A scheduled emergency power outage on Thursday, July 3, temporarily cut electricity to the entire Woss-to-north region—except for Port Alice, which remained powered by a generator. The outage, which lasted from 12 to 5 p.m., was prompted by the discovery of a broken cross arm on a transmission structure just south of Woss. BC Hydro deemed the issue critical and moved quickly to address it.

“We understand the timing was difficult, especially during a busy season for businesses and tourism,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk. “We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding.”

The defect was discovered just a day before the outage. Given the risk of structural failure and potential fire, BC Hydro acted swiftly, notifying the public through social media and the North Island Gazette.

Thanks to fast coordination and response, crews completed repairs ahead of schedule, restoring power by 3:30 p.m.

“Everything went smoothly,” Olynyk said. “Outstanding planning, strong teamwork, and the dedication of our crews—some of whom returned from holidays—made it possible to get the job done early.”

Olynyk also emphasized that many BC Hydro team members live in the island communities they serve and take outages personally.

“They care deeply about their work and their neighbours,” he added. “Hats off to the team for stepping up and helping minimize the disruption.”

Watering restrictions are in effect to ensure sufficient water reserves for firefighting and adequate supply for all residents. Please adhere to the following schedule for outdoor water use:

Even Numbered Addresses
Watering permitted on even numbered dates

Odd Numbered Addresses
Watering permitted on odd numbered dates

Permitted Watering Times
6am to 10am
6pm to 10pm

In the past months there has been significant public concern around the behaviour of a sow grizzly with two cubs and a separate boar that have established a territory in much of the residential area of the Village of Sayward and the SRD Area A. We have compiled a timeline of sightings that can be referenced for communications with media or government agencies. This list will be updated over time. Please email Hello@GoSayward.com or tag @GoSayward on Facebook to catch our attention so we add your future sightings.

 2025

• August 8th – On the boat launch access road
• August 7th – In yards across from the log sort
• July 22nd – In yards along Hemlock Street and Spar Street 10pm to 11pm
• July 7th – At Elk Haven Cabins
• July 6th – Behind the Legion
• June 27th – Seen by the mushroom farm.
• June 27th – Seen in a driveway near Sayward Road and Salmon River Main.
• June 27th – Seen near farm stand on Frenchman Road.
• June 27th – Seen in back yard on Cheryl Lynn Road.
• June 24th – Seen at standing up looking over fenceline of home near Cable House, undisturbed by 4 dogs.
• June 22nd – Seen crossing the White River near the highway bridge.
• June 21st – Seen in a driveway on Smit Road.
• June 20th – Seen in front of a house on Sachts Road.
• June 20th – Encountered on trail by river in the Valley.
• June 19th – Seen walking through front yard of home on Sachts Road.
• June 13th – Juvenile bear charged dogs on a property near Sayward Rd and Salmon River Main intersection.
• June 13th – Seen behind tennis courts by Kelsey Centre.
• June 10th – Seen by Sayward Elementary.
• June 10th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 27th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 21st – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 17th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.
• May 15th – Seen in the old mall parking lot.
• May 13th – Seen behind the Salmon River Inn.
• May 13th – Seen by the Royal Canadian Legion.
• May 12th – Seen on Kelly’s Trail.
• May 9th – Seen in the Salmon River Estuary.

2024

– October 7 – On the mushroom farm.

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has been awarded $360,000 through the 2025 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) grant program—an important step in enhancing emergency preparedness and response across North Island and coastal communities.

The funding will support the acquisition of high-frequency (HF) commercial radio equipment, advanced training, and the hiring of disaster communications technicians. These upgrades will expand the DisasterNet BC network, integrating six additional communities into a secure, provincewide emergency communications system.

“This grant is a testament to strong regional collaboration,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “It will significantly improve our ability to communicate across jurisdictions when it matters most, ensuring communities are more connected and resilient in the face of emergencies and natural disasters.”

DisasterNet BC operates on licensed, interference-protected HF radio frequencies, enabling dependable communication even when cellular and internet networks are unavailable. By expanding access to this system, the SRD and its partners are investing in reliable, community-based tools that enhance rapid response and coordination during crises.

In addition to strengthening the radio network, the grant will fund several key community initiatives:

• Technology Upgrades: Enhancements to virtual meeting infrastructure for the City of Campbell River and the Village of Sayward, as well as a server upgrade for the Village of Gold River’s municipal hall to support effective emergency coordination.

• Emergency Support Staffing: Additional hours for part-time Emergency Program Liaisons in participating villages and First Nations, ensuring emergency plans are regularly updated, tested, and well-understood.

The successful grant application was a collaborative effort between the SRD and its regional partners, including the City of Campbell River, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation, Nuchatlaht First Nation, the Town of Port McNeill, and the Villages of Sayward, Gold River, Tahsis, and Zeballos.

By investing in communications infrastructure and emergency staffing, this initiative directly supports rural, remote, and Indigenous communities that often face heightened challenges in disaster response. The result: faster response times, stronger inter-agency coordination, and greater resilience across the region.

New Valley-Village Fire Service

I expect everyone has already seen the improvements to our Valley Fire Hall that have been made since the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has taken over control of our fire department. We have approved the purchase of a new Search and Rescue truck which was badly needed, and we will continue to supply our amazing volunteer firefighters with all the up-to-date equipment they need.

Regarding the Kelsey Centre

The Village of Sayward’s CAO has been sending out flyers with false and misleading information and statistics concerning the Sayward Valley’s use of the Kelsey Centre pool. It appears that he does not understand the Strathcona Regional District’s Aug.15, 2024 Regional Recreation Feasibility Study Report. This report provides the results of a public survey conducted from October to November 2024, through the SRD’s website. The total population of the SRI) in 2021 was reported to be 44,671 people. A total of 1,033 responses were received, which is only 2% of the population. This report incorrectly states that Electoral Area A (Kyuquot/ Nootka-Sayward) had 9% of the total SRD population. That would equal 4,029 residents, which is ridiculous because in 2021 we only had 864 residents (2% of the SRD total). The report further says that 7% Of the 1,033 people who responded to the survey were from Area A. This number also seems highly suspect because if only 2% of the entire population, including Campbell River, responded to the survey, why would 7% of them be from Area A? Unfortunately, there is no way to correct the errors that the consultant wrote in this report. Anyway, hypothetically, even if it was 7%, that would only equal 72 people from Area A who responded to the survey. Of these same 72 respondents: 7 of them (10%) said they use the Kelsey Centre pool daily, 27 respondents (38%) said they use it once or twice a week.

23 respondents (32%) said they used it once or twice a month, and 15 respondents (21%) said they either never use it or else maybe once or twice a year. So, according to this report, 53% of the people who responded to the survey never use the pool, or else never use it more than twice a month. One of the big errors that the Village CAD makes, is his assumption that those few people who responded to the survey somehow represent the usage of the entire Sayward Valley.

As I have stated before, none of the SRD Board of Directors, including myself, will have any say whatsoever as to whether the Sayward Valley might contribute financially to the Kelsey Centre in the future. The only thing the Board can do is to force the Valley to hold a referendum to determine whether they consent to contribute, or not. The outcome of such a vote would be final. It appears that the Village is determined to pursue that route, although it is difficult to predict how far into the future such a vote might be held. For Valley voters, it is essential to understand that if we did agree to contribute financially to the Kelsey Centre, a Recreation Service most first be created. Once a service of this nature is in place, it is virtually impossible to ever rescind it. Furthermore, the Valley would never have any control at all over how much we would be forced to contribute, or how much our property taxes would be increased each year. This would be determined by the Village together with the other municipalities, who hold the majority vote at the SRD. Operating costs are relatively easy to predict, but future capital costs are not. Capital costs for both the known required upgrades, as well as the unexpected building maintenance, upgrades, and repairs, such as if there were a leak in the pool or the building’s roof, could easily require millions of dollars to remedy, which would send our property taxes soaring. These are the hidden costs that the Village is not disclosing. My responsibility as your director is to provide you with all the facts so that in the future you can make an informed decision.

New Arts and Culture Service

There are two main Board decisions required to create a new service. The first is to request a report on that initiative, and the second is to vote on the actual creation of that service once the report has been received. At our last Board meeting, Campbell River and other municipalities, supported by the Village of Sayward, passed that first step in order to create a Regional Arts and Culture Service, with the intent of forcing everyone in the SRD to pay for Campbell River’s Museum, Tidemark Theatre, Maritime Heritage complex. Art Gallery, and who knows what other Campbell River assets. Of course, this is designed to download the City of Campbell River’s budget onto all the other jurisdictions. I cannot understand why the Village of Sayward would support funding assets owned by Campbell River, when the Village cannot even afford to fund their own infrastructure.

New Tourism Service

Campbell River has their own in-house agency for promoting tourism. They now want every property taxpayer in the SRD to subsidize this organization. Therefore, at our last Board meeting, the municipalities with the Village of Sayward’s support passed a motion to initiate the first step in creating this service.

The Sayward Valley (Area A), Cortez Is. (Area B), and Quadra Is. (Area C) voted against the creation of all these new and expensive services.

Electoral Area Planning Service

This planning service is mandated for all electoral areas by the province; however, municipalities are permitted to join and pay their share of the costs. They cannot use this service for their own municipal planning, but if they joined. they could vote on all electoral area land use matters.

Therefore, their only interest in joining would be to take over total control of all the decisions electoral areas make on land development. So, once again, initiated by Campbell River and supported by the Village of Sayward, the municipalities voted to request a report to investigate Campbell River and any other interested municipalities joining the electoral area planning service.

2025 Property Taxes

Campbell River has the absolute majority vote on all financial matters. At the end of this year’s budget process they announced that they didn’t feel they were getting their money’s worth from their involvement with the SRD. This is because they had not been successful in getting all the new regional services they want. Therefore, they reduced their financial contribution by $1.3 Million which was then downloaded onto the electoral areas. This increased our (Area A) property taxes by $29.61 per average assessed property value. To offset this increase, I have approved an accounting maneuver to reduce our average garbage collection bill by $37.21 per home.

If you have any questions on these or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me. My door is always open.

Gerald Whalley
Regional Director (Area ‘A’)
Phone: 250-2f12-3787
gwhalley@srd.ca

SRD Board Approves 2025–2029 Financial Plan, Prioritizing Community Well-being and Sustainability

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board has officially adopted its 2025–2029 Financial Plan, reaffirming a focus on strategic investments, fiscal responsibility, and advancing key priorities such as community well-being, climate resilience, and strong governance.

Serving as a blueprint for operations and long-term objectives, the Financial Plan balances the delivery of essential services with preparations for sustainable growth. Developed through a comprehensive process—including staff-led planning, public engagement, and in-depth Board discussions—the plan reflects a wide range of input and careful consideration.

Despite pressures from inflation and rising operational costs, the SRD remains committed to responsible development and community strengthening.

Key Investments in the 2025–2029 Financial Plan:

• Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Adaptation: Funded through senior government grants, initiatives will enhance wildfire preparedness, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

• Healthcare Access & Workforce Housing: Continued investment in the Just Like Home Lodge and Healthcare Workforce Housing initiative supports both patient care in Campbell River and critical housing for healthcare professionals.

• Community Recreation Infrastructure: The REC-REATE project will revitalize Strathcona Gardens, delivering modern sports and rehabilitation facilities.

• Governance & Engagement: Funding will support Indigenous reconciliation efforts, enhanced public engagement, and professional development for staff and elected officials.

Electoral Area Tax Impacts

Revised overhead allocations and increased service demands will result in household tax increases across all electoral areas:

• Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward): 4% increase (~$30 per average household), driven by the new cost-sharing model and increased contributions to the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL). Coordination with Sayward will also improve fire service cost distribution.

• Area B (Cortes Island & Surrounding Archipelago): 4% increase (~$64), due to revised overhead distribution and higher VIRL funding.

• Area C (Discovery Islands & Mainland Inlets): 30% increase (~$193), reflecting internal cost reallocation and expanded funding for community halls, libraries, and 9-1-1 services.

• Area D (Oyster Bay–Buttle Lake): 4% increase (~$96), supporting growth in recreation, transit, and library services.

“Extensive effort has gone into developing a plan that meets residents’ needs while laying the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “Investments in recreation, housing, climate resilience, and governance will provide long-lasting value for our region.”

To learn more or view the full budget, visit www.srd.ca/financial-planning.

The Strathcona Regional District serves more than 48,000 residents across four electoral areas, a treaty First Nation, and five member municipalities.