Free bowling Friday

 

Line dancing

 

Tech help Saturday

 I asked Matthew, the VIRL Tech Help guy exactly what he covered. His answer was “ Usually I will try to address any tech issue that folks are having, with the caveat that while I'm an expert on our library tech I am not an expert on the wider tech issues that folks might be having.”

So if you have a question for him, call 250-934-6621 when the library is open (2:30-7:00 Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00-2:30 Friday and Saturday) to book an appointment.

Raffle tickets

 

Frauds and Scams presentation

 

Line dancing

 

Line Dancing is Coming to Tahsis! 

Saddle up, Tahsis — we’ve got something fun kicking off at the Rec Centre!

Starting Saturday, November 22 at 5:30 PM, we’ll be hosting line dancing lessons every Saturday and Tuesday at the same time. Whether you’ve got two left feet or you’ve been boot-scootin’ since the ’90s, everyone is welcome!

The lessons are led by our very own Belarusian cowgirl, Irina. She’s the first to admit she’s not a pro yet — but that’s the best part! We’re all learning together, laughing together, and dancing our way into something new for our little town.

Bring your friends, bring your boots, bring your cowboy hat if you’ve got one — or just bring yourself.

Let’s turn around, go to town, and have some fun with the Boot-Scoot & Boogie!

See you on the dance floor, Tahsis! 

Joyce Davies passes

 

Note from Silvie

I am sad to announce that Joyce Davies left us peacefully on November 7th, just a month short of her 90th birthday. She was a dear friend whose intellect and generosity touched many who knew her. A simple spreading of ashes will take place in the spring to honour her memory. Thank you for keeping Joyce in your thoughts.

Mayor’s report November 18

 Report to Council

I recently attended a health care summit in Nanaimo along with our CAO. One of the big issues is recruitment to deal with the shortage of trained doctors and nurses. Due to the political issues south of the border, many medical professionals are emigrating to Canada to work which will alleviate these pressures.  Steps are being taken to streamline the approval process for medical professionals, which has in a large part been responsible for the shortages. We are doing ok in Tahsis at the moment with our current need being for a second receptionist. I have noticed that in the years that I have lived here that waits for appointments have increased from one week to four though.

Following our last council meeting I had directed staff to add more comprehensive information and plans regarding Phase 3 of our flood and tsunami control project. The Village website has now been updated.

At the regional district level, I have been providing input regarding the Heritage Conservation Act which is being updated following province-wide consultation. One of the most common concerns is regarding slow response times and increasing costs around development permit applications which has a chilling effect on new housing development. The provincial government will need to recruit and fund more archaeologists in order to speed up assessments and reduce backlogs. I was also advocating for education, interpretive and conservation signage for sites such as burial caves, which are common along our coast and are subject to plundering by souvenir collectors. People are not allowed to plunder our cemeteries and First Nation internment sites deserve the same level of respect. Penalties need to be tightened up and enforced.

The Island Coastal Economic Trust, of which I am a Board member, is undergoing a provincial legislative review along with all trusts, which is a first step to recapitalizing. Last year, we received a $10 million cash infusion to keep it running until 2027. We are seeking enough funding to enable it to continue operating using future investment revenue alone ensuring financial stability and sustainability. Tahsis and communities across the Island apply to fund economic development projects. All communities are represented on the Regional Advisory Committee and we have recently extended that representation to First Nation bands with their consultation and approval. I have just sent a letter representing mayors across our provincial riding to our MLA asking to meet regarding this.  

Once again, I was honoured to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies. As part of an immigrant family to Canada, I grew up with the stories of WW2, which had ended just 12 years before my birth day. My six uncles fought in the war and miraculously all survived. My parents, who were the youngest of each family, grew up during the war with the constant threat of bombing. A bomb destroyed a house on our street. Both my parents served in the military just after the war. They emigrated because they thought WW3 was coming and would be nuclear. They did not want to raise their children under this threat and so we moved to Canada. What a blessing they gave to their kids and future offspring.  But it doesnt mean the threat of totalitarianism has ever gone away. In fact it seems closer than it has been in years when you see what is going on south of the border. But I feel like Canada is on the right track at least for now. It continues to remain true that if we dont remind ourselves of the evils of the past, that we condemn ourselves to a bleak future.  May we continue to build a world which is kind and equitable to all, no matter their race or beliefs.

Door decorating contest

Crafterday on November 22

 

 

Free bowling for adults

 

Free pool at the rec centre

 

 

Last trail work party of the year

 

Remembrance Day lunch

 

Remembrance Day closures

 

Remembrance Day ceremony

 

Food bank that serves Tahsis is in trouble

 

Nanaimo food bank facing critical financial issue

A Nanaimo food bank facing critical financial issues and running an untenable deficit just to keep going.

Delivery trucks come and go from the Loaves and Fishes warehouse in Nanaimo Wednesday as the food bank keeps up with increasing demand, even as donations of food and money are drastically down.

“Well this is an unprecedented situation that we’re facing now. In 14 years that I’ve been executive director here at Loaves and Fishes we have not seen a situation like we’re facing now,” said executive director Peter Sinclair.

The food bank feeds 3,000 people in Nanaimo and distributes food to another 12,000 around the Island in places like Parksville-Qualicum, Gold River, Tahsis, Port Hardy and the list goes on.

But the food bank is now running an untenable deficit just to keep going.

“We have a rising demand for our services. We have about 100 new individuals registering to receive food bank services every week and donations are down approximately 20 per cent and just as you find grocery prices expensive at the grocery store we are also facing increased prices for food as well,” said Loaves and Fishes Director of Philanthropy and Revenue Generation Melissa Lavoie.

“And so we’re looking at a $35,000 a month deficit and you don’t have to be a math whiz to figure out that that’s not sustainable,” added Sinclair. 

Dan LaRoque was picking up food Wednesday for the Parksville Qualicum Fruit Tree Project which feeds vulnerable people in those communities.

“Well I’m not surprised, there’s an incredible need for food from all walks of life and everybody is kind of hurting and if you’re hurting for food in any way your donations are going to be impacted as well,” he told CHEK News. 

The deficit will affect the Christmas hamper program meaning the extra Christmas food usually provided in December won’t be this year, but the regular hamper program will continue.

Unfortunately the decrease in donations isn’t the only pressing issue at Loaves and Fishes.

What should be exciting times with the construction of a new badly needed 25,000 square foot warehouse is being overshadowed because a $5 million federal government grant promised in late 2024 still hasn’t been received.

“If we don’t get that support we’re looking at taking out a construction loan to ensure this building gets completed and that loan will result in a $30,000 a month mortgage payment,” Sinclair said.

He hopes to get more information on that money next week. 

Mayor’s report November 4, 2025

In this agenda, there is a copy of the tsunami report for Tahsis that has many helpful tips for how to respond during and after a major seismic event. This is an important and potentially lifesaving read and it will be posted to the Village website. It is important to address one assumption that I have heard many times; that the earthquake epicentre will be offshore and that Nootka Island will protect us. This could be true, but it also assumes that there will not be rockslides into Tahsis Inlet, or that a slump of the delta at Tsowwin Narrows would not occur, in which case there will only be minutes to evacuate. Also, it is not generally known that two fault lines intersect in the inlet right at town. One fault created Tahsis and Muchalat Inlets. Another can be traced down Weymer Creek and up Extravagant Creek. These are not faults that reflect megathrust earthquakes, but they are lines of slippage. Our flood wall project will provide some protection from tsunamis, but ideally the Head Bay Road in town should be raised. This would be a major undertaking and is not currently funded.

Theres some interesting news that is alluded to in this agenda. Our long-stalled boat launch and dock contract has finally been awarded. Our previous tender was cancelled due to the bids coming in much higher than the funds available. This was due to supply chain issues post-Covid and the backlog of large construction projects on this coast that drove up bid prices. Our newest bidding process closed and the contract to replace the boat launch and build a launch float and public washroom adjacent has been awarded for about $800,000. This leaves a further $1.3 million in grant money which can now be used for further upgrades such as rebuilding the airline dock and float. Other amenities such as a gazebo for whale watching or creating some slips is now possible and negotiations are beginning to explore these possibilities. It will also provide breathing room for potential cost overruns. 

I should also mention the recent structure fire, the ninth in two years. This is a disturbing trend and it needs to be emphasized that citizens need to make sure that their smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in place and up to date. Faulty wiring problems can also be catastrophic and if you have breakers tripping during higher loads or have burned a socket, these are warning signs that safety improvements are necessary.

If you want a table, contact Harmony

 

Health service in Gold River

 We’re excited to introduce Delaynee, a Kinesiologist and Acupuncturist who comes to Gold River every Tuesday!

If you’re looking for support with rehab exercises, or want to try acupuncture to help with pain, inflammation, or headaches, Delaynee is here to help you feel your best.

Available Tuesdays in Gold River.

Book online: physioontherun.janeapp.com

Or

Call us at 250-203-4047 to reserve your spot today!

School District consultation

 

Seniors’ potluck