An emerging ecotourism destination in B.C., the small coastal town of Tahsis is well known for its sport fishing and community spirit. (File photo/Campbell River Mirror)
Island mayor confident of small community’s ‘resilience’ in ‘trial’
The mayor of Tahsis believes that nothing can dampen the spirit of this ‘strong’ community as it heads towards its 50th anniversary
Tahsis is no stranger to adversity said mayor Martin
Davis, calling the current COVID-19 crisis yet “another
trial” in the history of the village’s encounter with
challenges.
Davis, calling the current COVID-19 crisis yet “another
trial” in the history of the village’s encounter with
challenges.
Davis is confident that the “small but resilient
population” of Tahsis will overcome all the hurdles
that will come its way.
population” of Tahsis will overcome all the hurdles
that will come its way.
This June, Tahsis was to celebrate its 50th anniversary
since incorporation in 1970. However, all celebratory
activities had to be put on hold until the situation
normalizes.
since incorporation in 1970. However, all celebratory
activities had to be put on hold until the situation
normalizes.
“We have been dealing with adversity ever since the
mill’s shutdown 20 years ago and this is just another
trial,” said Davis.
mill’s shutdown 20 years ago and this is just another
trial,” said Davis.
While the economy of Tahsis was predominantly
dependent on forestry until the mill shut down in 2001,
it slowly started building its focus on ecotourism and
sport fishing.
dependent on forestry until the mill shut down in 2001,
it slowly started building its focus on ecotourism and
sport fishing.
Tahsis, like most coastal communities in the west coast
of the Island, witnesses a spike in economic activity
during summer. Between May to August, the village with
a population of around 300 to 350 sees the number go
up to 1,500 as temporary residents, usually Americans,
come in to enjoy fishing.
of the Island, witnesses a spike in economic activity
during summer. Between May to August, the village with
a population of around 300 to 350 sees the number go
up to 1,500 as temporary residents, usually Americans,
come in to enjoy fishing.
This year, with travel restrictions still in place, it remains
to be seen if Tahsis’ economy will be affected.
to be seen if Tahsis’ economy will be affected.
“Economically, there hasn’t been much change yet, but
with the tourist season coming, the real issues will
surface if travel is still discouraged,” said Davis.
with the tourist season coming, the real issues will
surface if travel is still discouraged,” said Davis.
However, under current circumstances, the mayor is
strict about visitors keeping away from Tahsis. He
was one of the signatories among the list of mayors
from Vancouver Island who voiced concerns about
visitors travelling via ferry to visit the Island over the
Easter weekend.
strict about visitors keeping away from Tahsis. He
was one of the signatories among the list of mayors
from Vancouver Island who voiced concerns about
visitors travelling via ferry to visit the Island over the
Easter weekend.
“Our biggest concern is protecting our seniors from
the virus,” said Davis who is active on social media,
alerting community members about provincial
protocols and, at the same time, also advising
people about the latest resources and benefits that
have been made available by the government.
the virus,” said Davis who is active on social media,
alerting community members about provincial
protocols and, at the same time, also advising
people about the latest resources and benefits that
have been made available by the government.
With COVID-19 protocol in place throughout Tahsis,
all local businesses, schools and residents have
found ways to work around the issue. To help the
underemployed people in town and seniors with fixed
incomes, the village has a subsidized food distribution
program called the Good Food Box that brings in food
to town.
all local businesses, schools and residents have
found ways to work around the issue. To help the
underemployed people in town and seniors with fixed
incomes, the village has a subsidized food distribution
program called the Good Food Box that brings in food
to town.
Tahsis residents have also been active in implementing
sustainable solutions at a community level.
sustainable solutions at a community level.
“There has been a big uptick in interest in growing food
locally and more people are planting their own gardens
as well,” said Davis crediting this as another example
of resiliency.
locally and more people are planting their own gardens
as well,” said Davis crediting this as another example
of resiliency.
At the same time the mayor also said that the council
will soon also begin exploring options regarding financial
relief with property tax for its residents.
will soon also begin exploring options regarding financial
relief with property tax for its residents.
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