Meet The Pacific Spiny Dogfish

The spiny dogfish is a small schooling shark that forms groups of hundreds or thousands of individuals of the same sex and size. It is one of the most abundant demersal shark species. This shark is gray or brownish on top and pale gray or white on its ventral side with irregular white spots on the top or sides of the body. The second dorsal fin is smaller than the first, and both fins have spines at their origin. The caudal fin is asymmetrical, with the upper lobe being larger. The smooth-edged, short, and oblique teeth are similar in both the upper and lower jaw.

This shark is present in all of the world’s temperate oceans. It ranges throughout the coastal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The spiny dogfish can be either a resident or a seasonal migrant in Canadian waters. Most dogfish in Canadian waters move inshore in the summer and offshore in the winter but remain in Canadian waters. Semi-resident aggregations occur off southern Newfoundland, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and on the Scotian Shelf off Nova Scotia. However, 10-20% of the dogfish around southwest Nova Scotia move south into U.S. waters each fall, returning in the spring. The species is most abundant between Nova Scotia and Cape Hatteras.

The spiny dogfish is found in cold and warm temperate oceans at temperatures between 0 and 15 degrees Celsius. However, on the Scotian Shelf, this shark has most often been caught in water temperatures between 6 and 11 degrees Celsius. The spiny dogfish is tolerant of a wide range of salinities and can be found in estuaries. It can be located in the water column from the surface to depths of 730 meters (2,400 feet).

The average adult length is between 75 and 105 cm (30 to 40 inches); however, individuals have been known to grow to 130 cm (50 inches), weighing 9 kg (20 lbs). The spiny dogfish is long-lived and slow-growing and has an estimated life span of 30 to 40 years. Ages as old as 70 years have been determined for dogfish off British Columbia. Tagging studies have determined that some spiny dogfish can migrate great distances. Individuals tagged off Newfoundland have been recovered in Iceland years later. There have also been records of transatlantic crossings. However, the bulk of the population migrates inshore/offshore or along the northeastern coast of North America on a seasonal basis.

The spiny dogfish is an omnivorous opportunistic feeder, eating whatever prey is abundant. In general, their diet is comprised of small fishes such as capelin, cod, haddock, hake, herring, menhaden, and ratfish. They also eat invertebrates such as krill, crabs, polychaete worms, jellyfish, ctenophores, amphipods, squid, and octopus.

Development in this shark is ovoviviparous. The gestation length is the longest known for sharks at an estimated 18-22 months. Young are born in the warmer waters off the northeastern U.S. and Nova Scotia during the winter months. The number of young born in a litter depends on the size of the female, with larger females bearing more pups. However, most litters are between 1 and 14 individuals that are approximately 20 to 30 cm in length. The average litter is 5-6 pups. Sexual maturity in males is reached at a total length of about 64 cm and 10 years of age. Females reach sexual maturity at a later age, around 16 years, at which time they are about 82 cm in total length. Reproduction occurs offshore in the winter.

The spiny dogfish is a major predator on some commercially important species such as herring, Atlantic mackerel, and squid. It has been harvested for the last 100 years for its oil-rich liver, which was used in lamp oil and machine lubricants. The oil was later used as a source of vitamin A. Today, spiny dogfish is valued as food in many countries. The spiny dogfish is the target of a directed fishery in Atlantic Canada.

Preparedness Tips For Winter Storm Season

Prepare for Storms and Power Outages in Advance:

Gather Supplies: Ensure you have enough food, water, flashlights, blankets, and batteries to last at least three days to two weeks in case of a power outage
Complete Your Home Emergency Plan: Prepare and know how to respond to emergencies. Visit PreparedBC.ca/EmergencyPlan.
Stay Informed: Check Weather.gc.ca for weather alerts and updates.

U.S. Lumber Industry Poised to Challenge Canada’s Lead as Tariffs Take Effect

The southern United States is on track to surpass Canada’s longstanding dominance in the North American lumber market, as years of trade restrictions and environmental challenges take a toll on Canadian output. According to commodity pricing agency Fastmarkets, the U.S. South is poised to overtake Canada in softwood lumber capacity for the first time since at least 1970. This shift highlights how Canada’s lumber sector has weakened under U.S. tariffs, alongside issues like wildfires, land-use regulations, and insect infestations.

In August, the U.S. raised import duties on Canadian softwood lumber by nearly 81%, intensifying a four-decade trade dispute. Analysts expect the current 14.54% levy could double by next year, illustrating how trade policies can reshape industries and create new market leaders. Tariffs on imports have become a prominent election topic in the U.S., with Republican candidate Donald Trump advocating for broad import taxes. The U.S. has long claimed that Canada’s C$10 billion ($7.2 billion) industry undercuts American producers with low-cost lumber, contending that Canadian loggers’ government-set fees constitute a subsidy. This dispute has severely impacted British Columbia (BC), where forest products made up a quarter of all export value in 2022. Additional tariffs could be “quite devastating for the sector,” said Kurt Niquidet, chief economist at the BC Council of Forest Industries, noting the potential for widespread mill closures across Canada.

While Canadian sawmills, especially in BC, grapple with rising costs and diminishing revenue, the U.S. South is seeing gains in lumber production. The U.S. Lumber Coalition credits tariffs for fueling American investment and boosting production capacity. North American sawmill closures resulted in a 4% capacity reduction this year alone, with over 40% of those closures in BC, according to Fastmarkets senior economist Dustin Jalbert. Canfor Corp., a major Canadian forestry company, announced plans to shutter two BC mills by year-end, citing tariffs and limited timber supply, resulting in a C$100 million writedown. Other major Canadian producers, including West Fraser Timber Co., Interfor Corp., and Western Forest Products Inc., have also cut back or closed mills in western Canada.

The U.S. South, benefiting from faster-growing private forests, has emerged as North America’s largest wood-producing region, says Brooks Mendell, president of Forisk Consulting in Georgia. However, he noted that Canada remains essential to North America’s lumber supply, as the U.S. alone cannot meet demand. If Canada’s output continues to decline, American consumers may face higher lumber prices or turn to more distant sources, like Scandinavia. “The U.S. can only produce so much more incremental lumber before reaching a maximum harvest limit,” noted BC-based forestry consultant Russ Taylor, who has been active in the industry for over four decades.

Lumber demand is showing signs of recovery, potentially slowing Canada’s decline. U.S. single-family home construction is increasing, with the National Association of Home Builders forecasting growth through 2026. Fastmarkets expects North American lumber capacity to fall short of demand this year for the first time since the pandemic-fueled home improvement surge. “If demand recovers next year while supply is down, it doesn’t take an economist to see what that likely means for prices,” said Fastmarkets’ Jalbert.

Village Of Sayward Seeking Office Administrator

Job Title: Office Administrator Department Financial Services

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Job Classification: ☒ Non-Management

FTE % 1.0 FTE – FT – Permanent Pay Band/Grid $60,000 – 70,000

Benefits

1. Health & Wellness

☒ Extended Health, Allied Medical Services, Prescription
☒ Life Insurance
☒ Accidental Death and Dismemberment
☒ Dental
☒ Vision
☒ Short-Term Disability
☒ Long-Term Disability

2. Pension Plan

☒ Defined Benefit Pension Plan (MPP)

3. Training and Professional Development

☒ Support for Professional and Technical Certificate Renewal
☒ Support for Tuition Reimbursement

SCOPE

The Office Administrator plays a crucial role within the administrative team, ensuring the smooth
and efficient functioning of all office operations. Acting as the central point of contact for both
internal and external stakeholders, this position is responsible for managing a broad range of duties
that are vital to the organization’s day-to-day success.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to coordinating or overseeing front desk and
reception functions, handling incoming calls, mails/package, supporting the finance department
including payroll, coordinating basic IT and security access control functions, preparing meeting
minutes, event logistics coordination, and responding to inquiries promptly and professionally.
Additionally, they provide high-level executive administrative support to senior leadership, which
includes managing schedules, coordinating meetings, preparing documents, and ensuring that
tasks are completed efficiently and on time.

The Office Administrator is a versatile and highly organized professional who ensures that office
operations run smoothly and efficiently. Through their multitasking capabilities, attention to detail,
and commitment to supporting the administrative needs of the organization, they contribute
significantly to the overall productivity and success of the team.

The core job duties include:

Front Desk and Reception

• Answering, screening, and directing phone calls, emails, and correspondence to the
appropriate departments, ensuring professional communication standards.
• Handling general inquiries by providing accurate and relevant information about the Village
operations.
• Managing incoming and outgoing mail, packages, and deliveries, ensuring timely
distribution to the appropriate individuals or departments.
• Coordinating security access control systems including alarm systems, security fobs, and
camera systems.
• Maintaining the reception area’s organization and cleanliness to create a professional
atmosphere.

Executive/Council Administrative Support

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Office Administrator provides support in
the following areas:

• Assisting with drafting correspondence and preparing documents.
• Attending council meetings and taking detailed, accurate minutes, capturing key
discussions, action items, and decisions.
• Ensuring minutes are reviewed, finalized, and distributed to council members and other
relevant stakeholders promptly after the meeting.
• Maintaining a record of resolutions adopted by Council.
• Where requested, coordinating meeting logistics, including room setup, equipment needs,
and any necessary catering arrangements.
• Ensuring that meeting materials (agendas, reports, notices, etc.) are distributed in advance,
posted online and in public notice places.
• Supporting the Corporate Officer and Chief Financial Officer in ensuring record
management responsibilities are addressed.

Finance Administration

Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office Administrator provides support in the following areas:

• Assisting in preparing, generating, and issuing accurate invoices and tax notices under the
direction of the Chief Financial Office and in accordance with established policies.
• Following up on outstanding invoices, tracking payment statuses, and coordinating overdue
accounts.
• Reconciling discrepancies between issued invoices and received payments, resolving
issues with vendors or customers.
• Processing accounts payable by verifying, entering, and paying vendor invoices.
• Preparing and processing electronic fund transfers (EFTs), checks, and wire transfers for
payment.
• Ensuring that all payments are authorized and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Monitoring and managing the schedule of payments to ensure they are made within the
required deadlines.
• Reconciling company credit card and expense reports, ensuring compliance with company
policies.
• Working with department heads to ensure the proper coordination of receipts and expense
claims processing.
• Preparing journal entries for expense corrections and accruals when necessary.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records and documentation, including
receipts, invoices, statements, and reports.
• Entering financial data into accounting systems or software (AMAIS), ensuring all
transactions are properly recorded.
• Assisting with the archiving and filing of financial documents, ensuring they are organized
and accessible for audits or reports.
• Monitoring accounts to ensure that discrepancies are identified and rectified in a timely
manner.
• Performing monthly reconciliations of bank accounts, credit card accounts, and petty cash.
• Investigating and resolving any discrepancies or variances between bank statements and
internal records.

HR/Payroll/Benefits Administration

• Collecting and verifying employee timesheets and ensuring payroll accuracy.
• Accurately calculating and processing wages, salaries, overtime, and deductions in line
with the Village’s policies, employment contracts, and Employment Standards Act.
• Ensuring timely payroll processing and verify working hours, PTO, and other payroll data.
• Assisting in processing payroll, including entering data into payroll systems, generating
payslips, and addressing employee payroll queries.
• Ensuring compliance with tax regulations, benefits deductions and administration.

Communications

• Overseeing the coordination of the Sayward Newsletter.
• Supporting the development of content creation on behalf of the Village.
• Coordinating the Village’s communication platforms including but not limited to updating
the website, YouTube channel, and print material.

Other

• Provide assistance during the local elections for the Village as required.
• Provide assistance including but not limited to serving within the Villages Emergency
Operations Centre in preparation for, during, or in response to an emergent situation
affecting the Village.
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Highschool diploma or equivalent required.
• Certificate, diploma, or other post secondary education in the area office administration,
business, finance, or related field would be considered a strong asset.
• Minimum three (3) years’ direct experience with office administration in a fast-paced
environment, preference will be given to municipal experience.
• Sound analytical thinking, exercise of professional judgement, planning, prioritization, and
execution skills.

Skills:

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong proficiency and experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams,
PowerPoint).
• Working knowledge of and experience with AMAIS financial software is a strong asset.
• Basic understanding of IT systems and ability to liaise with IT professionals.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Key Competencies:

• Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.

November 4th and 5th Power Failure Update

BC Hydro continues to face significant challenges with outages across Vancouver Island due to fallen trees on power lines resulting from severe winds. The most recent update for the Sayward region was November 4th at 21:41 (9:41pm), indicating a crew status as “suspended”.

The suspended status means that responding crews require additional equipment, poles or personnel in order to address the severity of the problem and that no crew is currently assigned to the Sayward outage.

BC Hydro has enlisted all available employees and private contractors to work on power restoration following the wind storm. Sayward residents can expect the outage to last well into Tuesday morning or later, as additional crews and equipment are assigned.

Sayward residents may notice that the BC Hydro website does not specifically list Sayward on its outages page, but the Sayward outage does show up under the Campbell River region.