Whether you’re heading out for a quick paddle across a quiet lake or embarking on a longer journey downriver, one rule remains constant: every person on board must have a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD). This applies to all watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other human-powered vessels. It’s not just a recommendation—it’s the law.

Calm Waters Can Be Deceptive

Even the most tranquil-looking body of water can turn dangerous in an instant. A sudden gust of wind, an unexpected current, or a momentary lapse in balance can lead to a fall overboard. And when that happens, there’s no time to search for a lifejacket. Having one on—or within immediate reach—can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

Safety Has No Age or Experience Limit

Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a first-time paddler, young or old, the water doesn’t discriminate. Accidents happen to everyone. That’s why it’s essential to treat every outing with the same level of preparation and respect. A properly fitted PFD is your first line of defense against the unexpected.

Be Prepared. Be Legal. Be Respectful.

• Plan ahead: Check your gear, weather conditions, and route before you launch.
• Follow the law: Carry the required safety equipment, including lifejackets for all passengers.
• Respect the water: Understand its power, unpredictability, and potential risks.

A few simple steps can prevent heartbreak and save lives. So before you push off from shore, ask yourself: Is everyone protected? Because safety isn’t seasonal, and it never takes a day off.

Lifejackets vs. PFDs: What You Need to Know

Not all flotation devices are created equal. Lifejackets and PFDs serve different purposes, offer varying levels of protection, and are regulated differently. Let’s break it down so you can make the safest choice for your adventure.

Lifejackets: Maximum Buoyancy, Maximum Safety

Lifejackets are designed to save lives in the most critical situations—especially if you’re unconscious or in cold water. They’re bulkier than PFDs but offer superior flotation and are strictly regulated for colour, performance, and buoyancy.

Transport Canada approves three types of lifejackets:

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in collaboration with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Seymour Pacific Homes, has officially broken ground on the transformative Just Like Home Lodge & Healthcare Workforce Housing initiative.

The launch was marked by a celebratory gathering of community members, government officials, and project partners—united by a shared vision to improve healthcare access across the North Island and Central Coast.

Just Like Home Lodge will offer a welcoming, affordable sanctuary for patients and their families who must travel to Campbell River for specialized medical treatment—ensuring comfort and support during challenging times.

Healthcare Workforce Housing will introduce 20 new rental suites designed to attract and retain vital healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, helping to strengthen the region’s medical infrastructure.

Construction is officially underway, with the project slated for completion in the summer of 2026.

October 13, 1935 – August 21, 2025

Bertram “Kim” Sacht, a man marked by fearless curiosity and confidence, passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in Rock Bay Hospital on October 13, 1935, to Louis Frederick Sacht and Anna Ethel Kelsey, Kim was the brother of Frances, Dorothy, and Lawrence, all of whom predeceased him.

Growing up in the Sayward Valley as part of a pioneer logging family, Kim left school after Grade 11 to follow in his father’s footsteps. He devoted over fifty years to the logging industry, participating in numerous successful operations across Vancouver Island, the mid-B.C. Coast, and the Interior.

From his youth, Kim loved the outdoors—he fished, hunted, gardened, sailed, and explored. Over his lifetime he journeyed widely, travelling through Mexico, Cuba, New Zealand, Africa, and throughout British Columbia in search of new adventures and excellent fishing.

In 1956 he met Judith Kathleen Richardson of Comox, who had come to Sayward to teach. They married on July 6, 1957, and over the next eight years they had five children: Kathleen Dorothy (married Steve Logan), Jane Leslie (married Morey Walker), Roger Louis (married Sheila Martin), Timothy Kelsey (married Susan Vegh, then Rita Barchard), and Arnold Benjamin. After Judy’s death in 1983, Kim married Bonnie Denis in 1984, and later Anne Halliday in 2010.

Kim is survived by his grandchildren—Ky, Ben, Amiel, Lyahna, Kelsey, Ian, Adam, and Claire—and his great-grandchildren Lexus, Keon, Tajai, Oliver, Juliette, and Ellyrah.

A lifelong learner, Kim was an avid reader with books always stacked by his favourite chair. He subscribed to numerous magazines, loved hosting dinner parties, appreciated a cold beer or a glass of red Chilean wine, and enjoyed dancing—jive, square, round, waltz, fox-trot—all with grace. Theatre, live music, and movie nights out were among his pleasures. His work ethic and determination to see things through inspired all who knew him. Once asked what, if anything, he would do differently in his life, he replied, “Nothing—just make different mistakes.”

Kim’s family extend deep gratitude to the caregivers at Nicola Ward, Third Floor, The Hamlets—truly extraordinary people.

A celebration of Kim’s life will be held at the Vernon Golf and Country Club on September 27, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Kathleen at 250-307-5409

Image Credit: Department of National Defence

On August 27, 2025, a humpback whale in distress was discovered tangled in a buoy-and-line system in the Strait of Georgia. The sighting occurred around 10:15 a.m., when Mickael El-Hachem, a crew member aboard the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel Stikine, noticed an unusual movement in the water—what first appeared to be a drifting buoy turned out to be a whale ensnared roughly two nautical miles northeast of Area Whiskey Golf.

Swift Response & Coordinated Action

By 10:30 a.m., the entanglement was confirmed. Captain Bill Lawrenuk, commanding officer of Stikine, promptly notified Lieutenant (Navy) Donald MacDonald, Range Officer, and Melina Sorensen, Environmental Officer. Sorensen reached out to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), which quickly mobilized Marine Mammal Coordinator Paul Cottrell and two fisheries officers to assist.

Commander Craig Piccolo, CFMETR’s commanding officer, ordered all Stikine operations to pause, placing the rescue mission at top priority. The vessel remained on-site, tracking the whale’s movements and behavior from a safe distance.

Rescue Mission & Recovery

DFO teams arrived at approximately 12:45 p.m. and, after evaluating the situation, collaborated with the Stikine crew to formulate a safe disentanglement strategy. Additional support came from Ranger 3, a CFMETR security vessel, dispatched at DFO’s request.

By 4:00 p.m., the whale was successfully freed from the fishing gear. Officials reported the animal was in stable condition following the operation.

Why It Matters

This rescue showcases the power of rapid, cross-agency coordination between CFMETR and DFO. It’s a testament to their shared dedication to marine conservation and environmental responsibility. the word.

A national survey conducted in September 2025 by Harris & Partners, a licensed insolvency trustee firm, has revealed a troubling financial reality for Canadians: 88.9% are living paycheck to paycheck.

Key Insights from the Survey

• 88.9% of respondents say they rely entirely on their regular income to get by.
• More than 60% used credit cards, loans, or other forms of borrowing to cover basic expenses over the past year.
• 77.1% said they could not handle an unexpected $500 expense without borrowing.
• 80.1% reported having no emergency savings.
• 81.4% described themselves as financially stressed.
• 67.4% blamed themselves for their financial struggles.

Joshua Harris, CEO of Harris & Partners, called the findings “alarming,” noting that the crisis goes beyond discretionary spending. “This isn’t about cutting back on luxuries—it’s about scrambling to afford necessities like food, shelter, and transportation,” he said. With credit increasingly used as a lifeline, household finances are becoming more precarious.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the grim statistics, 62.4% of Canadians remain hopeful that their financial situation will improve within the next year. Harris emphasized that this optimism must be supported by broader economic reforms, particularly efforts to align wages with the rising cost of living.

Canadians are so used to volatile fuel prices that the federal government is quietly counting on them not noticing a planned increase of up to 13 cents per litre under its Clean Fuel Regulations.

That’s the core message in a May 8 briefing note obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter, which outlines a strategy to raise fuel costs while minimizing public backlash.

“Given the variability in fuel prices paid at the pump, increases in fuel costs due to the Clean Fuel Regulations may not be noticeable by most consumers, including farmers,” states the internal memo titled Clean Fuel Regulations.

The Plan: Raise Ethanol, Raise Prices

The government’s approach is to mandate higher levels of ethanol and biodiesel in fuel blends—more expensive alternatives to conventional fuels—while relying on price fluctuations to mask the added cost.

According to Agriculture Canada projections, by 2030 the regulations will add:

6¢ to 13¢ per litre to gasoline

7¢ to 16¢ per litre to diesel

Despite the impact, the federal government insists this isn’t a tax—it’s a “market-based mechanism.”

“Regulations are not a tax and are a market-based mechanism designed to spur innovation of clean technologies,” the memo claims.

The estimates closely match a 2023 report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, which projected a fuel price increase of up to 17 cents per litre—a significant hit for Canadians, particularly those in rural areas reliant on diesel equipment and long commutes.

Fuel Mandate’s Growing Footprint

First introduced in 2023, the Clean Fuel Regulations require tripling ethanol content in gasoline—from 5% to 15% over time. Currently, 26% of Canada’s corn-growing land and 3% of wheat acreage are already dedicated to ethanol production, raising concerns about food supply impacts and land use.

Warnings from Within

Even the government’s own advisors are issuing warnings. A 2024 report from the Net Zero Advisory Body stressed that climate policy must go beyond reducing emissions to address affordability and economic strain, citing mounting costs in housing, energy, food, and transport.

Meanwhile, a 2024 study in the Journal of Public Health found that millions of Canadians live in “energy poverty”—defined as spending more than 10% of income on heating and cooling, or paying more than twice the national median for energy.

The Bottom Line: “You Won’t Notice”—Until You Do

Despite growing concerns, Ottawa’s message remains: Relax. You won’t notice the difference.

But for Canadians balancing household budgets, running farms, or commuting outside big cities, the impact will be real—and critics warn that by the time it’s felt, it may be too late to reverse course.