December 17, 2025

PARKSVILLE FIRE RESCUE

Recruitment 2026

It’s the time of year when Parksville Fire Rescue announces a new recruiting campaign for volunteer paid on-call firefighters to provide fire and emergency response services in the Parksville Fire Protection Area. Our highly skilled professional firefighters value integrity, honesty, selflessness, commitment, courage, and are hardworking and family oriented.

Parksville Fire is a busy department responding to structure fires, rescues, motor vehicle incidents, medical assistance, and public service requests. We rely on the commitment of paid on-call volunteer firefighters dedicated to public safety and community service. We provide an outstanding training program and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many. We offer great benefits and hope you will consider being part of an awesome team. Details on our website. If you are ready to answer the call, call us 250 248-3242 to speak with an officer or arrange a tour. Application deadline February 27. Details on Parksville Fire website.

Parksville firefighters are holding a Christmas tree chipping charity event on Sunday, January 4, from 10 am to 2 pm at Wembley Mall parking lot. Bring your tree and make a cash donation to support the Parksville Firefighters Association Charitable Fund, which benefits local community projects. Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts for providing the chipper and staff—every dollar donated goes directly to the fund.

Between now and when it’s time to dispose of your Christmas tree, Parksville Fire Rescue provides some safety tips to keep your tree from drying out too quickly and reduce the risk of fire in your home:

Keep your tree in a shady cool spot away from sun and heat.
Trees are thirsty, don’t let them run dry ever! Check water level daily.
Use LED lights in good working order. These emit very little heat.
Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, such as a door or window.
Don’t leave your Christmas tree plugged in when you’re away from home or asleep.
Test your smoke alarms which save lives by alerting the household to a fire.

January 9 - Island Radio on Location at Parksville Fire

Megan and Bill with Island Radio, the Beach and the Lounge, will be on location at the Parksville firehall on Friday, January 9 to talk about firefighter recruitment. Stop by between 6 am and 9.30 am to visit with Megan and Bill. Parksville firefighters will be there to chat about what’s involved in volunteering as a paid on-call Parksville firefighter.

On Monday, January 19, a regular practice session will be open from 7 to 9 pm to individuals interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter. Please arrive by 6.30 pm and dress for weather conditions, stay as long as you wish. This open session provides an excellent opportunity to observe training procedures, gain insight into the requirements of the role, engage with current members, and ask questions. The firehall is located at 160 Jensen Avenue West.

IN OTHER NEWS!

Council has given three readings to the amended 2025-2029 financial plan, and the provisional 2026-2030 financial plan will be considered for adoption on January 19. Final property tax and utilities rates will be set in April following Council’s receipt of updated budget information and the BC Assessment revised property roll. More recent information about the financial plan may be read at this link.

Residents can attend or ask questions at public financial plan meetings and presentations and reports from meetings held in November and December are available at letstalkparksville.ca/financial-plan-2026. Comments may be made in-person, online at Let’s Talk Parksville or by email to council@parksville.ca.

Licence Renewals for 2026

Residents and business owners are reminded business licences and dog licences expire December 31, 2025. Renewal invoices have been mailed to residents and businesses.

Business Licences

Available options for business licence payments:

Credit card (Visa or Mastercard) payments from the City’s website
Select Pay for Your Business Licence, then enter your account number.
Mail to P O Box 1390, Parksville V9P 2H3
Dropbox at City Hall (100 Jensen Avenue East)
In-person at City Hall (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm)

Business licence accounts which remain unpaid after January 31, 2026, will be subject to an additional $50 fee on February 1, 2026. The $50 fee will then be applied on the first of each month until May 1, 2026, at which time the licence will be suspended.

Business owners may email biz@parksville.ca to receive an emailed copy and questions should be directed to biz@parksville.ca or 250 954-4650. More details on the City’s website.

Dog Licences

If you currently own a dog, please purchase a licence in-person from City Hall (open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm) or the BCSPCA (open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 pm). All dogs over the age of six months must wear a municipal dog tag, which must be renewed yearly. Residents can renew their dog licences for a discounted fee before January 31.

By January 31

Spayed/neutered $20, not spayed/neutered $30

After January 31

Spayed/neutered $25, not spayed/neutered $35

The main benefit of licensing is the quick return of dogs should they become lost. Fees collected help to offset the cost to maintain our off-leash dog park, provide bags and dispensers throughout the City and provide bylaw enforcement to handle public safety concerns of stray, off-leash and dangerous dogs. More info on City’s website.

Win your dog’s licence!

Enter our social media Parksville pooch photo contest.

Photos will be entered into a draw to win one of two free 2026 dog licences and some treats. Don’t wait to renew, we’ll refund if you win! Open until January 31, here’s how to enter the contest:

Visit our Facebook page and upload the photo in the comments section on any contest-related post.
Upload photo to Instagram using hashtag #parksvillepooch and tag @parksvillecity.

REMINDERS AND THINGS TO KNOW...

City of offices will be closed on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26 for the Christmas holidays and closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year’s Day holiday. City offices will be open regular hours, 8 am to 4 pm on December 22-24, December 29-31 and January 2. Operations is on call during all non-working hours, including weekends and holidays. For afterhours City operations emergency, residents should call 250 248-6144 (4 pm to 8 am, Monday to Friday and weekends and holidays).

Retroactive homeowner grant - December 31, 2025, is the deadline to claim a retroactive homeowner grant for 2024 (subject to qualifications) as well as deadline to defer 2025 property taxes. Info or to apply, contact Province of BC at 1 888 355-2700 or online at BC home owner grant or BC property tax deferment program.

2026 special events applications are open for groups and individuals wanting to book City venues or streets. Applications are processed first-come, first-serve and must be submitted at least thirty days before the event. See policies, forms and details at Special Events Info or email questions to events@parksville.ca.

Winter conditions info about monitoring of road and weather conditions by the City on Let’s Talk Parksville and our website with tips on how residents can prepare and how to help.

Recycle BC pop-up depot in Parksville accepts free of charge, flexible plastic packaging, white and coloured foam packaging, glass packaging and paper packaging and cardboard. Remaining date for 2025 is December 20. Materials may be dropped off from 10 am to 3 pm at 1080 Industrial Way. Recycle BC website.