Snow on road

 Message from the village office -

Mainroad North Island advises that as of 8:00 pm there is a heavy snowfall on the Head Bay road.

First Nation on Vancouver Island alarmed over fish farm firm's ship that hit a rock

 

The ‘Namgis First Nation on Vancouver Island says it wants a “thorough investigation” into a shipping accident involving a vessel owned by a fish farming company that required help from the Canadian Coast Guard. 

The First Nation says the vessel known as the Ronja Islander, owned by fish farming company Grieg Seafood, hit a rock and began taking on water Saturday evening in Tahsis Inlet. 

‘Namgis councillor Ernest Alfred says the First Nation learned of the incident from people who heard the ship’s distress call, leading to concerns that the crew planned on dropping equipment or “gear” into the water. 

Alfred says the First Nation was “patiently waiting” for the company to make a statement on what happened to the vessel, and he says it highlights the ‘Namgis’ long-standing concerns over open-net fish farming industry practices. 

A statement from the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria says it received a call for assistance from a vessel that had “gone aground and was taking on water” on Saturday evening, and the Canadian Coast Guard sent a boat to help and escorted the distressed vessel to nearby Gold River on Vancouver Island. 

The Transportation Safety Board says it was “made aware of the incident” and it is still gathering information on what happened, and Grieg Seafood did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2025. 

Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press

DST begins this Sunday

 

Smoke Alarm Campaign

 

March community calendar thanks to Silvie

 

Tech help at the library

 Call the library 250-934-6621 to book a time.

CBC interview about new marina

 CBC interview with mayor about new marina.

On The Island with Gregor Craigie: A remote community on north Vancouver Island is getting an investment to build a new public dock.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-48-on-the-island/clip/16130881-a-remote-community-north-vancouver-island-getting-investment

New Social Worker at the Tahsis Health Centre

Seniors’ March potluck

 

  

 

 

Tahsis Marine Gateway Strengthens Tourism and Economic Resilience       Strategic $1.3M infrastructure investment will establish a public marina, grow eco-tourism opportunities, and strengthen climate resiliency in Nootka Sound.     Mowachaht/Muchalaht Traditional Territory, Tahsis, BC, February 25, 2025– The Village of Tahsis announces a major initiative to expand its marine transportation infrastructure. This is the second phase of the Tahsis Marine Gateway project, establishing a new public marina through an investment with Island Coastal Economic Trust. The new public marina will feature 10-12 public slips, and dedicated spaces for essential services including the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, RCMP, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The new marina is expected to spur new business startups, support tourism growth, and enhance emergency response capacity. The project, which was highlighted as a priority in Tahsis’ 2020 Official Community Plan, has received widespread community support from residents and Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. Both communities are committed to growing eco-tourism across Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet. The new marina will provide vital access to develop the local economy. It will be the only publicly owned wharf in the area, as the village was forced to decommission the previous municipal dock due to extensive fire damage and severe deterioration. The new facility will be resilient to climate emergencies, implementing a steel and concrete construction that will withstand projected sea level rise through 2100 and potential fire activity. Upon completion, it is expected that existing businesses, including Shorebird Expeditions Water Taxi and Coal Creek Roasters and Café will expand. New opportunities include kayak rentals, retail stores, and ice or cold storage. This marina project is phase two of the larger Tahsis Marine Gateway project. Phase one will focus on replacing the public boat launch, while phase three will support the development of a permanent seaplane and large vessel dock. This initiative highlights the critical role small craft harbours play in coastal communities. The Government of Canada recently announced a 3-year $463.3 million dollar investment for repair and maintenance of small craft harbours, including 13 on Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, and Sunshine Coast. Island Coastal Economic Trust is partnering with the Village of Tahsis into their Marine Tourism Gateway project through the Capital and Innovation Program. The Trust will invest $200,000 into the initiative for its Transportation and Logistics impact focus. The project will welcome a total new investment of $1.3 million into the region.

School division consultation

 

Community Garden sign up and AGM

 

Street closures

 

Family Day BBQ

 

Invitation to Farmer’s Market

 

Valentine’s Day Chinese dinner

 

Memory and Aging workshop

 

Coal Creek reopens Wednesday, February 5

 Opening again tomorrow Wednesday, February 5

Fresh buns and bread, coffee on, 8am

Hours and days of operation will be as per usual Wednesday- Saturday 8am-3pm

Looking forward to it!

Free bowling Friday

 

Rock Painting at the library

 

School meals calendar

 

Happy anniversary E4F

 

This month marks the second anniversary of the Empties for Food program in Tahsis. This is a project where the Loaves and Fishes food bank collects refundables to help fund their giving and Tahsis residents have participated big time. The average winter month is 4 megabags full. A full bag contains approximately $200 worth of refundables. Loaves and Fishes can convert every dollar given into $5 of food so that’s so that’s an average of $4000 a month. In the summer, the norm is 7 bags a month.

The bin and bags are located on North Maquinna very near the intersection with Cook. Just past the free store/compost/recycling bins.

You’ve paid a deposit on most beverage containers. Someone should get that deposit back. Check here for the complete list. https://www.return-it.ca/beverage/products/

February community calendar - Thanks Silvie

 Tap image  to enlarge

 

Tech help Feb. 7

 Matthew is here to help next Friday. Call 250-934-6621 to book an appointment

Recommendation for new hair cutter in town

 If you’re looking for a haircut, look no further than Patricia. She just cut my 4 boys hair tonight in my home and did an awesome job! To get a hold of her you have to phone her husband David at +1 (250) 203-9787

Road condition warning

Mainroad advises this morning that the Head Bay Forest Service road is very frozen and will be for some time. As rain continues, the ice will rise making the road surface very slippery. Crews will be sanding and using ice blades to maintain the surface, but it will be winter driving conditions and drivers must take extra care and slow down.

New Tahsis Literacy Executive

 The TLS AGM was great and congratulations and a big thank you to the newly elected Board of Directors.

President - Elsie Horvath

Vice President- Kim Anderson

Treasurer- Glenda Hadley

Secretary- Stephanie Olson

Directors: Cheryl Northcott, Sarah Fowler and Tori Mathews

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to literacy in our community.

As always, if any community members have a skill, talent or interesting hobby you would like to share with others, please contact Harmony Jean and we can discuss how to make this happen! You can be paid for your time. Let’s work together to make our community even more vibrant and engaging. Knowledge is power and learning is lifelong.

Bingo on Sunday

 

Federal government invests in improved flood protection in the Village of Tahsis

From: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

News release

Tahsis, British Columbia, January 28, 2025 — Improvements to flood protection infrastructure will help the Village of Tahsis become more resilient to riverbank and coastal floods after a combined investment of more than $2.8 million from the federal, provincial, and local governments.

This project involves constructing two flood walls and an earth berm along the North Maquinna Drive from north of Rogers Street to Head Bay Road to safeguard the Village from extreme weather events. These new protective measures will include internal drainage improvements such as catch basins, leads, and flap gates along the roads. There will also be rock or other material installed to protect shoreline structures against water, wave, or ice erosion and to stabilize the riverbank.

These upgrades will protect existing local public and private assets and essential infrastructure such as the public works yard, the fire hall, water supply and well pumping station, as well as schools, which are currently at risk of flooding from storms and rising sea levels. 

Quotes

“Our government is taking action to increase communities’ resilience and support people’s safety in the face of extreme weather events. Effective flood prevention measures help protect people, property, and livelihoods. The Government of Canada will continue to work with our partners to mitigate the effects of natural disasters so that Canadians can continue to adapt in a changing climate.”

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“In Tahsis and communities throughout the province, we’re working to build a stronger and climate-ready future for everyone. These improvements in the Village of Tahsis will help protect people – including young students – and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding for years to come.”

The Honourable Kelly Greene, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness 

“On behalf of Tahsis Council and entire community, I thank the federal and provincial governments for recognizing the importance of protecting small remote communities, like Tahsis, from climate change impacts. The funding for this project means our residents, businesses, school and day care, first responders and critical infrastructure will be protected from future flood events.”

Martin Davis, Mayor of the Village of Tahsis

Memory and Aging Workshop

 SENIORS HELPING SENIORS

Memory & Aging Workshop - February 13, 2025, 1:00 -3:00 at the Tahsis Seniors Society. How Memory functions and how it changes as we age is explained. Tips for managing and improving memory, as well as information about seeking help, as needed, are also presented. If there is enough interest evening or weekend sessions will be considered. Please share this information with people who may not be on Facebook.

Pool closed

 

Short term rental registry required

 The Province is launching a new short-term rental (STR) registry set to launch May 1st, 2025. 

Any businesses operating a short-term rental in BC and listing on platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO and others, will be required to register with the Province, including hosts operating outside areas with the principal-residence requirement. It should be noted, that any accommodation providers operating in Tahsis, who are listed on the Village of Tahsis Accommodation Directory, will be required to provide their registration number to their listing. 

Once registered with the Province, hosts will receive a provincial registration number that must be displayed on all online listings in BC, effective May 1, 2025. Hosts who do not comply and who do not have a provincial registration number will have their listings taken down as of June 1, 2025.

To register, hosts need to complete an online application available here:https://gov.bc.ca/strregistry  

Hosts that register by February 28, 2025 will receive a 50% discount on fees, or a 25% discount if they register by March 31, 2025. Revenue from the program will support STR enforcement and compliance in communities throughout BC.

Registration fees are:

·       $100 per year for an STR in which the host lives, such as a whole home the host rents out while away or a bedroom within it;

·       $450 per year if the host does not live in the STR, such as a secondary suite, cottage or laneway home; and

·       $600 per year for an entire strata hotel.

Learn more about the registry: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals

Service BC has representatives available who can answer your questions surrounding the STRR. 

 

Service BC 1-833-828-2240 

 

You can also sign up for updates surrounding the STRR directly at the following site -  Subscribe Now

 

Free bowling

 

Water shut off warning

 This will affect everyone between Boston & Strange. Public works will be hand delivering notices on Friday.

Fun bowling league

 

Good Food Box dates for 2025

These dates for 2025 are the order by/ delivery of the Tahsis Buyers’ Club  through Gold River VillageVeggies. Thanks to  everyone involved.

Workshops on Seniors’ Issues

 From Tori Matthews

https://www.facebook.com/tori.mathews.39/

Senior’s Health and Wellness Institute (SHWI) - COSCO offers over 40 workshops that promotes health literacy for seniors. While anyone can attend, the focus is on good health and wellness for seniors. Tahsis Seniors Society, has two volunteer presenters who will start delivering workshops once we have more feedback on your workshop choices.

Click on the link below to view workshop topics and descriptions. Please message me with the name of the workshops you would like to attend. Please share this information with seniors you know who may not have access to internet or are not on Facebook. We will work to ensure anyone interested gets to attend. Looking forward to hearing from you.

https://seniorshelpingseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SHWI_Workshop_Brochure_English_2024-12-22.pdf