Public Notice

Éy swayél Members of Seabird Island,

We would like to share exciting news! Seabird Island has been selected as one (1) of only two (2) communities to participate in a pilot project called the FortisBC Gas Appliance Maintenance Program with a completion deadline of June 30, 2025.

This means, FortisBC could be investing upward of one million dollars into our Community homes!

You may have recently noticed an “ECOFIT” vehicle in the Community. Please know, this is the company hired by FortisBC to inspect the gas appliances. ECOFIT is currently going door-to-door with a team member of our Housing Program to either set up an appointment or to carry out an inspection that same day (only 45 min).

This pilot project will see all 221 private and band owned homes on Seabird that currently have gas furnaces or gas hot water tanks for inspections. We are pleased to announce that, since November 6, 2024, out of 71 homes inspected to date, 35 homes have been approved for either a new gas furnace or gas hot water tank upgrade, which is over 50% so far!

Gas hot water tanks could be replaced, and gas furnaces that qualify for a replacement could be eligible for a dual fuel heatpump unit (heat and air conditioning).

Once your gas appliances are inspected, the tenant/homeowner will receive a NEW CO2 detector, furnace cleaning and filter change, plus their name will be added to a draw to WIN 1 of 5 $100.00 VISA Gift Cards.

Currently the inspections are being scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Please be advised that we are inquiring with ECOFIT regarding their availability to do evening inspections and will provide the Community with a further update.

We plan to host Sign-up Sessions at the Band Office; however, dates and times will be shared once available.

If you would like to call and schedule an inspection, please contact Jordin Mailhot at 604-796-7047 or email at housing@seabirdisland.ca. Please note, if you receive voicemail, please leave a message as they are checked on a daily basis (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and you will receive a call back to schedule an appointment.

Please let Jordin know if you would like a Housing team member to accompany ECOFIT for the inspection.

Ólhethetxw (respectfully),
— SIB Infrastructure