Administration – Clerks

Port Alberni, BC – Mayor Sharie Minions has issued the following statement in response to the report released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding their investigation of three murders which occurred in northern British Columbia in July 2019:

“I want to thank the RCMP for releasing their report summarizing the investigation of the tragic circumstances surrounding the loss of three innocent lives this past summer.

I hope the additional information answers some of the questions that so many people have had about this very sad case. While I recognize there will never be an adequate explanation for the families and loved ones of the victims, we hope the findings will at the very least bring some closure.

On behalf of the community and residents of Port Alberni, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of Chynna Deese, Lucas Fowler and Leonard Dyck.

This has been a challenging time for our community, but nothing compared to what the families of the three victims have been through. In Port Alberni, we continue to support each other and those affected by this case and demonstrate our strength and resilience as Vancouver Island’s community with a heart.

Once again, on behalf of the City of Port Alberni, I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has worked on this difficult case.

Port Alberni, BC – Council for the City of Port Alberni has plans to open a public safety building in the Uptown district. The building will house the City’s Bylaw Services Department and Community Policing and be dedicated to addressing current and emerging public safety challenges by providing a more direct link between the community and Port Alberni’s protective services.

Port Alberni, BC - Mayor Sharie Minions on behalf of Council and the City of Port Alberni has issued a statement following news of a bus crash on the Bamfield Road which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries:

“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic events that unfolded for a busload of university students on route to the Bamfield Marine Station as part of an educational class trip. This sudden loss of young lives is being felt far and wide. Our hearts go out to those impacted by this event, and our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

Port Alberni, BC - Mayor Sharie Minions has issued a statement following confirmation earlier today that an autopsy has confirmed the bodies found near Gillam, Manitoba are those of Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky:

“I hope the additional information provided by the RCMP today will answer some of the questions facing the families who have been struck by the tragedy which unfolded last month in northern British Columbia.

PORT ALBERNI, BC – First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has lifted the advisory for the beach immediately across the river from Papermill Dam Park advising water samples taken Wednesday and Thursday indicate that Enterococci bacteria levels have returned to within acceptable levels. Island Health has advised the City of Port Alberni that the advisory for the beach at Papermill Dam may also be lifted.

The City will continue to monitor water samples at all public beach sites and communicate results as required.

##

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PORT ALBERNI, BC – In response to a beach advisory warning issued by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) for the beach immediately across the river from Papermill Dam Park, the City of Port Alberni has posted a similar advisory for its beach at Papermill Dam.

The City will undertake and submit water samples for testing and will keep an advisory in effect until such time as Island Health is satisfied with results. At that time, the City will communicate to the public that the advisory has been lifted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Port Alberni, BC - In response to the announcement earlier today by the RCMP that they believe the bodies of two suspects who were the focus of a multi-province manhunt have been found in Manitoba, Mayor Sharie Minions has issued the following statement:

"On behalf of the City of Port Alberni, I would like to express my thanks to members of the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces who undertook a major operation across multiple provinces over the past few weeks to find suspects in the deaths of three individuals in northern British Columbia.

PORT ALBERNI, British Columbia, Canada – As a result of previous concerns related to recreational water quality in Port Alberni, the City, in coordination with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and Island Health, have been testing specific areas of the Alberni Inlet.

PORT ALBERNI, British Columbia, Canada – The City of Port Alberni has hired Twyla Slonski as Deputy City Clerk for the City.