A dog has been found deceased east of Cowichan Lake with a gunshot wound to the chest. 

According to Find Lost and Escaped Dogs (FLED), the dog was found on Wednesday up on Hill 60 when volunteers received a call from someone in the Shawnigan Lake area. 

FLED says the male dog appeared to be in good shape and calls the whole situation tragic and horrific.  

“This boy looked in good shape, his teeth were in good shape,” FLED says. “He had one gunshot wound to his chest that was very noticeable.”  

They say crimes like this are becoming all too common and the same justice should be applied to those who harm animals that can’t defend themselves. 

“Someone knows this dog, or has seen it at one time or another,” they say. “Like any other animal, this dog deserves justice and the person who shot this boy needs to be held accountable.” 

If anyone has information on the death of the dog, or if they know who the owner is, they’re asked to contact FLED at 250-479-0911 or send an email. 

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Environment and Climate Change Canada says they’re continuing to predict a wildfire season that could equal or exceed what we saw last year. 

Meteorologists continue to predict weather for spring and summer which could lead to further droughts and with conditions brought on by El Nino they add it could pose a significant increase to the risk of wildfires. 

“Drought conditions are expected to persist in high-risk regions in May, including the southern regions of the prairies and western provinces,” they say in a media release. “We’re forecasting continued above-normal temperatures nationwide for the spring and summer period. 

“Such conditions exacerbate the risk and intensity of both natural and human-caused wildfires.” 

Minister of energy and natural resources Jonathan Wilkinson says additional funding to expand the current FireSmart program is one step towards mitigating risk.  

“Funding in the amount of $1.2 million is an investment that builds on hundreds of millions of dollars we have invested in the past two years towards equipment and training for firefighters,” he says. 

Coastal Fire information officer Jade Richardson says equipment and training is paramount to make sure responders are up-to-date and ready for the season, but to ensure fires don’t spread and get out of control, Mother Nature needs to do her part. 

“What is really important, in terms of the ability for fires to spread and act volatile, is we need widespread and continuous spring rain,” she says. “That will help alleviate the long-term drought, and impact fire season. 

“Rainfall in June is key.” 

Richardson says this year they’re predicting to have the staff, and training, in place to deal with fires as they pop up across the province, and this will aid to mitigate and reduce response times. 

“Training of new, and returning staff is currently underway, and got going this spring across the province,” she says. “We’ve had very good return rates this season, this means knowledge and experience stays in each region and helps support response efforts.” 

She adds the public can do their part to support responders by observing local alerts and bylaws when it comes to restrictions in their region. 

“I think the public does a really good job at being aware of what’s going on and following regulations where they can,” Richardson says. “We really appreciate that partnership with the public, and their dedication to following the rules and regulations.” 

According to the federal government, emergencies are managed at the local level first, and municipalities are responsible to request help from the province, and if they can’t handle it provincial government can request help from the feds.  

The federal government says on average disasters are costing Canadian households an average of $720 per year and is expected to rise around $2,000 per year by 2050. 

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada severe weather has caused over $3.1 billion in damages last year. 

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To reduce emissions BC Transit is purchasing 66 new electric buses for nine regions across the province. 

The buses are on order from Nova Bus and New Flyer and will start to arrive once the 134 new charging ports have been installed in each region and there is infrastructure to handle the load. 

Director of electrification Chad Berndt says right now it’s too soon to determine just how many buses will be allotted for each region, but BC Transit should have an idea soon. 

“We have charging infrastructure programs that are advancing right now through the design process,” he says. “As those projects progress, we’ll be able to identify how many, and the exact timing, as to when buses are going into each community.” 

Berndt says the first buses are expected to start being rolled out next year and into 2026. 

“We expect the first buses to start arriving in early 2025,” he says. “And then be arriving in phases through into 2026.” 

The project, including infrastructure, is expected to cost a total of over $390 million, and Berndt says several factors need to be in place, and partners included, for this project to work.  

He adds it’s critical to ensure there is enough supply which is why they’re collaborating with BC Hydro to make sure the grid can handle it. 

“The utility must be involved,” he says. “There’s power distribution equipment, and the charging units themselves and a dispenser.” 

Berndt estimates each bus will be able to travel up to 350 kilometres once they are fully charged, but the range could vary depending on the day. 

“The batteries are roughly 10 times the size of a car battery,” he says. “We expect, on average, they’ll be able to travel between 250 to 300 kilometres on a single charge throughout the year. 

“On good days they could get as high as 450 kilometres.” 

BC Transit says they’re expecting to procure 115 new battery electric buses with the funding. 

The buses are expected to be distributed to Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler. 

The project is being funded by the Government of Canada, the province of BC and local municipalities. 

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A Civil Resolution Tribunal has awarded over $1,000 to an actor for services and accommodation. 

Amir Gill says he acted in a film being produced by Hunter Village Films but claims the company did not live up to their end of the bargain for compensation.  

According to the judgement from the Civil Resolution Tribunal, Gill was seeking compensation for 13 nights spent on Vancouver Island, unpaid per diem, ferry expenses, and accommodations on the Lower Mainland.  

The report says shooting was expensive, and on top of the promised expenses he [Gill] says he should get paid for shooting fees. 

“This totals $1,393,” the report says. “Mr. Gill also says that Hunter Village owes him for two days of shooting in addition to these expenses, and based off his total claim of $1.893, I infer he claims $500 for the shooting fees.” 

According to the tribunal, it ordered Hunter Village Films to pay Gill $1,123.55 in the final judgement and gave the company 21 days to pay.  

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A Ladysmith swimmer says he is thrilled to have the chance to attend the Olympic Trials in Toronto for swimming. 

Colton Gonzales belongs to the Ladysmith Orcas Swim Club and won six medals at the BC provincial championship in the backstroke, fly and freestyle. 

Gonzales says it is a privilege to carry on a legacy that started with his father. 

“My dad used to swim when he was younger,” he says. “I wanted to see how far I could go, and I was able to swim before I could run. 

“Swimming has always been a huge thing for me.” 

The record for qualifying for the Olympic Trials, according to Gonzales, was 1.11 minutes, which he says was broken during his backstroke swim. 

“I got the time by just under a second,” he says. “I got a 59.89 for my time.”  

The trials are expected to last approximately a week, and Gonzales says for him it is all about being able to see what is involved in making the Olympic team, while not actually earning a spot. 

“I am just going for the experience,” he says. “I want to try something new, so when I get older, and I go again I am ready.” 

He adds all he is hoping to get is a scholarship for post-secondary and says he couldn’t do this without the support of everyone who has helped him get to this point. 

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With an increase in measles, whooping cough, and other preventable diseases around the world the province says they are promoting this year's National Immunization Awareness Week. 

According to the federal government’s website, so far Canada has 50 active cases of measles and estimates a total of 60 cases have been reported so far this year.  

The government also estimates there is one case of rubella syndrome has been diagnosed in across Canada. 

Health minister Adrian Dix says this annual event helps people get the proper immunizations they need to lower the risk to themselves and reduce the impact on hospitals across the province. 

“Immunization plays a vital role in maintaining public health by reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dix says. “It lowers the number of cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities associated with these diseases, thereby improving the quality of life.” 

The province says measles is highly contagious and everyone who has not got their shots should consider consulting their medical practitioner, especially babies and children. 

Dix says this is why the government has implemented a program to offer, and extend, protection for those who need it, crediting medical professionals for their hard work. 

“I want to thank the healthcare professionals who provide information to their patients about the benefits of immunizations, administer vaccines, and help people keep safe from the spread of diseases,” Dix says.  

The province says measles is quickly spread in schools, and children who are not immunized or fully immunized are offered a vaccine or excluded from school. 

The World Health Organization reported a 79 per cent increase in measles cases last year, compared to 2022. 

The last case of measles in BC was reported in 2019. 

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The provincial government says they plan to make significant investments to support the growth of local communities and economies across Vancouver Island. 

Minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation Brenda Bailey attended a media event at Ron Anderson and Sons in Chemainus today where she announced the government’s intention to provide close to f$5 million in funding towards six capital projects and four planning projects. 

According to Bailey the projects will help local manufacturers contribute to local supply chains, grow, and diversify their operations through new product lines, new equipment, and new technology while creating new jobs. 

Ron Anderson and Sons president and CEO Jack Downing says they’re excited to be receiving up to $2 million in funding and plan to use the money towards a project that will use automation and advanced manufacturing to diversify products.  

“We are more than excited to be a recipient of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund,” he says. “By expanding and modernizing our facility in Chemainus, we’re not only creating new local jobs, but increasing supply and accelerating installation, of much-needed wood frame housing across B.C., efficiently and in a sustainable manner.” 

Along with Ron Anderson and Sons, GRT Holdings in Nanaimo will receive up to $735,000 and Aquila Cedar Products in Parksville will get up to $879,000. 

The province says the fund will help create more than 1,100 jobs and protect close to 2,000 existing manufacturing jobs in the province. 

Currently, the fund has committed up to $91 million to BC’s manufacturing sector, which the province says supports 81 organizations to expand and grow. 

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Healthcare advocates across Vancouver Island say the current system is out of proportion when it comes to ease of access for residents north of the Malahat. 

FairCare Alliance issued a report outlining what they call the current healthcare reality on Central and North Vancouver Island saying approximately 460,000 residents currently don’t have access to treatment for lifesaving medical care. 

Donna Hais says with an aging population and 80 per cent of the Island’s First Nations living in the region the  need for care is escalating.  

“If you have a heart attack, the Canadian standard of care for access to a cath-lab is 90 minutes,” Hais says. “There are two cath-labs in Victoria and none north of the Malahat. 

“If there was one in Nanaimo, we would be able to meet that standard of care. We’re the largest population in Canada without access to that standard.” 

The greater Nanaimo area is expected to grow by 13.4 per cent to 134,504 by 2028 and Hais says adding additional services would mean the mortality rate for cardiac care would dramatically increase and would provide increased access to care for those living in rural settings. 

“Our survival rate would be much greater,” she says. “Only 45 per cent of the patients on Vancouver Island have access to proper heart health. If we were to have a cath-lab, and a full cardiac program out of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, we’d be able to service 90 per cent of the population.” 

In a report issued by the Vancouver Island Health Authority, it calls the state of care at NRGH inadequate and outdated because of the age and the limited capacity of beds the facility can accommodate.  

Hais adds to accommodate the region's growth, the province needs to upgrade and provide more services to meet the demands of the city, region, and the island North of the Malahat. 

“We need a commitment from the province on a new 600-bed tower,” she says. “Currently our bed count is 346 beds, and we are well over 400 patients every single day. 

“With the tower people would be able to stay in their homes and their area, rather than travel for healthcare.”

According to the report, there were over 3,300 new cancer diagnoses in 2023 north of the Malahat, with 3,215 in the south along with 2,472 people living with cancer versus 2,192 in Victoria with no oncologists at NRGH to support these patients. 

For more information on healthcare, and how you can help visit their website.

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Whether you are headed into the backcountry for a hike or to camp, Ladysmith Search and Rescue says preparation is the key to survival.  

President Faye Hjort says survival training and preparation isn’t just limited to hiking and camping and people who venture into the backcountry should be prepared every time they go out. 

“Search and rescue are busy all year long, we have a beautiful area for camping, snowshoeing and hiking,” she says. “In all weather people go out, so really there isn’t much of a slow period for callouts.” 

Hjort says calls for service vary depending on the situation and even minor scenarios, although they appear to be trivial, can quickly escalate.  

“They can be simple as someone getting injured from slipping on a rock to miss a scheduled time for coming back that causes someone to get disorientated,” she says.  

According to the BC Search and Rescue Association website, calls for service have been on the rise throughout the province since the beginning of 2023 across the province with 15 per cent of the incidents happening from hiking.  

Hjort says while they have policies in place to find people who have wandered off, the best advice she can give is to just stay put and wait for rescue teams.  

“The best thing is to just stop, don’t panic and take a breath,” she says. “If you feel you are lost, being in one place makes it easier for someone to find you. 

“If you have cell service that is great but stay put and someone will come across you.” 

She says if you are going into the woods, you should always carry essentials including food, shelter, water, a fire starter, small knife, repair kit, first aid kit, and another source of light besides your cell phone. 

If you are planning on having a backcountry adventure, Hjort says downloading the Adventure Smart app would provide anyone with detailed instructions on what to bring and how to plan. 

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The shishalh Nation says they’re officially announcing a plan to bring 10 affordable, refurbished, homes to their community. 

The Nation along with Renewal Development starting trucking homes into the community on Apr. 2, which they say were previously set to be demolished, from Port Moody to Sechelt.  

According to a media release, the project started a year ago when the Wesgroup was approached by Renewal with a plan to build 59 single-family homes which were slated to be demolished in the Inlet District of Port Moody.  

Hiwas chief Lenora Joe says the collaboration will hopefully become a platform across the country to put more homes in Indigenous territory to address housing concerns. 

“The main goal is to provide new homes for our members on Nations lands,” Joe says. “We are thrilled to work with Renewal Development on this innovative form of sustainable housing and pave the way for the future.” 

The release says once the homes reach Sechelt they will be upgraded to meet the needs of the Nation. 

Wesgroup Properties vice president of development Dean Johnson says recycling these homes will give new life into the community. 

“Wesgroup is always looking for ways to reduce construction waste and enhance the sustainability of our developments,” he says. “We’re happy to partner with the shishalh Nation and Renewal Development to give these homes a second life in a new community.” 

The project is to be completed by the end of the year and will be part of phase one of the Nation’s Selma Park subdivision project. 

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