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Wildcraft Forest
Highway 6 summer upgrades emerge
January 24, 2012
A much needed highway improvement will be welcomed by nearly all Monashee area residents. The realignment of Highway 6 between Grey and Ricardo roads in Coldstream might be set to start this summer if final approvals are achieved. If timelines are met, the project might be completed sometime in 2013.
Highway 6 represents the primary service corridor for Lumby and Cherryville and it is uncertain at this time just how local governments, the local Chamber of Commerce and tourism businesses are going to deal with any traffic delays due to construction during peak tourist activity.
The project was first announced in October 2010, and while the construction period might be a bitter pill that businesses and commuters may have to swallow, the positive result will be that an accident-plagued section of Highway 6 will finally be dealt with.
Between 2000 and 2009 there have been 119 reported accidents on that particular stretch of highway which includes a hairpin corner at a rail crossing at the junction to Kal Lake Road; and traveling west, a “pretend” passing lane just after the crossing. Meandering curves continue westward until the highway splits into four lanes.
Ted Osborn director of projects with the Coldstream Ranch told Vernon Morningstar’s Jennifer Smith, “Right now traffic has to slow down to 20 to 30 kilometres to make that corner at the ranch - we’ve been very fortunate to this date to have not had a fatality there.”
The ranch has requested a highway underpass to move cattle and this is one of several parties being worked with to bring the project to a starting point. Property acquisitions are still being worked on and discussions are continuing with rail companies to establish a new railway crossing.
The Agricultural Land Commission needs to approve the project and the Regional District of North Okanagan would like to upgrade water lines at the same time.
Ken Aura, senior project manager with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure remains positive about the work in progress.
“Everybody we’re working with, whether it’s the Coldstream Ranch or whoever, they can immediately see the safety benefits that are going to come out of the end project,” said Aura, who expects construction will wrap up sometime in 2013, if all goes well.”
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Dispose of unwanted medication safely
January 17, 2012
Residents in the North Okanagan can now return their unused medications to their local pharmacy.
Robyn Cooper the waste reduction coordinator for the Regional District of North Okanagan says medication tossed in the garbage or flused down drains can be a serious threat to the environment, children and pets.
The substances ultimately end up in landfills or in our lakes and water systems.
The BC Pharmacy Association started the disposal program in an effort to capture unused or expired medications as a way of making sure that these items are disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner.
People can return most types of medications to any pharmacy that's part of the program.
You can get more details at www.medicationsreturn.ca.
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Call for volunteers for Shuswap River
Watershed Sustainability Plan
Jan. 10, 2012
The Regional District of the North Okanagan is coordinating the development of the Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan. Over the past year RDNO has been undertaking Phase I of the process - Issue Identification which performed the following tasks:
- December 2010 – Stakeholders Workshop
- June 2011 – Two Community Workshops
- Commissioned a Technical Assessment of the Shuswap River Watershed that was undertaken by Golder and Associates
- Co-funded the Mabel Lake and Lower Shuswap River Inventory, Mapping and Aquatic Habitat in conjunction with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the City of Enderby.
In November 2011 another community workshop will be held called Sharing Our Experiences to present the analysis of the issue identification and the results of the two technical exercises described above. RDNO Sustainability Coordinator Anna Page is encouraging volunteers to come forward from the community, interested organizations, agencies and First Nations to populate working groups to inform the plan development.
If you would be interested in being a member of a working group please visit the RDNO website at www.rdno.ca/srwsp review the documents and return a completed volunteer form by January 18th 2012.
For more information contact: Anna Page, Sustainability Coordinator, Regional District of North Okanagan. Email - anna.page@rdno.ca; Phone – 250.550.3789.
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Local Truckers Take Job Action Against Tolko
November 8, 2011
SunFM reported that Tolko has responded quickly to logging truck drivers after some of them took job action Monday morning. Up to 60 contract and independent drivers refused to deliver logs to a number of company operations, including White Valley, Lavington and Armstrong.
Regional manager Mark Tamas says meetings will be held with contracted drivers on a number of safety concerns. He says one issue deals with weight restrictions on the trucks. Interior Logging Association spokesperson Wayne Lintott says another matter involves the heavy traffic on, and the condition of, the Kettle Valley logging road, east of Lumby.
Lintott says drivers also want rate parity with logging truck drivers in the north. However Tamas is making no promises. ``We do feel that we are competitive in this geographic region,'' says Tamas. ``We continually look at how we compare and will continue to do that into the future.'' Lintott says all the drivers will be back on the job Tuesday.
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Engage with local civic candidates
November 1, 2011
Lumby Area All-Candidates Forum
Open to the Public
Monday, November 7th at the White Valley Community Centre
Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Meet and Greet Breakfast with the Lumby Mayoralty Candidates
Thursday, November 3rd at the White Valley Community Centre
Sponsored by the Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce, reserve your $10 tickets in advance. Doors open at 7:30am
Lumby Council due for a big shift
Incumbent Mayor Kevin Acton, Councilor Janet Green and newcomer Jim McEwan will be competing to become the next mayor of Lumby. Councilor Lori Mindnich is the only incumbent seeking re-election on council. The rest of the candidates are newcomers and they include Murray August, Jo Anne Fisher, Judy Gibbs, James Harvey, Nick Hodge, Randal Ostafichuk and Elinor Turrill who served on council prior to 2008.
Fairbairn and Foisy in by acclamation
Area D Director Rick Fairbairn will be in for another term as will Area E Cherryville Director Eugene Foisy. Both were unchallenged.
School District 22 Race
``Unofficial'' list of candidates for School District 22 trustees has been submitted to the public and there is a race in the Monashee. Village of Lumby and Electoral Areas "D" and “E” Trustee Area has two trustee seats available. Incumbent trustee Paula Harned is seeking another term as is former trustee Mitzi Fortin; the third candidate is newcomer Doris Squair.
District of Coldstream Trustee and current board chairman Bill Turanski is unchallenged so he wins by acclamation.
City of Vernon and Electoral Areas “B" and “C” Trustee Area elects four members and there are seven people seeking office. Incumbents Mollie Bono, Steve Connor and Perry Wainright are seeking another term but are being challenged by newcomers John Armstrong, Jim Hart, Tami Ryder, Kelly Smith.
Village says - Water Metering Success
September 21, 2011 from the Village of Lumby newsletter
The Village of Lumby thanks residents for reducing their water consumption so significantly! During 2008 and 2009, water meters were installed in all residential, commercial, and industrial properties as part of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan adopted by council. With meters installed, 2010 was the year to inform residents about the metering program. Customers were made aware of their water usage based on the metered rate, but their bills still reflected the flat rate. Even before the first bill using metered rates was issued in 2011, overall consumption had dropped 21 percent! This compares to the industry standard of 20-25 percent expected after metered rates are introduced. We hope to do even better as the year unfolds.
Thanks again!
Village says - Maple Street Bridge Replacement
and Road Re-construction
September 21, 2011 from the Village of Lumby newsletter
Completion is being achieved on the Maple Street Bridge replacement and road Re-construction project that began in 2010. Finishing touches include installing the curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the south side of the street, new asphalt, and boulevard restoration. This work was made possible through a partnership between the Village of Lumby and the Province of BC through a Towns for Tomorrow grant.
Mable Lake Paving
Dodging potholes has been tricky for residents living out toward Mable Lake, north of Cedar Ridge Street. With this section of the road rated first on our list of road rehabilitation priorities, a paving company was hired to repair and overlay a 300-metre section of this road.
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Village of Lumby and Splats’in First Nation
ink community forest agreement
August 8, 2011
Once again, jurisdictional issues may emerge between the Village of Lumby and Area D, this time it’s connected to a community forest application.
Councils from the Village of Lumby and Splats’in First Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding confirming their intention to pursue a community forest. The formal relationship will support an application to the Ministry of Forests.
Lumby mayor Kevin Acton reported to local media that, “Co-operation is the cornerstone of any partnership and this agreement signifies our willingness to work together to benefit our communities and the land from which we hope to harvest.”
The village was invited by the provincial government to apply for a community forest agreement and it was encouraged to find a partner. This effort resulted in the Splats’in First Nation becoming involved since it has an interest in forested areas that could be considered northwest of the village on lands within the jurisdiction of Area D in the North Okanagan Regional District.
“We both have a common interest in balancing conservation and utilization of our resources in a sustainable manner for current and future generations,” says the Splats’in First Nation.
Staff from the village and band are working with the provincial government to prepare the community forest application for submission this fall. The next steps include formation of a corporate structure, selecting an area for the forest, preparing for open houses to receive community input and finalizing the application.
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Prediction that Vernon-Monashee will go BC Tory
July 18, 2011
If an election were called today, Liberal MLA Eric Foster would lose his seat, and Vernon-Monashee would become one of five BC Conservative seats. That’s an election prediction according to BC Election 2013 which provides analysis concerning the nature of British Columbia provincial politics by reviewing the policy and political impact of government decisions, leading up to the legislated election date of May 14, 2013.
Analyst Sacha Peter admits that this latest prediction uses some fuzzy logic and assumptions. His prediction examines the present political landscape in which he determined that:
1. Adrian Dix is a better campaigner than Carole James;
2. Christy Clark performs a capable, but lackluster campaign like Gordon Campbell’s 2009 performance;
3. John Cummins and the BC Conservatives somewhat get their act together and target old BC Reform-type seats;
4. Jane Sterk and the Green Party continue to mirror their federal counterparts.
He also made some assumptions with respect to certain specific contests that are candidate-specific. He predicts the following Seat count (Popular vote):
NDP – 50 (44%)
BCL – 28 (36%)
CON – 5 (13%)
GRN – 0 (6%)
IND – 2 (Huntington, Simpson)
Peter predicts that Vernon-Monashee will move from the Liberals to the Conservatives along with the ridings of Penticton and Boundary-Similkameen, proving that the Okanagan will become a power base for the rising Conservative party.
Coincidently all three possible Conservative ridings have jail proposals into the provincial government.
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RCMP Commercial Crime Lab investigating jail process
June 30th, 2011
A formal complaint against some local politicians has now been moved to the RCMP commercial crime lab in Vancouver. Area D resident Alan Goettemoeller has told MVS that the crime lab called him with regards for clarification on two of the complaint items.
“I told them they have only received a third of what I have submitted so far, and there are many community members digging for more information to support the complaint,” according to Goettemoeller.
Goettemoeller asked the RCMP to open an investigation on the Lumby jail proposal and on June 9th a complaint file was officially opened. The RCMP says it will be handled like any other complaint.
He says all the information he submitted is to help resolve the substantial conflict fueled by the appearance of a biased council with a pre-determined agenda in the financial interest of some local residents. He stated in a media release that he wants police to collect information on the actions of MLA Eric Foster with regard to his alleged relationship with local residents, who he says helped get Foster elected as Mayor and then MLA. Goettemoeller has complained that Foster suggested council look into a prison and that he may be biased.
Goettemoeller highlights a number of issues within his complaint where he states that Lumby Council allegedly performed in-camera secret meetings and that Council Minutes excludes information.
All information provided by Goettemoeller was submitted without prejudice and he states that now that the file has been opened, anyone who wishes to contribute their information to the file can place their concerns in the hands of the RCMP who will then determine if there is any wrong-doing.
“If those issues warrant, they will lay charges,” according to Goettemoeller.
“I also called the RCMP Community Policing Unit to brain storm for ideas for a healing event, (night, seminar, or outreach program) for Lumby residents who have been outraged or disadvantaged; Inspector Warren Smith will be getting back to me”.
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Breaking News: Bovine TB found in Cherryville
June 22, 2011 - By Don Elzer
My Valley Sun has learned that an outbreak of Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has occurred on a farm in Cherryville. A reliable source who has asked to remain anonymous has told MVS that a number of Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) personnel have been on site in Cherryville and there have been some reports in the community that nearly 400 cattle may have been shipped into quarantine or exterminated.
Today, Christine Russell a media spokesperson for CFIA refused to give a detailed comment to MVS about the reported occurrence, but she did say that CFIA confirmed that “on May 16th a beef cow in British Columbia had Bovine TB”. However, she insisted that any further communication would be managed by an official CFIA spokesperson on the subject.
However, later in the day MVS confirmed that the outbreak had occurred in Cherryville but it remains unconfirmed as to how large the risk is to local livestock, wildlife and human populations.
It is also unexplained as to why CIFA, after 30 days, have yet to go public with the case if this is in fact the confirmed May 16th reportable disease report.
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by an infection in the lymph nodes which is then spread to other organs like the lungs. This disease affects practically all mammals, and before control measures were adopted, was one of the major diseases of man and domestic animals.
In Canada, tuberculosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A previous outbreak of Bovine TB occurred in BC in 2007, but before that, Bovine TB had not been detected in any livestock in BC since 1990, when it was found in a herd of farmed deer. Previous to that event, Bovine TB in BC occurred in 1976.
In 2007, about 470 cattle in British Columbia and Alberta had to be destroyed after a random test showed a bull that had lived in both provinces had Bovine TB.
As many as 30 farms in the two provinces were quarantined. At the time according to the CFIA a bull was found with the disease at a slaughterhouse in Quebec and then the agency traced it back to a farm in Vanderhoof, BC. They then learned the bull was born in Alberta where it spent part of its life. The B.C. rancher had shipped about 400 head of cattle to Innisfail, Alta., and some animals had moved on to another 20 other farms in the province which caused a cascading impact of quarantines.
At this time the CFIA has not confirmed the details of this reported occurrence in Cherryville and MVS will continue to closely follow this story as it unfolds.
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Lumby pulls out of big art
June 19, 2011
The Lumby Village Council has gone out on its own and removed its
contribution towards initiatives that anchor cultural industries. The North
Okanagan Regional District board adopted bylaws that remove the village from
three functions - Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, the Okanagan Film Commission
as well as St. John Ambulance.
Mayor Kevin Acton told local media that the village wanted out of the
functions so it has more control over where its money goes.
"Things are tight in Lumby," he said, adding that council wants to focus
more on Lumby area organizations.
"Someone comes for $800 for a community garden and we squabble about it but
then we give money to the film commission or the symphony, which doesn't
have a significant impact on the community."
Doug Jones, a founder of the Monashee Arts Council, wonders if the village really understands what investment in culture is all about.
"I think this is a very short-sighted attitude on the part of Village Council. It's almost as if they only want to fund things that they can see from the Village office", says Jones.
“The Symphony and the Film Commission do have a positive impact on every Okanagan community large and small. They offer artists an opportunity to move into professional
careers, and the modest contribution by Village taxpayers makes them a partner in these
endeavours - and that's good for artists and the community in the long term.”
Jones added that even St. John's Ambulance is an important cultural partner that offers vital emergency services at cultural events.
Acton says, though, that the symphony, the film commission and St. John
Ambulance are worthwhile groups and there is still the possibility that they
could receive assistance from village taxpayers by approaching the village
directly.
Jones thinks that's unlikely.
"The reason why these are regional functions is to reduce
administrative costs - you can imagine the effort it would take to go cap in
hand to every Okanagan community and ask for a handout.
And what if the shoe was on the other foot and functions like the Arena, Community Hall and Curling rink, for which the majority of funding comes from NORD Area D residents, required that Lumby request participation in each function every fiscal year?”
For the moment Jones isn't optimistic, but hopes Council will change their mind.
"I think it would be more constructive if the Mayor and council will reconsidered their approach and took a broader view of their role in the greater Okanagan community. Perhaps in future Council will consult with artists and musicians
before they make a decision like this”
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Village scores big bucks
from province and Area’s D and E
A $400,000 Towns for Tomorrow grant has been awarded to the village, with most of the funds going towards a new liner at the outdoor swimming pool. The current liner is about 13 years old, and holes appeared within the first week of the pool opening in spring 2010. Upwards of $80,000 has been spent repairing the liner in the last five or six years.
Besides the liner, other changes to the pool will include electric timers, programmable thermostats and motors, and renovations to the pool change rooms. The $400,000 in funds will also go towards a new condenser and dehumidifier at the curling club and at Pat Duke Arena.
According to media reports the total cost for all three projects is $524,525 with nearly $125,000 coming from village, rural Lumby and Cherryville taxpayers.
Earlier funds were also received for a different kind of pool. The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program is providing funds to initiatives at Wilsey Dam and along Bessette Creek.
There is $57,463 going to the Whitevalley Community Resource Centre to create pool habitat along Bessette Creek. It will include the addition of 25 to 30 large woody debris, rock groins and boulder clusters.
A total of $63,000 has also been given to the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program to complete a sensitive ecosystem inventory in the area between the Wilsey and Peers dams. The inventory will identify and map fragile areas key to ecosystem function and ensure species diversity.
The FWCP funds projects to conserve and enhance fish, wildlife and their supporting habitats affected by the creation of B.C. Hydro generation facilities.
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My Valley Sun
blog
index
October 17, 2013
Bullish on the real news in the Monashee
Online Community News for Lumby, Cherryville, Rural Coldstream and Highway 6
We update this website on a regular basis. We are eager to receive your news, events, advertising and letters by email at: mediaservices@uniserve.com
According to the BC Government, construction is expected to begin this summer for the realignment of Highway 6, between Grey and Ricardo roads in Coldstream.
Ministry of Transportation Illustration
Large mudslide hits Village of Fairmont
The second large mudslide hits inland BC in less than a week
July 15, 2012
MVS was just notified by RCMP that on July 15 at 4:38 pm (local time) Columbia Valley RCMP received a call about a mud slide in the Village of Fairmount.
There was an immediate response to this large scale land slide by RCMP and a number of other agencies. The slide has affected parts of Fairmount including Highway 93/95.
The RCMP has activated a provincial multi-agency Incident Command response that is led by a unified command team. The situation is currently being assessed.
No further information is available at this time, updates will be provided by the RCMP as they become available.
Cpl Dan Moskaluk who normally informs media is en route to the scene from Kaslo where he had been dealing with the Johnsons Landing slide and the search for four missing people.
Yesterday, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson released this chronology of events related to the Johnsons Landing landslide that occurred July 12.
“Tonight we can confirm that an email was received by the ministry on the morning of the slide. It is our understanding that the email was not opened until after the landslide occurred.
“The slide was reported to government at 10:56 a.m. We dispatched staff within 30 minutes.
“Right now our number one concern is for those families, and that's what we're concentrating on.”
For many Monashee residents there is nervousness in the air since the Cherry Ridge slide that occurred this spring.
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Landslide at Johnsons Landing near Kaslo
July 12, 2012
Many Monashee residents may have had a grim reminder of the Cherry Ridge slide as events unfold in Johnsons Landing where a slide has devastated homes.
The Kaslo RCMP Detachment along with resources from the RCMP Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment and RCMP Southeast District HQ are currently responding to the landslide incident.
At approximately 11:00 am, July 12, 2012 the Kaslo RCMP received a report of a landslide in the small community of Johnsons Landing. The Kaslo RCMP activated Search and Rescue teams via Emergency Measures BC.
“The RCMP has immediately engaged a large number of resources to address the first priority of conducting a rescue of the affected residents. RCMP officers from the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment and Kaslo Detachment are on scene with support provided by RCMP Traffic Services, Southeast District Air Services Helicopter from Kelowna, two police service dog teams, Underwater Recovery Dive team". Cpl Dan Moskaluk
The Nelson and Kaslo Search and Rescue Teams with vessels and two helicopters are also on scene. The Regional District of Central Kootenay RCMP and Emergency Measures BC are closely monitoring additional resource requirements.
As of 3:15 pm, information indicates that the landslide destroyed three residences. RCMP officers are at the scene and are conducting an assessment to confirm reports that a small number of residents are now unaccounted for. Jonhsons Landing is located on the north east side of Kootenay Lake and is in the Kaslo RCMP Detachment area.
RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl Dan Moskaluk will be responding briefly to media inquiries until 17:00 and will then be out of cell phone range traveling to the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Center in Nelson.
Further information is not anticipated until late Thursday evening or Friday morning.
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New music fest near Echo Lake
June 25, 2012
A new music festival is appearing on the horizon near Echo Lake and for the Regional District of the North Okanagan – noise was on the agenda.
RDNO has given the go ahead for the Whomp Music and Arts Festival to operate an outdoor public address system at a property on Eight Mile Road near Echo Lake.
“There’s nobody living there,” said RDNO Area E Director Eugene Foisy adding that,
“the closest house is one kilometre away.”
Determining that the potential noise impact will not garner complaints, the address system can be used from noon July 14 to noon July 15.
It’s anticipated the event will attract 400 to 500 people.
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Hang glider pilot succumbs to injuries
June 18, 2012
The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of the man who died following a hang gliding incident near Lumby June 11.
He is Richard Michael Wood, 38, from Hope.
Wood was flying his hang glider solo above Lumby. He was coming for a landing shortly before 2 p.m. when something went wrong and he crashed in a field.
He suffered critical injuries in the crash and was taken by air ambulance to Kelowna General Hospital. However, his injuries were too severe and he died June 15th.
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Paragon Mill catches fire
June 11, 2012
A Lumby sawmill that’s been quiet and idle for quite sometime, continues to make the news lately. Friday afternoon Lumby firefighters were quick to respond to the Paragon Wood Products’ mill in the Lumby industrial area.
Heavy smoke was emitting out of an exterior wall on the second floor of the Shuswap Avenue building when firefighters were called shortly after 4 p.m.
Fire chief Tony Clayton, told media that he credits his team for containing the damage.
“There is a risk there with sawmills, as we all know.”
The mill is currently not in operation, but work crews have been working on disassembling the building. The cause of the fire remains under investigation
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Paragon Mill being disassembled
in the wake of rigorous clearcutting
May 25, 2012
While the Village of Lumby secures a community forest for itself it has lost another sawmill.
Paragon which has been located within the village’s industrial lands has been closed for quite some time, however there has been a belief that if the mills owners could secure more timber to supply the mill that it may reopen.
That belief has now been dashed as workers are on site disassembling the mill.
The move raises a number of questions including how the removal of industrial structures on the property might impact the properties tax assessment, which may in turn impact village tax revenues.
It also raises questions regarding the long-term environmental cleanup of the property.
The event was not reported at the latest Lumby Village Council meeting, and the village’s Economic Development Committee has been on hold for quite some time. However with a mill leaving town, village council is still enthusiastic about its planned community forest.
Area D Director Rick Fairbairn had mixed words on the subject when he reported to village council that he had received concerns from local residents about the lack of engagement between the village and the residents of Area D which is where the community forest is to be located.
Fairbairn then shifted his concern to clearcutting, and the fact that Tolko was about to remove 150 truckloads of wood from an area above his farm on Trinity Valley Road, which was also in the immediate proximity of the Ecological Reserve.
“The village should try to negotiate to get that Tolko cutting area moved to the Community Forest license,” said Fairbairn.
His suggestion was met with a comment from Mayor Kevin Acton who said, “The village would be all about preserving trees and less about cutting them down.”
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Lumby votes to decriminalize marijuana
May 8, 2012
Lumby Village Council voted unanimously Monday to ask senior governments to regulate and tax cannabis products.
Coun. Nick Hodge told Vernon media, "It will put cannabis in the same category as alcohol and tobacco. Authorities would be able to control the product."
Vernon, Enderby, Armstrong and Lake Country have all voted in favour of decriminalization.
Mayor Kevin Acton told council he found some negative feedback regarding the proposal, but felt that the move would save a great deal of money.
According to Hodge, government control of marijuana would reduce the activities of criminal organizations.
"It would cut off 70 per cent of their illegal revenues," he said of gangs.
Stop the Violence B.C., which wants marijuana regulated, made a presentation to council in April, but they decided to ponder the proposal until they had more information from the local RCMP and health care professionals.
The federal government is responsible for drug laws and it has indicated that it will not decriminalize marijuana. However, Hodge believes Ottawa won't be able to ignore the pressure coming from communities like Lumby.
"It's a symbolic act but 40 years ago, a (federal) commission stated it should be regulated," he said.
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Connect the Dots
Climate Impact Day in Lumby – Saturday, May 5th
May 3, 2012
On Saturday May 5th Lumby is joining other communities around the planet to connect the dots on climate change. Across the planet we see more floods, more droughts, and more storms. People are dying, communities are being deystroyed — the impacts we’re already witnessing from climate change are unlike anything we have seen before.
But because the globe is so big, it’s hard for most people to see that it’s all connected. That’s why, on May 5, people will Connect the Dots.
In places from drought-stricken Mongolia to flood-stricken Thailand, from fire-ravaged Australia to Himalayan communities threatened by glacial melt, people will hold rallies reminding everyone what has happened in our neighborhoods. And at each of those rallies, from Kenya to Canada, from Vietnam to Vermont, someone will be holding a…dot. A huge black dot on a white banner, a “dot” of people holding hands, encircling a field where crops have dried up, a dot made of fabric and the picture taken from above — you get the idea.
Those images from around the world will be gathered and placed on www.350.org in order to put a human face on climate change.
In Lumby, the gathering is at the edge of the Lumby Public Market inside the Whitevalley Community Centre, Hall C. on 2250 Sheilds Ave. between 10am and 2pm.
Local community workers, activists and dignitaries will speak about local climate impacts. Lumby's Mayor, Council, staff, MLA Foster and RDNO Directors Eugene Foisy and Rick Fairbairn will drop by and say a few words on climate change.
“This is an informal event however, there will be some presentations by various people who have something to say about the impacts of carbon on our climate,” says event organizer Priscilla Judd.
Randy Rauck will be singing a salmon song at 11:30. Huguette Allen will be talking about climate and agriculture.
“I believe someone may be talking about the recent mud slide in Cherryville. In between the speakers, I will be singing about climate and salmon,” said Judd.
”This is our planet and we need to educate ourselves because the consequences of ignoring the situation could mean the death of our planet as we know it. Without air people can't breathe. Without the ocean we will not have oxygen. Every second breath we take comes from the Ocean.”
Judd encourages people to come out and talk about climate change, meet some people, bring ideas, take action and enjoy the music.
For more information about the event, contact Priscilla Judd at 250-547-9475 or by email contact@priscillajudd.ca
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Vernon Jubilee Hospital expansion given green light
April 27, 2012
Health Minister Michael de Jong today announced that detailed planning will begin immediately to add hospital beds in Polson Tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH), with funds set aside as part of Budget 2012.
"Our government is committed to providing the peace of mind of knowing that there will be a hospital bed available when your loved one needs it most," said de Jong.
"Adding new beds in Polson Tower at Vernon Jubilee will help a very busy hospital to provide better care for families living in Greater Vernon."
Final plans - which include type of beds, number of beds, scope of work, the time frame, and estimated cost - will be announced once the planning process is complete. Government expects construction to be underway by spring 2013.
"Since I was first elected in 2009, this has been my top priority. I've been working constantly with local residents and the health minister regarding capacity issues at Vernon Jubilee Hospital," said Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster. "Today's announcement is great news for patients and families in the region, and the result of hundreds of hours of dedicated effort."
Today's announcement that additional hospital beds are coming follows the official opening of the Polson Tower at VJH in October 2011. The $180-million Polson Tower added 16,815 square metres (181,000 square feet) of space to the VJH site. The two unfinished floors were funded by the North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District (NOCSRHD) and were designed for future patient beds.
"We're seven months into providing patient care in the new Polson Tower at VJH," said Norman Embree, Interior Health board chair. "Capacity continues to be a concern in the community and it's important that we focus on all of the pieces of the puzzle. While this includes more beds, it also means supporting healthy communities and ensuring those who no longer require acute care have access to the appropriate services and settings when needed."
"Working in a new state-of-the-art facility like Polson Tower makes a huge difference for health professionals, patients and their families," said Yolanda Short, manager of the women's and children's health services department at VJH. "Building additional beds allows us to address congestion and enhance our service for the residents of the North Okanagan."
More space has allowed for the expansion of operating rooms and the emergency department. Polson Tower also houses a new maternity/paediatrics ward with direct links to operating rooms and expanded ambulatory care and outpatient clinics.
The expanded and modernized facilities provide a better environment for patients and staff. A series of programs and services have also been modernized and consolidated to improve patient care.
"Additional beds at Vernon Jubilee Hospital will help to meet the growing demand today and in the years to come," said NOCSRHD chair Rhona Martin. "Ensuring hospital care is available when needed is an important priority."
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Culture funding might mean staffing for the Lumby Museum
March 30, 2012
At Lumby Village Council, Councilor Randal Ostafichuk reported that the new Monashee Arts Council cultural coordinator might be working out of the Lumby Museum which would provide the museum with much needed staffing as well as performing other cultural related duties.
Ostafichuk is the village representative on the White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee (WVPRCAC).
Monashee Arts Council Director Doug Jones confirmed the possibility but added that MAC is still looking a different work space options to house the staff position and has yet to make a final decision.
Jones also confirmed that WVPRCAC and RDNO has approved the three-year funding agreement with the Cherryville Artisans Association and the Monashee Arts Council.
The agreement provides $29,050 for the Monashee Arts Council to hire a coordinator and perform certain activities; and $6,450 for the Cherryville Artisans Society.
“The agreement sets out the parameters for who can receive funding and reporting procedures,” said Rick Fairbairn, WVPRCAC chairperson.
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Teachers will withdraw services to protest Bill 22
and worsening classroom conditions
Three day strike will begin Monday, March 5th
March 1, 2012
Next Monday, March 5, teachers across British Columbia will begin a legal three-day full-scale withdrawal of services, as permitted under the Labour Relations Board interim essential services order. At 6:00 a.m. today, the BCTF issued notice of the escalation to the BC Public School Employers’ Association.
This step follows a province-wide vote conducted February 28 and 29, 2012, in which 87% of teachers voted “yes” to escalating job action from the limited “teach only” campaign that began last September. In all, 32,209 teachers voted, of whom 27,946 said “yes.”
In a morning news conference, BCTF President Susan Lambert noted that the 75% turnout and 87% yes vote demonstrate to the provincial government that “bullying legislation like Bill 22 will not fix a broken relationship.”
“Teachers take this step very reluctantly,” she said, noting that their “teach only” job action was specifically designed to limit the impact on classrooms while still maintaining an effective voice. “We articulated our objectives as clearly and respectfully as we could, but unfortunately we were pleading to deaf ears,” Lambert said. “The bill tabled on Tuesday was a sign of the appalling disrespect for the profession of teaching, for students, and for public education in BC.”
She urged parents and other concerned British Columbians to contact their MLAs, Education Minister George Abbott, and Premier Christy Clark to urge them not to impose Bill 22 but rather to negotiate a fair agreement with teachers and invest in public education to meet diverse student needs.
Lambert acknowledged that the walkout will inconvenience parents, but asked them to consider that conditions in classrooms have deteriorated over the past decade and will not improve unless teachers take a strong stand. “Bill 22 means children have to wait another two years for any possible hope of guarantees on class size or any real funding increase for students with special needs,” she said.
Lambert pointed to the BCTF’s long history of social justice advocacy—for inclusion of all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, for the rights of girls and women, against racism, homophobia and bullying. “Sometimes—even though you’re afraid, even though the threats seem overwhelming—you have to stand up to a bully,” she said.
The BCTF provincial Executive Committee is meeting today to make further decisions about how actions will unfold in the upcoming days.
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New population stats – village grows to 1731 people
February 8, 2012
According to the new 2011 Canadian Census released Wednesday morning by Statistics Canada, the Village of Lumby has grown in population by 5.9% and now sits at 1731 people. The population of the village was 1634 in 2006.
The 5.9% village growth rate outpaces the North Okanagan average which is 5.1% and falls just shy of Vernon’s growth rate of 6.0%; and keeps pace with the national average.
The numbers indicate that significant errors were being presented by pro-jail advocates and even the former village council who were suggesting that the village population was on the decline.
As it stands, the rate of growth outpaces the forecast within the Regional District of the Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy which was adopted in September of 2011. In its 2011 forecast, the village population is targeted at 1713. If the village maintains its present rate of growth it will reach its 2021 forecast of 1856 people significantly earlier, possibly in 2016.
Area E Cherryville grew at a more modest rate at 0.5% maintaining a 2011 population of 939 people up from 934 people in 2006
In Area D in the Monashee Foothills, a similar modest growth rate was recorded at 0.4% maintaining a 2011 population of 2848 people up from 2837 people in 2006.
British Columbia and in particular, the Okanagan represent the fastest growing populations in Canada. The Okanagan has increased its population by almost 22,000 people over the past five years, largely due to the expansion of its metro areas. Collectively, the Okanagan metropolitan regions surrounding Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton outpaced population growth in both BC (7%) and nationally (5.9%).
In the North Okanagan the population is now 81,237 people up from 77,301 in 2006.
- City of Armstrong grew 13.5% and now has a total population of 4815 people
- Township of Spallumcheen grew 1.9% and now has a total population of 5055 people
- District of Coldstream grew 8.9% and now has a total population of 10,314 people
- City of Enderby grew 3.1% and now has a total population of 2932 people
- Area B lost population by -5.1% and now has a total population of 3046 people
- Area C lost population by -1.0% and now has a total population of 3872 people
- Area F lost population by -3.7% and now has a total population of 3938 people
- What could be considered the Greater Vernon region grew by 5.7% with 58,584 people in 2011 compared to 55,418 five years earlier. The City of Vernon saw a population increase of 6%, rising from 35,979 in 2006 to 38,150 in 2011.
According to Stats Can, 280,784 people resided in the Okanagan in 2011, up from the 2006 Census figures of 258,997. An increase of 21,787 (8.4%).
The Kelowna metropolitan region nearly doubled the national growth rate, with the metro Kelowna area stretching from Peachland to Oyama, growing by 10.8 %. The population increased from 162,276 in 2006 to 179,839 in 2011, while the City of Kelowna increased by 9.6% from 107,035 to 117,312.
Other Okanagan Valley 2011 population figures include population increases:
- Lake Country - 11,708 (21.9%)
- West Kelowna - 30,892 (13.5%)
- Westbank First Nation IR 9/10 - 7,068 (13.9%)
- Peachland - 5,200 (6.5%)
The south Okanagan experienced a slower rate of growth. The greater Penticton area grew by 2.6% with a population of 42,361 in 2011 compared to 41,303 in 2006.
The City of Penticton now has a population of 32,877, an increase of 3% from 2006.
The population figures do not include Indian Reserves. This present StatsCan release is the first of four planned by the research agency; a breakdown of population by age and sex will be circulated at the end of May.
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The above photo is of the current Johnsons Landing Slide. The phot on the right is of the Cherry Ridge slide area looming above Sugar Lake Road.. Small in compaison but still an indication of steep slopes and a landscape at risk.
$29,050 Cheque for Monashee Arts Council
Back row (l-r): Doug Jones, Jennifer Greenwood, Ronan McKenna, Robin Le Drew, Patrick Nicol, Rick Fairburn, and Randal Ostafichuk
Front row (l-r): Nadia Nelson, Maya Johnson
RDNO support for Monashee Arts Council
July 24, 2012
A special cheque presentation of $29,050 was made to the Monashee Arts Council at Lumby Days in June to acknowledge the funding committed for providing arts and cultural services and activities in the Village of Lumby and Areas D & E.
"We are very pleased with the recognition and support that this grant from RDNO to the Monashee Arts Council represents," says spokesman Doug Jones. "The Regional District staff and the members of the Whitevalley Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee have been instrumental in helping us make Arts and Culture programming a priority for our area."
"This financial support will make it possible for the Monashee Arts Council to deliver, for the first time, a program of art classes, workshops, and cultural performances for all the residents of Lumby and the surrounding rural areas beginning this fall and continuing through the winter months."
Jones added, "This grant has raised the profile of the Monashee Arts Council in our community and has resulted in the acquisition of additional financial support from the local community for our programs. We have also been able to create a fund that can be used for matching grants from provincial and federal programs, as well as private sector donors."
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Healthy Tips for the Holidays
December 11, 2012
In anticipation of heavy volumes at area Emergency Departments over the holiday season, Interior Health is reminding the public to take a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital.
For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic.
- Consider going to a local walk-in clinic. Call ahead to check the clinic’s hours.
- Try to see your doctor before the holidays, if you have any developing health concerns.
- Note the holiday hours of your local pharmacy or drug store, and ensure your prescriptions are up to date and filled prior to the holidays.
- Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for confidential health information and non-emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance (TTY), call 7-1-1.
- If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control at 1-800-567-8911.
If at any time you feel that you require urgent medical attention, do not hesitate to go to the Emergency Department or call emergency services at 9-1-1.
In our regional hospitals, emergency services are available 24 hours a day; however, some hospitals may experience higher than normal volumes over the holidays. A triage system is used at the Emergency Department to ensure priority is given to those patients requiring the most urgent care.
More tips for staying safe and healthy:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Get a flu shot.
- Ensure your prescriptions are filled in advance, follow dosage directions and remember to keep your medications with you while travelling.
- Get regular exercise and eat nutritious foods.
- Everything in moderation, including alcohol.
- Keep activities fun and safe.
- Take care driving and avoid taking risks with the weather.
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Weapons stolen from Lumby home
November 20, 2012
A gun locker with weapons was stolen from a Lumby home on Friday, November 9th.
RCMP were called to the 1700 block of Mountain View Avenue Friday night for a report of a break-and-enter to a home.
“The suspects stole a gun locker with three firearms,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
Guns stolen included a .22-calibre rifle, a .12-gauge shotgun and a 9-mm handgun. Ammunition was also stolen, as were stereo equipment and computers.
Anyone with information can contact the RCMP at 250-547-2151.
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Police raid takes down grow-op on Highway 6
November 19, 2012
A large marijuana grow operation was taken down earlier this month in a significant sting assault. Police officers from the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP detachment, air services division and the Lower Mainland’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), which is trained to search in confined spaces, attended a residence in the 1800 block of Highway 6 near Cherryville.
“The property was searched and the officers located one male suspect on the property,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. “They found a two-level confined space concrete bunker with a multiple stage growing operation.”
Half of this operation, said Molendyk, was being powered by a generator, and the other half was being powered by a Hydro connection.
The concrete bunker was secured and the air quality of the area was checked by ERT members before this very sophisticated grow operation was able to be dismantled.
Officers seized 4,608 plants.
As part of the ongoing investigation, officers are looking into the origin of the generator.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Kelowna man, is expected to face charges of production and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
“The dismantling of this grow operation is part of the continuing commitment to our strategic priorities for the region in dealing with the production of marijuana,” said Molendyk.
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Interior Health public flu vaccination clinics are underway
October 31, 2012
In light of the recent temporary suspension of Novartis vaccine products (Agriflu and Fluad), Interior Health has advised the public that their public flu clinics will continue as scheduled using their primary vaccine product Vaxigrip.
Novartis products comprise less than 10% of the vaccine supply in Interior Health. Interior Health has been using another vaccine product for the majority of this year’s influenza vaccination campaign which is not affected by the suspension. This product will also continue to be available through community vaccine providers such as doctors and pharmacists.
On October 26th, Health Canada issued a voluntary suspension of the use of Novartis influenza vaccines due to the presence of small particles found in the vaccines in Europe. The suspension is a precautionary measure. B.C. has temporarily suspended the use of these vaccine products.
The public can be assured that all lots of the Novartis vaccines received in B.C. had passed Health Canada's inspection systems with no concerns and that there have been no reports in Canada or internationally of any increased side effects or health problems from the Novartis vaccines.
It should be noted that today Health Canada cleared the use of Novartis vaccines but recommending some cautions. Interior Health has yet to make a statement regarding the Health Canada update.
According to Interior Health getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from the flu and its complications. Seniors, infants under five and people with chronic illness are most at risk of serious illness or complications that can result from the flu.
“Many people incorrectly use the term flu to refer to any illness caused by a virus, such as the stomach flu or the common cold. However, the influenza virus causes illness that tends to be more severe than other viruses,” said Dr. Rob Parker, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. “Influenza is an infection of the upper airway. A person with influenza is at risk of other infections, including viral or bacterial pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.”
Influenza is the leading cause of preventable death due to infectious disease in Canada, killing thousands of Canadians every year and hospitalizing thousands more. Influenza (the flu) spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, face-to-face contact and by touching surfaces such as door knobs and telephones that have been contaminated with the virus.
“People can spread the influenza virus before they show any symptoms at all,” said Dr. Parker. “That’s why it is very important to wash your hands throughout the day – especially after sneezing, or coughing as well as before and after visiting daycares, hospitals or health-care facilities. And, if you are feeling sick, stay home to avoid exposing others to the virus.”
The flu shot is a safe, effective way to reduce the chances of getting and spreading influenza. Those who are not eligible for the free clinics can still get a flu shot. Check with your pharmacist or doctor to find out about getting vaccinated.
Flu shots are available at free flu clinics for:
- People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts
- All children age 6 to 59 months of age
- Household contacts and caregivers of infants age 0 to 59 months of age
- Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
- Aboriginal people
- Children & adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Aspirin® or ASA and their household contacts
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season and their household contacts (pregnant women who are in other high risk groups can be immunized at any time during the pregnancy)
- People who are very obese (BMI > 40)
- Health-care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza disease to those at high risk of influenza complications
- People who provide essential community services (First Responders, Corrections Workers)
- Inmates of provincial correctional institutions
- People who work with live poultry and/or swine
- Individuals who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g., crew on ships)
To find a flu clinic near you, of to learn more about the influenza vaccine visit http://www.interiorhealth.ca or call your local public health office (look under Interior Health in the blue pages of your phone book for your local health unit). Information is also available at www.immunizebc.ca.
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"Defend Our Coast" rally today
October 24, 2012
Residents of the Monashee will join other North Okanagan residents in an effort to stop pipelines and tanker traffic in BC. On Wednesday October 24th at noon in front of MLA Eric Foster's office at 3209 31st Ave in Vernon, residents will attempt to let him know that “BC is not for sale”.
Organizers are hoping that momentum from Monday's anti-pipeline protest in Victoria will carry over into rallies planned Wednesday outside MLAs' offices in 63 communities across the province. 3,000 people attended the mass demonstration at the B.C. legislature, organizers hope thousands more take part at similar "Defend Our Coast" rallies Wednesday.
Enbridge Inc. wants to build two 1,100 km pipelines to Kitimat, B.C, where the oil would be loaded onto 225 tankers each year. These mega ships would then have to make their way through the narrow channels and fjords of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Kinder Morgan wants to expand its pipeline from the oilsands to Burrard Inlet. If their plan went ahead, every day an oil tanker would sail past Vancouver, Victoria and the Gulf Islands.
CN Rail wants to load oil onto trains to Vancouver or Prince Rupert. Tankers would sail through either B.C.'s north or south coast on their way to Asia.
According to the SEN Society in Vernon, demonstrators are saying “no” because there is to much risk and that companies can't eliminate and can't predict oil spills. They happen because humans make mistakes and machines break. A single oil spill will devastate lives and decimate wildlife throughout BC, particularly on the coast, in rivers and in the ocean.
According to a SENS media release, “There's no need to accept the risk. Far more jobs would be put at risk than created in B.C., and ramping up tar sands production to feed Asian demand is not in the national interest. Given that oil is a non-renewable resource, we think it should be used wisely, and in the long-term best interests of Canadians”.
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Get Ready To JAM Oct 5th!!
September 26, 2012
The local area music Jam season starts Friday October 5th at the Blue Ox Pub in Lumby and will run every Friday until the end of May.
This will be the 4th year running of the Jam and will once again be hosted by "The Mabel Lickers" and Friends. The goal of the Jam has always been to inspire local music artists from Lumby and the surrounding areas to get out and play their music and or sing their songs to a welcoming crowd of music lovers. Last year a dancing area was also added so dancers can get up and shake their tail feathers when they wanted.
“Original music is also encouraged and a live recording session is being planned for some time in December. Come on down and join the fun and entertainment Friday nights from 9-1ish,” said Randy Rauck the Jam coordinator.
The Mabel Lickers start the night and the jam usually kicks in around 10.
More info, links and photos of the jam can be found at www.RauckOn.com
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Monashee Arts Council Fall Program Guide
September 10, 2012
Residents of Lumby, Area D and Area E have just received the premiere edition of the Fall Program Guide for Art Classes and Community Performances.
“We’ve been working with local artists and performers to create a really diverse schedule of arts classes and workshops, we feel we’ve got something to offer everyone - from novices to experienced artists, and from children to seniors,” says Jennifer Greenwood the Monashee Arts Council Coordinator.
The Monashee Arts Council is able to present the classes, workshops and performances beginning this month thanks to the hundreds of volunteer hours from many area artists and community members which was then supported by funding from RDNO White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee.
“I’m very pleased with our monthly performing arts schedule for the fall, which will include a documentary film screening about former CBSS art teacher Sveva Caetani, a world music drumming concert, and a program of Christmas music featuring Paul Moore and our own choral group, the Harmonashees. It’s going to be great,” said Greenwood.
Registration begins immediately and can be done by phone, email, postal mail and also in person at the Monashee Arts Council office.
“We want to make registration as convenient as possible, so in addition to payment by cheque and cash, we are offering credit and debit card payment,” said Greenwood.
The Monashee Arts Council office is located at 1961 Vernon Street in Lumby, telephone at 778-473-3029, mailing address PO Box 1200, Lumby, BC V0E 2G0, or email monasheeartscouncil@gmail.com
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Local Report: Wolves attack cattle in Cherryville
Grizzly gets caught in a wolf trap
August 15, 2012
MVS has received a report from a Cherryville resident that wolves have killed up to five cattle on a Cherryville ranch. While this report remains unconfirmed at this hour, we’re told that provincial conservation officials have been on site attempting to trap the problem wolves.
The resident reported to us that on one occasion a grizzly bear was caught in a trap instead of a wolf.
As early as last year conservation officials have been concerned about the expansion of clearcuts from the Monashee into the Kootenays. The open terrain allows for wildlife range to expand and allows for predators such as wolves and grizzly bears to cover a wider territory and move into new areas.
Over the past two years, grizzlies have been regularly spotted in the Rawlings Lake area which is about 6 km from Lumby. Wolves are becoming more common in the Trinity Valley area and the population of both species seem to be increasing in the Cherryville area.
Much of what we know about these sightings and population increases are as a result of informal reports from local residents.
The provincial government has admitted that, “Clear-cut harvesting and high densities of active resource roads increase the effectiveness of predators, particularly wolves. Clear-cut harvesting also improves forage availability for wolves, which increases wolf density and predation pressure on caribou.”
These are Gray Wolves which have continued to exist across British Columbia since before European settlement in North America. Main prey for wolves there are moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, deer, beaver, mountain goat and elk. There is believed to be 8000 wolves in BC and their population is increasing.
In July of this year the CBC reported that Parks Canada is monitoring a pack of wolves that have attacked and eaten two dogs hiking with their owners near the Jasper townsite.
"This pack is growing up with a lot more interaction with humans," says Saajke Hazenberg, a wolf biologist in the national park.
"Not having negative consequences — and having eaten a few dogs — they associate people with dogs, with food," she said. "This is the start of the habituation cycle we are trying to avoid."
Over the past year the pack has killed two dogs that were on area trails with their owners.
Jasper resident Kirsten Boisvert ran into the wolves on a wooded trail near Pyramid Lake just north of town in early June.
Her dog Kona strayed into the bush and returned with company — a gray wolf.
"My dog was pretty scared," she said. "The wolf was hovering around him and running straight at me. I was a little scared."
Boisvert, sandwiched between her dog and the wolf, picked up a stick and began waving it. She managed to back up through the woods to the highway where she and Kona jumped into a passing car.
"This whole time he was pursuing me," she said.
The park, visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, is keeping a close eye on the animals.
Problem wolves are normally tracked with GPS, but staff have been unable to put collars on animals in the problematic pack.
Park officials are urging dog owners to keep their pets on leashes and to carry pepper spray.
"We are just concerned about the whole shift from dogs to people," said Steve Malcolm, with Parks Canada.
"That doesn't happen very often, but wild animals are wild animals," he said.
Ultimately, if the wolves become more aggressive, the park may have to take drastic action, closing certain areas or even culling wolves, Malcolm said.
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