On 14 June 1946 , a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck just west of Courtenay , with the epicentre located at Forbidden Plateau . The earthquake was felt as far north as Prince Rupert and as far south as Portland , Oregon . Many of the town 's chimneys were destroyed , and there was significant damage to the post office and the Courtenay elementary school . This was the largest earthquake to hit Vancouver Island , and the largest onshore earthquake in Canada on record . There were only two reported deaths : one Seattle man died of a heart attack and another drowned when his boat capsized due to a resulting wave
struck just west of Courtenay
1946 Vancouver Island earthquake
Courtenay, British Columbia