August 17, 2022
- Todsen defamation lawsuit against local environmental group dismissed
- Deep Bay Marine Science Fair – Aug 26
- Summer sizzles at laid-back Spider Lake
- Cross on the Commons cycling event at QB Community Park – Sep 11
- Readers ask questions about previously published story
- Humpback whale wake-up call off East Vancouver Island
Todsen defamation lawsuit dismissed
The defamation lawsuit launched by Rick and Linda Todsen and Todsen Design & Construction Ltd. against the Qualicum Nature Preservation Society and its president Ezra Morse was dismissed in B.C. Supreme Court on August 6, 2022.
The Court decision was widely covered in the media. Read some of the stories here:
- The Narwhal ‘Every citizen in British Columbia won’: court dismisses defamation suit against conservationists. “The Qualicum Beach case has big ramifications as one of the first tests of a B.C. law designed to protect freedom of speech.”
- Focus on Victoria – Conservation group wins free speech suit—but council votes for development to proceed. “A Qualicum Beach conservation group avoids defamation claim through new anti-SLAPP legislation—but the development they protested gets approved.”
- The Tyee Environmental Group Wins as Defamation Case Dismissed Under Anti-SLAPP Law, “But Qualicum council approved the controversial housing development at the centre of the suit.”
- PQB News Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit against Qualicum Nature Preservation Society reported that Justice Jan Brongers “dismissed all allegations.”
Deep Bay Marine Science Fair – August 26, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Children aged 6-12 are invited to take part in this exciting opportunity to display their knowledge of one sea creature or marine science topic, but all ages are welcome.
“One of our favourite parts when speaking with visitors to the station is hearing the kids share their own facts about topics they are interested in!”
The Mini Science Fair is part of the Deep Bay Marine Field Station’s Summer SHELLebration!
This is a chance to give the younger scientists some time in the spotlight as they create a display and discuss their topic with visitors during our evening event on August 26th!
It’s a free event, and the public is welcome to attend the Fair Friday, August 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Registration information here. — LS
Summer sizzles at laid-back Spider Lake
Temperatures climbed into the 30s in late July. What could be better than a swim at the lake on one of the hottest days of the year, we thought? Add a picnic and some shade, and you’ve got the best nature can offer. But it was the community we enjoyed the most.
Spider Lake is 15 minutes from Qualicum Beach. A B.C. Provincial Park, this is a day-use park only, no over-night stays. It’s a Stand Up Paddle Board paradise for people and dogs alike, and afficionados of non-motorized watercraft.
That’s right, no power vehicles are permitted on this lake. The laughter of kids playing in the water, and the quiet conversations of family groups added to the ambiance.
Unbearable heat? Not here, where the main beach is shaded by towering evergreens, and decorated with tiny blue damsel flies darting about, which I explained (wrongly) to a skeptical toddler were dragonflies.
At the end of the day we headed back into the heat wave, refreshed and feeling like we’d had a week’s holiday. — LS
Cross on the Commons cycling event – September 11
This year Arrowsmith Cycling Club has the honour of hosting the first of Cross on the Rock’s sixteenth fall season of cyclo-cross events.
It will be held September 11, 2022 at the Qualicum Beach Community Park.
The Club’s focus is on promoting the sport, providing social riding opportunities, trail building, maintenance, and of course, getting out there and riding!
Arrowsmith Cycling Club is an affiliated club with Cycling BC (CBC) and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA).
For more information, see https://arrowsmithcyclingclub.com/. — GS
Readers ask questions about previously published story
Readers have been asking for more information about the story of the apprehension and detention of a local woman in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. In an effort to inform the concerned public and deter harmful rumour and speculation, this is what we can tell you.
We believe Island Health is seeking to suppress information about this case to shield their actions from public scrutiny and to evade accountability in the unlawful confinement and violation of the Charter rights of the woman as alleged in the Habeas Corpus petition filed by her in B.C. Supreme Court in April 2022, for which a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
As reported on June 30, 2022, Island Health sought a publication ban and the sealing of all Court documents. Many readers and members of the public are aware that the detained woman and her husband have stated on multiple occasions that they do not want this information suppressed.
Island Health’s lawyer contacted Second Opinion QB on July 3, 2022 asserting that a publication ban is now in effect, and demanding that all previously published material be deleted.
As we have done previously, we requested a copy of any orders, rulings or official documentation to confirm any publication ban and court document sealing orders. To date, we have not received copies of any orders or any media notifications confirming the existence of a publication ban and/or document sealing order(s) expressing the specific terms and conditions of any such order(s).
Island Health’s lawyer has not responded to our most recent communication (sent July 21, 2022) requesting confirmation and clarification of the order details.
To err on the side of caution until the confusion is resolved, Second Opinion QB will not, at this time, be publishing any new personal information about this woman who remains confined against her wishes at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
The latest information we have is that a hearing will be held in B.C. Provincial Court in September 2022 — presumably open to the public — to determine whether Island Health will be granted a court order to force the woman into long-term care. — LS
Humpback whale wake-up call off East Vancouver Island
A reader sent this breathtaking video.
“Marg Leehane, owner of Great Bear Lodge in Port Hardy, British Columbia, decided it was worth waking up the guests at 6 a.m. to show them two humpback whales in the bay.”
Imagine waking up to this.
Click on image to watch. — LS