Ferry Sailings Cancelled as Powerful Gusts Hit Coastal BC

Strong winds sweeping across coastal British Columbia have forced multiple ferry cancellations, disrupting travel on several major BC Ferries routes and raising the possibility of further service interruptions.

BC Ferries confirmed sailings were cancelled due to unsafe marine conditions, with gusts in the Strait of Georgia and surrounding waterways making operations hazardous. Environment Canada issued wind warnings for much of the region, cautioning that conditions could remain challenging until the weather system passes.

Routes affected include Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay, and Tsawwassen–Duke Point—some of the busiest connections between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, serving thousands of passengers daily.

The company said cancellations were made out of an abundance of caution to protect passengers, crew, and vessels. High winds can compromise maneuverability, docking, and overall safety, making ferry operations highly weather‑dependent.

Customers with reservations are being contacted directly with options to rebook or receive refunds, while walk‑on passengers are advised to expect delays and possible further cancellations. BC Ferries urged travelers to check sailing status before heading to terminals and to allow extra time for their journeys.

The operator warned that additional sailings may be cancelled if conditions do not improve. Environment Canada noted strong winds are likely to persist in some coastal areas, advising motorists and travelers to remain flexible and exercise caution.

BC Ferries said updates will be provided as the situation evolves and thanked customers for their patience as crews work to resume service safely.

How Businesses Should Approach SEO in 2026 and Beyond

As search engines become more sophisticated, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has moved far beyond one-off tactics and short-term gains. Heading into 2026, SEO is a holistic, experience-focused strategy that combines technical performance, high-quality content, user trust, and strong brand authority. Businesses that thrive in search will be those committed to long-term value, not quick fixes.

Outlined below are the most critical SEO best practices businesses should implement to remain competitive and visible in 2026.

1. Prioritize Search Intent Over Keywords

Keywords remain an important part of SEO, but modern search engines place greater emphasis on user intent than on exact-match terms. Google increasingly assesses whether a page fully satisfies the purpose behind a user’s search.

Best practices include:

  • Organizing keywords by intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional)

  • Developing in-depth pages that anticipate and answer related questions

  • Optimizing content around topics and entities rather than isolated keywords

  • Writing in natural, conversational language that reflects real search behavior

When content is aligned with search intent, businesses see more stable rankings and higher conversion rates.

2. Produce High-Quality, Experience-Led Content (E-E-A-T)

Google’s continued focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust (E-E-A-T) plays a central role in ranking decisions. Content must clearly demonstrate credibility and real-world understanding.

Best practices include:

  • Publishing content created or reviewed by subject-matter experts

  • Featuring author bios, credentials, and transparent business information

  • Supporting key points with data, examples, and firsthand experience

  • Regularly refreshing existing content to maintain accuracy and relevance

As 2026 approaches, shallow or generic content will be increasingly outperformed by well-researched, experience-driven resources that deliver genuine value.

Click to read the full article on SaywardMarketing.com

Carihi Secondary and Sayward Elementary Collaborate on Zombie Film

The hallways of Sayward Elementary School were transformed into the set of a zombie movie as students from two Vancouver Island schools joined forces on a collaborative short film project.

Over two days, Carihi Secondary School’s video production class filmed Safe Zone: A Zombie Film at the elementary school. Younger students stepped into acting roles as zombies, while their older counterparts took charge of directing, cinematography, camera operation, and other behind-the-scenes responsibilities.

Educators say the project offered valuable hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities, giving secondary students the chance to lead a full-scale production while introducing elementary students to the world of filmmaking. The collaboration also aimed to strengthen ties between the two school communities, helping younger students feel more connected as they prepare for future transitions to higher grades.

Administrators noted the project sparked enthusiasm and excitement, particularly among older elementary students, creating a positive and engaging experience within the school.

Student crew members described the production schedule as intense but rewarding, highlighting the challenge of completing a film within such a short timeframe.

The finished project premiered on November 13 at the Timberline Secondary School theatre, showcasing the talents of student actors and crew across roles ranging from sound and cinematography to makeup and production support.

Vancouver Island Marmot Population Rebounds to 427 After Near-Extinction

Conservation officials report that the Vancouver Island marmot has reached a major recovery milestone, with the wild population now estimated at 427 animals. This marks a remarkable rebound from a low of just 22 individuals in 2003.

Endemic to the alpine meadows of Vancouver Island, the species was once on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, predation, and low reproductive rates. In response, a comprehensive recovery program was launched, combining captive breeding, reintroduction, habitat restoration, and ongoing monitoring.

Biologists say the latest numbers reflect steady growth across more than 30 mountain sites, offering one of the clearest signs yet that coordinated conservation efforts are paying off.

Still, experts caution that the marmot remains endangered and vulnerable to shifting environmental conditions. Continued management and close monitoring will be critical to ensuring the population remains stable and continues to expand.

Conservation leaders describe the rebound as a rare success story in species recovery, underscoring decades of collaboration among governments, researchers, volunteers, and conservation groups that helped prevent the marmot’s disappearance from the wild.

New Study Points To Cooperation Between Orcas And Dolphins While Feeding

Researchers have documented what appears to be cooperative hunting between northern resident killer whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins off the coast of British Columbia—an interaction not previously confirmed between these two species.

The discovery comes from drone footage, underwater video, and tracking data collected near Vancouver Island. Scientists recorded hundreds of encounters where dolphins and orcas foraged side by side, often diving and moving in unison while searching for Chinook salmon.

During these events, killer whales were seen orienting toward nearby dolphins and following them into deeper waters. Researchers suggest the whales may be taking advantage of the dolphins’ echolocation skills to locate salmon—a prey species too large for dolphins to capture themselves.

Once an orca secured a salmon and tore it into smaller pieces, dolphins frequently fed on the remains. Remarkably, no aggression was observed between the species, despite killer whales being known to prey on dolphins in other regions.

The synchronized movements and repeated interactions point to more than coincidence, hinting at a level of coordination that challenges long-held assumptions about how marine predators interact while feeding.

Scientists propose that the relationship may be mutually beneficial: orcas conserve energy by leveraging dolphin echolocation, while dolphins gain access to a valuable food source and possible protection from being near a top predator.

Still, some experts urge caution, noting that further study is needed to determine whether this represents true cooperation or simply opportunistic feeding by dolphins.

This finding adds to a growing body of evidence that marine mammals display complex, adaptable social behaviours, offering fresh insight into how species may respond to shifting ocean conditions and food availability.

Watch the video here.

Mount Cain Opening Delayed Another Week At Least

The opening of Mount Cain has been delayed by another week due to limited snowfall and challenging weather conditions.

Although the mountain has seen some recent snow, officials confirm it is not sufficient to ensure safe operations. Forecasts showing freezing levels rising above the summit have further reduced the chances of an immediate opening. The next tentative opening date is set for December 20, with an official update to be released next Wednesday.

In the meantime, Mount Cain representatives will be in Nanaimo this weekend for the launch of the new Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) store, where they will host a booth and engage with the community.

For those eager to get on the slopes, Mount Washington is preparing to open its beginner terrain this weekend. The resort will also feature a variety of off-snow activities as part of its opening celebrations.

Despite the delay, Mount Cain officials remain optimistic that winter conditions will improve as the holiday season approaches.