Chemainus – Summer Time (Part One)

July 23, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

Most of our time on the island we found ourselves touring, trying to find that perfect place to spend our retirement years. There are so many beautiful places on VI, but the more we explored the more our thoughts kept coming back to Chemainus. We found ourselves always comparing the places we explored across the island to Chemainus. Once we realized this, the decision was made. I would like to share with you the first in a series of posts featuring just a few of the highlights attracting us to the area and this wonderful community .

The Summer season and Canada Day!

In the summer this town is abuzz with tourists and Chemainus welcomes them with open arms. The season is full of events attended by both locals and their tourist guests. On our last visit we were lucky enough to be here to participate in the July 1st Canada Day celebrations. It was well attended by young and old alike!

Chemainus Events 2016

Interesting VI Facts: “A Divers Dream”

July 22, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

January 14th, 2006 a retired Canadian Airlines Boeing 737 200 was sunk in Stuart Channel just off the coast of Chemainus, British Columbia. It is now an artificial reef for marine life and in use for divers to enjoy. Rescue teams are also seen practicing at the site.

Links:

Boeing 737 Artificial Reef

Artificial Reef Society of BC

Divemaster.ca

 

Video Links:

You tube 2006 News story

2010 Dive showing the marine life inhabiting the plane

 

 

 

“The Island” – Links to learn more

July 21, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

There is so much more to Vancouver Island than most people realize. The majority of the population live on a relatively small “slice” on the island’s east coast that stretches from Sooke and Victoria in the south to Comox in the Nanaimo region.

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Population Density Map. This map does not represent the current population which is over 765,000 people but it illustrates the approximate distribution.

 

Map of VI

Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast

 

While visiting VI we have ventured out of this “slice” only a few times and what we didn’t know is the amazing geographic diversity on this island that’s just waiting to be explored.  As we did our research we began to learn how much there actually is to see here and we have added quite a few more travel items to our “bucket lists” in the process!

To learn more, here are a few of our favourite links!

 

Travel Vancouver Island

This webpage is chock full with information on Island events, things to see, beautiful rides (car or motorcycle), day trips, and links to other VI travel organizations.

There’s even a section on Pet friendly accommodations !

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Our Jax

Take a Hike Vancouver Island (FaceBook Page)

This group page on FaceBook has been set up for people who enjoying hiking in VI. So many of them upload beautiful pictures and there is always discussions about the places they have discovered. Anyone can join and it’s certainly worth checking it out. We have learned so much about the island from this page alone!

 

I Love Vancouver Island (FaceBook Page)

This page highlights many of the events and places to visit during a stay on the island. The picture below is an example of some of the things you will find on the page. The photo is taken in Chemainus, behind the Hansel and Gretel Candy Co in a beautiful little court-yard that you could easily miss if you are not one to explore a bit off the beaten path. It’s filled with greenery, birds and plenty of places to sit and take it all in!  You can sneak in a bit of ice cream too as one of the best ice cream vendors around can also be found there! Cute place to take your little ones!

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Photo credit:  Toad Hollow Photography

If you have a favourite link with info on the Island please share as we would love to explore it too!

 

Comparison: Living in Sask vs Vancouver Island – Health Care

July 20, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

MSP Premium Changes

MSP Premium Rate Changes effective Jan. 1, 2018

In January 2018, MSP premium rates and the Regular Premium Assistance program are changing.

Click here for more info.

Health Care

Overview

One of the main health care plan differences between Sask and Vancouver Island is BC’s requirement to pay a monthly premium by those eligible for the services.

The cost is 2016 $136.00/couple but it is going up to$156.00/couple in 2017. If the age of you or your spouse is over 65 you can claim a $3000.00 yearly tax exemption.

The second difference is the overall health care “Report card ranking” which ranks BC an “A”.  This makes it the top ranking province in Canada and in the top three ranking globally (on par with Sweden and Switzerland).

Saskatchewan ranks a “D” which puts it second from the bottom (along with Manitoba and just one above the US).

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BC/Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island Health Authority is responsible for health care on the island. Unlike Regina, those we talked to had no trouble finding a family doctor, and dentists are plentiful (13 in Duncan alone). There are modern urgent care centres in Ladysmith (10 km away), Chemainus and a regional hospital in Duncan (18 km away).

There is an extensive system of laboratories in BC and a province wide electronic system to deliver lab results to doctors directly. In most cases results are available the same or next day.

 

MSP Medical Services Plan

MSP has a website that does an excellent job linking residents to the most current information regarding the plan.

MSP Medical Services Plan – Click here to view

Overview PDF of BC MSP – Click to view

Waiting period – Click to view

How to Apply (online link to application) – Click to view

 

eHealth

eHealth – BC has been transitioning since 2009 toward an online record administration system, which will allow authorized health professional access to an online lifetime personal electronic health record of every individual in BC.

 

PharmaCare

PharmaCare Assistance (extra coverage for catastrophic drug costs, no premiums are paid for this) and all eligible British Columbians are encouraged to register for the plan.

BC’s Fair PharmaCare plan provides B.C. families with coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, based on their net income. Fair PharmaCare also ensures that B.C. residents, regardless of income, are protected from catastrophic drug costs.

 

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Saskatchewan

Sask Health Services

Saskatchewan offers residents universal health service with no premiums, however wait times for surgery and tests in this province are notoriously long. It is more difficult to keep doctors and nurses in this province so hospitals and health centers are quite often short staffed. Finding a new physician is challenging as many Sask doctors are no longer accepting new patients.

Sask Health Benefits – Click here to view

 

Saskatchewan eHealth (Sask’s online record administration system) is in the works but the province has only been transitioning to this system since 2011.

For more Saskatchewan eHealth information – Click here

 

Other Comparison Links

Provincial and Territorial Ranking – Source The Conference Board of Canada

“B.C. is the top-placing province, scoring an “A” on the health report card and ranking third overall, after Switzerland and Sweden.”

“Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia do poorly and get overall “D” grades on health.”

“Saskatchewan ranks second-to-last among the provinces, 24th overall, and like Manitoba, better than only one peer country, the United States.”

Global News Article

“B.C. is the healthiest province in Canada; Ranked 3rd in the world”

 

 

“Renos”

July 19, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

A year or more out from our anticipated move and we are working on getting the house ready for sale. Started with the kitchen.

Before and after

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The work begins

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Building a kitchenette in the basement.

(Six to eight weeks without a kitchen is a long time!)

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Gettin’ er done!

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The finished kitchen

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Thanks to Andre Longtin and of course Jim for getting this massive job done. It looks amazing! (Nikki likes it too)

Enlight1

Vancouver Island Little Qualicum Cheeseworks near Rathtrevor http://www.cheeseworks.ca/where-to-buy/the-farmgate-store/

Comparison: Living in Sask vs Vancouver Island – Weather

July 18, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

This post is the first in a series to explore our observations regarding the differences between Saskatchewan, Regina area and Southern Vancouver Island (VI, Victoria/Chemainus).

We have been not been on “the Island” for long (collectively over the years maybe three or four months so some of our impressions may be based on unusual or one time factors (e.g. anomalous weather, specific location). There is however a saying we’ve heard around the island that sums up the biggest difference  between VI  and SK, “Relax: You’re on the Island”…

Weather

Conventional thinking holds that Vancouver Island is warmer (but wetter) in the winter and cooler in the summer than Saskatchewan.

During our visit to the Island in January (2016) we arrived to a wet snowfall, which virtually disappeared in a few days. When going out we usually dressed in a light coat or sweater, and sometimes gloves and scarf when it’s a bit chiller. On most days there was some rain (or a kind of mist, accompanied by a distant fog horn which I thought sounded hauntingly beautiful) but on most days there was far more sun than we expected. There were also a few days of full sun along with many days with periods of both sun and overcast. Only a few days during our month stay in January was a total rainout. The rain on the island comes in the forms of a gentle but steady rainfall to a wet mist type rain. Nothing like the straight sideways wind, rain and snow, found in Saskatchewan. For the most part when it rained on the island it never hampered our plans, we just dressed accordingly and grabbed an umbrella!

As for wind the eastern side of VI is much less windy than SK. It’s unusual to experience onshore winds over 5-10 kph.

Fun note: On the Island they were selling annual flowers on racks outside the stores on Jan 4th! The same day we also saw people golfing, sailing and motorcycling too.

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Regina

Regina Intl. Airport – Click here to view weather stats for Jan 2016

 

Regina Intl. Airport – Climate Normals Graph

Click on the graphic below or the above hypertext to view interactive version of this graph.

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Vancouver Island/Victoria

Victoria University – Click here to view weather stats for Jan 2016

 

Victoria Intl. Airport – Climate Normals Graph

Click on the graphic below or the above hypertext to view interactive version of this graph.

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National Comparisons: (from Environment Canada)

Average number of hours of bright sunshine a year in major Canadian cities.

City Hours
Calgary, Alberta 2405
Winnipeg, Manitoba 2372
Regina, Saskatchewan 2338
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2329
Edmonton, Alberta 2299
Victoria, British Columbia 2193
Hamilton, Ontario 2088
Ottawa, Ontario 2061
Barrie, Ontario 2055
Toronto, Ontario 2038

 

Average number of days annually with some bright sunshine.

City Days
Calgary, Alberta 333
Edmonton, Alberta 321
Regina, Saskatchewan 321
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 320
Winnipeg, Manitoba 318
Victoria, British Columbia 317
Windsor, Ontario 307
Kelowna, British Columbia 306
Montréal, Quebec 304
Barrie, Ontario 303
Ottawa, Ontario 303
Toronto, Ontario 303

 

Percentage of daylight hours that are sunny

City % Sunshine
Calgary, Alberta 53
Winnipeg, Manitoba 51
Regina, Saskatchewan 50
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 50
Edmonton, Alberta 49
Victoria, British Columbia 46
Hamilton, Ontario 45
Ottawa, Ontario 45
Montréal, Quebec 44
Toronto, Ontario 44

“Going Coastal”

July 17, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

Buying a new home is the first step, making it your home is the second. As a result of spending quite a bit of time on the coast I have fallen in love with its easy-going lifestyle. I enjoy seeing the coastal beauty of everyday life here, and of course in a breezy coastal seaside town that means nautical!

I love the laid-back Beachhouse coastal look with its crisp clean whites punctuated with the colour of sand, ocean blues and beachcomber accessories but I am also drawn to the Classic Coastal look. This look also starts with a clean white pallet, then is accessorized with nautical navy and reds. The key to decorating Classic Coastal is adopting a less is more attitude and a more formal look, mixing stripes with a few well-chosen nautical prints. I believe we will likely use elements of each as both successfully borrow the beautiful ocean views and blend them into a coastal inspired living space that brings the outside in like a breath of fresh ocean air.

I will be posting our decorating ideas in an “Idea Book” as we go along. I am sure they will continually change as we get closer to the actual finishing of the home but it’s always fun to dream!

Click on the picture below to open the book.

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“The House”

July 16, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda and Jim

We just spent a considerable amount of time looking into the type of house we would like to build on a lot on Vancouver Island. We came up with a very high level plan which would probably work well on this property. We are hoping to keep the square footage down to below 2500 square ft. and we would like to have a main floor level entry from the garage on the upper level of the lot. Here’s what we came up with.

Coming from “flat land” Saskatchewan we do however worry about living on a sloped lot, but having a sweeping view of the ocean (Stuart Channel) makes it a compromise I believe we could probably live with.

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We also would like to build a suite with kitchenette in the lower level to accommodate all the visitors we hope to be getting from Saskatchewan, Alberta and beyond. 🙂 Yes, and what a great holiday for our family and friends! We will supply the accommodations and a car for you to explore the Island, what a great deal! (More about that later, you might notice it becoming a bit of a reoccurring theme in our future postings!)

“The Markets”

July 15, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda

We love the Markets on the Island! The first thing we do when arriving here is pick up our fresh produce from the farmers market. Our favourite market to shop is “The Old Farm Market” on the Trans Canada Highway between Duncan and Cobble Hill. The smells, colours and the friendly people add so much to the shopping experience. I always love shopping there but it’s truly special during the Autumn season when great piles of orange pumpkins and multicoloured corn are found amongst the leafy fall decorating and colourful seasonal produce. This market is just one of many that can be found locally and has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. If you ever get the chance to stop by, don’t forget to treat yourself to an ice cream before you head back home with your bags of farm fresh goodness!

There are so many markets on the Island to check out, but every Wednesday the town of Chemainus has one you’ll really want to check out. A busy place as many tourists along with the local community stop by to purchase not only the fresh food, but to browse and chat with the many artisans selling their wares. A great place to shop for unique and locally made gifts!

Saturday is the big market in Duncan; held in the pretty downtown area and it’s well attended by both vendors and local shoppers. Come early though as they sell out!

The Old Farm Market

 

“The bump”

July 14, 2016 — Leave a comment

Posted by Wanda/Jim

We just came back from the island after spending 12 days in and around the Chemainus and Nanaimo area. We were shocked by how real estate sales on the island seem to be booming. The real estate agents are calling it a “bump” As we drove around the island all the “For Sale” signs we saw during our last visit had little sold signs attached to them! Before we left Regina I thought something was going on as I noticed some of the prices rising but had no idea how quickly both land and houses were selling. After much discussion we decided to buy a piece of land to get a foothold into the market. The window was closing fast on the availability of properties so we decided to act. We are now negotiating on a property in Chemainus on Orca View Terrace. The last ocean view in our price range!

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