell River. The evening, hosted by the Campbell River Community Foundation at the Tidemark Theatre, aimed to spark conversation on what happens when B.C. families fail to plan for the future, and transform discussions on charitable giving, legacy and estate planning. Deans, author of the best-selling family business book “Every Family’s Business: 12 Common Sense Questions to Protect Your Wealth,” discussed the pitfalls of not having an estate plan in Canada. Deans noted how there is an entire generation in Canada that feels completely trapped when it comes to transitioning their wealth, amidst an era marked by the widespread accumulation and concentration of wealth. When individuals die without a will or a clearly communicated estate plan, their wealth does not simply transfer; it often unravels, he said. With his talk, the goal was to challenge traditional beliefs and broaden perspectives on how generational wealth can be passed down to maintain and enhance both family ties and the wealth itself. Deans urged participants to rethink the concept of wealth transfer. Instead of viewing it as a single event – often occurring at death – he proposed it should be a deliberate, multi-generational dialogue. The night began with a screening of the documentary “UnCharitable,” which critiques the traditional constraints that limit non-profit organizations in fulfilling their missions. Deans also explored the legal and financial aspects of estate planning, business succession, and strategic philanthropy in a practical discussion with a panel of local experts.

As a Saanich homeowner, I’m deeply concerned about the hostile, mob-like behaviour displayed by Save Our Saanich supporters at recent council meetings. Shouting people down isn’t democratic participation – it’s intimidation, and it discourages others from speaking. I appreciate council’s work to create a respectful, inclusive community. They deserve a public space where ideas can be debated without fear or harassment. Clear, enforced expectations for civility at meetings are essential. We cannot allow Saanich to drift toward the polarized, aggressive politics we see elsewhere. Canadians solve problems by listening, cooperating, and assuming good intent. That’s the culture we should defend. Dawn Smith Saanich