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Tony Luck has been re-elected MLA for FraserNicola as the B.C. Conservatives win a majority.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
The people have spoken, and the best of the best in the Nicola Valley have been awarded in the People’s Choice 2026.
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MINE WORKERS FIGHT FOR MORE THAN WAGES
PHOTO/UNITED STEELWORKERS 7619
Striking United Steelworkers Local 7619 members gather outside of their workplace at the Highland Valley Copper Mine after negotiations failed with the employer Teck Resources.
ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR
community@merrittherald.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As buses carrying personnel continued through the gates of Highland Valley Copper Monday morning, United Steelworkers Local 7619 president Kyle Wolff stood alongside striking employees, questioning why a mine he says is generating record profits is asking workers to accept concessions. Three days into the strike, Wolff said the dispute is
about far more than wages. Years of frustration over contracting out, deteriorating workplace conditions and the treatment of employees have brought workers to a breaking point. “You don’t go on strike for concessions. You go on strike to protect things,” he said. The strike began Saturday, Oct. 24, after negotiations between the union and Teck Resources failed to produce a new collective agreement. The previous agreement expired Sept. 30, and all 944 members who participated in the strike vote supported taking action.
Wolff claimed Highland Valley Copper was on track to generate approximately $2 billion in gross profit this year, yet the company had proposed reducing future pension improvements by 25 per cent. “They wanted to cut our pension by 25 per cent in future improvements,” he said. According to Wolff, the pension fund is sufficiently funded that the company has not needed to make regular contributions, making the proposed concession PENSIONS, SAFETY: continued on page 10
2 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com
‘I NEVER THOUGHT IN THE WORLD’: RE-ELECTED MLA EYES CHANGES AFTER CONSERVATIVE VICTORY JAKE COURTEPATTE
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Tony Luck says he is looking forward to helping shape the future of British Columbia after winning re-election in Fraser-Nicola, as the B.C. Conservatives prepare to form a majority government following a historic provincial election victory. Luck received 9,487 votes, or 58.7 per cent of the valid vote, in the Oct. 24 election, according to Elections BC’s preliminary count. NDP candidate Jason Leboe finished second with 4,548 votes (28.2 per cent), while Green candidate Patrick Michell received 2,114 votes (13.1 per cent). The result gives Luck a second consecutive term representing Fraser-Nicola, which includes Merritt and communities throughout the Nicola Valley and surrounding Interior. Provincewide, the Conservatives were leading in 63 of the legislature’s 93 ridings as preliminary results continued to be counted, putting the party comfortably above the 47 seats required for a majority. Luck, who was first elected in 2024, said the campaign was challenging because of its short timeline, but he was encouraged by the response he received from voters while campaigning across the riding. “I’m frustrated but exuberant,” Luck told the Herald, explaining that his campaign could have used more volunteers and completed more door-knocking than it managed during the abbreviated election period. Luck said one of the most common concerns he heard was frustration with the snap election, and that the government could have continued governing with its narrow majority rather than calling another provincial vote so soon after the previous election. He suggested that dissatisfaction may have contributed to lower turnout among NDP supporters, while the Conservatives benefited from a stronger-than-expected result across the province. The Conservatives’ victory was larger than many polls had anticipated, Luck said, pointing to the party’s gains in urban areas, including Surrey, as evidence of the scale of its success. Luck said he is particularly encouraged by the election of Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson as the province’s next
PHOTO/TONY LUCK
Re-elected Fraser-Nicola MLA Tony Luck with wife Wanda on election night.
premier, arguing that Doerkson’s experience with rural communities and wildfire response will be valuable to Fraser-Nicola and other Interior ridings. Doerkson’s attention to communities affected by wildfires this year, Luck said, demonstrated an understanding of the challenges faced by rural British Columbians. He pointed to the need for infrastructure improvements, including water storage, as an example of work that could help ranchers and communities prepare for future wildfire seasons. “I think we have a premier that’s really, really anchored to the Interior,” Luck said. He added that the party’s gains in Surrey and other urban areas mean the new government will also need to address the concerns of a broader range of communities. For Luck, the election represents an opportunity to make changes that could have a lasting impact beyond the current legislative term. Luck, 71, said he is motivated by what a Conservative government could accomplish for future generations.
“When I first started this two years ago, or three years ago now, it was because we were working a year before the election last time,” he said. “I’m not in here for myself.” He said the possibility of making changes for his children and grandchildren, as well as those of other British Columbians, is what excites him most about the result. “I never thought in the world that I would be part of a government that could make some changes in our province, and I’m really excited about that piece,” Luck said. Audits and education reform Luck also addressed concerns about the Conservatives’ position on public education funding, following questions from the Herald about what school districts could expect under the new government. He rejected suggestions that the party’s approach would simply mean cutting education and health-care funding, saying the Conservatives want to examine how money is being spent before deciding
what changes are needed. Luck pointed to Doerkson’s announcement of a forensic audit of the province’s finances and said similar scrutiny would be applied to education and health care. “You just can’t keep throwing money at things,” he said. “We’ve got to go back and do some deep dives and make sure everything’s working.” Luck acknowledged that education funding is a major concern for school districts, but argued that the province also needs to focus on improving educational outcomes. He said the Conservatives want schools to place greater emphasis on foundational skills, including reading, writing and arithmetic, while also strengthening science education and trades training. Doerkson has emphasized a return to those basics, Luck said, adding that he believes B.C. needs to improve its performance compared with previous years. “We want to bring those numbers back up again,” he said. The comments come as school districts and educators await further details about how the incoming government plans to approach education spending and potential reforms. Cabinet role remains uncertain Luck said his re-election does not change his personal approach to the job, but gives him an opportunity to play a role in implementing the party’s plans. He said he has spent the past two years working on municipal affairs and has developed ideas for changes in that area that he hopes to advance under the new government. He added he would welcome the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way, potentially through a cabinet position, but emphasized that the decision rests with Doerkson. “It’s Lorne’s thing to call,” Luck said. With the swearing-in ceremony expected to take place on Nov. 18, appointments will likely be announced in the weeks leading up to it. For now, Luck said he is focused on the opportunity the election has created and what the Conservatives can accomplish in government.
NEWS BUILDING BACK STRONGER: MERRITT’S MASSIVE
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 3
NICOLA VALLEY
GOT NEWS? Contact Jake at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241
FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT ENTERS MAJOR PHASE Five years since historic November 2021 flood
leading this department,” Strang said. “In 10 years, if my friend’s house floods because we could have built the dike but didn’t push hard enough to get it done, that’s a failure to me.” But he said there is another way the project could fail: if residents return to the river years from now and find a lifeless corridor stripped of its natural character. “If in 10 years, my kids come back to visit me and they’re walking along the river and it’s a wall of concrete and rock and a dead river,” he said, “also a failure mode for me.” Those two priorities, reducing flood risk and preserving the river environment, are shaping a project that will affect Merritt for years to come. PHOTO/JAKE COURTEPATTE
City of Merritt Director of Flood Recovery and Mitigation Sean Strang looks at a project map.
JAKE COURTEPATTE
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Merritt is preparing for what Director of Flood Recovery and Mitigation Sean Strang describes as the most disruptive construction project the city has ever seen, as crews prepare to build roughly $80 million in flood protection infrastructure over the next three and a half years. The work is a major step toward protecting Merritt from another catastrophic flood like the one that devastated the community in November 2021. But
despite securing funding for about 75 per cent of its comprehensive flood mitigation plan, the City of Merritt still faces a significant funding gap, and some areas of the community will remain vulnerable unless the remaining projects can be paid for. For Strang, the stakes are personal. He lives in Merritt and was involved in the city’s response to the 2021 flood. He says the work ahead must protect people and property without permanently transforming the Coldwater River corridor into a landscape of concrete and rock. “There is two modes of failure for me
A system built for a much bigger flood One of the most important changes since 2021 has been the city’s understanding of how much water could flow through the Coldwater River during an extreme flood. Before the November 2021 atmospheric river event, Merritt’s diking infrastructure had been built to an engineering standard based on a one-in-200-year flood with a flow of approximately 130 cubic metres per second. Strang said updated hydrological studies have since raised that figure to 490 cubic metres per second - nearly four
times the previous standard. For comparison, the 2021 flood is estimated to have reached somewhere between 320 and 400 cubic metres per second. The disaster also knocked out monitoring equipment, making it difficult to establish an exact peak flow. The new standard means Merritt cannot simply rebuild damaged dikes to their pre-flood specifications. “People just go, ‘Oh, just at least build them back to where they were,” Strang said. “We can’t.” New infrastructure must meet current engineering requirements, including allowances for climate change. That creates a substantially larger and more complicated construction challenge than simply repairing what the river destroyed. The change in modelling has also dramatically altered the picture of how many homes could be exposed to flooding. Under the previous flood standard, Strang said about 130 homes were identified within the flood inundation area. Under the updated modelling, that number has grown to approximately 1,274. The figure does not mean all those homes will flood in the next major event. It reflects the much larger area that could be inundated under the updated extremeflood scenario - and the scale of the protection problem Merritt must now address. MINIMAL TAXPAYER: continued on page 4
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MINIMAL TAXPAYER DOLLARS, LACK OF FEDERAL FUNDING
BUILDING BACK STRONGER: continued from page 3
Strang said the city is designing its flood protection system to withstand a flow of 490 cubic metres per second, beyond the estimated volume of the 2021 event. “We’re building to what we saw, and we’re building to more than what we saw.” The damaged dikes along the Coldwater River have left Merritt with less protection in some areas than it had before 2021. Some sections remain intact, but others were compromised during the flood. And closing those gaps and constructing a system that meets the new standard is a complex undertaking involving engineering, land acquisition, environmental approvals, Indigenous engagement and significant amounts of earthmoving. $80 million in work ahead - and 25 per cent still to find The complete flood mitigation system is estimated to cost approximately $150 million. Merritt has secured funding for about 75 per cent of its overall plan, a significant achievement for a community of its size. But the funded portion alone still represents approximately $80 million in construction that has yet to be completed. The remaining 25 per cent includes projects such as the second phase of the Middlesboro flood protection work and the Houston-Godey Bridge area. The Riverside
Mobile Home Park and industrial areas are among the places Strang said would remain without protection under the currently-funded plan. There is no guarantee the outstanding projects will proceed. “The default for all of this is nothing,” Strang said, explaining that no established funding program currently guarantees the money needed to complete the remaining work. That leaves the city with an uncomfortable distinction: substantial progress is possible under the projects already funded, but the full protection system laid out in its plan remains incomplete. For residents in areas that fall outside the funded work, that uncertainty is particularly important. Even after the current construction program is finished, some properties could remain exposed to the kind of extreme flooding that Merritt experienced in 2021. The city has been working with provincial partners to assemble funding through multiple grant programs. Strang said Merritt applied to the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund but was unsuccessful. He said the federal government has provided only a small share of direct funding for Merritt’s mitigation work and has not offered a clear route to pay for the outstanding portion of the plan. The province, meanwhile, has played a central role in funding the projects that are moving ahead. Strang emphasized that the funding challenge is not
simply about the size of the bill. The city’s tax base cannot reasonably support a project of this scale, and Merritt does not have the staff or administrative capacity to absorb such a large, technically complex construction program into its regular municipal operations. The city typically undertakes several million dollars in capital work in a year. The flood mitigation program is operating on a scale many times larger. Building the plan one piece at a time
The flood mitigation plan adopted by council in 2022 was conceived as a connected system of protective infrastructure. Its components include rebuilt and new dikes, pump stations, river work, changes to infrastructure and naturalization projects. Strang compares the system to the eavestroughs on a house: individual sections can serve a purpose, but the entire system is needed to manage water effectively. Ideally, he said, the city would have secured funding to build the entire $150-million system at once. Instead, the flood mitigation team has broken the larger plan into smaller packages that can qualify for different funding programs. Since 2022, the team has identified potential funding sources and divided the work into projects worth millions of dollars each. Some have been completed, MOST DISRUPTIVE: continued on page 5
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‘MOST DISRUPTIVE PROJECT’ MERRITT HAS EVER SEEN MINIMAL TAXPAYER: continued from page 4
others are underway, and additional work is scheduled for the coming years. Strang said staging the work is not necessarily the best engineering or construction approach, but it has allowed Merritt to make progress where a single funding request for the entire system might have stalled. The city has also had to develop a dedicated team to manage the work. Merritt established its recovery and mitigation department in 2022, separate from the municipality’s normal day-to-day operations. The department is responsible for carrying out council’s adopted flood mitigation plan, securing funding and managing the technical and administrative work required to build the system. That includes coordinating engineering reviews, permits, land acquisition, Indigenous engagement, contractors and communications with residents. Strang said the department has been funded almost entirely through provincial support, with minimal municipal taxpayer money used for this additional capacity to date. Once the capital construction is finished, responsibility for operating and maintaining the completed infrastructure will return to the city. He said the approach has helped Merritt demonstrate to senior governments that it can manage complex projects, meet requirements and complete work responsibly - making it easier to seek support for subsequent phases. But it also highlights a broader problem facing communities recovering from major disasters: the money and systems available for immediate emergency response do not necessarily continue at the same level during long-term recovery and mitigation. A change in daily life The scale of the upcoming work means residents should expect more than a few isolated construction zones. Strang warned that the next several years will bring increased heavy-truck traffic, noise, intermittent road closures and disruptions to access around the city as crews move equipment and materials and build the new infrastructure. The pathway through the Dike 129/130
corridor, running along the Coldwater River between the Middlesboro Bridge and the Main Street Bridge, is expected to be closed for approximately four years, cutting off a popular route used by residents for walking, running and cycling. Strang described the work as the “most disruptive” construction Merritt has seen. The disruption is part of a much larger project to rebuild the Dike 129/130 system to the updated flood protection standard. The new alignment and engineering requirements make it impossible to simply restore the structures as they existed before 2021. Construction will also take place alongside other flood mitigation work, including bank stabilization and projects intended to improve the river corridor. The Fir Avenue Bank tabilization project, for example, involves approximately 230 metres of work in the current phase. Strang said the visible scale of that work gives residents a sense of what is involved - but it is only a small part of the overall construction program. The city is engaging local contractors where possible, including RSI on the bank stabilization work, while other scopes will proceed through the relevant procurement processes. Strang said the construction sequence has been modelled and planned so that the work itself will not increase flood risk elsewhere in the community. Still, residents will feel the effects in their daily routines, particularly those living near construction areas or using trails and roads affected by the work. Strang said that inconvenience can be difficult to accept when the 2021 flood is no longer at the front of everyone’s mind. In the immediate aftermath, residents understood why major work was necessary. Five years later, some may see the closures and trucks more clearly than the risk the project is intended to reduce. “People are forgetting what the problem was, and they’re only gonna see the temporary inconvenience,” he said. He acknowledged that the city cannot predict when another major flood will happen. “Whether it’s next year or 20 years, I don’t know the answer for that,” Strang said. “But it absolutely will.”
A NEED FOR: continued on page 9
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6 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com
NICOLA VALLEY
VIEWPOINT DIXON: KEEPING YOUR SANITY
WHEN LIFE FEELS OUT OF CONTROL BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations
ART-TASTIC! This week’s art is by Lexi Mierau, grade 3! Submit your artwork to newsroom@merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured in print each week!
Have you ever had one of those days when everything seems to go wrong? The car breaks down, plans change, someone pushes your buttons, or life throws you a curveball you never saw coming. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we simply cannot control what happens around us. So, how do we keep our sanity when frustration takes over? First, breathe! Take a slow, deep breath in and gently breathe out. Give yourself a moment before reacting. You don’t have to solve everything right now. Second, move your body. Stretch, dance, shake your arms, or stomp your feet. Take a walk and let some of that tension go. Movement can help you release stress and clear your head.
Third, pray or meditate. A few quiet moments can help you find perspective, reconnect with your values, and remember that you don’t have to carry every burden alone. Fourth, call a friend. Sometimes, talking to someone who listens without judging is just what we need. You don’t always need advice; sometimes you simply need to be heard. A dear friend actually asks me not to respond, just listen. Here are a few more ways to reset when frustration strikes: - Drink a glass of water. Pause, hydrate, and give yourself a little care. - Play your favourite music. Sing along, tap your feet, or have a kitchen dance party! - Draw, paint, or doodle. Creativity gives your mind somewhere else to go.
#201-1951 GARCIA STREET P.O. BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. Phone: 250-378-4241 The Merritt Herald is a Canadian-owned, locally operated community newspaper, proudly owned by K’en T’em Limited Partnership — 100% Indigenous owned — and distributed every Thursday throughout the Nicola Valley. Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form must be obtained in writing from the publisher.
PUBLISHER Theresa Arnold publisher@ merrittherald.com
SALES REPRESENTATIVE/OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Michele Siddall admin@merrittherald.com
EDITOR Jake Courtepatte newsroom@ merrittherald.com
INDIGENOUS & COMMUNITY STORYTELLING REPORTER Elizabeth Jolicoeur community@merrittherald.com
- Step outside. Fresh air, sunshine, and a little time in nature can offer a welcome change of perspective. - Take a time-out. It’s perfectly acceptable to say, “I need a few minutes before we talk about this.” Most importantly, don’t take your frustration out on other people. They may have nothing to do with what upset you. If you need to respond to a difficult situation, wait until you can do so calmly. Remember, you cannot always control what happens, but you can choose how you care for yourself while dealing with it. Give yourself permission to pause, reset, and begin again. Your peace of mind matters. What’s your favourite way to turn a frustrating day around? I’d love to hear your ideas!
This Merritt Herald is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact newsroom@merrittherald.com or call (250) 378-4241. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
VIEWPOINT
LETTERS to the Editor EBY’S NAME TO BECOME POLITICAL VERBAGE Editor,
There were remarkable features in each of the party leader’s speeches following B. C.’s provincial election Oct. 24. B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson’s victory speech was remarkable in its celebratory exuberance with his party elected to govern for the first time in almost a century. B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan remarkably chose to speak with overbearing doom, gloom and dread after her party was held to only two seats again. She was a media darling at Victoria and Vancouver television stations during campaign interviews, when some reporters treated her like a favourite niece. During election night coverage, anchors of those same stations referred to her on first name terms but the mean-spirited concession speech exposed her as a political neophyte.
The man who suffered the most was B.C. NDP’ Leader David Eby. While he was rather gracious in conceding, his wife’s facial expression was quite remarkable. The word “relief” was written all over the diminutive doctor’s countenance as she hurriedly led her defeated husband off stage. She would not be a good poker player. His exit from the political arena does not mean we’ve heard the last of him, as it brings a new word into our lexicon. Like other notorious people, his surname will become a verb. We all remember 30 years ago how the name/verb “Lewinsky” came about following a salacious White House scandal. Now we have the “Eby” which means how to commit political suicide by calling an unnecessary snap election. Bernie Smith Parksville, B.C.
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 7 The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@merrittherald.com.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK Have you been to a Merritt Centennials game yet this season? Have your say at merrittherald.com
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION Do you start decorating for the Christmas holidays before December? OF COURSE! RELUCTANTLY, YES TOO EARLY NO WAY!
32% 9% 26% 32%
24 7 19 24
LOOK BACK CONCERN OVER ‘UNDEMOCRATIC’ FEDERAL BILL A From the Herald archives Editor,
It’s been called reckless, appalling and one of the largest rollbacks of federal environmental protections in Canadian history. On Sept. 21, Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced another undemocratic and dangerous bill, the Building Canada Strong Act (Bill C-39) and most Canadians don’t know anything about it. Bill C-39 aims to concentrate more power with the prime minister and federal cabinet for approving projects designated as in the national interest. The 243-page omnibus bill weakens environmental protections, undermines labour laws and seems to ignore Canada’s duty to consult Indigenous nations. Bill C-39 proposes to weaken laws which protect natural ecosystems and ultimately human health. Here are a few specific examples of how environmental reviews and approvals would be changed: 1. Whole regions of Canada could be pre-approved as “regions of national interest.” For example, a whole
region of B.C. could be pre-approved so projects wouldn’t have to get the usual permits to protect fish habitat, species at risk or waterways. 2. Most independent environmental review panels would be eliminated, including those for pipelines, offshore energy and nuclear projects. 3. Cabinet could decide to lower the bar of protection for species at risk if they want a project to go ahead. For example, the federal cabinet could decide to remove protections for southern resident killer whales so a new pipeline (with increased tanker traffic) could proceed. The purpose of Canada’s environmental laws is to protect natural ecosystems because our human health and well-being depends on them. Environmental laws are not red tape. Please write your MP and to federal cabinet ministers and express your concerns about Bill C-39. Patricia Spencer Kamloops, B.C.
A BIG THANK YOU TO A GOOD SAMARITAN Editor, I want to say a massive thank you to Ethan Nast, the kind person who found my wallet at McDonalds and returned it.
I am so grateful for your honesty and for your quick action. Paul Campbell Merritt, B.C.
OCT. 25, 1995
RAIL YARD MALL BLUEPRINTS BACK TO DRAWING BOARD OVER EXTRA FOODS Plans for the Rail Yard, a major downtown development, have been put on hold. “I feel the anchor building requires more work to fit into the desired theme,” developer Grant Gaucher wrote to city planner Finlay Sinclair. Sinclair received the notice on Friday, approximately one week after Gaucher submitted the design of the downtown project that is to be the largest single project ever developed in the city. “With the design, he realized Extra Foods is not acceptable... we’ll see what he does.” The project contains nine buildings laid out in a two block area of the old railway yard in the city’s downtown core. The application, the first of two phases, contained seven buildings, one of which would be filled by Extra Foods, the anchor tenant. The design of the Extra Foods building deviated from the look and design of the other buildings in both color and facade. Councillor Darryl McLean said pulling the plans is the sign of a good developer. Council was to discuss the plans on Tuesday evening.
8 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com OCTOBER 29, 2026
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A NEED FOR A HEALTHY, NATURAL RIVER ENVIRONMENT MOST DISRUPTIVE: continued from page 5 Keeping room for the river Although dikes are central to the flood mitigation plan, Strang said the project is not simply about building the highest or largest possible walls beside the Coldwater River. Where the engineering and available land allow, the city is using setback dikes - protective structures positioned farther back from the river rather than directly along its banks. The approach creates more space for floodwater while leaving room for a more natural river corridor. Strang said only about 18 per cent of the overall project involves dikes directly alongside the river, compared with more than 70 per cent in the original design. That shift is a key part of balancing flood protection with the environment. The city is also advancing naturalization work in the STUWI area. Strang said the plan includes purchasing four properties and naturalizing approximately six hectares of land, with planting planned for 2027. The aim is to create space for a healthier river environment while accounting for the realities of flood protection and the need to safeguard nearby homes and infrastructure. For Strang, preserving that landscape is not an optional extra to be considered after the engineering is finished. It is one of the measures by which the project should ultimately be judged. The challenge is to ensure the river corridor remains a place people can enjoy, while reducing the risk of a future flood overwhelming the city again. Lessons from the 2021 flood The flood mitigation program is also shaped by the limitations of how disaster recovery funding traditionally works. Strang pointed to the replacement of the Middlesboro Bridge as an example of the difference between rebuilding what existed and rebuilding to meet a new standard. He said restoring the bridge to its previous specifications would have cost roughly $7.4 million. Building a replacement that met the updated flood standard required a substantially larger investment,
with the total eventually reaching approximately $15 million. Securing the additional funding took around 18 months of work, Strang said. He said the experience illustrated how funding rules designed to restore infrastructure to its previous condition can fall short when the underlying engineering requirements have changed dramatically. Merritt’s circumstances are unusual because the updated flood modelling calls for protection against a flow several times larger than the standard used to build its previous infrastructure. That makes the city’s recovery more complicated than replacing damaged structures with similar ones. It must design and fund an entirely different level of protection. Strang said the city has worked with provincial staff who recognized those limitations and helped find a way forward, even when existing programs were not designed for Merritt’s situation. He hopes the experience will help inform how governments support other communities facing major disasters. Residents invited to see what comes next The city is planning a public event on Saturday, Nov. 14, where residents will be able to review the mitigation plan, speak YEARS OF MITIGATION: continued on page 25
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PENSIONS, SAFETY AND CONTRACTING OUT FUEL STRIKE MINE WORKERS: continued from page 1 particularly difficult for employees to accept. He also questioned the company’s spending priorities when it comes to contracting out work traditionally performed by union members. Wolff estimated contractors can cost upwards of $200 per hour, before additional expenses such as transportation, accommodations, tools and equipment. “They’re willing to pay contractors three times as much money, but they’re not willing to pay their employees,” he said. One example, he said, involves a basement at the mill where accumulated copper concentrate has allegedly reached electrical instrumentation. According to Wolff, the buildup has become so severe that it is interfering with electrical equipment. The union had been requesting additional workers to address the problem, but he said the company instead moved to contract out eight positions to complete the cleanup. Wolff questioned why the company would bring in outside contractors to address a safety concern that union members had already identified, particularly while negotiations were underway. He said the decision reflects a broader pattern of contracting out work traditionally performed by Highland Valley Copper employees. The issue carries particular significance for longtime employees. Wolff pointed to previous labour disputes over contracting out, saying workers fought decades ago to protect jobs that he believes are again being transferred to outside companies.
“We’re forging new bonds here. You want to build solidarity? We’re getting more solid.” — United Steelworkers Local 7619 President Kyle Wolff Safety has become another major concern. Wolff described a provincial investigation into workplace culture that identified problems involving bullying, harassment, intimidation and safety. Although he said the union and company have been working to address those concerns, he believes conditions have continued to worsen. “Things haven’t been improving. Safety’s gone downhill,” he said. He also raised concerns about the mine’s ability to attract and retain qualified tradespeople. “We need 100 heavy-duty mechanics. We need pipe fitters, electricians, we need tradespeople,” Wolff said. He argued that other mining operations in British Columbia are offering more competitive wages, while Highland Valley Copper employees face rising living costs and substantial commuting expenses. Some workers travelling from Kamloops spend approximately $8,000 annually getting to work, he estimated. Wolff also expressed concerns about operations
continuing during the strike, questioning whether the personnel remaining have the experience and qualifications needed to operate and maintain equipment safely. He worries that equipment damage or maintenance problems could create additional challenges for union employees when they eventually return. Despite the frustration, Wolff spoke about Highland Valley Copper as more than an employer. “We’re passionate about the work we do. This is our home, right? We go there every day.” He described generations of families who have worked at the mine, including his own, and employees who have spent much of their lives maintaining the operation. Now, the strike is bringing together workers from different departments, crews and generations who rarely cross paths during their regular shifts. “You can work up here for 20 years and not know everybody,” Wolff said. “Now we’re forging new bonds here. You want to build solidarity? We’re getting more solid.” He believes the longer workers remain together, the more they will understand the problems affecting one another. And although the eventual outcome of negotiations remains uncertain, Wolff was clear about what he expects to change. “When we go back to work, we’re not going to accept what we had before,” he said. For workers who have spent decades building their lives around Highland Valley Copper, the dispute has become a fight not only over what they earn, but over the conditions they will return to and the future of the mine they have helped sustain.
THE PERSONAL COST OF STANDING TOGETHER IN STRIKE
ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR
community@merrittherald.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For some workers at Highland Valley Copper, the strike means dipping into savings built over years. For others, it means wondering how long they can manage without the paycheque their families depend on. Standing outside the mine Monday morning, workers spoke about mortgages, children, household expenses and the uncertainty that comes with walking away from regular wages. One employee, who has spent 31 years at Highland Valley Copper, acknowledged that his circumstances are different from those of younger workers. “I’m in a lot better shape than a lot of our members. We’ve got young members, young families,” he said. He recalled a time when the mine attracted thousands of applicants. Now, he said, some newly hired employees leave before completing their probationary periods. For workers facing an uncertain financial future, preparations for a strike have been years in the making. “A lot of us are just willing to take the hit. We’ve saved up and got ready for this,” another employee said.
He explained that some tradespeople may seek temporary employment to help stretch their strike pay, while others will rely on savings. Workers also reflected on previous negotiations when copper prices were considerably lower. They said employees accepted modest increases during difficult periods but now question why concessions are being sought amid stronger market conditions. Teck has confirmed that operations are continuing at reduced capacity. The company said it remains committed to reaching a collective agreement that is fair and reasonable for employees while supporting the mine’s ongoing viability. Beyond the picket lines, workers worry the financial consequences could reach communities throughout the region. One employee spoke about his family’s connection to Merritt and how their income helps support relatives, including purchasing hockey equipment for children. “When we don’t have the money to do that, it affects the whole community,” he said. Workers described how wages earned at Highland Valley Copper support local businesses, households and families far beyond the mine itself.
But money was only part of the conversation. Several spoke about workplace protections earlier generations fought to establish and the responsibility they feel to preserve them. “A lot of people have forgotten why we have those labor laws too, why we have the health and safety regulations that we have, and why we have benefits,” one worker said. For an employee who has worked at industrial sites throughout British Columbia, concerns about workplace safety are a major reason he is willing to lose income. “I’ve worked on a lot of industrial sites in B.C., and the accidents, the close calls that we had up here are some of the craziest stuff I’ve seen,” he said. “You get lucky that some of these things haven’t turned into injuries.” The employee said the financial sacrifice would be worthwhile if it meant returning to a safer workplace and continuing to support his children. As the strike continues, workers face difficult decisions about how long their savings and strike pay can sustain their households. Yet beneath the conversations about missed wages and financial uncertainty was a shared concern about what happens after the picket lines disappear.
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2026
People’s Choice AWARDS
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
The Winners are: BUSINESS AND SERVICES AGRICULTURAL/FARM/RANCH 3 Bar Farms AUTO PARTS STORE Bumper to Bumper AUTO REPAIR SHOP DCS Auto BANK CIBC BUILDING CONTRACTOR COMPANY Caleo Construction BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANY Home Hardware BUTCHER SHOP Local Butcher CANNABIS DISPENSARY Unity Cannabis CEMENT COMPANY Merritt Ready Mix CLOTHING STORE 378 Boardshop COLD BEER, WINE / LIQUOR STORE Old Barley Market Beer & Wine Store CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS STATION Super Save Gas COUNSELLING BUSINESS Currents Counselling DAYCARE FAMILY PLACE Early Learning Centre DENTAL COMPANY Cascade Dental DOG/CAT GROOMER Tracey Ketters Dog and Cat Grooming ELECTRICAL COMPANY Electrifriends Contracting Ltd FITNESS FACILITY Persistence Training Center (PTC) FLOWER SHOP Valley Bloom Bar GROCERY STORE Save-On-Foods
HOTEL / MOTEL Best Western Plus INSURANCE OFFICE Interior Savings Insurance Services LANDSCAPING COMPANY Klassen Landscaping MASSAGE OFFICE Heidi Joy Brown, RMT OPTICAL BUSINESS FYI Doctors PHARMACY Black’s Pharmacy PLUMBING COMPANY Nicola Plumbing & Heating REAL ESTATE COMPANY Royal LePage SALON Kruse N’ Style SENIORS HOME Gillis House SPA Mellah Leuca Day Spa STORAGE FACILITY Triggs Storage Ltd. TATTOO ARTIST Robin Humphrey THRIFT/SECOND HAND STORE Nicola Valley Auxiliary Thrift Store TIRE SHOP Kal Tire TOWING COMPANY Mario’s Towing Ltd WELDING COMPANY Jacksons Welding HOME BASED BUSINESS Double D’s Bakery UNIQUE BUSINESS Dragon’s Delight - Caitlin Rizzardo BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Valley Graze Box BEST BUSINESS OVERALL (UNDER 10 EMPLOYEES)
UK Spice Cuisine
BEST BUSINESS OVERALL OVER 10 EMPLOYEES
Fountain Tire BEST NEW BUSINESS Scissor Me Timbers FOOD CATERING Mandolins Bagel & Coffee House PUB Game on Sports Bar and Grill RESTAURANT The Grand Pub & Grill BREAKFAST Chloe’s Dinner BURGER Game On Sports Bar and Grill CHICKEN Coco’s Restaurant CHINESE FOOD Crystal Garden DESSERT Kekuli Cafe PIZZA Yaki Joe’s Pizza SANDWICH Home Restaurant SOUP Valley Graze STEAK Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual SUSHI Coco’s Restaurant WINGS Game On Sports Bar and Grill PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER Carrie ware CASHIER Debbie Shearer CLUB/SPORTS ORGANIZATION Love to Dance Academy COACH Gian Cavaliere COOK Harry Singh (UK Spice)
DENTIST Dr. Prokopetz / Stoyoma DOCTOR Dr. Lali EYELASH TECHNICIAN Ashley Pare, Sinfully Sugar’d & Lash Studio HAIR DRESSER Stephanie McRae & Corrine Munro Tied for 1st place
LOCAL ARTIST Richard Tenisch LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN Second Bass LOCAL EVENT Country Christmas MECHANIC Adam Douthwright MANAGER Deborah Petrovich - WorkBC NAIL TECHNICIAN Chelsea Spence NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION Love to Dance Academy OUTSTANDING YOUTH Emma Doncaster PERSONAL TRAINER Tyler Wowchuck PHOTOGRAPHER Crystal Leier REALTORS Bailee Allen & Jared Thomas Tied for 1st place
RECEPTIONIST Della Field - WorkBC RESTAURANT SERVER Lisa Vanroosbroeck SALES PROFESSIONAL Adam Etchart TEACHER / EDUCATOR Mr. Shea - Central Elementary VETERINARIAN Dr. Anais Roy VOLUNTEER Kia Henriksen
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I am incredibly honoured and grateful to have been voted Merritt’s
BEST REALTOR Tied for 1st place
People’s Choice “Best Realtor” for the third consecutive year!
This year is particularly special as I have the pleasure of sharing this recognition with another fantastic local REALTOR®, Jared Thomas PREC of Real Broker BC Ltd.* Jared and I have had the opportunity to work together on countless real estate transactions over the years, and our ability to work collaboratively and seamlessly has always been something I’ve appreciated. It’s truly an honour to share this year’s recognition with someone I have so much respect for in our industry. To the wonderful community of Merritt and the Nicola Valley, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Being born and raised in this community, I have always been proud to call Merritt home. To now have the opportunity to build my business here, raise my family here, and help others find their place in this beautiful valley is something I will never take for granted. I know that I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of this community. Every hello, wave, phone call, text message, coffee date, referral and opportunity to help someone buy or sell their home means more to me than you know. It’s the relationships and connections I’ve built along the way that make this career so rewarding. As I continue this exciting new chapter with Canada Flex Realty Group, I look forward to growing, building new relationships and continuing to serve the community that has given me so much.
To my past and present clients, friends, family, fellow REALTORS® and everyone who has supported me along the way, thank you for your continued trust and encouragement. Three years in a row! What an incredible honour. Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me to do what I love in the place I am so proud to call home. With heartfelt appreciation,
bailee@flexrealtygroup.ca
BEYOND GRATEFUL!
Whether it’s been a like, comment, share, telling your friends or coming up to me in the grocery store to say how much you liked the last video it’s not lost on me how special it is to serve a community like this. I do my best to try and reflect the values that Merritt holds dear: hard work, treating people kindly, perseverance and don’t forget a sprinkle of laughter to keep everyone smiling.
What makes this award even more special is to win it alongside my colleague and friend Bailee Allen. A truly amazing woman that serves this community selflessly, is the first to volunteer, the last to give up, and from experience I can say one of the best agents in Merritt bar none. To be mentioned in the same conversation as her is as special as being up for consideration at all. Thanks goes to my wife Hilary and son Oscar for being my inspiration and putting up with all my crazy ideas and the time it takes to put into a job like this. If you’re just seeing me for the first time and want to learn more - give me a follow now!
YOU CAN FIND ME EVERYWHERE WORTH LOOKING AT:
BEST REALTOR Tied for 1st place
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
Best Beer and Wine Store
On behalf of all of us here at the
OLDE BARLEY MARKET
We would like to extend thanks for your patronage over the years and we’ll continue offering the best selections and the best prices in town. Open Daily: 9 am - 11 pm 1975 Voght Street 250-378-8859
THANK YOU,
MERRITT!
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
For voting Love to Dance Academy a 2026 People’s Choice Favourite!
THANK YOU MERRITT! We are truly honoured to be voted
WE APPRECIATE
BEST THRIFT & SECOND HAND STORE A heartfelt thank-you to our wonderful community. Every purchase, donation, and volunteer hour helps us raise funds for essential medical equipment and patient comfort in the Nicola Valley. This recognition belongs to all of you who make a difference in the lives of others. We are proud to serve our community and grateful for all your support.
With sincere appreciation,
❤
Our volunteers and the entire thrift store team
Merritt Herald 2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
YOU!
L O V E
T O
D A N C E
A C A D E M Y E S T
2 0 1 2
admin@lovetodanceacademy.com www.lovetodanceacademy.com
WINNER
Nonprofit Organization
WINNER
Sports Club/Organization
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Best Dental Office
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Merritt Herald Choice AWARD 2026 People’s Choice AWARD
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 17 Merritt Herald
2026 People’s
Merritt Herald Choice AWARD
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
18 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Thank You! Carrie Ware & Company Inc would like to thank the Merritt and area community for voting us the Best Accountant/Bookkeepers for the 2026 People’s Choice Award.
Chartered Professional Accountant Firm 2032 Quilchena Avenue
250-378-2215
Email: reception@carrieware.ca Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
THANK YOU, MERRITT!
We’re honoured to be voted Best Plumbing & Heating Company in the 2026 People’s PEOPLE’S
Best Plumbing Company
Choice Awards — our 8th consecutive
WIN!
Your continued trust and support mean the world to us. From our team at Nicola Plumbing & Heating, thank you for choosing local and allowing us to serve the community we’re proud to call home.
Merritt Herald
2019 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Best Plumbing Company
Nicola Plumbing & Heating was opened on March 29, 1982. It was purchased by Tom Matthias Sr. on January 9, 1987. Together with his sons, Tom Jr. and Mike, he ran his business for 20 years until his retirement. On January 2, 2006, Tom Sr. transferred ownership of Nicola Plumbing & Heating to Tom Jr. and Mike. Together with their wives, Maxine and Jeanette, Nicola Plumbing & Heating, continues to be operated by Tome Jr. Mike, Maxine and Jeanette and continue to offer the same quality workmanship that Tom Sr. had given to the community for many years. In 2012, Nicola Plumbing and Heating purchased the building, located at 2064 Coutlee Ave. The Matthias family has been in Merritt for over 50 years and continues to be a proud part of the community.
Nicola Plumbing Heating Nicola Plumbingand & Heating WE SERVICE: Residential, Commercial & Light Industrial
email: nicplumb@telus.net
Phone: 250-378-4943
2064 Coutlee Ave., P.O. Box 2999 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
A HUGE THANK YOU
Best Soup & Best Business Under 10 employeses
to our incredible Valley Graze team!
This People’s Choice RECOGNITION is a reflection OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, and the HEART YOU BRING to our café every day. We couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built. This one is for you!
2114 Nicola Avenue, Merritt 250-315-1779 | valleygraze.ca Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP!
PEOPLE’S
LOCALLY OWNED. COMMUNITY TRUSTED.
DCS Auto has been keeping Merritt’s vehicles running smoothly for decades!
From all of us at DCS Auto, thank you for your votes, your loyalty and your continued support. We’re proud to serve the community that has supported us for so many years. Shawn & Dawson Heidi & Beau
dcsauto29@gmail.com 2152 Lauder St., Merritt • 250-378-2929
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CELEBRATING OUR 2026 WINNERS
YEARS OF MITIGATION WORK STILL AHEAD
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Protect Your Home — Simple Tips to Prevent Burglaries
A NEED FOR: continued from page 9
with engineers and learn more about the construction ahead. The event is intended to focus on the future rather than serve simply as a commemoration of the 2021 flood. Residents will be able to see project plans and displays, ask questions about completed and proposed work, and speak with the technical teams responsible for different parts of the program. The city is also planning family activities, including face painting, giveaways, popcorn and the release of the second episode of its Coldwater Stories series. Emergency preparedness information is also expected to be available. Strang said two questions are particularly important for residents to ask: how the next three years of construction will affect them, and whether their property will be protected once the currently funded work is complete. The answers will not be the same for everyone.
Connecting BC to the world British Columbia has long connected communities, businesses and people to the world. These connections help BC businesses compete globally and support jobs and investment here at home. Natural gas plays a role in that network, helping deliver dependable energy that supports trade with trusted partners and contributes to a strong provincial economy. As BC continues to expand its role on the world stage, our focus remains on supporting BC’s role as a responsible trading partner — while delivering reliable energy for communities across the province. > Visit enbridge.com/bc to learn more.
For some residents, the work will mean a substantial reduction in flood risk. For others, particularly those in areas covered by the unfunded portions of the plan, the answer may be that protection has not yet been secured. Strang said he wants people to have a clear understanding of those differences and an opportunity to speak directly with the engineers rather than rely on assumptions about what the plan will accomplish. The event comes five years after a flood that forced residents from their homes, damaged infrastructure and disrupted the city’s essential services. Strang said time has allowed some of the immediate memories to fade, even as the work to reduce the risk continues. For Merritt, the next phase will be measured not only in dollars spent or dikes completed, but in how effectively the city can protect its residents, preserve the river corridor and close the funding gap that remains.
• LOCK IT UP – Always lock doors and windows, even when you’re at home. • LIGHT IT UP – Use outdoor motion-sensor lights and indoor timers to give the impression someone is home. • KEEP IT CLEAR – Trim shrubs and trees so there are no hiding spots near doors or windows. • DON’T ADVERTISE AWAY TIME – Avoid posting travel plans on social media until after you return.
• SECURE VALUABLES – Keep jewelry, cash, and electronics out of sight.
THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD.
IS YOUR FURNACE READY FOR WINTER
Don’t get caught off guard by a broken heater when you need it most. Give your furnace a tune-up before the cold hits.
BE SURE TO KEEP THE FAMILY WARM & SAFE THIS WINTER
2151 Coutlee Avenue
coppervalley@uniserve.com
250-378-5104
26 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com
NICOLA VALLEY
SPORTS
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 27
GOT SPORTS? Contact Jake at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241
MERRITT CURLER HEADING ONTO WORLD STAGE
PHOTO/JANZEN DESPE
Janzen Despe throws a rock at the Merritt Curling Club during practice.
JAKE COURTEPATTE
newsroom@ merrittherald.com
A young Merritt curler will take his talents to the international stage this December, representing the Philippines at the World Jr. B Curling Championships in Finland. The competition marks a major milestone for Janzen Despe, who has been curling for just two seasons after arriving in Canada in July 2025. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Despe has quickly
progressed from learning the basics at the Merritt Curling Club to earning an opportunity to compete for his home country on the world stage. “I never imagined that I would get the opportunity to be playing on the world stage,” he said. “But with the right decisions and determination, here I am, working my way up, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.” Despe’s introduction to curling began with his father, who played at the Merritt Curling Club and passed along some
of the skills and knowledge that would help shape his son’s game. The interest grew further after watching the 2022 Winter Olympics. He found himself drawn to winter sports, particularly figure skating and curling. However, he was still living in the Philippines, where curling facilities were not available. Although the country had ice rinks for hockey and skating, curling was not widely known and there were no dedicated curling rinks. Moving to Canada opened the door to
pursuing that interest. Once he began curling in Merritt, he took advantage of opportunities to get on the ice. “I am fairly new to curling - this is my second season - but due to the ice time I had, I learned fast and continued gaining experience,” Despe said. Much of his early development took place in Merritt, with additional experience coming through bonspiels. He also curls with the Merritt Secondary School (MSS) men’s team. The team finished third at the Okanagan high school playdowns, narrowly missing out on qualification for provincials. Now in his senior year, he hopes to help the school team take the next step. “We are planning to change that this year,” he said. “I’m on my senior year now, and I’m not
IT’S HAPPENING Fri. Oct 30 vs Kimberley 7 pm Octoberfest - Reduced Prices Sat. Oct 31 vs Kamloops 7 pm Wear your Costume Fri. Nov. 6 vs Grand Forks 7 pm Parent Appreciation Sun. Nov. 8 vs Revelstoke 2 pm Public Skate with a Cent 5:15
leaving without leaving anything for this school.” While continuing to build his experience locally, he also began pursuing an opportunity to represent the Philippines. Curling Pilipinas, the country’s curling organization, recruits eligible athletes from the Filipino diaspora, including dual citizens living in countries such as Canada, the United States and Switzerland. For Despe, representing the Philippines is about much more than curling. He sees an opportunity to honour his family, celebrate his heritage and demonstrate what Filipino athletes can accomplish in winter sports. “It’s a deeply emotional way to honour my family, the people of the Philippines, and everyone who has
supported me, while proving that a tropical nation can absolutely slide with the best in the winter sports world and pave the way for the next generation of Filipino curlers.” He said his connection to the country is a driving force behind his decision to compete internationally. “Growing up here, you learn early on what the
‘Pinoy spirit’ means,” he said. “Carrying that flag into a winter sport is incredibly special because I get to show the world our grit and determination, while working to build a permanent home for curling in our country.” For the young curler, the trip is an exciting opportunity, but it also comes with significant costs. Travelling to
Finland requires the team to cover expenses such as flights, accommodation and meals throughout the week. Much of that cost must be paid out of pocket. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover Despe’s travel expenses, and can be found at www.gofundme. com/1bfcdfca9, or go to the GoFundMe website and search ‘Janzen’.
SWANSON PLAYS HERO JAKE COURTEPATTE
newsroom@ merrittherald.com
The Merritt Centennials bounced back strong from a two-game losing streak over the weekend, thanks to some overtime heroics from Ryker Swanson. The Merritt squad took on the Quesnel River
Rush on Oct. 24, with Swanson opening the game’s scoring in the final two minutes of the second period. Sam Saskiw held strong between the Cents’ pipes until the 8:40 mark of the final frame, before the River Rush were able to tie it and send it to overtime. It was there that Swanson once
again played the hero, notching his fourth of the year less than thirty seconds into extra time. The return to the win column brings Merritt’s record to 7-4-1-1. The Cents return to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Oct. 30 to host the Kimberley Dynamiters in a 7p.m. puck drop.
Buy your tickets for
Ice Breaker Dinner, Entertainment & Dance Featuring Magician, Live Auction, Comedian & DJ
November 7, 2026
Tickets available at ticket booth on game nights, Nicola Valley Sports or dan@merrittcentennials.ca Individual $60 or Group of 8 $420 VIP Table $600 Welcome: #8 TJ Terpsma and #12 Diezel Wyton
BEAT THE LINE UPS, PRE PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS AT SHOWPASS.COM
28 | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | www.merrittherald.com
NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY
GOT STORIES? Contact Jake at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241
FIRST POPPY OF THE SEASON AS MERRITT GETS SET TO REMEMBER
CONTAIN-IT STORAGE Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers ■
1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911 Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m. Merritt Baptist Church 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464
Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m. St. Michael’s Anglican Church 1990 Chapman St. • 604-329-0549 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
PHOTO/JAKE COURTEPATTE
Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz (middle) was the recipient of the first poppy of the season from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96.
JAKE COURTEPATTE
newsroom@merrittherald.com
It’s that time of year again to wear your Canadian pride on your chest. Poppy season has begun around the Nicola Valley, with stands found at locations all across town to purchase your poppy and support the Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 96. “We’re pretty much set up everywhere,” said local Legion President Alphonse L’Abbe, who presented the first traditional poppy of the season to Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz. The Remembrance Day campaign runs until Nov. 11, when the community will once again be invited to the cenotaph for the yearly ceremony honouring our
veterans. The Poppy Fund supports veterans and their families and may be used for providing grants for food, clothing, prescription medicine or medical equipment. The fund may also be put towards providing shelter and housing assistance, funding for veteran transition programs, accessibility modifications and support for cadet units.
Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time every Sunday - 10 am Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 2:30 pm • 250-280-1268 Sunday School Time: 12:15 pm Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Sunday Service Times: 9 am & 10:45 am www.nicolavalleyefc.com Motion Church Merritt Sundays 10 am Coquihalla Middle School (2975 Clapperton Ave) www.wearemotionchurch.ca/merritt
IS YOUR FURNACE READY FOR WINTER Don’t get caught off guard by a broken heater when you need it most. Give your furnace a tune-up before the cold hits.
BE SURE TO KEEP THE FAMILY WARM & SAFE THIS WINTER
250-378-5104
2151 Coutlee Ave., coppervalley@uniserve.com
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 29
BOOK YOUR CLASSIFIED BOOK YOUR CLASSIFIED AD – AD ONLINE! IN PRINT PRINTAND AND ONLINE! Call 250-378-4241 Call 250-378-4241
CLASSIFIEDS
email: publisher@merrittherald.com ororemail: publisher@merrittherald.com Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5admin@merrittherald.com p.m. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
DEADLINE: MONDAY at noon. for that week’s paper. OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
In Loving Memory of
Mary (Marie) Evelyn Popoff February 9, 1937 – October 6, 2026 It is with deep sadness that the family of Mary (Marie) Popoff announce her passing on October 6, 2026, at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops at the age of 89, with her daughter Gail by her side. Mom left this world peacefully and on her terms. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Mom was born on February 9, 1937, in Lillooet, BC to Alphonse and Martina La Rochelle. She grew up in Lillooet and that is where she met her late husband, George Popoff. In her younger years Mom and Dad both enjoyed getting together with family and friends to play the guitar, make music and sing along to all the old songs. Mom also found great joy in her garden and flowers, which were plentiful each year. She also enjoyed having a Cool One with Gail and Mish, and mom would tell stories about her antics growing up on the ranch. Mom is lovingly remembered by her daughters Gail (Darryl), Shirley, Iris, Bea (Frank). Grandchildren Joshua (Teirra), Krystal (Donny), Sheldon, Tracy, Stuart (Chandra), Micheal (Ha), Kristoffer, Brigitte, Angela, Joseph and Robert. Great-grandchildren Chenoa, Roman, Harper, David, Hannah, Victoria, Phoenix, Declan, Jaden, one sister Auntie Moe, many nieces, nephew and extended family and can’t forget mom’s best friend and loyal companion, her little dog Tia. Mom was predeceased by her husband George Popoff, sons Wendell and Derrick, daughter Martin Faith, grandchildren Terry and Latisha Popoff, her brothers Darwin, Donald, and George La Rochelle. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors at Royal Inland Hospital’s 5 South for their compassionate care and kindness shown to mom. Also thank you to Chief Bonnie Adolph and Cousin Desiree for their unwavering support and unconditional love during this difficult time. At Mom’s request, there will be no formal service at this time. The family will gather in the spring in Lillooet for a Luncheon. The family will sprinkle Mom and Dad’s ashes up in the mountain so they will always be together. Mom’s love will be kept in her family’s hearts forever. Fly with the Eagles Mom.
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
Legal/Public Notices
Legal/Public Notices
Sydney Irene Turmel December 23, 1945 - October 8, 2026 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Sydney Irene Turmel (Begg) of Merritt, BC, on Thursday, October 8th, 2026. Sydney was pre-deceased by her husband Robert in 2020, siblings Connie, Sandra, Stuart and Ted, as well as her parents Marjory and Sandy. Sydney is survived by her children Eva (Ross), Paul, and Leona (Perry), and her granddaughters Kristina, Jessica and Katie, as well as her brother Dennis (Sandy), and her In-laws Marv and Jeannette Sheriff and Margaret Begg, and many nieces and nephews. Sydney was born on December 23rd, 1945, in Kamloops, BC, and spent most of her childhood years in Merritt and Princeton, BC. She married Robert in 1963 in Merritt and they spent their working years in a number of places including Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Campbell River and Pitt Meadows, before finally deciding to spend their retirement years back in Merritt. We will celebrate Sydney’s life on Friday, Nov. 6th, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Merritt Funeral Chapel. There will be a reception and graveside service to follow.
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
Merritt Funeral Chapel A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC
Celebrating each life like no other REGULAR OFFICE HOURS On Call 24 Hours A Day
Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
250-378-2141
TODAY' S PUZZL
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Legal/Public Notices
Legal/Public Notices
Legal/Public Notices
Legal/Public Notices
Forest Operations Map – Invitation to Comment PUBLIC NOTICE The public is invited to review and comment on Logan Lake Community Forest Corporation (LLCFC) Forest Operations Map (FOM). Post will be available for review starting on October 30, 2026. FOM post #3567 (Salvage Harvest -LL50) shows proposed road construction and cut block development under Forest Stewardship Plan #649 within Logan Lake Community Forest License K2E in the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District (DTR). In the next few months, LLCFC may plan harvesting and construct roads shown on the FOM that have been available for public review for 30 days. The blocks and roads are located within the Logan Lake Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and are part of a wildfire risk reduction plan. The LLCFC Forest Operations Map for the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District is available for public review and comment online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ public/projects The LLCFC FOM is also available for in-person review and comment by appointment at Forsite Consultants office at 201-705 Laval Crescent, Kamloops, B.C. during business hours between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. To set up an appointment, e-mail lcaputo@forsite.ca Comments for both posts will be accepted between October 30 to November 29, 2026. Comments may be submitted directly through https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/ projects, emailed to lcaputo@forsite.ca, delivered in person to the address above during business hours, or mailed to the attention of Forestry Manager at the address above.
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