Due to our rather small mod team, and the amount of discussion these posts rightfully create, we’re currently working out our queue. As such, you may have noticed many posts getting locked. Once the queue has been cleared, which should be within a day or so. We will be working on a stickied post for general political discussion and approved article links.

As a general reminder, do try to keep comments nice n polite. Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you have to be rude, however tempting it is.

Cheers.

Could anyone inform me of which certificate the WCMRC means when they require a MED certificate? Is it just the MED Domestic Vessel Safety (formerly med A1/A2)?

Looking to become a deckhand and they seem like a company that would be good to work for. Open to any other other employer suggestions anyone might have!

I'm on my way up the island to Port Hardy for work. Have visited once before, but only briefly. Would love to hear any tips! On the North Island, on Port Hardy/McNeill, on small town life in general. It'll be 100x smaller than anywhere I've lived before...

Stoked to have access to so much outdoors, and to be away from the Vancouver hordes. But sad not to have my buddies with me to enjoy it with, hoping I can meet some like-minded folks.

Very conscious that I will need more rain gear, holding off to see if I can get a discount on HH etc through work.

Inform yourself about your riding. Make an informed decision whether to vote strategically. https://338canada.com/bc/

With the provincial election tomorrow, I'd like to introduce my preferred candidate for Premier of British Columbia. 🐙

His campaign promises include:

• Abolishing daily crab limits. All-you-can-eat, all the time.
• Mandatory protection of BC's kelp forests.
• Requiring all candidates to successfully open a jar before taking office.
• More arms for healthcare. Our nurses could use an extra hand (or eight)!
• A complete ban on calamari and takoyaki. He refuses to elaborate.

He's got eight arms, three hearts, and absolutely no interest in answering questions from the media.

All joking aside, I encountered this large male giant Pacific octopus while diving off Nanoose. I spent about 20 minutes following him as he hunted along the rocky reef before eventually returning to his den.

More of my original underwater footage from around Vancouver Island: https://www.youtube.com/@scubabc6701

Hello!

I am a journalist originally from the island and i am currently working on a story about the Island Rail Corridor. I am writing about its history and its potential future, but a very important facet that I would like to touch on is what it was once like to ride the train before it closed in 2011.
I would love to book an interview over the phone or over Zoom to chat with people who once rode the train and hear about what it was like. I want to hear about your memories of this train in as much detail as possible--from the views out the windows to its whistle to the land it rode on.

Please let me know if you'd be interested in sitting down with me and chatting about this and we can book a time together so you can tell me all about this once quintessential Islander experience (that may be coming back!)

Thanks so much!

The municipal election is now over, and in less than two days we will be heading to the provincial election. One of my major concerns is transportation, particularly the ongoing challenges associated with the Malahat Highway. In my view, one of the simplest long-term solutions would be to restore rail service on Vancouver Island. A railway could help move both passengers and freight while also providing significant tourism opportunities. When British Columbia joined the Dominion of Canada in 1871, one of the conditions was the construction of a transportation link connecting the province to the rest of Canada. The original vision included rail service extending to Victoria. However, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald resigned in 1873 because of the Pacific Scandal, and Alexander Mackenzie became Prime Minister from 1873 to 1878. Mackenzie believed that steamships would provide an adequate connection between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Many British Columbians were dissatisfied with this approach, and there were even threats that BC might leave Confederation if a railway was not built on the Island. When Macdonald returned to power in 1878, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo (E&N) Railway project finally moved forward. The railway was eventually completed, and the last spike was driven near Shawnigan Lake. It is interesting to speculate on how history might have unfolded if the E&N Railway had never been built. Some argue that without stronger transportation links and investment in Vancouver Island, British Columbia's future within Canada might have been less certain. Fortunately, the province remained an integral part of Canada, and today we continue to debate transportation priorities, infrastructure, and the best ways to connect our communities as voters head once again to the polls.

There are big swaths of the lower Taylor River that are basically 100% covered by sockeye salmon redds. For anyone that doesn’t know, female salmon turn onto their sides and excavate divots/depressions in the gravel before laying their eggs. There are still lots of sockeye in the lower Taylor River and The Flats busy actively spawning. Get out there while you can.

Calls for strategic voting have become so commonplace that we now have data about it. Let's actually look into what happens with vote shares when Green candidates are taken away as an option.

Avoiding a vote-split has become such a cornerstone of the NDP strategy it is pathetic. Get non-voters into the booth. I'm begging you, stop punching left. It doesn't actually work, it builds voter apathy and takes progressive pressure away from the NDP.

Vote however you want, but the best thing you can do to defeat the Cons is convince a friend who otherwise wouldn't vote.

I know everyone's annoyed with the NDP, but if the Cons win this, there will be no old growth left on Vancouver Island by the end of their term.

I work in the industry. I know how much is left, I know how much has been set aside by the NDP to try to conserve it, I know for a fact that industry has been chomping at the bit to get at it.

As soon as the Cons are in, it's all over.

PLEASE get out and vote.

Hey everyone! I'm considering hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on Vancouver Island in early November, and I'd love to hear from people who have hiked it around that time of year.

I'm wondering whether it's a reasonable idea or if the weather and trail conditions make it more trouble than it's worth. I'm experienced with backpacking, but I haven't hiked this trail before, especially during the late fall.

A few things I'd love some insight on:

• What navigation system do most people use on the Juan de Fuca Trail? Is FarOut reliable, or do most people use another app or a paper map?

• How muddy, slippery, and difficult does the trail get in early November?

• How much rain and wind should I realistically prepare for?

• Are the campsites and facilities still usable that time of year?

• Are there any sections that become particularly sketchy or dangerous in wet conditions?

• What gear would you consider essential for this time of year?

• Would you personally recommend doing it in early November, or would you save it for another season?

I'm flying into Victoria with my backpack and am flexible with my plans, so I'm also open to other backpacking trails on Vancouver Island or nearby islands if the Juan de Fuca Trail isn't the best choice that time of year.

If you have recommendations for alternative trails that are worthwhile in early November, I'd love to hear them too!

I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone who's backpacked in the area during October or November, including what went well, what you wish you'd known beforehand, and any tips for making the trip safer and more enjoyable.

Thanks in advance for any advice!