B.C. orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks off public use
The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall.
But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use.
The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural spring and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Spring, last October.
The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation.
However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment.
Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's 'really disappointed' a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend.
Talen blamed the resort for the fence.
'I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful,' said Talen.
Photographs provided by Talen show a large brick-and-metal structure has also been built across the stream, along with a sign deterring the public from accessing the water.
'Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury,' the sign says.
But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years.
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given.
The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified.
Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefitted the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is 130 kilometres east of Vancouver.
'The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue,' said Talen.
'These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business,' he added.
The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts.
The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
A New Era for the Canada-U.S. Relationship
TORONTO, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the Empire Club of Canada, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada), will host a special event 'A New Era of the Canada-U.S. Relationship' with the Honorable Pete Hoekstra, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Ambassador Hoekstra's remarks will address current affairs, including trade and security, while also reflecting on how to build on the long tradition of cooperation and friendship between Canada and the United States.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Saskatoon financial forecast pegs property tax increase at 10%, but says number will go down
Social Sharing The City of Saskatoon has released its preliminary financial forecast, and the numbers are daunting. It projects property tax increases of 10 per cent in 2026 and another seven per cent in 2027 on an average assessed home value of $397,000. Inflation, growth, funding for long-term projects and the police budget account for much of the financial pressure. Clae Hack, the city's chief financial officer, said he's "confident" the numbers aren't what will be ultimately approved by city council when they pass a final budget in the fall. "The starting point of all those conversations is, what are the pressures we're facing? What can we do to address them?" Hack told host Stephanie Massicotte on CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning on Thursday. "I think for any household or business, that's always the starting point to understand the pressures you're facing and then to make decisions from there." One of the biggest pressures is funding for the Saskatoon Police Service, which accounts for more than one-third of the projected increase — driven by inflation and wage increases set out in a recent arbitration settlement. Hack said he has talked with the police chief about the budget, but ultimately, the board of police commissioners makes the final decision on it. Inflation is another big driver of rising expenses. The administration's report to council cites examples of items that have seen big increases since 2021, such as sand (23 per cent), asphalt (38 per cent), buses (23 per cent) and cement (28 per cent), according to Statistics Canada data. Growth also drives up costs, the report notes. The city's population has increased by four to five per cent annually over the past two years. "When we add more hectares of park space and kilometres of roadway to program and service that growing population, those come with costs to maintain as well," Hack said. City council previously decided to phase in spending for some big capital projects — such as the Link rapid transit system, east leisure centre and two fire stations — so there are already line items for those. The administration is forecasting revenue increases of about 3.5 per cent and four per cent in each of the next two years, which "while substantive," are lower than "the rate of inflation, growth and the associated expenditure impacts." The report notes Saskatoon has one of the most affordable property tax burdens in Western Canada, citing data that shows Saskatoon residents pay about 2.6 per cent of their after-tax income compared to the regional median of about three per cent. The preliminary financial forecast will be considered by council members at the next meeting of the governance and priorities committee on June 11. It recommends that council direct the administration to continue to refine the budget to reduce the proposed property tax increases.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Inside the MMF's wildfire emergency command centre
We get a first-hand look at how the Manitoba Métis Federation's emergency centre in Winnipeg is helping wildfire evacuees from northern Manitoba with clothing, supplies and support.
