LOCAL
Ecological Alert: Zebra Mussels Now Reproducing in Clear Lake
Key Takeaways
- Parks Canada has officially confirmed the reproduction of zebra mussels within Clear Lake.
- This critical discovery emerged from the agency’s 2025 aquatic invasive species monitoring efforts.
- The confirmed reproduction signifies an established and expanding population of the invasive species in the lake.
The Deep Dive
Parks Canada, the federal agency entrusted with protecting and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, recently announced a significant environmental development concerning Clear Lake. Following their comprehensive 2025 aquatic invasive species monitoring program, the agency has confirmed that zebra mussels are not merely present but are actively reproducing in the lake. This finding marks a worrying escalation from simple presence to established colonization, indicating a potentially irreversible shift in the lake’s ecosystem.Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are notorious freshwater bivalves, originally from Eastern Europe, that have become one of the most destructive invasive species globally. They reproduce rapidly, attach to almost any hard surface, and filter vast amounts of water, drastically altering aquatic environments. Their presence can lead to increased water clarity, which might seem beneficial, but it disrupts the natural food web by removing phytoplankton that native species rely on, ultimately impacting fish populations and overall biodiversity.
Why It Matters
The confirmation of reproducing zebra mussel populations in Clear Lake carries profound implications for the lake’s ecological future and the broader region. An established, reproducing population means that eradication is highly unlikely, and management efforts will shift towards containment and mitigation. These mussels can clog water intake pipes, damage boats, and disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native species for food and habitat. For Parks Canada and local communities, this development necessitates intensified monitoring, substantial resource allocation for management, and public education campaigns to prevent further spread, highlighting the persistent challenge invasive species pose to natural heritage sites.
LOCAL
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.
National and Provincial Jobless Figures
Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.
Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.
In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.
Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data
In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.
Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.
LOCAL
Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?
Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.
Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings
Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.
In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.
To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.
Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap
In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.
The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.
Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.
COMMUNITY
How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving
RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.
Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings
As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.
Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”
Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines
To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.
Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community
Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?
How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving
BC Supreme Court Judge Set to Rule on Sentence Length for Former Gang Member
Loss of Newborn Calf Puts Fresh Focus on Endangered Southern Resident Whales
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B.C. Supreme Court Grants Cowichan Tribes Title to Historic Richmond Lands and Fishing Rights
Vancouver Canucks Gear Up for a Make-or-Break 2025–26 Season
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