Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
west coast of Vancouver Island
Ucluelet residents are being asked to approve borrowing up to $13 million for a new water-treatment system for the community of slightly more than 2,000 on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The goal is to put an end to what’s known locally as “Ukee brown water days.” Council will be permitted to borrow the money unless 10 per cent of electors fill out a form in opposition.
Nootka Sound, British Columbia – The Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canada's oceans and waterways, and is taking action to address the threat posed by wrecked, abandoned and hazardous vessels, including the MV Schiedyk, a historic shipwreck leaking oil off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the award of a $5.7 million emergency contract to Resolve Marine Group of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to remove bulk fuel from the MV Schiedyk. The recent results of a technical assessment determined that immediate action to remove bulk fuel is necessary to protect Nootka Sound, an area rich in natural beauty, history, culture, wildlife, and in the traditional territory of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation.
