In Beautiful Gold River!
We're Now Open At
Noon-7 Days A Week
New Open Burning Regulations
July 11, 2019
More guiding documents will be published ahead of the fall burning season.
Important information regarding wildlife sightings in Gold River.
Please REPORT ALL wildlife sighting in our community to the RAPP line, by phone 1-877-952-7277.
They take calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If there is immediate threat to life or limb call 911.
Children’s charity launches campaign to build 'home away from home' in Campbell River
September 27, 2019
The Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has launched a $7-million fundraising campaign to build a new home in Campbell River for families who are travelling to visit children in medical care.
The self-described "home away from home" was inspired by a South Island facility, Jeneece Place, that opened in 2012 as a home for families who were visiting their children getting medical care in Victoria.
The Campbell River home, Q̓ʷalayu House, would welcome families and expectant mothers from the west and northern regions of Vancouver Island who need a place to stay while accessing the nearby North Island Hospital.
"Jeneece Place was an incredible resource for my family when we needed it," said Doug McCorquodale, board director with the Children's Health Foundation whose daughter, Abigail, stayed at Jeneece Place.
"Long travel days and expensive hotels put huge strains on families in addition to all of the health care concerns they face. This new home will relieve some of those large pressures for families living on the North Island so they can focus on their kids."
While a $7-million fundraising campaign may seem like a lofty goal, one anonymous donor has already donated a whopping $3 million.
"I am so blown away by this incredibly generous gift that will help countless families from the North Island," said Veronica Carroll, CEO at Children's Health Foundation.
"Like the support shown by the community for Jeneece Place, we hope this large gift encourages others to give and match the $3 million gift to get us that much closer to our goal."
If all goes well, Q̓ʷalayu House will be located on a large parcel of land provided by Island Health as a long-term licence beside the North Island Hospital. The home away from home would feature 10 bedrooms – each with its own full bathroom – a large kitchen, a dining area, an entrance with living room, four multi-purpose rooms and an outdoor area.
The Children's Health Foundation hopes to begin construction in spring 2020 with an estimated completion date of spring 2021.
"This home will have such a large impact for generations to come and we are excited to work alongside the community to see it come to life,” said Sandra Hudson, board chair at Children's Health Foundation.
The facility's name, Q̓ʷalayu House, is a mixture of both English and the traditional language of the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. Q̓ʷalayu, or Qwalayu (pronounced kwuh-lie-you), translates to an endearing term used by elders when they describe babies and children "as their reason for being," according to the Children's Health Foundation.
Donations for the Campbell River home can be made at the Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island website here, or by calling them at 250-940-4950
Gold River & Tsaxana Community Directories are in. $3.00 at the Literacy Centre.
New Open Burning Regulations
July 11, 2019
More guiding documents will be published ahead of the fall burning season.
L'il Roadie Fall Hours
September 23, 2019
Lil Roadie fall hours starting Monday September 23rd
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 5pm-9pm
Saturday, open for breakfast 8am-9pm
And Sunday, open for breakfast 8am-2pm
Closed Saturday the 28th for the power outage.
Salmon Farms On Their Way Out?
September 23, 2019
Premier John Horgan says industry, government and Indigenous nations on northern Vancouver Island are collaborating on a four-year program to transition away from marine-based salmon farms.
Horgan says the health of British Columbia's wild salmon stocks depends on the joint work being done in the Broughton Archipelago to improve environmental conditions and move away from open-net farms.
Three area First Nations, two aquaculture companies and the government reached an agreement earlier this year to establish Indigenous oversight of salmon farms in their traditional territories as they transition away from the open-net away pens.
Horgan told a conference on Thursday at the B.C. legislature that five farms in the area have already been decommissioned, five more will be out of service by 2022 and seven more could close by 2024.
Namgis First Nation Chief Don Svanvik says the decommissioning program is a monumental step to protect wild salmon and recognize the interests, values and jurisdictional rights of Indigenous peoples.
David Kiemele of Cermaq Canada, which has 28 salmon farms around Vancouver Island, says negotiations ahead could hit rough patches but success is important for wild salmon and the coastal economy.
All Fire Bans Lifted
September 20, 2019
Feel free to have an open fire as of noon tomorrow.
The Coastal Fire Centre says that’s when all open fires will again be permitted across the region.
Category 2 open fires will be permitted along with tiki torches, burn barrels, fireworks, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets.
Information officer Marg Drysdale said fall-like weather has reduced the wildfire risk across the region.
“We’ve taken a substantial amount of rain, we’re having some cooler weather and shorter days so we now have (a) reduced wildfire risk,” Drysdale said.
A Category 2 fire is one that burns material in a pile not exceeding two metres high by three metres wide.
Campfire and Category 3 open fire restrictions were not implemented this summer.
So with the lifting of this prohibition, there will be no open fire bans within the Coastal Fire Centre.
Local governments may still have their own burning restrictions in place, so you should check with local authorities before lighting a fire of any size.
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire has to get a burn registration number by calling 1-888 797-1717.
A Category 3 fire is one that burns material more than two metres high or three metres wide, stubble or grass of more than 2,000 square metres, or more than two piles of any size.
A poster explaining the different categories of open fires is available here.
Anyone who lights a fire has to comply with B.C.’s air quality control legislation.
The BC Wildfire Service urges people to take the following precautions with any permitted outdoor burning:
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Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and stop it from escaping.
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Do not burn in windy conditions. The weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
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Create a fireguard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
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Never leave a fire unattended.
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Make sure the fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
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Meanwhile, it’s been a tame wildfire season to say the least in the Coastal Fire Centre.
From April 1 to today, wildfires have burned 322 hectares in the region. Over the same period last year, fires ripped through 174,982 hectares.
The 10-year average is 22,791 hectares.
There have been 157 fires to date, 105 of which have been human caused and 52 from lightning.
Drysale said the size of the fires this year have helped limit the number of hectares burned.
“We have had substantially less hectares burned this year, largely because we’ve had smaller fires,” Drysdale said. “Obviously (we’ve had) numerous fires with 157, but most of the fires have been generally small. Our people have been able to get onto them very quickly and because of the conditions they haven’t grown.”
The Coastal Fire Centre covers south coastal B.C., the most heavily populated area in the province.
This area encompasses approximately 16.5 million hectares of land and includes Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation Receives Energy Funding
September 20, 2019
Four First Nations on Vancouver Island will move ahead with clean-energy projects, with three major projects coming from the North Island. The provincial government has granted more than $930,000 from the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.
The funding is being distributed to four clean-energy projects this year, as well as 10 communities that will use the money to study the need and feasibility of clean-energy projects in those communities.
Funding for the FNCEBF helps Indigenous communities as they pursue clean-energy projects. The province says it also helps CleanBC, which gives British Columbians new opportunities o build a clean future while protecting the province’s air, land, and water.
The Tlatlasikwala First Nation and Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, both near Port Hardy, received funding. The Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation near Gold River also received funds.
Tlatlasikwala received a $194,205 grant to build a solar and wind power microgrid backed up by batteries, which will reduce the community’s reliance on diesel generators.
The Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation received $170, 000 to help develop a hybrid smart-grid solar photovoltaic and battery system, which will provide a new and renewable source of clean-energy generation. The proposed system will supply about half of the Village of Gwa’yas’dums electrical needs, as well as 72 hours of power storage.The system will also be able to offer emergency backup power and grid stability.
The Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation received $142, 285 to install heat-pump systems in its administration and recreation buildings. The province says the new system will increase energy efficiency by 200% to 300% with annual savings of more than $24, 000 on energy bills.
The Kwakiutl First Nation received $30, 000 to create a community energy plan. This will help identify opportunities for clean-energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
30-foot boat, gear and ‘significant’ amount of fish seized in Gold River after DFO/RCMP investigation
September 14, 2019
A 30 foot boat, fishing gear and a “significant” amount of fish were seized in Gold River by fisheries officers and the Nootka Sound RCMP.
Nootka Sound RCMP received a report of significant overfishing along with other possible Fisheries Act violations on Sept. 11, RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Chris Manseau said in a press release.
“Nootka Sound RCMP frontline members quickly located the suspect vehicle and started a Fisheries Act inspection,” Cpl Manseau says. “It was immediately evident that evidence of multiple violations of the Fisheries Act had been committed. A vessel associated to the violations was also stopped for inspection.”
Due to the violations noted, the Nootka RCMP partnered with Conservation and Protection Officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to assist in the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, DFO officers found evidence of illegal possession of fish contrary to the Fisheries Act and seized the following;
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30 ft. vessel, fishing gear and equipment
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26 Chinook Salmon
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10 bags of Salmon roe totaling approx. 24 kg.
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18 rock fish fillets
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8 ling cod fillets
Officers from the West Coast Vancouver Island DFO detachment and the North Vancouver Island DFO detachment are still continuing the investigation. The Nootka Sound RCMP continues to assist both DFO detachments with the investigation.
“These types of blatant violations and disrespect for conservation efforts affect all persons around Nootka Sound and Vancouver Island,” says Nootka Sound RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Josh Wiese. “We want to send a strong message that these behaviors get recognized and actions have consequences.”
Three non-BC residents were issued appearances for court in Gold River in November 2019 in relation to Fisheries Act offences.
Anyone with information on this or any other illegal fishing activity can contact the DFO Observe Record Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227.
Raymonde Brosseau Recognized For Volunteer Efforts
September 13, 2019
A Gold River resident is being recognized for her volunteer efforts.
Raymonde Brosseau received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation Award on Tuesday.
The award is given to civilians or veterans who show dedication and volunteer service to their local veteran community. Around 30 people across Canada receive the award every year.
Rachel Blaney presented the award to Brosseau in Gold River. The presentation was attended by Brosseau’s family, Gold River mayor Brad Unger, local first responders, veterans and other community members.
“It is people like Raymonde who make our communities as great as they are,” Blaney said.
“We all know that legions pay an important role in supporting our veterans, and she is one of the people who for years has gone above and beyond to ensure Gold River’s veterans and the whole community are well taken care of.”
Invasive, bee-killing Asian giant hornets found in Nanaimo
September 13, 2019
Three bee-killing Asian giant hornets have been found in the Nanaimo area, the first time the insect has been seen on Vancouver Island.
The three Asian giant hornets (vespa mandarinia) were found in August. The species was confirmed by Canadian and international experts. It’s also the first time the Vespa mandarinia species of the Asian giant hornet has been found in B.C.
The provincial government said is not known how the hornets, which are widely distributed in parts of China, Korea and Japan, arrived on the Island. The government added that it is possible they were transported with personal or commercial goods.
Asian giant hornets are known to feed on honeybees and are capable of destroying hives in a short amount of time. The invasive insects are able to eat up to 50 honey bees in a day.
The Ministry of Agriculture is investigating how it can assist beekeepers with surveillance and trapping equipment in the spring, should other hornets emerge from their dormancy or be introduced to the area.
Asian giant hornets are large-headed and can vary in colour from different shades of orange, yellow and brown. Worker hornets are approximately 3.5 centimetres in length and queens can be up to four to five centimetres in length, with a wingspan of four to seven centimetres.
They only nest in the ground, unlike other species of wasps or bees that build nests and hives in trees and/or buildings.
Four species native to B.C. – the bald-faced hornet, yellow jacket, elm sawfly and northern horntail – are commonly mistaken for Asian giant hornets.
British Columbians who think they may have seen an Asian giant hornet can report findings to the Invasive Species Council of BC at 1 888 933-3722, via the council’s “Report Invasives” mobile phone app, or at: https://bcinvasives.ca/report. Those who have seen one are asked to take a photo if possible.
First trailer released for Jason Momoa series filmed in Campbell River and Strathcona Provincial Park
September 13, 2019
Vancouver Island TV fans may have recognized some familiar locations during the Apple TV plus announcement, part of Apple’s press event Tuesday. Apple TV Plus is launching in Canada on Nov. 1 with a selection of celebrity-stacked TV shows, movies and documentaries, kicking off what’s expected to be a heated battle for subscribers.
The service costs $5.99 per month, making it not only the cheapest of the existing major streaming platforms, but priced lower than fellow newcomer Disney Plus, which is scheduled to launch slightly over a week later on Nov. 12. One of the first titles available on the platform will be “See,” a futuristic TV series starring Game of Thrones and Aquaman star Jason Momoa, along with Alfre Woodard.b It’s directed by Frances Lawrence, known for three of the four films in the Hunger Games film series and the spy thriller Red Sparrow.
Part of the series was filmed in Campbell River and Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.
INfilm, which provides liaison and location scouting services to productions interested in filming on mid/north Vancouver Island, shared the trailer and said both locations “look stunning.”
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Terry Fox Run- Rain or Shine!
September 10, 2019
Terry Fox Run, bake sale and BBQ is this Sunday - rain or shine! Walk, run, hobble, ride a bike, whatever it takes. Registration and warm-up at 09:00, run is at 10:00
Wing Night Returns Sept 25th
September 09, 2019
O.K. Wing Lovers, we have great news. Wing night returns to The Ridge every Wednesday starting September 25th. The best deal on Vancouver Island awaits you, mark it on your calender and we'll see you at The Ridge. And ladies, the ladies lunch is also returning to the The Ridge, every 2nd Tuesday of the month starting October 8th.
"Son Of Blob" Affecting Salmon Runs
September 09, 2019
Call it the ‘Son of Blob,’ or ‘Blob 2.0.’
About five years ago what is known as “the Blob” of warm ocean water disrupted the West Coast marine ecosystem and hampered salmon returns.
The National Marine Fisheries Service says in a release that a new expanse of unusually warm water has quickly grown in much the same way, in the same area, to almost the same size.
It’s building off the West Coast and stretches roughly from Alaska south to California.
It ranks as the second largest marine heatwave in terms of area in the northern Pacific Ocean in the last 40 years, after “the Blob.”
Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said sea-surface temperatures are very high.
“Some locations upwards of four or five degrees above normal, especially as you get into the Bering Sea and the Bering Strait,” he said.
“It’s a very wide signal. It’s not technically called the ‘Blob’ like it was in 2014 but it is very similar. It just happens to actually be a much wider, larger surface area.”
Castellan said Environment Canada has been tracking sea-surface temperature anomalies because it has such a big impact on B.C.’s weather.
He said the weather patterns that we have seen over the last several years and particularly in the fall, spring, and summer months were “of conditions” that lead to ocean surface anomalies.
“Alaska and everywhere south of Alaska were under a ridge pattern for much of May, June, July, and August to the detriment of mainland North America where we saw a wetter July than normal,” he said.
The good news is, the service says the 2019 Blob could break up rapidly.
“It looks bad, but it could also go away pretty quickly if the unusually persistent weather patterns that caused it to change,” said Nate Mantua, a research scientist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
Looking ahead, Castellan said this phenomenon will have a big say on how our weather will play out over the next three months and likely into the new year.
“Currently, the probabilities are quite high to see a warmer-than-normal September, October, November, and throughout that period it decreases in strength so I do think with the fall storms and winter storms, the sea-surface temperature will get eroded as it kind of does every winter,” he said. “And with that we will start to see less of an impact from those waning temperatures. But it’s still very much a possibility that this is something that might last through the winter and pick up again in the spring.”
Current forecasts show the heat wave moderating but continuing for months.
But will the new heatwave last long enough to affect the marine ecosystem?
Biologists say that its large size means it probably already has.
For example, warmer conditions during “the Blob” left lesser-quality food available to young salmon entering the ocean. It also shifted predator distributions in ways that contributed to low returns of salmon.
More study abroad opportunities coming to NIC
September 09, 2019
North Island College students will soon have more options and opportunities to study abroad.
The school says that’s thanks to a new federal plan called the International Education Strategy. This helps Canadian colleges and universities increase opportunities for students to gain international learning experiences.
“Studying abroad is a life-changing experience for students,” NIC’s executive director of international education Mark Herringer said.
“It not only allows students to immerse themselves in another culture, but also provides them with many important life skills that serve them well throughout their education and career.”
A report called the Global Skills Gap in the 21st Century shows that employers are increasingly looking for workers who have had study abroad experience.
“Study abroad gives students skills like intercultural communication, flexibility and adaptability, resilience, working with ambiguity and also lets students learn a lot about themselves – what they value and what works for them in terms of fit,” Herringer added.
“It sets them up for success as they look for employment opportunities and planning their careers.”
NIC currently offers study abroad opportunities and is now building partnerships for opportunities in the USA, Turkey, France, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and England.
Federal support through the new strategy means the school will be able to expand the options for where students can go, their length of stay, as well as the types of experiences they can have.
Applications for study abroad are now open. Visit NIC’s study abroad page to learn more.
Break & Enter and Theft @ Gold River Deli
September 06, 2019
Between the early morning hours of 3am and 5am September 1st, the Gold River Deli located on Nimpkish Drive in Gold River was broken into. After entering the store, the suspects proceeded to steal an undisclosed amount of cash, and cigarettes.
Nootka Sound RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the person or persons responsible for this occurrence. An image of one of the suspects was obtained from the in-store video. If you observed any suspicious activity in the area between those hours or recognize the person in the photograph, please contact the Nootka Sound RCMP.
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Or, anyone with information on this is asked to contact the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227 or to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Gold River Fire Department Needs You
September 03, 2019
The Gold River Fire Department is recruiting! Anyone interested can call the fire department and leave a message at(250) 283-2522.
On another note did you know.....?
Did you know that in the last five years, we've had multipe fires that started in piles of laundry fresh from the dryer? If you don't plan on folding your clothes right away, we strongly suggest that you spread it out to allow the heat to dissipate. Spontaneous combustion is real!
Geoscience BC hosting open house on north island project
September 01, 2019
Geoscience BC is hosting an open house to help understand geology and target mineral exploration on Northern Vancouver Island.
The organization is collecting new, high resolution geophysical data in a 6,127 square kilometre area stretching from Port McNeill in the north to Tahsis in the south and close to Sayward in the east.
Geoscience BC say the project will “significantly improve public data available for the area’s geology. The data can be used by the mineral exploration sector, government, communities and Indigenous groups to inform decisions regarding new natural resource opportunities and land use and is expected to attract new mineral exploration investment to the Region.”
The open house is a chance to learn more about the project and get an update on its progress. Geoscience BC staff will be hand to answer questions. The data from the project is expected to be released at the AME Roundup conference in Vancouver in January.
The open house is happening on September 11th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm at the Campbell River Community Centre. All are welcome to attend but you have to RSVP here.
B.C. sockeye returns drop as official calls 2019 ‘extremely challenging’
August 29, 2019
Federal fisheries experts are painting a devastating picture of the challenges facing Pacific salmon and point to climate change as the main culprit.
Andrew Thompson, regional director for fisheries management, says it’s been an extremely challenging year for salmon and there have been significant declines in a number of stocks.
He says the trend is also being seen in waters off Alaska and Washington state.
Fisheries staff say factors such as human activity that degrades fish habitat and a landslide on the Fraser River blocking millions of fish from spawning upstream are making things worse.
In one of the most dramatic shifts, the federal Department of Fisheries has adjusted the number of returning Fraser River sockeye to slightly more than 600,000, down from an earlier projection of nearly five million.
Sue Grant, head of a federal program on the state of salmon, says some of the declines are residual effects of larger climate change events.
READ MORE: Salmon moved to B.C. hatchery as Fraser River landslide work continues
“Everything we’re seeing in salmon and ecosystem trends is embedded within this larger context,” she said.
“The planet is warming and the most recent five years have been the warmest on the planet’s record,” she said, adding that Canada is warming at a rate double the global average and the rate increases at northern latitudes.
Climate events like “The Blob,” an enormous mass of warm water caused by a heat wave in the North Pacific, have had significant impacts on the food web, she said.
It prompted large fatty zooplankton, the primary food of Pacific salmon, to migrate north and be replaced by a much smaller, less nutritious species of plankton.
