B.C. Daily Digest — April 6, 2026

Sea to Sky safety alarm: ICBC says there were 167 crashes on the Sea to Sky Highway in 2024—about one every two days—and roughly half resulted in injury or death. Local leaders like Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford and road-safety advocate Matthew Paugh are urging upgrades (medians, barriers and better communications), while B.C. Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth stresses drivers must obey speed limits.

Mysterious animals wash ashore: Investigators in Skagit County, Washington, now say between 20 and 25 carcasses (found first on March 26) have been recovered along beaches and channels; necropsies and DNA tests began April 1. It’s not yet confirmed whether the animals are dogs, foxes or wolves, and authorities ask anyone with information to contact Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.

Harbour noise in Port Alberni is wearing people down: Residents say diesel generators at the shipyard hum constantly because the port can power only one vessel (the coast guard ship is currently plugged in). In February 45 people signed a petition asking the federal government for more shore power funding; Port Alberni Port Authority rep Zoran Knezevic says technical limits and small-port challenges mean solutions will take time.

Big ask for parks: Vancouver Park Board commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky is pitching a “historic” $1.35 billion 2027–2030 Capital Plan to prepare for nearly 1 million residents by 2050. The plan cites an Auditor General finding that 72% of recreation facilities are in poor or very poor condition and proposes big-ticket items: $300M for seawall/waterfront and tree work, $200M for aquatic facilities (including a new 50-metre pool), $200M for community centres and funds for new parks, playgrounds and biodiversity work — with a special Park Board meeting on April 7 and public votes to follow this summer and at the October 2026 election.

BC Ferries staff working flat-out: Union president Eric McNeely says maintenance crews are working seven days a week to keep an ageing fleet running after recent breakdowns—like the Queen of Surrey and the Spirit of Vancouver Island—and warns compressed refit schedules are straining workers. Four new major ships were approved (built in China) but won’t arrive until 2029–2031, and the union wants more refit time and funding.

Orphaned bear cubs get a second chance: North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre took in two black bear cubs after their mother was found dead in a den; they’re the centre’s first intakes of 2026 and have grown from about 1.5 kg to nearly 5.5 kg. The centre says Vancouver Island bears can emerge from hibernation earlier (around April) and staff are glad the cubs were found.

Cliffside prank sparks backlash: A hollowed-out red Volkswagen Beetle was hung on The Papoose near Shannon Falls, angering the Squamish Nation and climbers and prompting a closure while B.C. Parks, the RCMP and rangers investigate. Council chair Wilson Williams called the stunt disrespectful to sacred land; B.C. Parks expects to remove the vehicle in the next few days but costs and responsibility are still unknown.

ICE in Canada won’t be armed, agency says: U.S. ICE tells Canadians its Homeland Security Investigations agents based in five Canadian offices (including Toronto and Vancouver) don’t carry firearms or do operational arrests in Canada. The statement comes ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow opposed any ICE presence; Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says ICE has no jurisdiction on Canadian soil.

BC Ferries problems ‘no quick fix,’ says official: Jeff Groot, BC Ferries’ communications director, says the ageing fleet’s problems may have been avoidable years ago but there’s no simple fix now after recent cancellations (Queen of Surrey still out of service, Island Discovery also offline). Groot noted the BC Ferry Commissioner declined a requested fifth vessel, staff are offering vouchers/compensation where possible, and weather this week could cause more cancellations.