Editorials

A construction worker on a lift works on one of a series of condo buildings under construction on Langley's 200th Street in June, 2021. Thousands of units of housing are under construction in Langley City and Township. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

EDITORIAL: Housing affordability a no-win situation

Someone is going to get hurt no matter what happens

  • Oct 20, 2021
Port Alberni city hall. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)

EDITORIAL: Residents have a say in City of Port Alberni’s vision

The city is going to revamp its Official Community Plan

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers his remarks during a ceremony on Parliament Hill on the eve of the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

EDITORIAL: Prime Minister’s misstep on Truth and Reconciliation Day could be costly

It is difficult not to perceive this as a snub to the survivors in Kamloops…

K’atlodeeche First Nation members Roy Fabian, Fred Martel, Joe Tambour, Vincent Fabian, Frank Fabian, and Derek Fabian, and Chief April Martel take part in a Canada Day ceremony last July. The National Day of Truth Reconciliation needs to be a a day of commemoration of residential school survivors and understanding of the government-run schools’ impact on First Nations. It should serve as an opportunity for healing and the building of a renewed citizenry between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. photo courtesy of Aaron Tambour

EDITORIAL: First National Day of Truth and Reconciliation should build unity

There is no better time for the day to be marked than now…

  • Sep 29, 2021
K’atlodeeche First Nation members Roy Fabian, Fred Martel, Joe Tambour, Vincent Fabian, Frank Fabian, and Derek Fabian, and Chief April Martel take part in a Canada Day ceremony last July. The National Day of Truth Reconciliation needs to be a a day of commemoration of residential school survivors and understanding of the government-run schools’ impact on First Nations. It should serve as an opportunity for healing and the building of a renewed citizenry between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. photo courtesy of Aaron Tambour
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for a photo as he greets commuters at a Montreal Metro station on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

EDITORIAL: Election results the democratic process at work

The voting public has decided the results of the Sept. 20 federal election

  • Sep 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for a photo as he greets commuters at a Montreal Metro station on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Terry Fox ran an average of 42 km a day for 143 days during the Marathon of Hope. (terryfox.org)

EDITORIAL: Hope lives on

41 years after Terry Fox ran, his legacy continues to thrive

Terry Fox ran an average of 42 km a day for 143 days during the Marathon of Hope. (terryfox.org)
James Mollet, 11, takes his turn tending the grill at the 2019 Salmon Fest barbecue. MIKE YOUDS PHOTO

EDITORIAL: Opportunity awaits for Port Alberni’s 2022 salmon derby

Volunteers need to step up if Salmon Fest is to return

James Mollet, 11, takes his turn tending the grill at the 2019 Salmon Fest barbecue. MIKE YOUDS PHOTO
While a ferry, destined for Duke Point from Tsawwassen, departed over 145 minutes late due to a staffing shortage, B.C. Ferries is anticipating on-schedule departures and proper worker numbers for the weekend of Aug. 13-15. (News Bulletin file)

EDITORIAL: BC Ferries signals surrender over Wi-Fi

When the going gets tough, it’s best to quit and move on to something else…

While a ferry, destined for Duke Point from Tsawwassen, departed over 145 minutes late due to a staffing shortage, B.C. Ferries is anticipating on-schedule departures and proper worker numbers for the weekend of Aug. 13-15. (News Bulletin file)
Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

EDITORIAL: Fire demands respect, not disregard

Port Alberni’s fire crews are headed toward a record season, no thanks to bush fires

Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
Voters head to cast their ballot in Canada’s federal election at the Fairbanks Interpretation Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., on October 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

EDITORIAL: Consider candidates carefully in federal election

Campaign signs, advertisements, candidates speeches and other messaging will soon be common…

  • Aug 18, 2021
Voters head to cast their ballot in Canada’s federal election at the Fairbanks Interpretation Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., on October 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

EDITORIAL: COVID-19 still a threat

While many people are tired of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it remains a threat…

  • Aug 11, 2021
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Alberni-Clayoquot branch of the BC SPCA has seen an increase in abandoned roosters ever since backyard chicken coops were approved, and people began hatching their own chicken eggs. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

EDITORIAL: Chickens dumped in bush mean fowl play for BC SPCA

Port Alberni branch forced to house unwanted roosters

The Alberni-Clayoquot branch of the BC SPCA has seen an increase in abandoned roosters ever since backyard chicken coops were approved, and people began hatching their own chicken eggs. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A server delivers food to diners outside Piazza Pellegrini in North Beach on Monday, June 15, 2020. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

EDITORIAL: Where have the workers gone?

High unemployment coupled with high job vacancy rates requires innovative solutions

  • Jul 28, 2021
A server delivers food to diners outside Piazza Pellegrini in North Beach on Monday, June 15, 2020. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
The City of Nanaimo is moving to Stage 3 water restrictions, asking residents to voluntarily conserve water where possible. (File photo)

Editorial: Drought stresses need for water conservation

City of Nanaimo moves to Stage 3 water restrictions, asks residents to be water smart

The City of Nanaimo is moving to Stage 3 water restrictions, asking residents to voluntarily conserve water where possible. (File photo)
The Coastal Fire Centre are looking ahead to the wildfire season on Vancouver Island. (Phil McLachlan – Western News)

EDITORIAL: Wildfire plan can’t come soon enough for Alberni Valley

It’s not like the idea of wildfires in the Alberni Valley is new…

The Coastal Fire Centre are looking ahead to the wildfire season on Vancouver Island. (Phil McLachlan – Western News)
Randy Brown, owner of Wintergreen Apartments on Fourth Avenue, has five trailers and a motorhome at the back of his property that he is renting to people who had been previously homeless. He wants to put 15 trailers on his property, hooked up to city sewer and water and BC Hydro. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

EDITORIAL: Time for Alberni govt’s to deal with RVs used as housing

Two examples show disadvantages of ‘permanent’ housing on wheels

Randy Brown, owner of Wintergreen Apartments on Fourth Avenue, has five trailers and a motorhome at the back of his property that he is renting to people who had been previously homeless. He wants to put 15 trailers on his property, hooked up to city sewer and water and BC Hydro. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
editorial

EDITORIAL: We can’t move forward as a nation without looking back

Never before has a Canada Day been shrouded in such a poignant and emotional mood…

editorial
Most lanes remain closed at the Peace Arch border crossing into the U.S. from Canada, where the shared border has been closed for nonessential travel in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Blaine, Wash. The restrictions at the border took effect March 21, while allowing trade and other travel deemed essential to continue. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

EDITORIAL: Lifting the COVID-19 travel restrictions

It is important to remember the pandemic is not over…

  • Jun 23, 2021
Most lanes remain closed at the Peace Arch border crossing into the U.S. from Canada, where the shared border has been closed for nonessential travel in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Blaine, Wash. The restrictions at the border took effect March 21, while allowing trade and other travel deemed essential to continue. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Salmon Arm RCMP have received several calls about another phone scam targeting area residents. (Black Press Files)

EDITORIAL: Watch out for scam attempts

So far this year, scam activity is showing a marked increase…

The Salmon Arm RCMP have received several calls about another phone scam targeting area residents. (Black Press Files)
Alberni Brewing Company co-owner Heather Welsh said seeing restaurant full of people on May 26 was exciting. The craft brewery was open less than a week when B.C.’s provincial health officer imposed ‘circuit-breaker’ closures in late March to try and stop rising COVID-19 case numbers. (PHOTO COURTESY HEATHER WELSH)

EDITORIAL: Business survival takes heart—community heart

There is something to be said about living in a small town…

Alberni Brewing Company co-owner Heather Welsh said seeing restaurant full of people on May 26 was exciting. The craft brewery was open less than a week when B.C.’s provincial health officer imposed ‘circuit-breaker’ closures in late March to try and stop rising COVID-19 case numbers. (PHOTO COURTESY HEATHER WELSH)