Mount Cain Team Hoping For Pre-Christmas Opening With Favorable Weather Forecast

As of December 12th, 2024, the lower weather station reports 32cm of snow, with the ridge run at 49cm. Unfortunately, conditions are not suitable for opening just yet. There is potential good news, though, as long as it stays cold. Snow is in the forecast starting this weekend and into next week, so while it’s not guaranteed, there’s a chance Mount Cain might open just before the holidays.

Stay tuned for another snow update on December 18th! The Cain Lodge Hostel calendar will be live for bookings on Wednesday, December 25th at 5 PM!

In the meantime, here are some classic snow rituals to keep the snow vibes going:

1. Wear your pajamas inside out.
2. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow.
3. Flush ice cubes down the toilet.
4. Place a white crayon on the windowsill.
5. Do a snow dance.
6. Put a spoon in the freezer.
7. Throw ice cubes out the window.
8. Eat a sardine while doing a headstand.
9. Leave a penny on the windowsill.
10. Place an ice cube in each corner of the house.
11. Wear a toque to bed.
12. Run around the dining table five times before eating.
13. Make a sacrifice to Ullr.
14. Buy your Cain membership online to save time at the ticket booth. (You’ll thank me when it’s snowing and you’re in the lift line!).

And hey, if you’ve been holding onto some old pennies (since they’re not as useful these days), now’s the time to put them to work! Place one on your windowsill for some extra snow magic.

New Collaboration Connects Patients to More Suitable Care through UPCC and BC Emergency Health Services Partnership

Focused currently on South Vancouver Island, this innovative initiative has potential to expand if successful.

A transformative collaboration between Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), which manages the BC Ambulance Service, has established new pathways for patients who do not need emergency department (ED) care.

Link and Referral Units (LARUs) are specialized paramedics in minivans who assess and treat 911 patients with non-urgent conditions. These patients often benefit from care at Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) rather than EDs. Currently, six UPCCs in Victoria are part of this partnership, with discussions ongoing for expansion into Nanaimo.

“The primary objective for LARU paramedics is to connect non-urgent 911 patients with the most suitable care, which could be a UPCC,” said Kayla Welwood, Manager, Low Acuity and Integrated Care at BC Emergency Health Services. “There are numerous exceptional services beyond emergency departments, and it’s logical to integrate them whenever possible.”

Launched from a single pilot unit in 2020, LARU has grown to 18 units across the province, including in Victoria and Nanaimo. The LARU/UPCC partnership within Island Health began in May 2024, optimizing care for lower acuity patients in the 911 system. This new UPCC referral partnership also extends to emergency ambulances when appropriate.

“Our traditional model was to transport patients directly to the ED. However, we recognized this approach often isn’t ideal for non-emergency patients,” explained Welwood. “Our revised response model integrates our services into the broader health care system, helping patients receive the right care in the right place. LARU paramedics ensure emergency ambulances remain available for the most urgent cases, while alternate care pathways cater to non-urgent patients. This marks a significant shift from the 911 response model of over 50 years ago.”

For South Island and Nanaimo patients dialing 911, the process begins with triage by Emergency Medical Call-Takers (EMCTs) in the BCEHS dispatch centre. If further evaluation is needed, Secondary Triage paramedics in the dispatch centre may contact the patient for additional information. If the case meets LARU guidelines, a LARU paramedic is dispatched to provide a comprehensive assessment and discuss care options with the patient, which may include making an appointment at a UPCC and providing transportation there.

“It’s gratifying to spend more time with patients, listen to their concerns, and utilize my skills for thorough assessments,” said Anthony Hayer, a LARU paramedic with 16 years of experience. “Collaborating with UPCCs enhances outcomes for lower acuity patients.”

“Innovations in health care are crucial. Supporting patients and emergency departments through resource optimization is excellent,” noted Antony Neale, a registered nurse at the Westshore UPCC. “I’m enthusiastic about further expanding this partnership.”

Dr. Kimberley Cameron, a physician at the Westshore UPCC, highlighted the benefits of this program for lower acuity patients. “This initiative provides patients with timely, appropriate care,” she said. “Over time, our collaboration with LARU teams can reduce the number of patients transported to emergency departments.”

Since its inception in May 2024, the partnership has transported 84 patients to UPCCs in Greater Victoria. One tourist, for instance, was treated at a UPCC for an injury instead of visiting a local ED. LARU paramedic Tamara Tulloch, with 14 years of experience, described the positive impact of this care pathway, emphasizing the reduced anxiety for patients avoiding hospital visits.

LARU paramedics consistently receive positive feedback from patients, who appreciate the personalized care. “Our goal is to improve the patient experience,” said LARU paramedic Derek Gytenbeek, with over 5 years of experience. “We value the open dialogues with UPCC staff, discussing improvements for the health care system.”

Cathy Edwards, Manager at Westshore UPCC, stressed the importance of these conversations. “We’ve developed strong relationships with LARU paramedics and BC Ambulance Service, united in providing the right care in the right place for our shared patients.”

As the program grows, health care providers view it as a vital component of Island Health and the broader BC health care system. “We’re excited to contribute to this legacy,” said Tulloch. “It represents the evolution of health care delivery, and we at BCEHS are proud to be part of the solution.”

Patients should continue scheduling appointments for non-urgent medical concerns directly with UPCCs and call 911 in medical emergencies.

Latest Expansion Of Trudeau’s Gun Ban Again Targets Law Abiding Owners, Fails To Address Skyrocketing Gang Violence

The Trudeau government has enacted another unexpected gun ban, immediately outlawing 324 types of firearms. Canadians who previously used these firearms for hunting or target shooting must now secure them or face severe penalties. The government also plans to seize these firearms through a buyback program and send some to Ukraine’s military.

As with previous bans targeting hundreds of firearms, this list raises questions about its alignment with public safety goals. It includes low-powered varmint rifles, rare antiques found only in museums, and firearms no more dangerous than many that remain legal. Contrary to Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s assertion, many of these guns are not designed for the battlefield.

While any bullet can be lethal, the .22 caliber is among the least powerful. It is commonly used in varmint hunting and youth-target practice. Including .22 caliber firearms on a list ostensibly targeting battlefield weapons seems questionable.

One example is the GSG-16, a .22-caliber target shooting rifle sometimes sold in pink. The list also bans several guns designed to mimic military rifles in appearance but with non-military functionality, firing .22 bullets one at a time. For instance, the newly prohibited Mauser StG44 resembles the iconic Sturmgewehr 44 but lacks assault rifle characteristics.

The government’s criteria for assault-style rifles continue to be inconsistent. True assault rifles—already illegal in Canada—are defined by automatic firing and large-capacity magazines, neither of which are permitted under Canadian law. Long before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure, rifles in Canada were limited to five rounds and semi-automatic firing (one shot per trigger pull).

The Trudeau government introduced the term assault-style in its Bill C-21, defining it as a semi-automatic rifle using centre-fire ammunition, designed post-2023, and originally intended to hold high-capacity magazines. Yet many banned firearms, including .22-caliber rimfire guns and pre-2023 models, do not fit this description.

The list also includes obscure historical weapons, such as the Browning M3 Aircraft machine gun from the 1930s, a mounted aircraft weapon already prohibited. Another example is the SaskSten, a WWII-era Sten gun modified for Canadian regulation, which sold for at least $4,000 before being banned. These weapons are rarely, if ever, involved in crimes.

The bans appear to target firearms based on appearance rather than functionality. For nearly every prohibited firearm, there are legal alternatives with similar power and firing rates. Notably, the SKS—a Soviet-era semi-automatic rifle—remains legal, likely because of its widespread use among Inuit and First Nations hunters.

The claim that banned firearms will aid Ukraine has been met with skepticism. Defense Minister Bill Blair suggested that some firearms on the list could be useful to Ukraine, but modern militaries prefer standardized equipment. Weapons chambered in .22 caliber or limited to five rounds are ill-suited for combat. Ukraine’s interest likely lies in a small subset of rifles chambered for high-powered cartridges like the .338 Lapua, suitable for sniping.

The timing of the ban coincides with the anniversary of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, in which a legally purchased Ruger Mini-14 was used to kill 14 women. The Mini-14 was included in a 2020 ban, yet firearms with comparable caliber and firing rates remain legal.

The ban also comes as police organizations criticize earlier gun control measures. In October, both the Toronto Police Association and Surrey Police Union denounced the government’s handgun freeze, noting that gun crime has surged since its implementation.

The reason is clear: most crime guns in Canada are illegally smuggled from the United States, making regulatory changes to legal gun ownership ineffective in curbing gun violence.

Proposal for 30 Turbine Wind Farm Northwest of Campbell River Unveiled

Toronto Energy Company Proposes 200 Megawatt Wind Farm Between Campbell River And Sayward

A wind farm is being proposed for a site 40 kilometres northwest of Campbell River in the Strathcona Regional District.

The Brewster Wind Project aims to have a capacity of up to 200 megawatts, featuring about 30 wind turbines. The project will also include a substation, access roads, an interconnection transmission line, and ancillary equipment, operating for 30 years.

In a letter to the regional district submitted in August, Andrea Kausel, Vice President of Development at Capstone Infrastructure, stated that the company is reaching out to provide preliminary notice and begin early-stage consultation.

According to a map submitted by the company, the towers will be erected in two clusters southwest of Sayward.

The letter highlights the need for new resources due to a 15 per cent increase in electricity demand by 2030. The 2024 Call for Power by BC Hydro aims to contract the lowest-cost projects that provide maximum value to the grid and rate-payers.

Last month, the regional district advised the company to consult with caving and paleontology experts, such as those at the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance and Royal B.C. Museum, given the region’s unique cave formations.

At a Sept. 25 district meeting, Martin Davis, an SRD director and cave researcher, emphasized the importance of identifying stakeholders early to assess the proposal’s feasibility. Davis noted that limestone could make the land “inherently unstable,” as evidenced by a previous wind farm proposal near Port Alice that faced environmental challenges.

Capstone Infrastructure’s website addresses the potential effects of wind farms on wildlife, acknowledging that these large-scale infrastructure projects can pose risks. The company mentions that early planning stages can help evaluate impacts. While birds and bats are particularly at risk, careful siting and design, along with in-depth field surveys, can help quantify, avoid, or mitigate impacts to acceptable levels.

Capstone Infrastructure has also proposed a 35-turbine wind farm between Kamloops and Merritt, B.C., in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. The company operates various power facilities across Canada, including a 16-megawatt hydro power station in Sechelt.

Proposals were due in September, and BC Hydro will award the agreements in December. According to the company, new projects are set to launch between 2028 and 2031.

If successful, the Brewster Wind Project will require an environmental assessment, starting in 2025. The company also plans to conduct further engagement with local communities.