Nelson  

Commercial STR owners criticize new regulations, asking for more clarity on strata hotel designation

Long-term pain in short term

Photo: Flickr

Housing Minister said that commercial STR hosts have the option of switching to a strata hotel format amid the regulation changes

Two commercial short-term rental (STR) hosts in Nelson have expressed frustration over new regulations, citing that their properties aren’t suited for long-term rentals (LTR).

The first phase of the provincial government's principal residence requirements took effect on May 1, 2024. This restricted STR hosts to a single primary residence in urban areas with room for a secondary suite or laneway house.

Hosts were also required to obtain a valid business license and later required to share their suite data with their municipality. The registry will become completely operational on May 1, 2025, and by June 1, the government will begin to remove properties that aren’t adhering to the new guidelines.

These changes now encompass both residential and commercial STR properties.

Karen Belland said that commercial properties like hers should not be placed in the same category as residential ones.

“I think there are about 45 of us that have commercial properties in and around Baker Street. We’re all being forced to shut down our businesses.”

Belland owns a commercial property in downtown Nelson, and two residential ones in Rossland. She said that she anticipates long-term renters who live in the same dwellings will be more inclined to switch to STR because of the changes.

She added that she believes that these new regulations fail to fix the problem.

"By restricting commercially-zoned STRs, the government is jacking up the demand for residentially zoned STRs which will reduce the number of LTRs available rather than increasing them."

Another issue that commercial STR hosts said they are facing, is that Nelson isn’t privy to the same exemptions as some of their neighbouring municipalities. This is because they have a population greater than 10,000 and aren't a designated resort town.

Communities do, however, have the option to opt out if they have a vacancy rate of 3 per cent for two years.

Essentially, if communities increase their housing supply in a manner that allows the people in the community to access housing, they can use the excess housing for STRs.

As it stands right now, Belland said that one solution she and others will have to consider is moving their businesses elsewhere.

“I could see people doing that for sure,” she said.

However, Cal Renwick said that people shouldn’t have to move to be able to keep their properties.

He purchased a space designed for STRs in 2019 but now faces restrictions due to legislation requiring owners to live on-site.

Renwick said that the commercial property he rents out in downtown Nelson is not conducive to a LTR or a strata hotel model.

“For instance, if you want to take the garbage out, it's over a block walk just to take the garbage out," he said, adding that he isn’t interested in moving his business elsewhere, like others may be considering.

“I’m happy here,” he said. “We're not prepared to move, nor do I think we should be. I don't think that's a solution.”

Renwick said that the provincial government should have considered a slower approach to the regulatory changes. He said that a one-size-fits-all approach to opening up more housing doesn’t work, and grandfathering existing owners in to new regulations would have allowed people the time to asses their situations.

“Nelson could have been a poster child for the province,” he said. ”Part of the problem is ... the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)."

He suggested that adding more balance to the RTA would make landlords more comfortable with transitioning to LTRs.

One thing that has scared some STR hosts away from opting to operate as strata hotels is having to employ front desk administration and the huge increase in property taxes.

The switch would make it so STR hosts have to pay similar property taxes as hotels do.

However, Renwick said he doesn't blame the city. He believes that creating more housing is the provincial government's responsibility and shouldn't be implemented in a way that negatively impacts good-faith landlords.

Despite this, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ravi Kahlon, said that the new STR registry is necessary to capture data within the housing market in order to get more housing back online.

“It ensures that all local governments know what is being operated,” he said. “ Due to some of the money laundering work that we've been doing, it gives us the ability to link those two systems together.”

Kahlon said that the answer to many of the concerns expressed by STR rental owners is simple. Someone operating a commercial STR can apply to become short-term hotel if they’re operating a building suite.

Belland has argued that this doesn't apply to her suite as she doesn't own a building.

But Khalon said that he is not entirely sure what people feel the difference is.

He explained that the core reason behind some of the changes to these regulations is to make sure homes that could be made available for people to rent for the long term are prioritized.

According to the Minister, this is in response to a significant increase in investors buying up units and complete homes, placing them on the market for STRs, and operating them as hotels.

“Yet at the same time, people in our communities are struggling for housing,” he said. “It’s not fair.”

Nelson's vacancy rate currently sits at 0.8 per cent.

Although the numbers don’t sounds great, Kahlon suggested that these changes have made a difference in just a small amount of time.

When the new regulations were announced in October 2023, Nelson’s vacancy rate sat at 0.6 per cent

Kahlon said that he understands landlord's frustrations but explained that he is also frustrated with the for-profit housing model that has only benefited some.

"I've heard from so many people who are now moving into house rentals that now have stable housing because of it."

According to the provincial government, just under 200 structures have been installed in the Kootenay region since the changes, with another 98 currently under construction or in development.

“We're not there yet. We still have more work to do.”

Wildsight provides tips on how to create a pollinator garden

Create a pollinator paradise

Photo: Caroline Collier

"I developed one in town, which has been the most successful," said Wildsight's Caroline Collier, commenting on her efforts to create more pollinator gardens.

Although they are pretty to look at, pollinator gardens also serve a unique purpose.

They not only provide a place for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, ants, beetles and hummingbirds an abundant area to do what they do best, they also reduce the need for pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals. This, in turn, makes the crops that we grow healthier to consume.

"If you've got any kind of a food crop, your native bees and other species will be much better at pollinating and giving a healthier crop," said Caroline Collier with Creston Valley Wildsight.

Wildsight has started an initiative providing tips and advice for anyone who is interested in creating their own pollinator garden.

Pollinators are also responsible for fertilizing around 75 per cent of the food we eat. The problem is that there are many different factors that have contributed to the decline of native plants that help nourish pollinator species.

Collier explained that houses that we live in have displaced native plants; the roads, the fields and most everything that we do displaces native plants. More recently, pollinator habitats have been on the decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.

According to the federal government, 19 per cent of butterfly species are at risk of becoming endangered or extinct.

"In the Creston area, in the Kootenays, they're still surviving up on the mountains," Collier.

She continued to explain that there are many different ways that people can create their very own pollinator paradises right in their backyards. However, it may not be as simple as venturing off in to the wilderness and taking a plant home with you.

"It's a much bigger learning curve," said Collier.

The first thing you need to learn before starting your own pollinator garden is to get to know more about the about the wildflower or plant species you are looking to grow.

Collier said that it is important to be able to recognize the plant when its in a seed stage because it will look different when its in bloom.

Before heading out in the wilderness its important to educate yourself with the proper ways to remove a plant to ensure you are not taking too much of it. Afterwards you need to decide where to plant it. It's vital to be mindful and choose a spot where it will not disrupt other native plant species.

"I'd grow mine (milkweed) along a fence line," said Collier. " You can control it without too much difficulty. You just have to know how to grow it."

For more information, visit the Creston Valley Wildsight website, call Collier at 250-431-8609 or email Rebecca at [email protected].

Salmo Lions to speak at next village council meeting to argue proposed mobile food vendor policies

The Lions push back

Photo: Contributed

The Salmo Lions Club will present their concerns that detail the increasing pressure of service clubs at the next Village council meeting.

The Salmo Lions Club said they plan to submit a delegation to defend their recommendation of limiting the number of mobile food truck vendors and the variety of menu items during the Canada Day weekend.

During an April 17 meeting, Salmo Lions Club members reviewed a letter they penned in favour of the requests, highlighting the vital role that volunteer service clubs play in rural communities.

"Our main source of revenue comes from the concession stand at KP Park on Canada Day weekend — monies that go back into the community," the letter explained.

The letter continued to express that the Salmo Lions Club is 62 years old and is comprised of a small group of volunteers who work together on local projects. The letter added that the club has taken the lead on maintaining the upkeep of the Railway Gardens, the outdoor skating rink, in addition to raising funds for youth sporting events and hospital equipment.

Members hinted that if their ability to generate the bulk of their revenue was to be impeded during the Canada Day weekend that they would be less inclined to continue to help with some of these volunteer-based initiatives.

One member responded to the Salmo council requests about holding other events if the proposed changes were implemented.

"I would be threatening to say we're pulling out doing the skating rink, doing the flowers (for the Railway Gardens) all these things that actually benefit the community that is going to cost tax dollars if they go forward with this," said member Doug Lockwood.

The six members in attendance stressed that the Canada Day weekend is a crucial time for the club, stating that they make a large portion of their revenue from that weekend alone.

"We can't compete with a business if we're not trying to be a business," said member Shivaun Perez. "We're just asking for one weekend."

The meeting concluded with plans to prepare a delegation to advocate for the club's interests. Members said that they will present their concerns at the next Village of Salmo council meeting scheduled for April 22.

Ostrich farm court pending a final decision

Ostrich farm fate looms

Photo: Katie Pasitney

The fate of 400 ostriches will be decided anytime between April 17 and April 22.

The two-day judicial hearing between Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) concluded on Wednesday, and a decision on the fate of 400 birds is expected to be made anytime between now and April 22.

The legal proceedings started on Dec. 31, when the CFIA issued a notice ordering the culling of the farm’s 400 ostriches following an avian flu outbreak.

During the first day of the hearings, the lawyer representing the farmers addressed the court. Michael Carter detailed the correspondence between the farm and the CFIA leading up to the hearing. He argued the CFIA failed to follow its policies and that the government agency failed to properly address the new emerging variant of avian flu.

Carter added that the CFIA’s definition of poultry should not include the farm's ostriches and did not fall under the agency's guidelines. Referring to the Dec. 31 notice issued by the CFIA, Carter argued that the government didn't have enough proof at the time and that the decision was “fatally flawed.”

Another lawyer representing the farm, Lee Turner, argued that the CFIA had failed to meet the required responsibilities for testing, monitoring and research. They went on to say the CFIA failed to consider antibody research being offered by other medical professionals.

Carter concluded by speaking about the farmers 35-year dedication to the farm.

"These animals have names," he said "They're pets."

During the second day of the hearing, the CFIA argued that a doctor's testimony submitted by the farm, which argued the birds had herd immunity and shouldn't be culled, should be struck from the record and deemed "inadmissible."

The CFIA said their main concerns pertain to the new-found strain of avian flu. They said that even if the majority of the birds appear healthy, they can still harbour the disease and spread it to other migratory birds.

The government also expressed concerns surrounding reports of increased mammal-to-human transmission. Lawyers cited a case where a B.C. teen was hospitalized after they were believed to be the first person to be infected with avian flu (H5N1) in Canada. The teen has since recovered.

The judge assured the courts that each side would be provided an equal amount of time to state their case, but farm owner Katie Pasitney claims that didn't happen.

"We didn't get an appropriate amount of time, we agreed it was going to be 50-50, and it didn't end up that way," she said. "They did it on purpose."

The judge was expected to make a decision by the end of the day on Thursday. Due to the upcoming long-weekend, the latest time a decision will be announced is April 22.

"We're prepared for the worst cases scenario and we're prepared for the best cases scenario," said Pasitney.

Nelson’s artist-run-centre puts out call for submissions to Members’ Show

Call for entries at Oxygen

Photo: Thomas Nowaczsynki

Nelson's Oxygen Art Centre outside alley entrance, 2022.

Membership does have its privileges.

Especially when the privilege is to answer the call for work — from the Oxygen Art Centre — to regionally-based artists working in all mediums and at all stages of their careers to participate in the 2025 Members’ Show.

Artists are invited to apply before Sunday, May 4 (at midnight) to participate.

However, to participate an artist must submit a $20 participation fee and be an Oxygen member in good standing. Memberships are $2-$10 each, and directly support the artist-run centre.

• People can become a member quickly before applying.

Proceeds from the Members’ Show go directly toward Oxygen Art Centre’s operations, said Julia Prudhomme, Oxygen executive director.

“This exhibition supports our capacity to program exhibitions, offer art classes, and promote dialogue amongst our arts communities,” she said in a statement.

The Members’ Show is a great way for artists in the community to connect and develop new audiences while offering an entry point into the practices of artists in the region, Prudhomme added.

How to apply

Artists are invited to submit one artwork in any size or media; however, smaller two-dimensional works are encouraged.

Works should arrive ready to hang or install. Oxygen has a limited number of plinths, so three-dimensional works might need alternate plans for presentation to be arranged with the centre.

To include video works in a looping compilation, please send your video file directly to [email protected].

• Members’ Show application form is available here.

Artists can drop-off their work on Friday, May 9, or Saturday, May 10 between 1-5 p.m. at Oxygen Art Centre.

Further afield

The public are invited to celebrate their artistic community at the Members’ Show opening reception on Saturday, May 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the artist-run centre’s facility in Nelson.

For those interested in volunteering to help set-up, support events, or gallery hosting for the Members’ Show, they can contact [email protected] for more information. Volunteers receive an $8 credit for every volunteer hour to use toward art classes at the centre.

The Members’ Show will be on view to the public at Oxygen from May 17 to June 7, on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Oxygen Art Centre is an artist-run centre located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street.

• Members' Show webpage is here.

Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies advance polling stations open for four-day stint

Advance poll stations open

Photo: File

Nelson advance polls run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the local Elections Canada office at 602 Baker St.

Sharpen your voting pencil and political acumen, the advance polling stations open tomorrow in Nelson for a four-day set in the Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies electoral district.

The polls run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the local Elections Canada office at 602 Baker St. in Nelson.

There are six candidates vying for votes, including Rob Morrison (Conservatives), Jim Wiedrick (independent), Kallee Lins (NDP) and Reggie Goldsbury (Liberals) are confirmed. Also running are Steven Maffioli of the Green Party and Laurie Baird of the People's Party of Canada.

If you miss the advance voting days, the general voting day is set for April 28.

Looking ahead

Voters in the western corner of the Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies electoral district have two opportunities to meet the candidates.

It is a quick one-two, back-to-back combination with Nelson on April 23 and Trail on April 24, but both in non-forum like settings. The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce will be staging a candidate meet-and-greet at the Adventure Hotel banquet room on Wednesday, April 23 between 5-7 p.m.

“We will set this up as a hybrid Business-after-Business event between 5-6 p.m. with general mingling and ‘buttonholing’ of candidates in a social setting,” said chamber executive director Tom Thomson.

Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be a podium and microphone set up which will allow all the candidates a three-minute introduction to themselves, their policies and reasons for running.

“We will also have a series of questions developed on federal policy and each candidate will be asked to draw a question from the question vault and have two minutes to speak on the topic,” said Thomson.

The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce will also combine the candidate meet-and-greet with its Business-after-Business event, moving up to the Prestige in Rossland on April 24.

“All candidates are invited to attend, but there will be no speaking opportunities for the candidates — just a chance to mingle,” said chamber executive director Erika Krest.

Western painted turtles' population decline could indicate wetland water quality: Wildsight

Pitching in for painted turtle

Photo: Creston Valley Wildsight

Creston Valley Wildsight will host a Turtle Fence Work Bee aimed at restoring Western Painted Turtle habitats on Saturday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.

The yearly decline of the western painted turtle population could be an indicator of the state of an ecosystem's water quality.

So what makes them so important? Western painted turtles help control insect populations and help maintain the ecosystem's balance. They are also a sign of good water quality, while the degradation may signal that a particular area may have become more vulnerable to water pollution.

Creston Valley Wildsight biologists explained that because the turtles spend the majority of their lives in marches, moving streams and wetlands, they heavily rely on the nutrients that fresh water ecosystems provide.They added that these turtles are also very sensitive to pollution. This makes their presence or lack there of a good indicator of a ecosystems water quality.

"If there not a lot of turtles in there (a pond) it can be a bad sign," said Rebecca Gidney with the Creston Valley Wildsight.

Creston Valley Wildsight will be conducting work to address some of these matters at a upcoming Turtle Fence Work Bee, slated for Saturday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.

To help keep the Western Painted Turtles safe from traffic along West Creston Road ,volunteers will be repairing and maintaining protective fencing as they search for nesting sites.

"These turtles typically lay their eggs within 150 metres of a pond, favouring dry, sandy soils. As part of the effort, we’ll also be restoring a turtle nesting pad," said Gidney.

According to Parks Canada, there are estimated to be fewer than 250 adults living on the Pacific Coast. The significant loss of wetland habitats is another contributing factor that has impacted their populations.

The western painted turtle isn’t just cute and colourful, it's also important to many wetland habitats across the province. Each year, more and more of their habitats are fragmented by road developments and human activities.

This species of turtle has been endangered since 2006 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and was reclassified threatened in 2021 under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). Despite there being many collaborative projects built around protecting and restoring these turtles' habitats and ecosystems, year after year they remain on the red-listed species list.

Despite being relatively slow at reproducing, typically reproducing far less often than other painted turtles in the region, they may often lay many eggs when they do. This has helped their populations cling on throughout the years.

With a long list of predators, these turtles also have to be on the lookout for raccoons, skunks, and coyotes in addition to diseases and parasites. Their eggs also help feed these predators. If the species were to be wiped out, its extinction could be one more step towards the overall decline of biodiversity within the province's wetlands. This could also result in weakening the resilience of an ecosystem's ability to respond to stressors and changes.

This is just a big deal for the turtles but also for humans, as their extinction would serve as a warning that the overall water quality of a certain region has decreased.

If the species were to be wiped out, its extinction could be one more step towards the overall decline of biodiversity within the province's wetlands. This could also result in weakening the resilience of an ecosystem's ability to respond to stressors and changes.

Kaslo has new principal appointed at high school and elementary school

New principal appointed

Photo: Submitted

Dr. Tara Holt said she was excited to take on a new professional adventure in the Kaslo Family of Schools.

There is a new sheriff in town.

Kaslo’s J.V. Humphries Elementary-Secondary School and Jewett Elementary School will have a new head of administration next year with the hiring of Dr. Tara Holt for the 2025-2026 school year.

Holt has worked as a principal in Surrey School District (SD36) since 2005 in both secondary and adult education. In addition, she has overseen dual credit and college programming for secondary school students.

Dual credit makes it possible for grade 11 and 12 students to take post-secondary courses and receive credit towards both high school graduation and post-secondary credentials.

“J.V.H. and Jewett Elementary students and families as well as school leaders and educators here at SD8 are fortunate to welcome a school leader with the experience and skills of Dr. Holt. I’m very pleased she is joining our team and know that she will be an asset to the community,” said superintendent Trish Smillie.

Holt said she was excited to take on a new professional adventure in the Kaslo Family of Schools and to lead, support and learn from her colleagues.

“My focus is to meet the needs of all students in this wonderful rural area and ensure they see their potential and culture as they progress in their education toward graduation and their own careers,” said Holt.

J.V. Humphries interim Principal Monica Doyle will continue to lead the school for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.

Kaslo’s J.V. Humphries Elementary-Secondary School and Jewett Elementary School will see Dr. Tara Holt take on the role of principal starting Aug. 1.

CKISS ramps up BroomBuster Program to tackle one of the provinces most hard to beat invasive plants

Here comes the "broom"

Photo: CKISS

CKISS members and volunteers removing of Scotch broom in at a 2024 "broom bash" in the East Shore.

The Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society’s (CKISS) BroomBuster program has returned to combat the spread of a notorious invasive plant variety.

Building on the success of last year's operations, the program tackles removing one of the province's more aggressive and hard to beat invasive plant species: Scotch broom (cytisus scoparius).

“We’re here to make it easier than ever for people to get involved,” said Laurie Frankcom, CKISS engagement coordinator.

The plant was originally found in the U.K. and parts of central Europe, and was introduced in North America in the early 1800s, and was brought over by settlers.

It was typically found in gardens and used for erosion control near highways. Although it may look pretty, the plant is slightly toxic, especially for wildlife.

“Whether it’s a roadside infestation or a broom patch on private property, we’re encouraging everyone to report sightings and help remove this invasive plant before it spreads further,” said Frankcom.

The plant is also hard to get rid of due to the seeds being viable for up to 10 years. This makes it easier for the plant's seeds to spread even after it has been exterminated.

This year, CKISS is calling on the community members residing in regional district areas A, D, E, F, and H to identify where this pesky plant may be hiding through community removal events.

CKISS will adding a new addition to the project through providing training for landowners, residents and volunteers on how to safely and effectively remove the plant.

They will also be lending out equipment to community groups and individuals who are interested in participating in the removal efforts.

If you have seen this plant while exploring your local area, you can let CKISS know by submitting all the details through the Kootenay Broom Busters Form.

Slocan Valley Watershed and Forest Protection Society shares residents tales of living through wildfires to rasie funds to receive BC Wildfire Certification

Readings of resilience

Photo: Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative

The Slocan Valley Watershed and Forest Protection Society is holding a benefit to help raise money to pay for BC Wildfire Service certification.

The Slocan Valley Watershed and Forest Protection Society is holding a benefit that will document the harrowing stories from 10 or more residents whose lives were devastated by wildfires.

Val Campbell and Nancy Harris are the directors and producers of Fire Story: Readings of Resilience. The readings will be part of a benefit to raise funds helping society volunteers become B.C. Wildfire Service certified.

“These stories are so important because it is what the people who lived through the fires experienced,” said Campbell. “Who better than those who live there to do it?"

In order to become certified through B.C. Wildfire Service, personnel obtain the required training and credentials required to work on fire suppression in the province.

To stay certified those who are trained must take part in the S-100 refresher course each year. The certification allows volunteers to work with response teams from the spring to fall seasons and be eligible for deployment across B.C. during wildfire emergencies.

“We were told last summer there were experienced firefighters available to go fight the fires, but they could not because they hadn't been recently certified,” said Campbell.

Campbell recalled that many people were unable to help during an out-of-control fire that started on July 9, 2021. The Trozzo Creek fire burned more than 5,992 hectares and triggered an evacuation order for over 86 addresses.

The society was established in December 2024 to address the growing concerns about the state of the surrounding forests and access to watersheds in the Slocan Valley.

After attending a community meeting in Winlaw to recap some of the events that have happened in recent years, Campbell explained that is when Harris decided to join the society as a volunteer.

“We saw a real need to do whatever we could to get our local certified firefighters,” said Campbell.

They have since gained the support of Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) director of emergency services, Dan Seguin. Campbell added that they have also received some funding from RDCK Area H director Walter Popoff, which will put toward paying for the certification courses.

The benefit will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 at the Vallican Whole Community Centre.

The funds will also help pay for fire response equipment. Some of the equipment includes proper safety wear for 10 wildfire firefighters, shovels, axes and radio communication.

“We need to purchase water containers they can carry on their backs. Also, we need pumps and hoses that can be used if there are nearby water sources,” said Campbell.

Some of the money will come from the Columbia Basin ReDi grant that the society was granted.

Due to not being a registered charity, rather a member-funded society, the Slocan Valley Watershed and Forest Protection Society can not provide tax receipts.

For those who can not attend the event, Campbell said people can still donate to the cause by contacting the society at [email protected] to make payment arrangements.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure we have at least 15 ready, willing, able and certified people for this summer, and it looks like we will be successful.”