It has been an incredibly challenging week for the Times Colonist, and I truly hope that our loyal print subscribers are reading this article with their morning coffee.

The difficulties began during the storm on Tuesday evening, which, while sparing the major urban areas, wreaked havoc elsewhere. Many residents from Chemainus to Qualicum Beach found themselves in the dark, including the site where our newspaper is printed in Ladysmith. At approximately 7:15 p.m., power was lost, and we prepared for a long wait to bring our press back online.

Initially, we anticipated a simple recovery; however, reality proved otherwise. Power was only restored close to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving us scrambling to adjust our publication schedule. The decision to cancel our Wednesday print edition was made with heavy hearts, knowing it would leave readers disappointed.

When we finally received power, time was not on our side, as we were unable to print all the planned sections for Thursday, resulting in the unfortunate omission of some features, including the beloved puzzle page. The decision was not taken lightly; we are aware of how much many of you look forward to these puzzles every week. For all of you puzzle aficionados, we sincerely apologize.

To add to our woes, further communication breakdowns led to delays on Friday and Saturday editions, leaving us disheartened as our team worked tirelessly to rectify these setbacks. Our commitment to delivering quality journalism has never wavered, but an unexpected combination of power outages and logistical hiccups has tested our resolve.

Critics have pointed out that shifting to the Ladysmith print plant was a miscalculation. They argue that if we had remained at our previous location on Douglas Street, we wouldn't have faced such delays. However, we must remember that outsourcing printing was a financial necessity that arose from the steep decline in advertising revenue during the early phases of the pandemic in March 2020.

We owe a heartfelt apology not only to our readers but also to our dedicated drivers and carriers. These individuals rise before dawn to ensure deliveries, only to face the frustration of readers understandably upset over missed editions. Please remember not to take out your frustrations on them; they are doing their best in difficult circumstances.

In conclusion, your continued support during these trying times means everything to us, and we are working diligently to enhance our operations and restore your faith in our service. We are committed to making sure that you receive the quality news you deserve—on time. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Here’s hoping that your newspaper arrives on time in the days to come!