Request For Quotations – Sayward Fire Hall #1 Renovation

The Village of Sayward is seeking quotations from qualified vendors to complete FireSmart renovation work at Firehall #1, located at 620 Kelsey Way, Sayward, British Columbia.

Quotations must be clearly labeled “Firehall #1 – FireSmart Renovations” and submitted to:

Village of Sayward PO Box 29 652‑A H’Kusam Way Sayward, BC V0P 1R0

The submission deadline is 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, February 27, 2026.

All pricing must be provided in Canadian dollars, with applicable taxes listed separately. Quoted prices must remain valid for at least 120 days from the closing date.

Vendors are solely responsible for ensuring their quotation is received by the Village of Sayward before the deadline.

Evaluation Criteria Quotations will be assessed based on: a) Ability to meet the timelines and requirements outlined in this RFQ b) Relevant experience and qualifications c) Lowest overall cost to the Village of Sayward

Inquiries All questions regarding this RFQ should be directed to: Shaun Koopman Phone: 250‑830‑6702 Email: skoopman@srd.ca

Any addenda issued for this RFQ will be posted on the Village of Sayward website and the BC Bid website. Verbal communications are not binding unless confirmed through written addenda.

Community Radon Testing Shows Low Risk Across Strathcona Regional District

Results from a regional radon testing initiative in the Strathcona Regional District show that most participating homes recorded low indoor radon levels, a positive finding given the gas’s link to long‑term lung cancer risk. Even so, health officials are encouraging residents to continue testing regularly to ensure their homes remain safe.

During the winter of 2024–2025, the Strathcona Regional District partnered with the national Take Action on Radon campaign through the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge. Volunteers from communities including Campbell River, Oyster River, Tahsis, and Zeballos placed long‑term test kits in their homes to measure radon concentrations over several months.

Of the 117 homes tested, 96 per cent recorded radon levels below 100 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³), well under Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³. A small number of homes showed elevated readings: about 2 per cent fell between 100 and 200 Bq/m³, and roughly 2 per cent exceeded the national guideline, with the highest result measuring around 214 Bq/m³.

Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock. It can seep into buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations, accumulating indoors at levels that pose health risks over time. Health Canada identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and the leading cause among non‑smokers.

While the Strathcona results are reassuring, officials emphasize that radon levels can vary widely from one building to the next — even between neighbouring homes. Soil conditions, weather patterns, and how tightly a home is sealed all influence indoor concentrations. Because of this variability, testing remains the only reliable way for homeowners to understand their exposure.

Local leaders are urging residents to maintain awareness and test their homes every three to five years, or after major renovations that affect a building’s structure or ventilation. Long‑term tests, typically conducted over the winter when homes are sealed and radon levels tend to be higher, provide the most accurate picture of average exposure.

For households that discover elevated levels, effective mitigation options are available. Certified radon professionals can install systems that vent the gas safely outdoors, often reducing concentrations significantly. Although costs vary, experts agree that mitigation can greatly reduce long‑term health risks.

Information on radon testing and how to obtain test kits is available through the Strathcona Regional District and Health Canada, and homeowners can find additional resources online to help protect their families from this often‑overlooked indoor hazard.

Critically Low Snowpack on North Island Sparks Water Worries

Snowpack levels on Vancouver Island are currently the lowest in British Columbia, with conditions on the North Island already raising concerns about water availability for communities such as Sayward and nearby rural areas.

Provincial monitoring shows that high‑elevation snowpack — the natural reservoir that feeds rivers, creeks, and water systems through spring and summer — is well below normal across much of the island. On the North Island, where many communities depend on small, sensitive watersheds rather than large storage reservoirs, a weak snowpack can quickly translate into reduced streamflows once temperatures rise.

According to the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, several snow‑monitoring stations on Vancouver Island are reporting some of the lowest mid‑winter levels ever recorded. In many locations, snow accumulation is only a fraction of what is typically expected at this point in the season.

Warmer‑than‑average temperatures are a key driver. Precipitation that would normally fall as snow has arrived as rain, especially at mid‑elevations. While rainfall can temporarily boost stream levels, it runs off quickly and lacks the slow, sustained release that snowmelt provides.

For North Island communities like Sayward, this raises early questions about late‑summer water security. Local creeks and rivers that supply drinking water, support fish habitat, and provide recreational opportunities rely heavily on snowmelt to maintain flows through the dry months. Low snowpack increases the likelihood of earlier‑than‑normal low water levels, particularly if spring rainfall is limited.

Reduced flows also pose risks for salmon and other fish species that depend on cool, oxygen‑rich streams. Shallow, slow‑moving water warms more quickly, increasing stress during migration and spawning.

Although winter is not yet over — and late‑season storms could still improve conditions — officials caution that recovering from the current deficit would require sustained cold weather and significant snowfall.

Getting To Know The Pacific Blue Whale

A True Ocean Titan

Pacific blue whales can reach an astonishing 30 metres (100 feet) in length and weigh up to 180 tonnes. Their heart is the size of a small car, and their tongue can weigh as much as an elephant. Yet despite their immense size, blue whales survive almost entirely on tiny, shrimp‑like krill.

During feeding season, a single whale can devour up to four tonnes of krill a day using a technique called lunge feeding. The whale surges toward a dense swarm of krill, opens its enormous mouth, and engulfs a massive volume of water and prey before straining the water out through baleen plates.

Life in the Pacific

Pacific blue whales roam widely across the ocean, migrating between cold, nutrient‑rich feeding grounds and warm breeding areas. Along the Pacific coast of North America, they are most commonly seen in summer and fall, following krill blooms created by powerful upwelling currents.

Although they spend most of their lives far offshore, blue whales occasionally pass close to coastal waters — offering rare, unforgettable encounters for mariners and coastal communities.

Built for the Deep

Blue whales are remarkable divers, capable of plunging more than 500 metres in search of food and holding their breath for up to 20 minutes. Their long, streamlined bodies, powerful flukes, and thick blubber make them perfectly adapted for life in the open ocean.

Their voices are equally extraordinary. Blue whales produce some of the loudest, lowest‑frequency sounds of any animal on Earth — calls that can travel hundreds of kilometres underwater. Scientists believe these deep, resonant sounds help whales communicate, navigate, and locate feeding grounds across vast distances.

A Species Once Nearly Lost

Industrial whaling in the 20th century devastated blue whale populations. By the time commercial whaling was banned in the 1960s, their numbers had plummeted by more than 90 percent.

Today, Pacific blue whales are slowly recovering, but they remain endangered. Their population is estimated in the low thousands — still only a fraction of their historic abundance.

Modern Threats

Although whaling has ended, blue whales face new challenges. Ship strikes are a major threat, especially in busy shipping corridors. Entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise, climate change, and shifting prey availability all pose risks.

Warming oceans may also affect krill populations, potentially altering where and when blue whales can feed. Scientists continue to study these changes to understand how the species will adapt in a rapidly changing ocean.

Why Blue Whales Matter

Blue whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems. By feeding at depth and releasing nutrients near the surface, they help stimulate plankton growth — supporting the entire marine food web and contributing to carbon cycling.

Their presence signals a healthy ocean. Protecting blue whales means protecting the ecosystems that sustain countless other species, including humans.

A Rare Privilege

Seeing a Pacific blue whale in the wild is an experience that stays with you — the towering blow, the immense blue‑grey back rising from the water, the slow, powerful dive. These moments remind us of the ocean’s vastness and the extraordinary life it holds.

Learning about the Pacific blue whale is more than a lesson in biology. It’s a reminder of our connection to the ocean — and our responsibility to safeguard its greatest giants for generations to come.

North Island MP Aaron Gunn Takes Strong Stance On Private Property Rights

Private property rights have become a major point of debate in British Columbia, and North Island–Powell River MP Aaron Gunn has taken a firm stance, arguing that Canadians should never compromise on the fundamental right to own and use land.

Speaking at a political convention, Gunn pointed to growing concerns among homeowners, farmers, and rural residents — including those in and around Sayward — about uncertainty surrounding land ownership and legal title following recent disputes and court rulings in the province.

Gunn warned that weakening private property protections would undermine confidence for both Canadians and investors. “If you start compromising private property rights, who in their right mind is going to invest a cent in Canada?” he said, adding that landowner protections should be non‑negotiable and, if necessary, explicitly entrenched in the Constitution.

His comments come in the wake of a landmark B.C. Supreme Court decision last year recognizing Aboriginal title over a parcel of land in Richmond — the first time a Canadian court has made such a declaration over urban land traditionally held by Indigenous peoples. The ruling affirmed that Aboriginal title can co‑exist with private land ownership, but it has also sparked legal appeals and widespread debate. Critics say the decision introduces uncertainty into the land title system and could influence future property transactions. The ripple effects have been felt far beyond Richmond, with homeowners, industry groups, and governments seeking clarity on how private property rights intersect with Aboriginal title.

For many residents in Sayward and other rural communities, the issue resonates deeply. Land — whether a family farm, a forest lot, or a home — is more than an asset; it represents livelihood, security, and heritage. Concerns about legal ambiguity have prompted calls from some locals and political leaders to strengthen protections so families can feel confident in their investments and long‑term plans.

Not everyone views the legal developments as a threat. Some argue the ruling does not strip private landowners of their rights but instead requires thoughtful negotiation and reconciliation where different rights overlap. Others note that Indigenous title claims are complex and that fair, durable solutions can respect both historic rights and modern property ownership.

By publicly defending stronger property protections, MP Gunn has aligned himself with those seeking firmer legal assurances for landowners across British Columbia — a message likely to resonate with homeowners, small business operators, and rural residents who see secure property rights as essential to economic stability and community growth.

As legal challenges and political debates continue in Victoria and Ottawa, the issue of land rights and property security is expected to remain front and centre, shaping discussions from the Fraser Valley to Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Shows Strong Progress In 2025

The recovery of the Vancouver Island marmot continues to gain momentum, offering a rare conservation success story for residents of Sayward and communities across northern Vancouver Island. The Marmot Recovery Foundation’s 2025 annual report shows the species has reached its highest-ever recorded wild population.

Once reduced to fewer than 30 animals in the early 2000s, the marmot has made a remarkable comeback thanks to decades of coordinated conservation work. Surveys in 2025 counted roughly 420 to 427 marmots living in the wild across nearly 40 colonies in alpine and subalpine habitats — steady progress for a species still listed as critically endangered.

What’s Driving the Recovery

The report credits a broad network of partners — conservation groups, governments, researchers, zoos, volunteers, and private landowners — for the species’ continued rebound. Key efforts in 2025 included:

Conservation breeding and releases

Captive-bred marmots were released into carefully chosen mountain habitats to strengthen small colonies and improve genetic diversity. These releases help stabilize vulnerable populations facing predation or environmental pressures.

Monitoring and field research

Biologists spent months in remote terrain tracking survival, reproduction, dispersal, and threats. This on-the-ground work helps identify which colonies are thriving and which may need additional support.

Habitat management

Marmots rely on open alpine meadows with clear sightlines to spot predators. Ongoing efforts to maintain and restore these meadows — especially where forests are encroaching due to climate shifts or reduced avalanche activity — remain essential for long-term survival.

Challenges Still Ahead

Despite encouraging numbers, the report stresses that recovery remains fragile. Marmots reproduce slowly, often only every second year, and are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Predation continues to be a major threat, and shifts in snowpack, vegetation, and weather patterns could affect habitat quality.

Because colonies are isolated on separate mountaintops, a single harsh winter or poor breeding season can significantly impact local populations. Continued monitoring and targeted intervention remain critical.

Why This Matters to Sayward

For Sayward residents, the marmot’s recovery highlights the importance of protecting the ecosystems that define northern Vancouver Island. Many colonies are located within a few hours of the community, in mountain areas familiar to hikers, forestry workers, and backcountry users.

The marmot’s rebound also shows how conservation and resource use can coexist when guided by science and careful planning. It reinforces the value of preserving the natural landscapes that shape daily life and identity in rural communities.

Local residents contribute by respecting wildlife habitats, supporting conservation programs, and helping raise awareness about the species’ vulnerability.

Looking Ahead

The Marmot Recovery Foundation plans to continue releases, monitoring, and habitat restoration in the coming years, with the long-term goal of building larger, self-sustaining wild populations that require less human intervention. Full recovery will take time, but the steady gains documented in 2025 offer cautious optimism.

For Sayward and the rest of Vancouver Island, the marmot’s gradual return is a reminder that long-term commitment, community involvement, and collaboration can reverse even the most severe wildlife declines.