This summer, British Columbia has seen a flurry of emergency alerts—from raging wildfires to a tsunami advisory—highlighting the importance of timely warnings. While the current system has proven its worth, experts say it’s time to rethink how alerts are delivered across the province.

Who Sends the Alerts?

Right now, local governments and First Nations are responsible for initiating emergency alerts. If there’s an immediate threat to life—like an evacuation order—they can request the province to issue a broadcast-intrusive alert. These alerts override TV and radio programming and are sent directly to cellphones in the affected area. Most people are familiar with this system through Amber Alerts.

But here’s the catch: local authorities can’t trigger these broadcast alerts themselves. For lower-level threats—like the July 30 tsunami advisory—communities must rely on their own websites, social media, or third-party platforms like Alertable or Voyent Alert.

Too Many Systems, Too Much Confusion

This fragmented approach can be problematic, especially in areas with overlapping jurisdictions. In Greater Victoria alone, 13 municipalities use at least four different alert systems, creating confusion for residents.

Shaun Koopman, emergency services manager for the Strathcona Regional District, believes it’s time for a more streamlined solution. He’s advocating for a single alert provider contracted by the province to serve both provincial and local governments.

Under this model, residents could subscribe to one platform and receive alerts from any community they live in, work in, or travel through. Koopman argues this would reduce costs for local governments and First Nations, who currently fund their own systems.

“It’s one default system… so every member of the public and every community at least has that blanket coverage,” Koopman said.

More Ways to Reach More People

Tarina Colledge, chair of the B.C. Association of Emergency Managers, supports the idea. She says a unified system could deliver alerts via text, email, and even landline calls—ensuring rural residents and older adults aren’t left behind.

Not Everyone’s Convinced

Still, some officials prefer the current setup. Erin Stockill, emergency program officer for the District of Saanich, argues that broadcast-intrusive alerts are more effective because they reach people near the danger zone instantly—without relying on user subscriptions.

“There’s no guarantee that someone who’s subscribed is in close proximity to the hazard,” Stockill said. “This broadcast system ensures speed and effectiveness so the people who need to know will be made aware.”

What’s Next?

When asked about adopting a single-provider model, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness didn’t give a direct answer. Instead, it emphasized that it reviews each emergency—whether it’s a tsunami, wildfire, or flood—to identify areas for improvement.

Summary

We are looking for other like-minded, committed, hard working, energetic people to share our land and way of life with. We are hoping that by sharing our knowledge and skills, as well as our land, we will create a healthy, vibrant homesteading community. A collaborative, long-term arrangement is a possibility for the right person or family. Ultimately, we would like to see a land succession model that allows us to age in place on our homestead while providing an opportunity for new people interested in this type of lifestyle to access land more affordably.

About the Opportunity

We have retired and hope to live the remainder of our lives on our land while seeing the homestead develop with a successional plan in place. We feel that this property has the potential to support more than one family, and we would be happy to share our way of life with other like-minded, committed, hard working, energetic people. We are hoping that by sharing our knowledge and skills, as well as our land, we will create a healthy, vibrant homesteading community and provide an opportunity for new people interested in this type of lifestyle to access land more affordably. If you want more information about us, please go to our blog at Storytelling – The adventure goes on ….

In our current environment of unpredictable weather and rising costs of living, we are working towards developing a resilient, sustainable, subsidence homestead. Currently, we generate more than 80% of our own electricity using solar and picohydro systems and grow/forage approximately 60% of our own food. Our young orchard, once it reaches production, will further increase the amount of food we can harvest from the property. Adding small livestock (chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits) would bring our food sustainability close to 100%. We have lived on the property for 10 years, and during the floods, droughts, and COVID pandemic which have devastated British Columbia, we have been amazingly sheltered.

Our main reasons for seeking additional participants in our homesteading endeavor are companionship, development of a small “community” with enhanced self-reliance, safety, and livestock care when we must be away from the property. This is not a job offering or a money-making opportunity. This is a chance for the adventurous-at-heart to engage in an incredible nature-oriented, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle.

We seek to manage the land for long-term sustainability, based on permaculture principles (see Permaculture Design Project for Port Neville) and other ecologically sound practices. We do not practice unsustainable harvesting of the land, and approximately 80% of the property is being retained as a wildlife habitat.

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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.

Leatherback Sea Turtles are the last surviving members of the family Dermochelyidae, an ancient lineage that dates back 100-150 million years. These turtles are the largest of their kind, weighing up to 900 kg and boasting a shell length of up to 2 meters. Unlike other sea turtles, Leatherbacks don’t have hard shells. Instead, their shells are covered with a leathery, slightly flexible, fibrous tissue overlaying interlocking bony plates. The bluish-black shell has seven ridges running from front to back and tapers to a blunt point, creating a streamlined, teardrop shape. Their front flippers are notably long, often half the length of their shell, and lack claws, which differentiates them from other sea turtles. Additionally, their shells, necks, heads, and front flippers are frequently marked with white or bluish-white blotches. Adult Leatherbacks have a distinct pink patch on their heads, unique in size, shape, color, and pattern. These turtles primarily feed on gelatinous prey like jellyfish and salps. They lack the chewing plates found in other sea turtles, instead having sharp-edged jaws and backward-pointing spines in their mouths and esophagi to help retain and swallow their soft-bodied prey.

Pacific Leatherbacks have two main nesting populations: one in the Eastern Pacific (Mexico and Costa Rica) and one in the Western Pacific (Malaysia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia). The Leatherbacks found in Canadian Pacific waters are part of the Western Pacific population, migrating up to 15,000 km from Indo-Pacific nesting beaches to forage on jellyfish and other gelatinous prey. Sightings in Canadian Pacific waters are rare, with only 126 unique sightings reported in British Columbia from 1931 to 2009. This species’ pelagic nature and the difficulty of spotting them from a distance lead to many uncertainties regarding their habitat use off the coast of British Columbia. The Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle population has declined by up to 95% in the last 50 years and is currently Endangered.

Females lay about 100 eggs per clutch, several times during a nesting season, typically at 8-12 day intervals. They return to the nesting site every 2-3 years. After approximately two months, hatchlings emerge from the nest and make their way to the ocean, usually at night to avoid predation and reduce the risk of desiccation.

On Indo-Pacific nesting beaches, Leatherback eggs face predation from mammals like pigs and feral dogs. Humans also pose a threat, as Leatherback eggs are considered a delicacy in some countries. Development near nesting beaches negatively impacts hatchlings, as bright lights disorient them, causing exhaustion, dehydration, or predation as they struggle to find the ocean. Despite laying about 100 eggs per clutch and nesting up to 10 times a season, only a few hatchlings survive to adulthood and breed. Leatherback Sea Turtles face numerous human-induced threats in the marine environment. They are often accidentally caught in fisheries, and entanglement in fishing gear is common. While many fishers release trapped Leatherbacks, some turtles drown or sustain fatal injuries before help arrives. Leatherbacks can also get tangled in discarded debris, collide with vessels, or mistake floating plastic bags and debris for jellyfish prey, leading to obstruction of the digestive system and eventual death from starvation.

Aggie Pringle celebrated her 54th birthday on Wednesday by embarking on a challenging 26-kilometre walk in the pouring rain.

“One word – damp. Very, very damp. Yeah, it’s been raining the whole time,”  said Aggie.

A dedicated paramedic from Sayward, Aggie chose part of the scenic route from Ucluelet to Tofino for her walk, dedicating a kilometre for every $100 she raised. In total, she raised $2,600 for mental health programs offered by Wounded Warrior Run BC.

“Well, I’m raising money for Wounded Warrior Canada and the Wounded Warrior Run BC specifically. I just wanted to help veterans and other uniformed professionals like myself, a paramedic, get the programming they need. All the programming is funded by Wounded Warrior,” she said.

Aggie has been volunteering as paramedic support for the run since 2018, often trailing runners in an ambulance between Port Hardy and Victoria.

Now, she’s contributing financially as well.

“Two years ago, I could never have imagined doing anything like this. But learning from those super-fit runners, I realized that physical health is just as important as mental health. So I’ve really started to work on the physical part now that my mental health is more squared away,” Aggie shared.

With 33 years as a paramedic, serving communities from Zeballos to Vancouver, Aggie has faced her share of PTSD. She was among the responders at the multi-fatal train derailment in Woss in 2017.

“Thankfully, I’ve not had many ‘Woss’s’, but there are a lot of tragedies I’ve seen throughout my career. The programs I’ve used have really helped me in my healing,” she added.

Aggie’s partner, Vern Coward, supported her during the walk.

“There are people out there who need help, and what she’s doing today is really going to help those folks,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud.”

Aggie hopes to make this an annual fundraiser, aiming to walk the full 42 kilometres next year if she raises $4,200.

The Fin Whale, a large baleen cetacean measuring up to 25 meters in length, belongs to the family Balaenopteridae. Characterized by a hydrodynamically streamlined body and swift swimming capabilities, it is second in size only to the Blue Whale. Most members of this family look similar, making it challenging to distinguish them at sea. The Fin Whale’s distinctive feature is the asymmetrical pigmentation on its lower jaw—dark on the left and light on the right. This pattern extends to part of the baleen plates. In the northern and southern hemispheres, Fin Whales are considered separate subspecies: B. p. physalus in the north and B. p. quoyi in the south. Genetic evidence supports the distinction between North Atlantic and North Pacific Fin Whales as different subspecies, yet new names are pending. In Canada, COSEWIC regards these as separate designatable units. Historically, Fin Whales were heavily targeted during 20th-century whaling, depleting populations in the Canadian Atlantic and Pacific. Nowadays, they are a highlight for whale watching in nearshore Canadian Atlantic waters.

Fin Whales are found almost globally in all major oceans, with highest densities in cool temperate and subpolar waters, and are mostly absent near the equator. They inhabit both oceanic and coastal areas, migrating to high latitudes in summer for feeding and to lower latitudes in winter for breeding. However, they can be found in Canadian waters year-round.

In Canadian waters, Fin Whale habitats are marked by oceanographic features that boost prey production and concentration. In the Atlantic, their presence is often linked to productive oceanic fronts with high densities of euphausiid crustaceans. They inhabit various bathymetric features, from continental shelves to deep canyons in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and topographically varied areas in the Bay of Fundy. In the Pacific, they aggregate along the continental slope, especially where canyons and troughs concentrate euphausiids. They also frequent deep channels between islands along British Columbia’s northern coast. Their presence off both coasts during winter suggests courtship, mating, and possibly calving occur in Canadian waters.

Fin Whales reach sexual maturity at 6 to 8 years and physical maturity at around 25 years, with a lifespan up to 100 years. Their generation time is approximately 25 years. Conception and calving, following an 11 to 12-month gestation, primarily occur in winter. Data from British Columbia indicate that 75% of births occur between mid-October and mid-February, peaking in December. Newborns are about 6 meters long and are weaned at 6 to 7 months. The average interval between births is about 2.24 years, with adult female pregnancy rates estimated at 38 to 50%.

Despite the end of large-scale whaling over 50 years ago, around 20 Fin Whales are hunted annually for subsistence in Greenland, and Iceland hunted 146 in 2018. Increasing ocean noise from oil and gas exploration, shipping, wind farms, and military exercises poses threats, causing displacement, disturbance, injury, and communication signal masking. Vessel strikes are a significant mortality source, particularly in busy shipping areas on both coasts. Fatalities from vessel strikes are likely underreported, as many struck whales sink undetected. Entanglement in fishing gear is another mortality cause, particularly in the Atlantic. Other threats include habitat suitability shifts and toxic pollutants.

The Species at Risk Act (SARA) provides measures for protecting certain listed species, including their critical habitats. Conservation responsibility is shared across Canada, with all Canadians playing a role in wildlife protection. For more information on SARA and provincial or territorial protection measures, consult relevant government websites.

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