Mayor's Musings for December 2025
by Steve Fairbairn, Mayor for the District of Elkford
“Hey, Mayor, let’s try to be short this time, eh?”
Merry Christmas to everyone. May your season be safe, warm, joyous and comforting, and may it carry us into a 2026 that is prosperous, considerate and inclusive.
There. That’s it. Nothing is happening with the District of Elkford.
Except for…
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
As many residents know, reliable power is essential to daily life in Elkford, especially during the winter months. BC Hydro has been working with the DoE to review and strengthen our local electrical system, and I want to share an overview of the work underway and planned, along with a few thoughts of my own. Space is limited, so this is the shortened version. Yes, puns intended.
BC Hydro has been in communication with the DoE since our meeting with them in Victoria in September. That communication has included their work toward developing a plan to provide more consistent service delivery to the District of Elkford. These plans include the following steps BC Hydro advises they will be taking.
They will be removing dead trees along a five-kilometre stretch of transmission line in Elk Lakes Provincial Park. This work addresses a long-standing vulnerability in the system and should help reduce future service disruptions. It also contributes to overall safety along the transmission corridor.
BC Hydro has also begun internal inspections of the underground electrical system within Elkford to identify and address potential issues, prioritized by condition and risk. This inspection work reflects discussions held earlier this fall and is an important step toward maintaining reliable service as infrastructure ages and community needs evolve.
A temporary mobile transformer is being installed overnight at the BC Hydro substation in Elkford to strengthen supply reliability for the community. Connecting this transformer requires a planned overnight outage, scheduled on December 17, 2025, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. to minimize disruption. BC Hydro has arranged with the District for the Community Conference Centre to be open as a warming shelter during the disruption if needed by Elkford residents.
PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD
BC Hydro will also review the use of existing alarm and monitoring capabilities at the Elkford substation to better track voltage fluctuations. Enhanced monitoring helps identify issues earlier and supports faster response when problems occur.
Further improvements at the substation are planned to strengthen system performance and reliability. Some scheduled outages may be required to complete this work safely, but the temporary mobile transformer should help limit the scope and duration of those interruptions.
In addition, BC Hydro plans to replace underground equipment and install additional cabling in the Alpine Way-Balmer subdivision. This work is designed to reduce the number of customers affected during outages in that area, with localized planned outages expected while upgrades are completed.
BUILDING RELIABILITY TOGETHER
Power outages will always be a reality in a rural and remote community like Elkford, particularly given our climate and geography. Vehicles still collide with poles, heavy snow still stresses infrastructure and unexpected events still occur. What matters is how resilient the system is when those things happen.
Much of our electrical infrastructure was built for a different era, when homes and neighbourhoods placed far lighter demands on the system. Today’s appliances, heating technologies and overall electrical use require modernized equipment and thoughtful design. That reality has guided recent discussions and planning.
Earlier this fall, the DoE t met with BC Hydro representatives in Victoria to share local information and outline community expectations. BC Hydro has since completed its assessments and provided a plan that includes the actions outlined above. Communication throughout this process has been regular and productive, and I appreciate the professionalism and responsiveness shown. In particular, I thank Mr. Coulter for his efforts and his commitment to listening and advocating within the organization.
LOOKING AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE
I am confident that BC Hydro will continue to move forward with these improvements and that the work will strengthen Elkford’s electrical system over time. Outages may still occur, but we are advised that each step taken improves reliability and resilience for the future.
In closing, I want to thank BC Hydro for organizing the warming centre inside Teck Hall at the CCC during their planned power outage. It is a thoughtful precaution that reflects a shared commitment to community well-being, and I hope it will not be needed.
As we head into the holiday season, my hope is that these efforts contribute to greater peace of mind for residents and businesses alike.
May this season be safe, happy and memorable.
Mayor Steve
