Port Alberni is officially the first Canadian town to star in the new HGTV series Home Town Takeover Canada, a show set to revitalize homes, businesses, and public spaces throughout the city this summer. The surprise announcement came during a rally at Harbour Quay on June 9, 2026, where hundreds of residents gathered thinking they were making a final pitch to producers, only to learn they had already been chosen.
Filming is now underway and will run until August 28, with hosts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, known from Renovation Island, leading a crew that will renovate eight local homes, several businesses, and key civic spaces. The show also brought American Home Town creators Erin and Ben Napier to Canada for the first time to help kick off the event. Port Alberni was picked from more than 200 communities across the country, beating out rival towns like Comox.
The first major project is already visible: fencing went up around the Marine Building at Harbour Quay on June 10, marking it as the initial civic space to be transformed. While the show covers renovation costs for private homes and businesses, the City of Port Alberni will pay for public space upgrades, using federal grants and other non-tax funding. The city says the production provides its own design and construction experts at no charge, calling it a significant bonus that wouldn’t otherwise be available.
Mayor Sharie Minions said the selection reflects the community’s character and resilience. “We don’t only have natural beauty, and we of course have that in spades,” she told the Alberni Valley News. “But we have stories to tell and I think that’s maybe the most important piece. We’ve been through a lot of hardship and we have, every single time, banded together and come out stronger. And I think that is what makes Port Alberni so authentically unique.” The community has faced economic struggles since the decline of the forestry industry in the 1980s and 1990s, and this national spotlight is seen as a chance to bring positive attention and future tourism.
For now, residents and visitors are already adjusting to the film crew’s presence. Some Harbour Quay businesses, including The Donut Shop and All Mex’d Up, have temporarily closed for renovations, while others like Salmonberry’s Emporium, the Quay Lounge, and Spirit Square shops remain open throughout the summer. The Quay Lounge’s owner, Heather Welsh, is among those operating while construction continues nearby.
Home Town Takeover Canada is produced by RTR Media in partnership with HGTV Canada and is expected to premiere in fall 2026. It will also be available to stream on Citytv+, bringing Port Alberni’s transformation to screens across the nation.
