Back-to-School Road Safety: Speed Limits and School Bus Awareness

As summer winds down and students return to class, drivers are reminded to take extra care on the roads. Back-to-school season means more children walking, biking, and riding buses, making road safety more important than ever. Here are two critical reminders for all motorists: school zone speed limits and school bus stopping rules.

 

School Zone Speed Limits

 

School zones are designed to protect children traveling to and from school. Speed limits in these areas are significantly reduced during posted hours, often 30 km/h in many communities. Slowing down gives drivers more time to react if a child unexpectedly steps onto the road.

 

Always watch for posted signs — school zone hours may vary by community.

Stay alert for crossing guards and crosswalks.

Anticipate sudden movements. Children are smaller, harder to see, and may not always follow traffic rules.

By easing off the accelerator, you’re giving kids the space and safety they need.

 

Stopping for School Buses

 

School buses use flashing lights and a stop sign arm to signal that children are getting on or off. When those lights are flashing:

Drivers in both directions must stop on an undivided road.

Do not pass the bus until the lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is retracted.

Leave plenty of space. Children may cross the road unexpectedly in front of or behind the bus.

These rules are in place because kids are most at risk when they’re getting on or off the bus—not while they’re riding it.

 

Why It Matters

 

A few extra seconds of patience can prevent a tragedy. Fines for speeding in school zones or passing a stopped school bus are steep, but the real cost is the safety of our children.

 

As the school year begins, let’s all commit to safer driving habits. Slow down, pay attention, and always stop for flashing school bus lights. Every child deserves a safe trip to and from school.

 

 

Fireplace Crackdowns Expand Worldwide — BC Could Be Next

Homeowners in Vancouver may soon face tighter regulations on the use of fireplaces and wood stoves under the city’s Residential Indoor Wood-Burning Bylaw — a policy that some worry could pave the way for an eventual ban on traditional heating methods.

The bylaw requires residents to register their wood-burning appliances and meet strict emissions standards. While city officials claim the goal is simply to monitor and reduce emissions, similar policies in other cities have often led to outright prohibitions.

Montreal is a prime example. Since October 2018, the city has banned all wood-burning stoves and fireplaces that emit more than 2.5 grams of fine particulate matter per hour. Even approved models must remain unused during smog alerts. Penalties for violations start at $500.

In Colorado’s Denver–Boulder area, residents face so-called “Air Quality Action Days” each winter from November to March. On these high-pollution days, most wood burning is banned unless homeowners use EPA- or Colorado Phase III-certified appliances. Violators risk fines starting at $150.

The Dutch city of Utrecht is going even further. Starting in January 2025, new homes will no longer be allowed to install chimneys or flues, and outdoor fire pits will be prohibited. By 2030, the city plans to ban all wood-burning fireplaces and stoves as part of an aggressive clean air campaign.

These escalating restrictions leave many households with dwindling heating options. As carbon taxes and supply constraints continue to push up natural gas prices, wood-burning fireplaces often serve as the final backup for affordable warmth.

The pattern is becoming clear: first comes registration, then regulation — and eventually, removal.

Rethinking B.C.’s Emergency Alert System: Push for a Unified Strategy Gains Momentum

This summer, British Columbia has seen a flurry of emergency alerts—from raging wildfires to a tsunami advisory—highlighting the importance of timely warnings. While the current system has proven its worth, experts say it’s time to rethink how alerts are delivered across the province.

 

Who Sends the Alerts?

 

Right now, local governments and First Nations are responsible for initiating emergency alerts. If there’s an immediate threat to life—like an evacuation order—they can request the province to issue a broadcast-intrusive alert. These alerts override TV and radio programming and are sent directly to cellphones in the affected area. Most people are familiar with this system through Amber Alerts.

But here’s the catch: local authorities can’t trigger these broadcast alerts themselves. For lower-level threats—like the July 30 tsunami advisory—communities must rely on their own websites, social media, or third-party platforms like Alertable or Voyent Alert.

 

Too Many Systems, Too Much Confusion

 

This fragmented approach can be problematic, especially in areas with overlapping jurisdictions. In Greater Victoria alone, 13 municipalities use at least four different alert systems, creating confusion for residents.

Shaun Koopman, emergency services manager for the Strathcona Regional District, believes it’s time for a more streamlined solution. He’s advocating for a single alert provider contracted by the province to serve both provincial and local governments.

Under this model, residents could subscribe to one platform and receive alerts from any community they live in, work in, or travel through. Koopman argues this would reduce costs for local governments and First Nations, who currently fund their own systems.

“It’s one default system… so every member of the public and every community at least has that blanket coverage,” Koopman said.

 

More Ways to Reach More People

 

Tarina Colledge, chair of the B.C. Association of Emergency Managers, supports the idea. She says a unified system could deliver alerts via text, email, and even landline calls—ensuring rural residents and older adults aren’t left behind.

 

Not Everyone’s Convinced

 

Still, some officials prefer the current setup. Erin Stockill, emergency program officer for the District of Saanich, argues that broadcast-intrusive alerts are more effective because they reach people near the danger zone instantly—without relying on user subscriptions.

“There’s no guarantee that someone who’s subscribed is in close proximity to the hazard,” Stockill said. “This broadcast system ensures speed and effectiveness so the people who need to know will be made aware.”

 

What’s Next?

 

When asked about adopting a single-provider model, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, it emphasized that it reviews each emergency—whether it’s a tsunami, wildfire, or flood—to identify areas for improvement.

Northern Resident Orca I76 Passes Away in Johnstone Strait, With Family and Dolphins at His Side

In a deeply moving scene that touched researchers and whale watchers, a well-known Northern Resident killer whale, I76, died in Johnstone Strait on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The 28-year-old male was surrounded by his close family and a group of dolphins during his final hours, a moment witnesses described as both heartbreaking and profound.

Marine biologist Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, was called to the area after reports that I76 appeared weak and emaciated. He was located near the entrance to Blackney Pass on the Vancouver Island side of the strait. Close by were his 45-year-old mother, I4, his 22-year-old sister, and his young nephew. As I76 slipped beneath the surface for the last time, dolphins circled the pod, remaining with them through the final moments.

“I’ve had to change the official status of many Northern Resident orcas from alive to deceased over the years, but I have never watched one pass until this day,” Towers shared in a heartfelt social media post. He reflected on years of observing I76 socializing, foraging, and playing, recalling one especially vivid memory from July 2024: “He was healthy then, chasing a big salmon past my boat. I like this memory of him, and like to think he enjoyed that moment too.”

OrcaLab researchers also documented the event, noting the quiet, grief-like behavior of I76’s family and the dolphins that lingered motionless around them until his final breath. Helena Symonds of OrcaLab described the moment as profoundly sad, with the family remaining in place before beginning to vocalize.

Northern Resident killer whales are known for their lifelong family bonds. They feed primarily on Chinook salmon and are currently listed as “threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, facing challenges such as declining prey, pollution, and vessel traffic.

I76’s death is a significant loss for the Northern Resident community, a population of more than 200 whales across 34 pods ranging from northern Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska. His passing is a poignant reminder of both the fragility of these iconic whales and the importance of continued conservation efforts.

Sayward Receives Major Boost for Stormwater and Drainage Upgrades

In a significant development for the Village of Sayward, multiple levels of government are contributing to fund critical upgrades to the community’s stormwater and drainage systems. Through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Sayward is receiving $697,230.40 in federal funding, complemented by $580,967 in provincial support, and an additional $464,879 in municipal contributions.

This substantial investment—amounting to nearly two and a half times Sayward’s annual tax revenue—marks a transformative moment for the village. Mayor Mark Baker hailed the funding as “a game-changer for the Village of Sayward,” emphasizing its potential to protect homes, improve water quality, and bolster resilience to flooding and extreme weather.

What’s Planned

The funding will directly target Sayward’s drainage infrastructure improvements:

  • Upgrading stormwater pipes
  • Incorporating biofilters to reduce pollution runoff
  • Implementing other enhancements aimed at fostering sustainable stormwater management

These upgrades will enhance Sayward’s ability to manage extreme weather events, protect water quality, and create a safer, healthier environment for residents and wildlife alike.