This morning, elected officials and senior managers from local governments across the Sunshine Coast met with the Provincial Government’s Community Transition Services team to discuss the closure of the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill. 

Community Transition Services supports communities through significant economic changes, including the closure or reduction of operations at major employers. Provincial staff will work over the coming weeks and months to help identify emerging needs, challenges, and available supports. Further information about the program can be found here. 

A working group of elected representatives is now being established, with an initial meeting with Community Transition Services expected in late August or the first week of September. 

The immediate priority is supporting affected workers. It is anticipated that Community Transition Services will bring together staff and resources from Service BC and WorkBC to help identify available supports, employment services, retraining, and other opportunities for those impacted by the closure. 

Local elected officials understand that our community is still processing yesterday’s announcement and that many people have questions and concerns about what comes next. We are committed to working together and ensuring that the needs of affected workers, families, contractors, businesses, and the broader community remain at the forefront. 

Further updates on the work underway with Community Transition Services will be provided in early September, following upcoming meetings, and as more information becomes available. 

Media Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley,
Manager, Communications and Engagement,
Sunshine Coast Regional District
604-885-8052
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca 

More than 9,000 mock water bills are now being mailed to residents with water meters in the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) Regional Water Service Area. This includes residents on the Langdale, Chapman, Eastbourne, Egmont and Cove Cay water systems.

These mock bills are designed to help residents understand their water use and see what future water charges may look like before actual bills are issued in 2027. No payment is required for this mock bill.

Not sure which water system serves your property? Enter your address on this map to find out.

What’s on your mock bill?

Your mock bill includes information on the reverse side to help you understand how volumetric water billing works, including:

• An explanation of the charges shown on the bill.
• Information about your water consumption.
• Notifications about potential issues with your service, such as a water leak.
• Information to help you understand what future volumetric water bills may look like.

Courtesy leak notifications

In July, the SCRD mailed letters to more than 600 residents notifying them of a potential water leak at their property.

The information on your mock bill is based on water-use data from April, May and June. As a result, your mock bill may include a leak notification even if you have already addressed the issue.

If you received a previous leak notification from the SCRD and have since followed the recommended steps and fixed the leak, you can disregard the leak message on your mock bill.

Have questions?

The SCRD recognizes that residents may have questions about their mock bill and the transition to volumetric water billing. There are several ways to learn more and connect with staff:

Learn more online
Visit letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing to learn more about the volumetric billing project, find resources and ask questions at any time.

Contact SCRD staff
Email utilitybilling@scrd.ca or call 604-885-6885 to speak with staff.

With more than 9,000 mock bills being issued, the SCRD expects a significant increase in enquiries. Staff will respond as quickly as possible based on the volume of enquiries received.

Understand your mock bill
Visit your mock bill explained for a step-by-step resource explaining the information included on your mock bill.

Talk to us in person
SCRD staff will be at the Sechelt Farmers Market on Saturday, August 29, and Saturday, September 26, to answer questions and provide information about the transition to volumetric water billing.

What’s next?

The mock bills are an important step in preparing residents for the transition to volumetric water billing.

Residents are encouraged to review their mock bill, learn more about how volumetric billing works and contact SCRD staff with any questions.

On behalf of Sunshine Coast Regional District staff and our Board, I want to express our support to the workers and their families who are affected by today’s announcement.

The mill at Port Mellon has been an integral part of our community for generations providing good jobs, supporting our families and businesses, and serving as a significant economic driver for the Sunshine Coast.

The employees and contractors are our neighbours, friends and community members, and we recognize that this closure will have a profound impact not only on them and their families, but on our entire community.

Our Board will work closely with our local government partners, shíshálh Nation, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, the Province and the Federal Government to better understand the full implications of this closure for our region.

We acknowledge that this is a rapidly evolving situation, but we will also advocate for the supports and resources needed by those most directly affected and work together to help our community navigate this difficult time.

SCRD Board Chair, Alton Toth

Following the scheduled annual maintenance shutdown, the Pender Harbour Aquatic & Fitness Centre pool is on track to reopen in September, supported by the successful recruitment of key aquatic staff and ongoing hiring efforts to strengthen the team.

As new staff are welcomed and training continues, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is prioritizing the development of a strong, skilled aquatic workforce to support safe, high-quality programming. As a result, registration for fall swim lessons will be postponed until the new team members are fully trained and in place.

This additional training period will help ensure staff have the skills and experience to deliver swim lessons when they resume.

Building aquatic staff capacity now will help create a stronger and more sustainable swim lesson program for Pender Harbour in the future.

The SCRD recognizes that there has been disruption to scheduled activities and programming at the Pender Harbour Pool in recent months. Staff have been working behind the scenes to strengthen aquatic recruitment, training and staffing capacity, including:

• Actively recruiting lifeguards.
• Offering aquatic leadership training to support recruitment and staffing needs.
• Delivering two National Lifeguard Service courses since April, with 17 participants registered.
• Offering a Swim Instructor course with seven participants registered.
• Delivering two Swim Instructor recertification courses since March, with 17 participants registered.
• Advancing the hiring process for an Aquatic Services Coordinator for the Pender Harbour Aquatic & Fitness Centre, a position that will increase capacity for lifeguarding and swim lesson instruction.

Swim Lessons Continue in Sechelt and Gibsons

Swim lessons will continue to be offered this fall at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre and Gibsons & Area Community Centre Pool.

Registration for all SCRD fall recreation programs, including swim lessons at the Sechelt and Gibsons pools, opens Wednesday, August 19 at 7 a.m.

Residents can preview fall programs and find registration information at www.scrd.ca/recreation-registration.

The SCRD appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as work continues to strengthen aquatic staffing at the Pender Harbour Pool.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) recognizes that residents are concerned right now about wildfire, particularly as fires continue to threaten communities elsewhere in British Columbia.  

The SCRD has firefighters and resources deployed in some of these communities and will continue to provide support as needed.  

Campfires 

At this time, there is no campfire ban in effect in the areas served by SCRD fire departments, including Gibsons, parts of West Howe Sound, Elphinstone, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay and Egmont. 

Any decision to implement a campfire ban follows guidance and information from the BC Wildfire Service. Several factors are considered when determining whether restrictions are necessary, including current wildfire risk, weather conditions and forecasts, and conditions leading up to the current period. 

While a campfire ban is not in place at this time, wildfire conditions can change quickly, and residents are reminded that everyone has a role to play in preventing wildfires. For reference a campfire is defined as any fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. 

Residents choosing to have a campfire are reminded to: 

• Never leave a campfire unattended. 

• Do not have a campfire during windy conditions. 

• Maintain a fuel-free area around the fire. 

• Ensure you have water accessible from a hose or bucket to extinguish the fire. 

• Keep the fire small and within the legal campfire size. 

• Ensure the fire is completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving. 

• Check current fire restrictions before lighting a fire, as conditions and restrictions can change. 

A campfire that is permitted today may not be permitted tomorrow. Residents are encouraged to check the latest restrictions and wildfire conditions before lighting a fire. You can find this at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments.  

Prepared to respond 

Fire departments across the SCRD are prepared to respond if a wildfire threatens Sunshine Coast communities. 

Local fire departments have highly trained firefighters and equipment ready to respond to emergencies, with crews working around the clock to protect people, property and the environment. Fire departments across the region regularly participate in joint training and wildfire exercises to strengthen their ability to work together during a large-scale emergency.  

Recent investments in structure-protection equipment have further enhanced the region’s wildfire response capabilities. 

The SCRD also works closely with the BC Wildfire Service, local governments and other emergency response partners. If a significant wildfire or other emergency occurs, the Sunshine Coast Emergency Program (SCEP) can activate an Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the regional response, support evacuation measures and provide timely information to the public. 

While the SCRD and its emergency response partners are prepared to respond, personal preparedness is equally important. Residents can take simple steps now to ensure they and their families are ready if an emergency or evacuation occurs. 

Be prepared before an emergency happens. 

Every household is encouraged to have an emergency plan and supplies ready before they are needed. 

Residents should: 

• Have a household emergency plan and discuss it with everyone in the household. 

• Prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least seven days. 

• Keep a grab-and-go bag ready in case an evacuation order is issued. 

• Make arrangements for pets and livestock. 

• Keep important documents, medications and essential items readily accessible. 

• Identify wildfire risks around your home and take steps to reduce combustible vegetation and materials. More information at www.scrd.ca/firesmart.  

More information about emergency preparedness is available at www.scrd.ca/emergency-preparedness/ 

Stay informed with Voyent Alert

Residents are asked to register for the SCRD’s Voyent Alert emergency notification system. More information can be found at www.scrd.ca/alert-system. 

Voyent Alert provides residents with timely emergency information, including evacuation alerts and orders. Notifications can be received through the Voyent Alert app, text message, email or phone. 

During a rapidly developing emergency, having reliable and timely information can make a critical difference. Residents are encouraged to register now, before an emergency occurs, and ensure their contact information remains up to date. 

Preparedness starts before an emergency.  

Knowing where to get information, having a plan and being ready to leave if necessary, can help protect residents, families, neighbours and the broader community. 

The SCRD will continue to monitor wildfire conditions closely and work with its emergency response partners to ensure the Sunshine Coast is ready to respond to wildfire or other emergencies. 

Residents are encouraged to stay informed (register for Voyent Alert, www.scrd.ca/alert-system), monitor the SCRD website at www.scrd.ca and the SCRD’s Facebook Page, stay prepared (www.scrd.ca/emergency-preparedness/) and continue to do their part to prevent wildfires (www.scrd.ca/firesmart). 

Further information on the Provincial State of Emergency and wildfire situations can be found here.  

Earlier this month, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board approved the 2026–2035 Water Efficiency Plan. The plan sets out how the SCRD will help conserve water and manage water use over the next 10 years. 

The plan supports the SCRD’s 10-Year Water Strategy. Its goal is to help provide a safe, reliable water supply while using available water as efficiently as possible. 

By bringing current and future water-saving programs together in one plan, the SCRD can better manage water demand, improve the reliability of the water system, and make informed decisions about future investments. The plan also includes a phased approach so programs can be reviewed and adjusted over time. 

The first phase, covering 2026–2027, will focus on: 

• Continuing the move to water billing based on the amount of water each property uses. 

• Improving how water use data is collected, managed, and reported. 

• Exploring Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which could provide customers with more timely information about their water use. 

• Setting water efficiency targets to track progress over time. 

You can read the plan here.