Cortes Currents: Recent Episodes
Cortes Currents (https://cortescurrents.ca/)
Cortes Currents is a news platform that asks what's current in Cortes and the Discovery Islands. Web articles & radio podcasts: Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Discovery Islands, Campbell River: news, lifestyle, local politics, affordable housing, economy, food security, health, ferries, tourism, history, culture, environmental issues, sustainable forestry, oyster farming, the arts, First Nations, energy, climate change, overshoot
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U -Tune in on October 10th for a special episode of FolkU radio, where we listen to an episode of another talk show, Chatter That Matters, by Tony Chapman. This episode features a conversation with Zita Cobb about the story arch of her home in Newfoundland, Fogo Island. This is a discussion about tourism, circular economies, community, and rurality. Introduction by Manda Aufochs-Gillespie. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 3 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Shane Berg, BC’s Chief Forester, has a message he is taking to trading partners around the world. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, he made a presentation to the Strathcona Regional District’s Natural Resources Committee. In today’s broadcast there are select clips from that presentation, including reactions from the committee. Also Bruce Ellingsen, one of the founding directors of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative and a local thought leader on forestry matters, gave his opinion about the presentation and what he believes it lacks. Berg claims that the amount of old growth forests is increasing. According to Ellingsen what is not clear is that he is talking about the 80% of relatively small old growth trees growing in less productive areas, not the ‘big tree old growth’ that the environmental community is concerned about.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U -On October 3 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Kate Maddigan, Bruen Black, Amy Robertson, and Genevieve Cruz, for a special group discussion on revenue diversification for rural non-profits. Tune in for talk of circular economies, transportation, a brainstorm on creative revenue solutions, and updates from the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, CCEDA, and the Cortes Housing Society. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 3 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Campbell River wants to take control of the Strathcona Regional District’s Electoral Areas Planning Service away from rural directors. They are thinking of joining the service, which would cost Campbell River tax payers close to $500,000 a year for their resulting share of the assessments, and have asked other municipalities to do the same. This morning’s story consists of interviews with the Regional Directors of Areas A, Cortes Island and C, who issued a joint press release against this on Wednesday, October 1. Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island, began, “For folks that are learning about this, for the first time, I'll give some background information. The four electoral areas at the Strathcona Regional District. That's Cortes Island, that's Quadra and the Discovery Islands, the Seaward Valley area, which is area A and then area D south of Campbell River. We currently have a planning service that we all pay into. That's where all our land use decisions happen and currently the four of us are the votes on those decisions. Campbell River has the right to be able to join this planning service, but it means they have to pay for it.”“So right now, Campbell River is considering joining the electoral area planning service that would cost them $500,000 a year. That's $5 million over the next 10 years to be able to control land use planning decisions in the rural areas of the Strathcona Regional District.” Gerald Whalley, Regional Director for Area A explained, “My concern is based on the fact that if Campbell River joined the electoral area planning service, they would have total control over all land use issues within the rural areas, within the electoral areas. That is because Campbell River has five votes, the other electoral areas only have four votes, so they could potentially outvote us on every issue.”Robyn Mawhinney, Regional director for Area C added, “This could mean that an application which has not received community support could be pushed through despite community feedback. It could potentially mean a building service could be implemented, costing residents not only increase tech, do tax dollars annually, but more and more fees for every stage of construction. It could really mean that the wishes of rural residents are not considered in land use planning decisions, and to me, that's unacceptable and why I am really so concerned with this proposal.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - As of September 30th, 2025, Raincoast Networks serves the 347 remaining customers in what was once the Twincomm service area on Cortes Island. Mascon by Telus acquired Twincomm in 2022. “I come from Savary Island. We provide internet to those who have decided to live off grid and in remote communities and cannot be served well by other telecom providers, majors and things from space, explained Oliver Linsley, owner of Raincoast Networks“We've been doing this for eight years and we service areas from Howe Sound all the way to Cortes. It has been a wonderful adventure, mainly because I get to meet some fantastic people in places I didn't even know existed. We've helped communities up and down the coast, and that's where we got our pride from. It's not from a paycheck (laughs), I can tell you that, but it definitely is from the fact that I can go to someone's house and they have baked cookies for me. They're just super happy that we came in a boat and we've driven across a whole bunch of crazy oceans and we're at their house and we're going to fix it.”Cortes Currents: How did you get into Cortes Island? Oliver Linsley: “Into Cortes was a interesting situation. I have been dealing with major telecom companies since we started. In the beginning, it was a very positive situation where they were very interested in working with people like me as last mile providers, so they did not have to extend their networks out at a cost they did not like. Telecom likes density because it maximizes their investment. So they partnered up with me and we began working at these remote places. As COVID hit, the demand skyrocketed and the government came around and gave them monies, and we began competing with Major Telecom (Mascon by Telus).” “Major Telecom decided that they had gotten too far. They had purchased Twincommm from Mark Torrance on Twin Islands. After two years of owning that, it had served its purpose to them, and they no longer wanted the asset and the customers here on Cortes. They approached me and asked me if I wanted to take over the network. Over the course of about a year and, for various me reasons me saying 'no I don't think so,’ in the end, I decided that Cortes was a wonderfully remote community with demand that I wanted to be a part of. So after a long, long period of negotiations, we ended up picking up Cortes, about 350 customers on the island and we just acquiring it as of today, I believe.” Cortes Currents: What are you offering?Oliver Linsley: “We basically offer the same service that Twincommm did. We are very community based. We are looking to pick up a tech here on island. We like to keep customer service, which is something very rare in rural places, as fast as possible. So if your system goes awry one day, perhaps we can actually get to you in one day or the next day as opposed to some of the situations where you get with other providers where they just don't have a presence in the community. We really pride ourselves. in being there to keep people online, because most of the time it's quite an easy fix.” “So we are offering fixed to wireless services that most people are already hooked up to are already operating. They're operating the same way as TwinComm built them the same way as Mascon was running them. We are going to optimize the network. Essentially it's very similar to what Twincomm was, but we'll be upgrading. Pricing should be the same. The speed should be faster.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -There have been speculations about Cortes Island becoming a municipality and at the September 17 SRD Board meeting staff was instructed to prepare a report about the process.In the unedited audio that follows Cortes Director Mark Vonesch makes the motion. Mayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos seconds it twice, to some laughter, and Campbell River Director Doug Chapman points out that Municipal Affairs will not consider applications from communities with a population under 500. (The population of Cortes Island is 1,100.) The audio begins with Chair Mark Baker speakingThe motion was passed with no opposing votes.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - SRD staff will prepare a staff report identifying public lands on Quadra Island that may be available for affordable housing development.This is the second time that Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C brought forward a motion asking for a report and in both cases she was opposed by Directors from Campbell River and Area D. They successfully blocked it at the August 20th SRD Board meeting, but an amended motion passed on September 17In the unedited audio of the meeting that follows, Campbell River Director Robert Kerr stated the Director of Area C should have filed a notice of motion, rather than making a motion from the floor. Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott claimed the report will not accomplish what Quadra wants and said they do things differently in Campbell River.Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C described her relationship with the Discovery Islands Affordable Housing Society, a volunteer organization on Quadra Island. She is not being familiar with the way Campbell River does housing projects, but the SRD has a regional housing service and it would be great if they could support an affordable housing project on Quadra Island. Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch supported the motion, reminding the board that we are in a housing crisis and there is more than one way to get housing projects done.The motion passed despite opposing votes from Campbell River DIrectors Chapman, Kerr and Sinnott, as well as Alternate Director Browne for Area D. SRD staff will be looking for public lands within a reasonable distance from the Village Centres of Heriot Bay and Quathiaski Cove.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The Cortes Island School Wetland Project is transforming part of the school field into a living classroom that blends ecology, culture, and community effort. In today's interview, we speak to Miranda Cross from Rewilding Water and Earth, the wetland restoration specialist, and biologist on the projectMiranda Cross: “The Cortes Island School Wetland Project is a wetland restoration project funded through the ministry of Environment and Climate Readiness through the union of BC municipalities and a fund called Disaster Risk Reduction -Climate Adaptation Funding. This is a partnership project between the Strathcona Regional District, school district 72 and the Cortes Island School.”“My role is to design, build, and manage the project through all the phases. We built two wetlands in the back of the school field in July, and we've been working with the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI), Klahoose First Nation, True Foundation's contract team (which is Laurier Mathieu heavy equipment operation) and the Strathcona Regional District have been involved in all phases of the project, as has obviously the school.”“What we're looking towards now is planting the wetlands with native plants and working with Klahoose First Nation.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents =People from 93 nations will be calling upon their governments to Draw the Line - For People, for Peace, for the Planet - on Saturday, September 20. Demonstrations are planned in major cities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the United States and Canada. More than 200 organizations, including 350Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Migrant Rights Network are participating. On Vancouver Island, there will be demonstrations in Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay and Duncan as well as the neighbouring communities of Denman Island, Salt Spring Island and Powell River. Former North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney will be among the Speakers for the event starting at 2 PM in Campbell River’s Spirit Square. Some Quadra Islanders have stated they are participating. On Cortes Island, the Climate Action Network is urging people to catch the 11:55 AM ferry so they can ‘go join the folks in Campbell River.’Cortes Currents interviewed Murray Etty and Manda Vaughan, two members of the Campbell River Chapter of the Council of Canadians, who are organizing the Campbell River demonstration. Murray Etty: “We’re uniting behind five main demands of the Federal Government, but also the provinces: put people over profits, fund our families and communities; refuse ongoing colonialism, uphold Indigenous sovereignty; stop blaming migrants, demand full immigration status for all; end the war machine, stand for justice and peace; and, for Mandy and me, the most important one of all is end the era of Fossil fuels Protect Mother Earth. ”Cortes Currents: What do you hope this demonstration will achieve? Murray Etty: “ Thousands of people across this country are involved and I think it's going to really make an impression not only the Carney government, but provincial governments too. We've got to get into action here. The time for dithering and making excuses is over, but the people of Canada have got to step up and communicate to their governments.” We've gotta have a way more sending of emails, letters, phone calls, protest movements, and so on to let the governments know we mean business. It's time for a conversion to renewable energy.”Cortes Currents: What conversations have you had locally? Murray Etty: “We’ve sent out a whole bunch of emails to organizations and individuals. Sue Moen just this morning said she sent more than 80 messages to people she knows. We’ve also put a notice in the Campbell River Mirror.” Manda Vaughan: “We put out a request to Aaron Gunn (MP Noth Island-Powell River), he's otherwise engaged. The message went out to Anna Kindy (MLA, North Island) also, but we haven't heard of a positive reply from her yet.”“Earlier this year Elder College hosted a class on climate change (at North Island College in Campbell River). Surveys by the Guardian and other groups show that well over 60% of people globally are concerned but the majority don’t feel they can broach the subject with their friends or neighbours.” “The fact is, people are concerned. We need to come out of our silos and realize others care too. What we are hoping with this rally is to encourage people to come out because climate affects all of us.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -What does the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service update mean to Cortes residents? Rates will go up. You may be paying more if you have a project that requires a bin to remove a lot of waste, like from a construction site or a rennovation. There may be some money for the free store. There are actually 33 proposed actions, but at this point it is not clear how many will apply to us. Sarah Willie, Manager of Solid Waste Planning and Policy Development will be at this Friday’s Mansons Public Market, September 19, to talk about it.Sarah Willie: “We’re a service of the Regional District and our main goal is in waste diversion and also the management of that garbage and that recycling further along. We’re managing the landfills, transfer stations, the depots across the service area. We operate the Cortes Depot and recycling and transfer station and we’re also a big part of the Quadra upgrades that are coming up. We’ve got bins there right now and we’ve procured some land in order to build a recycling depot.”“We’re in the middle of a 10-year update of our solid waste management plan. This plan is really big-picture thinking. How are we gonna achieve that diversion increase over the next 10 years? Are we gonna preserve our landfill space? And providing opportunities for people to have input into that process.“We’re in step three now of a four-step process. We’ve been out to community a couple times over the past few years, getting from folks the goals of this process, introducing them to what we do for their community. Sometimes it’s a little bit behind the curtain. Now we’re at the point where we’ve got some strategies and some actions that have been informed by our public and technical advisory committee, as well as our board of directors.“So we’ve got 33 actions and eight strategies that we’ve grouped together and we’re bringing them to the public. We’d like to hear their input and thoughts on whether we’ve hit the mark. So we’ve got a number of events across the whole region coming up. One specifically, we wanna make sure folks are aware of, and that’s on Friday, September 19th. We’ll be joining the Cortes Island Farmer’s Market from noon till three. We’ll have a tent set up there. Myself and my colleague Lindsay will be there to introduce the concepts to folks and to answer any questions.“We’ve also got a lot of online opportunities for engagement. Up until October 16th, you can go to www.cssw.ca/swmp — that stands for Solid Waste Management Plan — and complete our online survey for a chance to win a hundred dollars in groceries.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On Monday, September 15th, 2025, Anna Kindy, the MLA for our riding, visited Cortes and Quadra Islands. Cortes Currents met up with her at the Cortes Medical Clinic and then we took a quick tour of the downtown Mansons Landing area. Cortes Currents: What’s it like coming to Cortes Island?Anna Kindy: You forget how beautiful it is. Just taking the ferry over, my first thought was: it’s beautiful. So you guys are lucky.Cortes Currents: You’ve been here before?Anna Kindy: Many years ago, when my husband had a small boat. I remember docking somewhere on Cortes.Cortes Currents: What brings you to Cortes?Anna Kindy: I’m taking my job seriously, and I’m trying to find out what communities need. We’ve done quite a bit of traveling over the summer—we just came back from Tahsis, went to Gold River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, different areas. This was one of the areas I hadn’t come to yet. Second, with my medical background, I wanted to find out how the services were on the two islands—or all the islands around.Cortes Currents: What did you find out about the medical service?Anna Kindy: It reaffirms my thinking: the community knows best what they need. Sometimes you drive ideas from communities. The health authorities need to listen because they already have a good product that can be made better.I’m seeing a lot of dedication—staff who’ve been there for years and love what they do. There’s a real connection between staff. Like somebody mentioned, it’s a multidisciplinary approach. There are no boundaries—they all help each other, which is fantastic.I also appreciate the welcome feeling. People picked me up from the ferry. They fed us. They’re excited that we’re here.Cortes Currents: Tell me about your visit to QuadraAnna Kindy: We went to the clinic. Their facility is fantastic. They're wanting to plan for the future. All of BC has a lack of primary care access and they want to make sure that they have proper primary care access for long-term. They also have a multidisciplinary team. There's a nurse practitioner and they sometimes get other parts of medical services.Long-term, they’re looking at an even better model where all of the islands are serviced by one community health centre with potential outreach. I think that’s a sustainable way of doing things.Cortes Currents: Our tour of Mansons Landing happened more or less spontaneously. It began at the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing project, beside the Medical Clinic, where construction on the first duplex starts today. From there, it seemed only natural to walk over to the Village Commons. We looked at the stage, the food bank sea cans, the Nook, FOCI and Cortes Radio. Standing in the parking lot at Mansons Hall, I pointed out some of the surrounding businesses. When I came to the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, Ms. Kindy asked, “How is it a Co-op?” I suggested, “Why don’t you ask them?” So we went inside.After that we walked up Beasley Road, past the Cortes Market, Skate Park, Fire Department and Museum to the Cortes Elementary School.When the tour was finished, I asked Ms. Kindy for her impressions.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -One of the speakers at the September 8 zoning bylaw meeting at Mansons Hall was Maureen Williams of Cortes Island’s Climate Action Network. While she welcomed the decision to increase the number of lots at Rainbow Ridge up to a maximum of 35, Williams said the proposed zoning update does little to address affordability, environmental protection, or increase Cortes Island’s sense of community. The three-minute speaking limit at the meeting left little room for her to expand on these points, so Cortes Currents spoke with her afterward.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -Book #4 of Gumboots series, 'Gumboots In The Straights' is coming to Gorge Hall on Cortes Island on Saturday September 20. Six of this volume’s authors are Cortes residents, who will be reading excerpts between 1:00-3:00. That’s free. You can purchase food and drinks between 5:00 and 7:00 followed by dancing to Cortes Island’s own ‘He Said; She Said.’ Tickets for that are $25 and available at Marnie’s bookstore and the Cortes Island Museum.In this morning's interview, we'll be talking to Jane Wilde, who came up with the idea for the Gumboots in the Straights series and she will also be giving us some short readings from the Cortes writers in this volume.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -In the past, Rural Directors have not always appreciated Campbell River ‘interference’ in their affairs. An initiative coming out of the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Municipal Services Committee could result in a lot more interference from Campbell River and other municipalities. Planning is one of the most fundamental and strategic activities within the SRD. They would like to take control of the Electoral Areas Planning Service.Some of the municipal directors were already discussing the idea of joining the service for months, prior to it surfacing at the August SRD Board meeting.At that point Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch asked, “ I just have a question for folks that brought this forward. My understanding is municipalities already have a planning function. I'm just confused as to why you might want to join when you already have your own planning service. Looking at this report, it's looking at Campbell River paying half a million dollars for something that they already have and given tight budgets everywhere and being conservative with our tax dollars and responsible. I'm just curious as to the sort of reasoning behind it.”Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott replied, “The region is important to Campbell River and we are an unfortunate region where we are so dominant that what happens in the region does impact us because we're paying a good amount of money for it. So it's a consideration we have to look at, but no determination at this point.”The matter was referred to the Municipal Services Committee.The following program consists of gleanings from the Municipal Services Committee Meeting of September 3, 2025.
This is the unedited audio from the September 8, 2025 Public Meeting about Cortes Island’s zoning bylaw chaired by Regional Director Mark Vonesch. Annie Girdler, from the SRD’s panning department gave an overiew of the proposed bylaw changesCortes Island residents commented about:regulations preventing people from doing what they want on their propertywe need regulations to protect the communitywe need more Advisory Planing Committee meetings (There recently was one for zoning)people should get jobs and buy houses with their own money, not get hand-outsregulations & penalties pertaining to liveaboards support for the proposed zoning bylawsthe need for more housingthe need for more houses on large lotshow the proposed bylaws do not help Cortes Island’s climate resiliencethe need to protect landlords from abusive tenantsCan Cortes Island’s aquifers support more housingCortes Island’s Aquifer study (which was published last week)the water pollution problem in Hague Lake & how it was resolved by the Dillon Creek Restoration Project
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -Cortes Island’s aquifer health study has been released and in this morning’s interviews we are speaking with Sylvia Barroso, of GW Solutions, the Senior Hydrologist who participated in this project, Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Island Housing Society and Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island. First, there are two key questions at the top of many people’s minds. Is there enough water in Cortes Island’s aquifers to support further development? And why were some of the island’s shallow wells not recharging during the recent drought? Barroso’s answers to both questions were complex. Aside from her reference to climate change and the fact conditions are going to get worse, you’ll have to wait for her full answer to the question about our shallow wells. However one of her statements about the state of Cortes Island’s aquifers is very illuminating: “Our study showed that in general Cortes has abundant water sources and that at the current usage levels, we have not found that there's overuse. When we look at it from a water management approach, we did not find that any of the water management areas had greater than 5% of the available water being used. That suggests that there is room for growth, and it gives us an opportunity to strategically develop water sources and develop those in protected areas.” Cortes Currents: The issue is much more complex and there are steps we should take to ensure the health of Cortes Island’s water supply, but for that you have to listen to the long version.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -Cortes Island will have a public meeting on its proposed Bylaw changes on Monday, Sept 8th, 5pm at Manson’s Hall. “This is a chance for folks to weigh in on the proposed draft. We're really looking at a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision on this zoning bylaw. There's almost two years of community consultation and input, and this is what staff have produced and the best, happy medium for what folks are asking for,” explained Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island.“The public hearing will be a chance for people to express their opinions and their thoughts. Those will get recorded and added to the public record. It’s important that folks show up whether you’re opposed to or in support of this new zoning bylaw. People who show up make the decisions, and this is an opportunity to have your voice heard. If you can’t make the meeting, you can email planning@srd.ca and that will also be included in the public record.”Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Housing Society, added, “The Housing Society took a number of positions that we were advocating for with the Regional District.”“The first thing we were advocating for is larger cottages and additional dwelling units on existing properties. There are lots of people on Cortes have a second or third cabin on their land, and they’re out of compliance with the current zoning. That makes people uncertain in their living environments. If you’re renting a cabin from somebody and that cabin is technically illegal, that creates insecurity. Many people on Cortes rely on that type of housing.“The Housing Society was encouraging what used to be called cottages in the zoning bylaw. They were only 60 square meters — about 500 square feet and really too small for a family to live in - as a second house on a property. We were encouraging for that to be bigger and the SRD has made that change. Now that secondary unit, the accessory dwelling unit (ADU), can be 110 square meters.”“The new density rules allow for multiple dwelling units on a single lot. Depending on the zoning type, more than one ADU is now permitted. That can provide passive income for island property owners, and also create additional rental units. These can’t be subdivided or sold, so by nature they provide important rental housing. This proposed bylaw really addressed our concern about larger cottages and additional dwelling units on existing land.“I think the best opportunity for us to get more housing on Cortes is not to build up in the northern part if the island or to develop new sites, but to use properties that already have houses, driveways, electricity, septic, and wells — and enable them to add one or more additional homes.“The previous bylaw had a maximum of three dwellings per lot in the RR1 (Rural Residential 1) and R1 (Residential 1) zones, and they’ve removed that maximum. There’s a new tiered system that allows up to five dwellings in R1 and RR1, and up to six dwellings in RU1 (Residential Urban 1), depending on lot size. Basically, this allows one or two additional houses on existing lots.“They didn’t go as far as the Housing Society was thinking would be helpful, but they did go quite far in allowing additional houses on existing lots.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - From August 29 to September 14, the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery will host ‘How Do You Like the Underworld?—Kristen Scofield-Sweet’s final large-scale exhibition. “This is my retirement party swan song on the wall,” she began. “This is a body of work that’s complete. One of the remarkable things about that is the artist doesn’t usually get to see their work all hung together, obviously, unless they have a show. You’re used to seeing a piece over the couch with the pillows or the throw at the back. To actually see them having a conversation with each other is really special.”“Every picture tells a story, so you can get all tangled up with how it got painted and why, how I work and yada, yada. In an exhibition like this, the work gets to speak for itself, and that’s really profound.”Cortes Currents: How did you come up with the title?Kristen Scofield-Sweet: “It’s just an image from walking down the road in my neighborhood, looking for something significant, clicking along, taking pictures. When I got back home and looked at them, it was like, ‘whoa!’ The notion ‘How do you like the underworld?’ just popped into my head, and so there it is.”Cortes Currents: I have to ask, how do you like the Underworld?Kristen Scofield-Sweet: “I think we live there.”Cortes Currents: What is the Underworld?
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Food Bank was one of the nation’s first food banks to receive Standards of Excellence accreditation from Food Banks Canada. The Associations President Beatrix Baxter, explained, “Filipe Figueira, our Executive represented us at the Food Banks Canada Conference in Montreal. During the event, Food Banks Canada honoured food banks across the country that have met their rigorous Standards of Excellence. We are proud to share that Filipe was among a handful of leaders recognized. Achieving this standard takes a tremendous amount of work—especially since so many food banks, like ours, are largely volunteer-run. Few organizations have the capacity to dedicate the hundreds of hours required, which makes this recognition even more meaningful.”Over the years, Food Banks Canada has found that food banks have been pretty uneven in the types of services they offer, and their values. Baxter stressed the fact that the number of Canadians struggling with hunger is increasing. “ It's a bad situation for many Canadians who are struggling to make the decision of whether they are going to afford rent, or food? Are they going to be able to offer their children one meal a day, or no meals?” There is no government program to address this.The Standard of Excellence Program has three main goals:Raising everyone’s service quality, so food banks across Canada have the same ethics, transparency and level of financial accountability.Improving transportation systems so that, for example, locally grown food can be shipped from the east, where it is plentiful, to areas like BC, which is really behind the rest of the nation agriculturally. ( “We are producing a shockingly low amount of food for the amount of farmland that's been cleared.”)Submitting all of the data into one system, so that Food Banks, Canada can go to government officials every month and say, ‘look, our numbers are going up. We don't have enough food. We don't have enough money. We need the support. We are offering frontline emergency support to Canadians. You need to deal with this.’ Operations Manager Angelica Raaen said that in October, Food Banks Canada will be sending two inspectors to inspect the Cortes Island facility, ensuring they continue to meet and maintain these high standards.“ Locally we've seen donations have been going down so much, while need has been rising,” said Baxter. “We don't understand why this is happening because there's such wealth in this community. It is heartbreaking, honestly, to see this happening. We really want to understand why people are feeling less generous. Ultimately we're really hoping that if we prove ourselves to be of a high ethical standard, providing a high client care service, people will entrust us with their donations and their support”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie /Folk U - Psychologist and scientist, Wendy D’Andrea does research that looks at the impacts of acute trauma (such as a car crash) versus chronic trauma (such as abuse) and what happens with each in the brain and body. D’Andrea is a Professor at the New School and Chief Science Officer at the Trauma Research Foundation This episode isn’t always easy to listen to as topics such as abuse, rape, etc., are mentioned but this is a fascinating and empowering look at the new frontier of trauma research and practice. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 3 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U -On August 25, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Esther Shalev-Gerz, a renowned artist who has exhibited all around the world. Tune in for insights from her work, reflections on art, Cortes living, and what it’s like to be a well-known artist in the world today. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 3 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda AUfochs Gillespie/ Folk U -Thanks for joining us on August 22, 2025 for another week of the Village Commons Music Series, a simultaneously live and live-broadcast show, happening on Fridays from 1 - 2:30pm on the new Pavilion stage. Guest host Immanuel McKenty was joined by Johnny Hanuse, Josie Simpson, and Mary Beth Cysewski, 3 local musicians who sat together on stage for an in-the-round style performance, swapping songs, stories, and jokes.The Village Commons Music Series is produced by Jemma Hicken, Aaron Ellingsen, and Sean Coyote. It is made possible by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Community Radio, and the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 3 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A hundred people turned out for Cortes Island’s Sandcastle Day on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.“It was a blast because all the families are so involved and all the kids are so involved. The day is absolutely beautiful. What's amazing is to see all the cooperation that the children have with each other and the creativity and the enjoyment that comes from this,” explained Nancy Silver, one of the judges. “It is an another community building activity and what could be better and healthier then families creating together or children alone doing it and feeling so empowered.”“Every person received some kind of award and that makes the little ones feel so great about themselves. They go on with their day, but something has changed in their lives and that is the beauty of this event.”Cortes Currents also interviewed two of the participants and a spectator.Monk and three of his friends were among the contestants: “It was a very fun experience and we did our own thing on each part of the castle. We based it off of a book called ‘Percy Jackson.’ It's the Percy Jackson Palace, or Palace of Percy Jackson. We just rolled from there and built this really awesome different themed castle. We didn't really have a specific part that everybody worked on. We just did whatever we wanted.”Zyla Schmidt was in a team that included her mother, grandmother, a lady named Heather and two other kids: “It was really fun, It's kind of about the Children's Forest, like Enchanted Dragon Children's Forest, and I chose to do that because the Children's Forest is trying to get bought. I love it so much that I thought I'd make something based on that. I did a dragon. I didn't do wings, so it looked more like a dinosaur. There was going to be a city, then I turned it into a volcano because there wasn't enough time. We made paths and then raked out the rest. So you could go inside but not wreck the sculpture.” Bruce Hayden brought a professional architect's eye to the event. “One of the ones that I don't know who made it that is very beautiful is the two mountain, one of which looks like a volcano and village on the edge of the sea. The thing that I really like about it is that it's a beautiful integration of landscape and a sense of village. So it's humans meeting landscape in a really beautiful way. We had a good debate about whether it was a fortified village or not. My friend Heidi thought passionately it was a fortified village. I said, well, maybe it's a welcome spot that this is the place where you richly cleanse before you enter the sacred city on the edge of the ocean.”Cortes Currents: Are there any highlights you can think of? Nancy Silver: “For me it was with one group of kids who were so excited about what they did. They kept wanting to go deeper into the details, to take me through it and each part of it was like going into wonderland with them.”“I felt like the children were really in their fantasy world and no one was putting any boundaries on it. When children can go into that experience so fully and grab the adult and try to share with them that world, that to me, was the best experience.” A quick perusal of the Cortes Island Museum website showed there's been sandcastle days at Smelt Bay as far back as the summer of 1991, possibly earlier.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The Cortes Food Bank is trying to raise the $35,000 needed to relocate their base of operations to two sea-cans in the Village Commons at Manson's Landing.Operations Manager, Angelica Raan, explained, “We have raised $14,000 so far, and we have a generous donor who's offered to match donations up to $10,000. So we're hoping that by the end of this month we can get $10,000 in community donations to match the $10,000 this donor has offered.”Cortes Currents: Why is it necessary for the food bank to expand?Beatrix Baxter, president of the food bank, replied, “We really scaled up our operations after realizing that there was a community need not being met. In 2022, we started offering regular pickup days. We joined Food Banks BC so we could access more regional resources, including food from partners. We also received grants, which allowed us to provide more food at regular intervals. But because of the extreme need, we were just doing way too much work for the system we had.”“We have to go to our warehouse, pack all the boxes, bring them to the pickup location. It's a lot of driving for staff and volunteers. At this point, we either need our own delivery vehicle or a headquarters. On top of that, our current storage won’t be available much longer.”“Our clients have also asked for a more shopping-style model, which many food banks use. Instead of volunteers pre-packing boxes, people come in and choose their own food. That provides more choice, more flexibility, and overall a better system for everyone.”“We partnered with the Community Foundation to use their sea cans at the Village Commons. One will be storage, the other will be set up as a shopping space where people can pick up food. Angelica will also be able to work out of that space.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI) received the necessary funding to carry out needed upgrades to the 111-year-old dock in Whaletown. In today’s article Harbour Master Jenny Hartwick gives the details, and also talks about the upcoming August 30 dock swap.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island is close to raising the funds for a wildfire detection system that identifies fires within minutes of their inception. In today’s interview Claudia van der Vorm explains what SenseNet is and Cortes Island Fire Chief Eli McKenty says why he thinks we need it. Claudia van der Vorm: “SenseNet is a Canadian company based out of Vancouver. They work on very early wildfire detection, in most cases under the minute, they can detect a fire when it's still in soldering stages. So when we don't smell it, we don't see it, in areas hard to access. They have a combination of sensors, camera, satellite, and a platform that all together really allows that early detection, prevention and mitigation.”“Sensors basically are really placed in the areas that are at most risk or difficult to access. A camera can basically oversee the whole island and monitor 24 7 for any smoke. The satellite is really for if it is getting bigger.”“The moment some activity is happening, the sensors will detect, they will start to analyze. The camera zooms in, a camera that oversees over 75 kilometers, but it also zooms into the areas. It can detect if it's a campfire. The fire department gets a notification and it also gets the cause. What is the spread location, spread and that incorporates the vegetation, the weather, the wind patterns, and things like that.”“It also allows a little bit of prevention, so it's dry, or the weather combination is such that it's already high risk.”Cortes Currents: Where is SenseNet in use right now? Claudia van der Vorm: “It's on the Sunshine Coast. The city of Vernon actually has it already for three years, and even the recent Vernon fire they knew exactly where they knew the direction, they knew the fire spread, and they managed the fire very quickly. In the three years that Vernon has the system, they haven't had a fire outbreak, but they averted over 200 fires.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Mark Lombard from the Cortes Housing Society recently gave an update on progress at the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing Project.“At this point we're well along the way of building a community building with an office for the housing society. It’ll have: - a utility space that has controls for the water systems and filtration to send water to all the homes. - the controls for the battery and solar system that will provide backup power for the water and sewer for the buildings.- a laundry room that'll serve the women's shelter and other people on the south end who need it. a guest bedroom that people who live in the seniors village or at Rainbow Ridge will be able to rent for a modest price per night. a lounge area with a kitchenette that people can have a little birthday dinner or a card game, or if the Housing Society board wants to meet, there'll be a big table that can be used for that.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A lot has happened in the five months since Tomaaso Biasiolo became the Outreach and Admin Coordinator for ‘the Nook’ in Cortes Island’s Village Commons. The Grand Opening was on June 27, 2025, but there are still small projects to complete. Two special small rooms need to soundproofed; the Nook’s kitchen has not been installed. The original vision was to create a space where nonprofits can work and hold their meetings, but these spaces are now available for individuals as well.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On August 11, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Nawel Izard, a Campbell River lawyer who cares deeply about community. Tune in for insights from her work, and clear, engaging explanations of legal issues that affect the Cortes community. Full of practical advice and personal reflections, Nawel makes complex topics accessible and relevant for all listeners. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -Live and Local is more than a Tideline page, although the Tideline page advertises all of the shows on Cortes Island from Gorge Harbour Marina, Manson's Hall, Gorge Hall and the Village Commons Music Series to pop-up independent shows. It is also more than the radio program, which is broadcast over CKTZ 89.5, FM shortly after 8:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. According to Jemma Hicken, one of the best known personalities behind it:"Live and Local is an umbrella program, run by Cortes Radio, that encompasses the Live and Local page on Tideline, the Live and Local radio interviews that I've been mostly doing, also all of the promotion that we've been doing through Cortes Radio, social media, Tideline, all of the rest in terms of posters and the Village Commons Music Series as well."She explained that Live and local came about through a collaboration with Bryan McKinnon, the President of Cortes Community Radio.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Lovefest 2025 was at Linnaea Farm on Saturday August 9th. Cortes Currents wandered through the crowd asking people about Lovefest and why they kept coming back. In the process, I also recorded a few short clips of the music and asked one of the principal organizers, Benji Coey about this year’s program. Howie Roman - “It started with 50 Summers of Love, which was our great hippie festival. People really dug out their old clothes. Women in long skirts; guys in bell bottoms. There was an exhibit up in the school of what you looked like in ’67, and it was very cool. The demand was that they keep it going. So I believe this is the sixth year.” Toni Smorodin - “I’ve been coming since the very beginning. I think it was 2017. So the idea of a Lovefest, reincarnation, music and people coming together: It really excited me, especially in a beautiful location like Linnaea.”Adam Schick from Linnaea Farm - “It’s great having Lovefest here on the farm. It's a great way to spend an afternoon in August, showcasing what a beautiful place I get to live in all the time.” Cortes Currents - Tell me about this year's lineup, and what's changed? Benji Coey - “This year we've got quite a few new bands who haven't been here before. One or two classics, who people on the island will know of. For example, Louis Belcourt is a classic, but if you're talking big differences, we've got a different end of the evening this year. For the last couple of years we finished with the Cuban Act, this year ending with the Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness.”“So imagine if you can time traveling Egyptian space lords playing improvised electronica to a visual track of lasers and smoke machines. That's what's gonna culminate the evening tonight. We have Canada's best tribute to the Great Divide, which includes Rex Weyler's son Jack Weyler, a wonderful Hammond organ player and Dylan Stone, who's another island favorite. We’ve got Lily Fawn, who has been on the BC music scene for about 15-20 years. We're doing the music of David Lynch. As you know, David Lynch is a directing legend in Canadian film history. Twin Peaks obviously is one of his most famous pieces, so the band are going to play a selection of music from Twin Peaks and from some of David Lynch's other works. It'll be a theatrical element. We're gonna do that at sunset.” Ann Mortifee - “I love to feast on love and there are so many great people here, from our community, and from afar. I love this day because it is a Lovefest where people of talent and all different kinds of things can come and dance, enjoy and visit.”Amy Harding from the Linnaea Farm food booth - “It’s very exciting and vibrant and beautiful and I love feeling that energy.”Cortes Currents - It seems like there's always the McKenty element to Lovefest, whether it's onstage or as support.Francis McKenty - “Yep, and sometimes both, but it's a fun chance to get together and work backstage, with all of my brothers, helping make Cortes’ most amazing music festival as amazing as it can be.”Greg Osoba - “This is my first year volunteering, but I've had the great pleasure to play at Lovefest. I was with Six Foot Johnson on, gosh, at least four occasions. I'm very happy with that. It's a great opportunity for some less experienced players to get their feet wet, as well as some very seasoned professionals. I just thought this is a great way to give back and it's wonderful to greet all the happy attendees who are looking forward to what Lovefest has to offer.”Aland from Victoria - “I’ve been here since the beginning, I was five, maybe. It's a really fun experience and there's always music, and it's a really nice time to just connect to everyone.” Her sister Nim - “We used to live here full time and we still come here because it's an awesome community and great music.” Anastasia Avvakumova - “It feels like home.”
Manda AUfochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On August 4, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Sadhu Johnston, who gave an update on the developments happening at Rainbow Ridge, on behalf of the Cortes Housing Society. Tune in for a discussion about community housing, the island’s housing crisis, and construction challenges and joys! Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - UBC researchers found a new virus in farmed Pacific Oysters that perished during a mass die-off in 2023. During the die-off, researchers collected 33 dead oysters as well as 26 wild oysters from neighbouring sites. Pacific Oyster Nidovirus 1 (PONV1) was only found in 20 of the dead or dying farmed oysters.Dr Kevin Xu Zhong, a research associate in the UBC department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS), explained this does not mean the virus was the cause of death.“We found this new virus. There is no indication it is causing the mortality mentioned in the database, the study, or the reporting.”Cortes Currents: What does the virus do to oysters? Dr Zhong: “We don't know how this virus is working, or how it causes disease. What we can know right now is that we found this virus associated with the mass mortality for the oysters in the farm. That's what we know. There are many unknowns; many questions to address in the future.”Dr Zhong said there have recently been mass die-offs of Pacific Oysters in BC and other parts of the world, but the cause is often unknown. Pacific Oysters are the primary shellfish species grown in B.C. and brought in revenues of $16 million in 2023. Cortes Currents: Where have you found Pacific Oyster Nidovirus in BC?Dr Zhong: “Fanny Bay and Deep Cove.” Cortes Currents: I guess it's too early to ask whether Pacific Oyster Nidovirus 1 spreading?Dr Zhong: “Yes, we only analyzed the samples from two farms. As you said, it is very early to say. We found this virus in the BC area, but based on the genetic data available in the database, it can also be found in France and in China. You can trace it back about one decade.”Cortes Currents: Have there been any indications that it would be harmful to human consumers of oysters? Dr Zhong: “Oh, no, no, no. Don't worry about that. This virus can only infect the Pacific Oyster and never humans or other animal species. There's no worry about that because viral infection is mostly host specific.” Cortes Currents: Can you definitively say that it doesn't cause any harm to humans? Dr Zhong: “We also eat oysters, raw too. I don't think this will be a problem.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - July 25, 2025 was the fourth week of the Village Commons Music Series, a simultaneously live and live-broadcast show, happening on Fridays from 1 - 2:30pm on the new Pavilion stage. Host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by local electronic music star, Aspen King. Aspen plays techno and house influenced music and came home to play this daytime set, and one evening set at the Gorge Marina, between travelling to and from many large festivals over the course of the summer.The Village Commons Music Series is produced by Jemma Hicken, Aaron Ellingsen, and Sean Coyote. It is made possible by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Community Radio, and the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On July 21, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Dr. Eric Posen to discuss naturopathy, health, and healing. This conversation unpacks what naturopathic doctors do, illness and alternative medicine, and the future of mental and physical health. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - July 11, 2025 was the second week of the Village Commons Music Series, a simultaneously live and live-broadcast show, happening on Fridays from 1 - 2:30pm on the new Pavilion stage. Host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined Kaia Bryce (piano, melodica, vocals) and Adrian Esau (guitar, harmonica, vocals) - Lasqueti islanders with big hearts and a big sound! They played a lively genre-bending show full of creative time-feel changes and rural island sentiments.The Village Commons Music Series is produced by Jemma Hicken, Aaron Ellingsen, and Sean Coyote. It is made possible by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Community Radio, and the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Goillespie/ Folk U - July 18, 2025 was the third week of the Village Commons Music Series, a simultaneously live and live-broadcast show, happening on Fridays from 1 - 2:30pm on the new Pavilion stage. Host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by local legend Rick Bockner. Tune in for Rick’s unique fingerpicking style, lots of jokes, and some beautiful songs by a favourite Cortesian songwriter.The Village Commons Music Series is produced by Jemma Hicken, Aaron Ellingsen, and Sean Coyote. It is made possible by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Community Radio, and the Community Radio Fund of Canada.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - July 4, 2025 saw the launch of the Village Commons Music Series, a simultaneously live and live-broadcast show, happening on Fridays from 1 - 2:30pm on the new Pavilion stage. Host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by Denise Wolda, Owyn Pengelly, and Thomas Aerie, 3 local musicians who sat together on stage for an intergenerational in-the-round style performance, swapping songs, stories, and jokes.The Village Commons Music Series is produced by Jemma Hicken, Aaron Ellingsen, and Sean Coyote. It is made possible by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Community Radio, and the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Jemma Hicken/Folk U - On June 20th, 2025 guest host Jemma Hicken was joined by the Awakeneers, a 6-person, mostly-sibling folk band, for a short live set and interview. Tune in to listen to some fiddle and folk, hear about the upcoming grand opening of the Village Commons on June 27th, and learn quite a lot about beans.Performance Highlights: Vancouver Island MusicFest (2023), Shaw Spotlight (2022 & 2024), Duncan Showroom (2024), CBC Radio One."One of the most talented and professional groups of musicians I’ve ever worked with" — Karen Seaboyer, Best Roots & Traditional Album JUNO juror, Campbell River Arts Council "wonderfully entertaining show ... left us all with a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts!" — Patty Castle, Artistic Director, Victoria Folk Music Society.
On June 13, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by community leaders and organizers, Duane Hanson, Mark Vonesch, Jemma Hicken, Sadhu Johnston, Cora Moret, and Immanuel McKenty, to chat about summer 2025. There’s a lot happening on our small island! Tune in for community updates, developments, programming, and more! Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda AUfochs Gillespie - Folk U - On May 2, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Ashley Zarbatany to to unpack the outcomes of the recent federal election, explore the roots of confusion around strategic voting, and consider what these results might mean for the future of Canada and Cortes! Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes currents - What does it mean to be a neighbour on Cortes Island? This question is at the heart of the new Cortes Island Museum exhibition 'Won't You Be My Neighbour?' curated by Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the museum and Monica Hoffman. Opening Sunday May 4th the exhibit invites visitors on a visual and narrative journey through both the historical and contemporary communities that shaped life on the island.“The idea of focusing on neighbourhoods came from the prior exhibition, ‘From the Ground Up,” explained Hoffman.Boyle added, “We did touch on how people work together to build structures, in terms of collaboration. It was also about repurposing material and sharing of resources and, in a way, this is also what this new exhibition is about. Collective land arrangements are a way for people to live affordably on Cortes, to share the land, but also to share the material, resources and work collaboratively. So there's a lot of overlap.” Monica Hoffman: “This is about those very focused areas on the island, such as Tiber Bay, Blue Jay Lake, or Siskin Lane - that sort of community, and what it means to be a neighbour is all about.” Cortes Currents: It is also about the definition of ‘community,’ in all its manifestations from the pioneer era to modern times, from ‘communal groupings’ to individual dwellings. Monica Hoffman: “A focal point for this exhibition is this north facing wall where we have a map of Cortes Island. We focus on various communities and give a little bit of commentary and interviews with the shareholders and the landholders. Some of these we did look at briefly in the prior exhibition, but this allows there to be a bit more space and more opportunity to explore them more.” Melanie Boyle: “Monica’s right, this wall is a little microcosm of the community itself. It's a reference to all the voices that make this exhibition happen. This exhibition stemmed from an interview we did during the last exhibition with Amy Robertson, who is one of the co-founders of Treedom. Jill Milton and Bernice McGowan interviewed Paul Kirmmse, who is one of the co-founders of Redlands. We spoke with Ron Bazaar. Jim Murphy came into the museum and spoke about Tiber Bay. We also interviewed Ron Wolda, more to do with the mill itself. I know Ron from selling the spoons as a craftsperson and I didn't know his ties to Vancouver, the business community and now Tiber Bay.” Monica Hoffman: “I didn't know where that Tiber Bay connection started.” Melanie Boyle: “It was serendipity and people looking at that particular time for options to live on Cortes or just live on the coast. Land comes available and they organize a bunch of people to get together to purchase the land. Everwoods came out of discussions that were happening at Hollyhock at the time.”“We respect the fact that these are the co-ops and collaborative living arrangements on Cortes, of people who are willing to actually share their story. We only can profile a small handful. There are people who choose to remain private and we respect that, of course, but these would be ones that are publicly known.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - It was Earth Day at Wild Cortes, Cortes Island’s centre for natural history, community science and collaborative conservation.“It is a very exciting place to be, with new displays coming in every year, always on Earth Day. That's probably the most important thing to say. It's Earth Day, so let's celebrate,” explained Sabina leader Mense, a professional advisor to Wild Cortes. The centrepiece of this year's displays is the ‘Humpback Comeback’ section highlighting the stunning recovery of Humpback Whales in our local waters. Sabina Leader Mense: “They used to be everywhere, then the Douglas Whaling Station was set up in Whaletown Bay. Its history is in the little display here, ‘the Dawson Whaling Company, 1869.’ It only lasted a year. They realized it was not the most optimum site, so moved it down to Hornby Island the next year. So we only had the legacy of bonking Humpback Whales on the head and flensing them for a year, but the name stuck. That's how ‘Whaletown’ got its name. The Humpbacks completely disappeared. We eliminated them from the Strait of Georgia, not a Humpback to be seen.”Cortes Currents: When did they start coming back?Sabina Leader Mense: “Some of the first Humpbacks that we saw were in the early eighties. I was working out at the Bamfield Marine Station,running research programs, but I put myself through university fishing off the West Coast and would interact with the fishermen. They started telling me that they were seeing Humpback Whales out on the finger bank in the early eighties and sure enough, the Humpbacks were coming slowly back to the coast of BC.” “Then we have this brilliant work by the Marine Education Research Society (MERS) whose work Donna Collins is featuring in this display.”“The Marine Education and Research Society has been documenting them and identifying them individually,” said Collins, who is also one of Cortes Wild's co-curators.“Donna has done a fantastic job. There's lots of pictures and all kinds of interesting things, including two sea lion skulls, both of which were found on local beaches,” added Laurel Bohart, Cortes Wild’s other co-curator.Sabina Leader Mense: “We can reliably identify Humpback Whales from the underside of their tail flukes, as well as the little nubbin that we call the dorsal fin but the underside of the tail flues is very characteristic. They have these colorations, black and white splotches, big chunks taken out of them, very readily identified by the underside of the tail flukes.”Donna Collins: “As of 2024, 776 Humpback Whales have been identified.”Sabina Leader Mense: “That’s in their entire catalog for BC.” “We brought Jackie Hildering, from MERS, in six years ago. 86 individual Humpback Whales were identified in 2019. This figure of 86, why it's so impressive is it's from here. There were 86 individua Humpbacks found in the area from the northern end of Cortes to Powell River, across to Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - I volunteered for the NDP Party during the 1968 election. Aside from that, the only campaign headquarters I’ve stepped inside was Elizabeth May’s Salt Spring Island office in 2019. So when in the midst of doing errands in Campbell River, I found myself with more than an hour to spare, it seemed like a fun idea to visit a campaign headquarters. Somebody told me the ‘red guys’ are behind Save On Foods, which is how I ended up at Jennifer Lash’s headquarters.After returning home, I learned that yet another poll has been conducted in our riding. The first two were not connected to any political party, but the LIberals comissioned #3. Like poll #2 which was not their’s, it shows the Liberals having taken over the second place slot. After contacting 318 voters in North Island Powell River between April 20 and 21, Spadina Strategies reported that 37% intended to vote for the Conservatives, 30% for the Liberals, 25% for the NDP, 5% Green and 2% were undecided. The projection website Poliwave is also reporting a shift in voter intention. On April 18, they stated the #2 party in our riding was the NDP. Their latest projection, published on Wednesday April 23, showed the Conservatives at 45%, the Liberals trailing at 29%, the NDP at 20% and the Green’s at 5%.This is not what I intended to report, when I dropped in at the Liberal Party’s Campbell River office on Friday. Jennifer Lash was away, knocking on doors, but there were five people gathered in the entrance when I arrived. A young woman immediately detached herself from their conversation. She was one of the four staffers from Ottawa who are working on the Liberal campaign. Sarah Manney gave me permission to walk around the office taking pictures and interviewing people. I started with her. Sarah Manney: “Well, I'm Sarah, I'm the campaign manager. I was working in Ottawa, but grew up in Comox. My family's in Nanaimo. When I found out that Jen was running, I knew her in Ottawa and I said, ‘this is the candidate I've always dreamed of for my hometown.’ What better person could I ask for to represent the people I grew up with.’ So it was just a dream to be able to come work for her and try to make that a reality here in North Island Powell River.”“My whole family's been knocking on doors. We have Jen's family. We have at least five times the number of volunteers that we've ever had in this riding. It's amazing just to see the energy. The other day someone remarked, ‘I've never seen so many Liberals in one place.’ It was just this magical feeling like we've all waited for this moment to have someone like Jen to rally around.”The next person I interviewed looked a lot like Jennifer Lash, for good reason.“My name is Wendy Lash. I am Jennifer's sister.” Cortes Currents: How did you end up working for her in a campaign office? Wendy had not been expecting that question, but after a few hesitant seconds she suddenly sounded like an old pro. “Well, how can you not support somebody when they're living their purpose? Jen has had a fabulous career of doing good for many people and many things in Canada, but right now - this is an important time for us! She's bravely taken this on and she's doing a fabulous job. When we heard that she was going to be doing this, as a family, we knew we needed to support her. So we booked our tickets and we've come from Ontario. We are thrilled to be here and in action.”Cortes Currents: Whereabouts in Ontario are you from? Wendy Lash: “My husband and I are from Barrie. Our sister Catherine is coming from Toronto. Jen's kids are coming back from Ontario and they're also here with us.”
Manada AUfochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On April 4, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Dayna Davis and Christina Macwilliam to chat about education, the importance of play, attachment, and children’s development. This is a fascinating conversation with two incredible Cortesian educators. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - NDP candidate Tanille Johnson will coming to Gorge Hall on Cortes Island. This is the last in a series of Meet and Greets organized by the Cortes Island Climate Action Network that has also included meetings with Green Party candidate Jessica Wegg and Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash. Conservative candiate Aaron Gunn was also invited, but has not taken advantage of this. As I am going to be off island when Tanille is here, we had an interview ahead of time. Cortes Currents: What’s the big question on voters’ minds during this election?Tanille Johnson: “Oh man, there's a lot of big questions right now!Honestly, what I spend most of my day talking about is people are terrified at the possibiloity of having Conservative representation in the federal government, and like ‘what's the strategic vote for North Island Power River?’” “I really end up being in a lot of these conversations, breaking down strategic voting, what it means and apologizing for it. We're in this situation because our Liberal government did not follow through with its promise of proportional representation, which would've allowed people to vote for the person that they felt was going to do the best job for them. We are now essentially getting shoved into a two party system that nobody wants. We don't want to mimic our United States relations to the south, but here we are. That's a big discussion right now across the board. Every riding is talking about it.” “It doesn't discount the real threat of all the ongoing tariffs from Trump. It doesn't discount the threat of annexation that Trump is bringing. It doesn't diminish our healthcare crisis, our housing crisis, or our opioid crisis, but right now it feels like people are most fearful of a Conservative government.”Cortes Currents: Two polls have just come out,—one by Research co suggests you’re best placed to stop a Conservative win, the other by Mainstreet Research says it’s the Liberals. What do you make of this?Tanille Johnson: “I t honestly doesn't make sense because there is such a stark contrast, there shouldn't be a stark contrast at all. I think it's fairly well known that Mainstreet is operated by Conservative pollsters.” Cortes Currents: I wasn't aware of that, so I did a quick fact check. There's a list of national polls on the 338Canada website. The vast majority of the 94 polls taken between April 1st and April 21nd, reported that the Liberals were leading in this race, but there are 6 polls that stated the Conservatives were either leading or tied with the Liberals. 5 of those 6 ‘outlying’ polls were taken by Mainstream Research.Tanille Johnson: “I think it was 571 people out of like a hundred thousand voters. Like, if you had a hundred thousand people and you only asked 500 of them a question, are you really going to solidly depend on that answer for whatever your decision making is moving forward? I would hope not, because that is a tiny sample size.” Cortes Currents: Tell me some highlights of the campaign for you.Tanille Johnson: “Here's a super funny one. We were door knocking in Campbell River just the other week. I knocked on a door and this gal opened and she was so excited to see me. She kissed both of her hands and then put her hands on either sides of my face. She's like, 'keep doing what you're doing.' It was just so cute and awesome.” “It's been a highlight watching people get creative with their support. There's been some really cool like self-made bumper stickers that say, 'Go Tanille' or 'Vote NDP, Vote Tanille.’"“It was a huge honor to have Megan Hildebrandt donate a vote Tanille Design, to be able to screen print 'Vote Tanille' t-shirts by hand in Powell River. That was super, super cool and amazing.” “It's been really just an honor to travel the whole riding and get to meet people from all over the place and have the time to sit and listen to their concerns.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - With only five days of campaigning left until the election, Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash says the energy on the ground in North Island–Powell River is palpable. “We've been door knocking, doing ‘meet and greets’ and town halls and phone banking. I am hearing just an amazing amount of support. So I'm loving it,” she said. “This poll to me reflects what people are telling us. So I am optimistic that the undecided will come over and join us and that we can send a Liberal to Ottawa.” She was referring to the poll that Mainstreet Research released on Monday, April 21, which is one of the reasons I wanted to speak with her. You can access it on the Mainstreet website, but need to pay. I also wanted to ask about last night’s all candidates meeting in Campbell River, which was cancelled at the last minute.Cortes Currents: So tell me about this poll.Jennifer Lash: “ We did not commission this poll, that's why it's behind a paywall. If we commissioned it, we would own it and we could share it. What it shows is that while the Conservatives are still in the lead, the Liberals are second and within the Conservative’s margin of error, while the NDP are in third, quite considerably.”Cortes Currents: Jennifer sent that data, which shows the Conservatives at 35%, the Liberals at 27% and the NDP at 18%. As this is the property of Mainstreet Research, I cannot post the chart but the Liberal campaign staff have drawn up a chart of their own. Jennifer Lash: “The margin of error is plus or minus 4.1%, with a 95% confidence level.” Given that they are only 8% apart, this poll indicates that it is possible, though unlikely, that Liberals are actually tied with the ConservativesIn another poll, released on Sunday and commissioned by the David Suzuki Foundation, it was the NDP who came in second and the Liberals trailing considerably behind. Jennifer Lash: “What this tells me is that there's going to be a lot of different polls and projections that say different things. I know there's a lot of angst out there amongst people who particularly are worried about the Conservatives winning and really looking for some direction on how they should cast their vote so that they can unite as much as possible to keep the Conservatives out. But right now there's no data that says exactly what you should do, and I don't think there ever will.” “Some people are going to choose to believe some polls and not others, and that's totally fine. People can do that, but I think what it comes right down to is there is no definitive poll that's going to tell people exactly what to do. People need to vote for either the Prime Minister, the party, or the MP that they want.” “What we're hearing is overwhelmingly, people want to have Mark Carney as the Prime Minister, which means you have to vote Liberal. I know that people say that Carney's just going to win no matter what, but that's not necessarily true.”“If we really want Mark Carney as Prime Minister, people need to vote for the Liberal party. If people want a member of Parliament who is part of Mark Carney's government and can help deliver programs, then people need to vote for the Liberal party and that means voting for me.”Cortes Currents: I also wanted to ask about the all candidates meeting that was cancelled last night.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - With just six days remaining until election day, a new poll reveals the Conservatives hold a strong lead in the North Island—Powell River riding. Among the 402 eligible voters surveyed between April 17 and April 19, 45% said they intend to vote for Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn.NDP candidate Tanille Johnston trails in second with 23%, followed by Liberal contender Jennifer Lash at 13%. Both Jessica Wegg of the Green Party and Paul Macknight of the People’s Party received 2% support, while independent candidate Glen Staples sits at 1%. Meanwhile, 15% of voters remain undecided.There is some good news for retiring MP Rachjel Blaney whose performance was approved by 51% of the respondents. 40% disapproved.Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party is the top-rated federal leader among voters in this constituency, with 53% support. He is followed by Liberal leader Mark Carney at 42%, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh at 41%, Green Party co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault at 27%, and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier at 19%.Poilievre draws strong backing from men (53%), as well as from voters aged 35 to 54 (48%) and those 55 and older (49%). In contrast, Carney leads among younger voters aged 18 to 34, with 45% support, and the two men have an almost equal following among female votres. (Carney 35%, Poilievre 34%).The poll was sponsored by the David Suzuki Foundation and conducted by Vancouver-based Research Co, led by Mario Canseco, a veteran public opinion researcher since 2003. Canseco is a regular political commentator and columnist for Glacier Media, with work published in the Vancouver Sun, Globe and Mail, and National Observer.In related news, Research co also carried out a National survey which found that 43% of decided voters would vote Liberal as opposed to 38% for the Conservatives. This fits a pattern that all but one Canadian pollster has been reporting this week. The exception being Mainstreet Research, which reported a Conservative victory in 2 out of 3 surveys.If the election were to take place today CBC Polltracker, which draws upon the data from all polls, states the odds of a Liberal victory 96%. 338Canada states the odds are 90%. Both companies state the most likely scenario is the LIberals will form a majority government. On Vancouver Island, 338Canada’s projection is that the four northern ridings will turn Conservative, but the only ‘CPC Safe seat’ (which means victory is almost certain) is North Island Powell River. The three south Vancouver Island ridings are all ‘toss-ups’, but Elizabeth May now has a slim lead in Saanich-Gulf Islands, the Liberals are ahead by a nose in Victoria and the Conservatives in Esquimalt, Saanich - Sooke.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The federal election in North Island–Powell River (NIPR) may be far closer than recent projections suggest, but the ‘progressive’ vote is split between three parties (Green. Liberal and NDP). Some people are urging voters to rally behind a single alternative to Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn.The Votewell and Smart Voting websites both declared the strategic vote in our riding is the NDP candidate Tanille Johnson. As of Thursday, April 17, Johnson became the 18th Canadian candidate officially endorsed by Lead Now. So did the participants in a recent virtual townhall meeting on Cortes Island.
Folk U -Tune in on April 18th for a special collaborative FolkU episode, featuring Emily Bootle, a funeral director and founder of DeathCare BC. This is a live recording featuring Emily’s presentation at the Cortes DeathCare Collective’s AGM, and it covers body-care, green burials, and the importance of planning ahead. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Jennifer Pickford will be showing her documentary ECO Warriors at Mansons Hall on Tuesday April 22. “This film is telling the story of several environmental activists who have faced imprisonment for their actions, as well as the actual and real threat of being labeled terrorists for protecting the land and the forest that they love,” she explained. “Eco Warriors is about 12 years old. It's one of my earlier works, but following on the footsteps of last year's Earth Day screening of 'Sacred India, A Plastic Revolution,' I wanted to show another film because I felt that not only is it still a relevant topic, but also it's just nice to have that continuity of having an Earth Day screening here on Cortes Island.”
Unedited audio from Green candidate Jessica Wegg's meeting on Cortes Island by Cortes Currents (https://cortescurrents.ca/)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Green Party candidate Jessica Wegg came to Gorge Hall, on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025. She won’t be the next Member of Parliament for North Island Powell River.“We commissioned a poll at our riding level. I think they made the phone calls March 20th to 24th, and it matched what 338Canada is saying. The Conservatives will likely win and the progressive vote will be split pretty evenly by the NDP and the Liberals. As long as the NDP and the Liberals are both running, neither party will get in,” she explained.“My numbers were less than 10%. If you added me to either one, it wasn't going to cross the threshold of the number of votes the Conservatives were expected to get. We are actually saying this is a great time to feel like you can vote Green because it's not a wasted vote. We need 2% nationally to maintain official party status, which means we get resources in Ottawa, we get to participate in the question period, we get to be on committees, that kind of thing. Without that 2% national level, we lose official party status and we lose the ability to really participate in government in an effective way. It really, really matters to us and if you want to be able to have a Green party in the future, when we do get proportional representation, we need to keep as many votes as possible.” Cortes Currents: How important is it to have a Green presence in the election? Jessica Wegg: “So, so important. Shakespeare said, ‘Though she be but little she is fierce’ (A MIdsummer’s Nights Dream). Greens are little, but we use that little power that we have to come up with big, wild ideas that the big parties aren't going to have.”“They don't want to make people think they're thinking too far outside the box. People are happy with the status quo, generally speaking. They don't want to waiver. That's how the big parties feed, is ‘how do I keep the people who we already have in this box.’ But we are thinking of big ideas that nobody else is thinking of and we bring them to the table, we bring them to the big parties that have the power in parliament and we say,' have you even thought about doing something like this?’ Or, ‘where is that in your planning?’" “We do what we can to hold them to account. All of the Green candidates across the country are showing up and they're showing that there are people who care. There are people who acknowledge the climate crisis that we're in and we're going to keep showing up.” “I think it's also important because Canada is getting awfully close right now to a two party system, which is not healthy for a democracy. It's dangerous to have just two parties and we're all falling into one camp or the other. We cannot let that happen. We need to keep showing up as these small parties. We need to keep fighting for presence so that we can have these creative big ideas that nobody else is going to say out loud because they don't want to step on anybody's toes or make anybody uncomfortable with the idea of something new or different or big. We cannot progress as a country without doing new and different and big things. So we need the Green party to show up and keep bringing our creative ideas across the country.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A sense of momentum is building—quite literally—in Manson’s Landing, where work is underway on a new pavilion designed to bring community members together for music, events, and gatherings. This is the latest in a series of structures erected in the Village Commons. The pavilion’s frame was raised on Friday, April 11, 2025 “ We hope to have all the details done by the end of May. It’ll be in service this summer,” explained Richard Andrews, Project Manager of the Village Commons. He and his three crew members had just finished erected the rear frame, or bent, and were breaking for lunch. There was one more bent to go. “ You see these two forward footings. They will be taking yet another set of another pair of posts and braces and one more large beam. That's the big, long black package lying right there. It's about 39 feet long. They are are big glulam beams and the frame was made by Island Timber Frame out of Cumberland.” “T here will be a stage built about 12 feet deep and 16 to 18 feet wide. Not a very high stage, but 8 inches up. Behind it will be a wall so that we don't disturb the neighbors with noise.” “On the sides there'll be a pony wall, and above the pony wall on both sides. It'll be clear polycarbonate probably. That'll provide a wind barrier, so people who are using the stage won't have to deal with wind on their mics.” “There'll also be a big clear panel on barn tracks, that'll go forward to stop windblown rain” Cortes Currents: What are they going to do with the audience area? Richard Andrews: “I’m not too sure yet. We'll probably spread out the soil and throw some grass seed down on it. There's no plan to do any kind of surface under the covered area. We don't have the budget, just getting this up is going to eat up the rest of our funding.”Cortes Currents: Did you want to mention anything else that’s happening around here? Richard Andrews: “We have the Nook, which is the shared office space and shared meeting space. The Cortes Housing Society is making good use of it today, and they're the main people who've been using it so far.” A block to the west of us, preparations for construction were taking place on the Cortes Housing Society’s premiere project. A four acre block had been carved out of the forest for the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing Project. Construction on the first building will soon commence. As we spoke, two carpenters were erecting a wooden fence on the project’s border with the Cortes Island Senior’s Village. There was undoubtedly some mention of this in the meeting that was underway in the Nook. Cortes Currents: What’s happening to the Village Common’s old shared meeting place, the Pod? Richard Andrews: “T he little trailer, that's going to be repossessed by CCEDA and used as an information booth somewhere. I'm not sure what their plan is with it. What the Pod has been offering, the Nook will be offering more of the same, just bigger space.” He pointed to some long containers, close to the stage. “We have four C cans here and the two to the north of the site, closer to Manson's Hall are going to be used by the food bank. Their intention is to use them for food storage in Mansons because their facility attached to the radio station is too small for the amount of food that they're distributing. We don't have a plan for the middle one, yet. The other one that's furthest to the south will be used as the storage can for anything related to the pavilion. So for the lights, sound system, chairs, audio and what have you.” Cortes Currents left before the final bent was put up for the pavilion, but they sent pictures later that day.The new stage this summer will undoubtedly be well used this summer.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Blue Hat Memorial Project opens at 10 AM this morning, Tuesday, April 14, 2025. Campbell River artist and city councillor Ron Kerr has installed 50,000 flags at Tyee Spit (ʔUxstalis), representing the number of people who have lost their lives through Canada’s ongoing opioid crisis. “What I really want to do is to stimulate conversation about the gaps in men and boy’s healthcare. These deaths are generally fentanyl drug deaths. If you look at the other results of addiction, alcohol addiction, and other kinds of addiction, the numbers are far higher. I don't think the men's health system is doing an adequate job of addressing that,” he explained.”“ We're trying to do a ‘one size fits all’ and I understand that from a financial economic point of view, but I think we need a lot more recovery facilities, better access, and second stage housing. We need ‘dry’ housing where they can get their lives together without the daily influence of addictive substances. Unfortunately, supportive housing right now is completely full of people still in their addiction. So if not onto the street, they're right back into that same kind of environment they left. That is a really important part of the picture.” “I think we need male specific facilities, so they're not going to go back into a situation where they're not being supported. We've only got one dedicated men's center in the province, where men can actually go and find services, find support, and find programs. It's just not supported.” “There's a reluctance to have something that is specifically male orientated, but I think we need men's health clinics where men and boys know that they're going to find people that understand them. Peer supportive groups are probably a lot less expensive, and I think it's more powerful for supportive recovery than all the psychiatrists in the world.” Cortes Currents: How did this become the Blue Hat project? Ron Kerr: “The problem for me, as an artist, was how to actually convey that number into something that people could feel. Initially I had the concept of having a huge number of blue hard hats, because the number of men in trades and throughout a blue collar workforce have been right from the start overrepresented in the numbers.”“I thought of using the blue hard hat itself as a symbol, but the problem was that any kind of an installation, or art project, using blue hard hats was very expensive and just logistically hard to do. So it was a challenge and I had been thinking about that for a year or two.”“Last summer when I was sitting in my garden recovering from knee surgery, I looked at a project that I'd started in the yard before my operation. I had a number of sprinkler flags marking spots around the garden. I was sitting there watching them blow in the wind, and it just came to me that that was a way of really signifying the immensity of death.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On April 11, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Yasmina Cartland and Emma Tius to discuss their work with the DeathCare Collective and recent learnings from visiting guest presenter Emily Bootle. This conversation re-imagines end-of-life care through community-driven death education, advocacy, and support. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are some Cortes Island elements to the story of a boat stolen from Campbell River on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Someone living in the Potlatch Road area of southern Cortes Island observed ‘big military type planes’ and some helicopters flying around the ocean that morning and thought it might be a Sea-Air Rescue excerise. He did not think about it again until reading about the incident on CHEK News.At 8 AM the Powell River RCMP received a request from the Quadra detachment to help intercept the stolen boat. GPS tracked it to the vincinty of Mitlenatch Island. An RCMP vessel from Powell River responded and was en route to Mitlenatch when it was notified that the Quadra detachment had already located the stolen vessel. The stolen boat was escourting it to the Mansons Landing dock, on Cortes Island, where it was secured and two ‘suspects’ were arrested for Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000. They were transported back to Campbell River and turned over to the Campbell River RCMP. Mansons Landing dock is maintained by Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI), but as it was a straighforward matter police did not think it necessary to inform them. Consequently HACI did not learn of the incident for another five days.The Quadra Island detachment used to issue weekly reports of their activities on Quadra, Cortes and other Discovery Islands, but have discontinued that service. The RCMP press release for this incident comes from the Powell River detachment.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - More than 400 Cortes Island residents responded to the recent survey about limiting the size of new houses. They were given a number of possible limitations, ranging from 2,500 to 4,300 square feet. While the vote was close, 52% of the respondents said ‘no’ and so there will be no size limits in Cortes Island’s draft Zoning Bylaw. Regional Director Mark Vonesch explained, “ I just want to start by thanking everybody for participating in the survey. We had 415 people respond and it was very divided. For that reason, I'm not moving forward with the maximum house size. There's clearly no consensus and that's okay. The reason we do these surveys is to be able to talk about an issue and express ourselves around what we want our island to look like. So I really appreciate everybody who filled it out and lots of passion on both sides of the issue.”
Unedited recording of Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash's Wednesday April 9 meeting in the Pioneer room at Mansons Hall. The event was co-sponsored by the Cortes Island Seniors Society and Cortes Island Climate Action Committee.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - More island residents turned out to hear Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash than could fit into the Pioneer Room at Mansons Hall. Half a dozen were looking on from the hallway. The Wednesday April 9 event was co-sponsored by the Cortes Island Seniors Society and Cortes Island Climate Action Committee.Karen Mahon, the MC, began, “I met Jen 25 years ago.” To which Lash responded, “I don't remember life before Karen.” Karen Mahon: Yeah, it was a long, long time ago. I was working at Greenpeace on forests and Jen wanted to really take on marine conservation in Canada in a big way. So she started an organization called Living Ocean Society, which became Canada's leading marine conservation organization.She led that and really spearheaded the notion of marine conservation in Canada. So we worked alongside each other. I was the forest and she was the fish, for some decades.”Lash was living in the little island community of Sointula throughout that period and still does. She raised her two children there. More recently she became a Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. It says something about her effectiveness in that role that four other government staffers have become the backbone currently of her campaign staff in North Island Powell River. One of them, Deputy Campaign Manager Holly Johnson, recently told Cortes Currents that 150 people had come forward as volunteers. A critic suggested some of these were probably just people who set up lawn signs,’ which is probably equally true of the ‘well over 50, maybe more’ volunteers that the NDP campaign manager recently said were helping them.Jennifer Lash: “I have voted NDP for my entire life, but in 2021 I voted NDP and I really struggled with it. The reason for me was that they had no climate plan. I feel like if we don't deal with that issue, all the marine protection areas in the world are in vain. This was a really important issue.”“The NDP had no plan and the Liberal government did. They had a plan that was mapped out and it was backed by economists and scientists. I'm not gonna stand here and tell you that the Liberal plan fund is perfect, that is a conversation that I'm sure can go on forever. But it was something, and it was designed to reach a specific target.”“So I started to kick the tires of the Liberal party, see what it was and I liked what I saw. Again, I am not going to defend everything. Yes, you can bring up electoral reform, I'm just as disappointed as probably everybody in this room that that was dropped. I'm happy to also criticize 'em for the things that didn't work. What I liked about them was that they understood that advancing on things like climate change, like social programs, like biodiversity conservation also requires building an economy and shifting an economy towards one of the future. That doesn't happen overnight and that it's hard to do and they really try to put together thoughtful policies that would drive that change.”“About a year ago, I started thinking about running. It was a really big decision for me to do this. It's kind of like being in a popularity contest in high school, but the results are printed all across national news in the whole country. I'm feeling very vulnerable right now, but I just really felt like it was important to have a conversation in this riding because this writing has been an NDP/Conservative split forever. To me, this riding has so much more to offer than just getting caught up in that tension.”She submitted her application to become a Liberal candidate last October:
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Michael Keith and his wife Iris Gildea are leaving Cortes Island. “This was a decision we made a while ago. My wife teaches at the University of Toronto. When we moved to Cortes, we thought she was going to be leaving there, but in the last couple years some things changed and she's decided to stay. It's quite the commute between semesters and we started investigating the possibility of moving somewhere a bit closer to her work. We found the ideal situation in the Maritimes. The commute is about a fraction of the time and we can get the place that really suited us. So we made that decision. It was tough, but it's time for the next part of the journey,” he explained. Cortes Currents: I heard you found a place in the Annapolis Valley Michael Keith: “That is correct. We have a friend down there help us arrange to check it out and it's kind of like our dream place. Where we have been here on Cortes has been wonderful and very dreamy. This is a lot more suited to our needs, about six acres of land and right on the ocean. We're so excited, but it's bittersweet.” “I will firstly miss just the beauty of this island, which I feel so blessed to have experienced for the last almost eight years. I'm sitting here right now looking over Hague Lake. I've recorded so much music, played and created so much right from here. I'll miss that greatly.”“I also felt like I made some really lifelong connections with some people but I really plan on maintaining a relationship with the island. It's important to me and of course I felt very supported by just random people who would come out and see me play and always have kind things to say.”“I've done some awesome gigs with my friend Zach Sukuweh who's just a great percussionist and fun guy. Him and I have such a lovely rapport. We just played about a week and a half ago at the Gorge Hall with Rick Bockner and Jerome. We each did a set and it was really, really fun.” Scotty Martin added, “Michael Keith and his wife Iris were a huge part of this community. It's going to be a giant loss that they are gone. People around here don't always realize how lucky we are to have such talented people. Michael and I have both been professional players. I could just call out a song, tell 'em what key and off we would play. My wife Shelly enjoyed playing with Michael.” “We had a great get together at Rex Weyler's. He's got a nice little jam space there, and it was a going away party for Michael Keith, one of the legendary guitarist entertainers of Cortes Island.” Rex Weyler explained “I got a call from Scotty, about a month ago and he said, ‘would you host a party for Michael and Iris who are going to leave the island?’ First of all, Michael and Iris leaving the island is a very sad thing 'cause they've been such a wonderful addition to the island and they're just two beautiful people. Michael is funny, talented. He's really brought the music quality up on the island a notch. His guitar playing and his creativity are wonderful and we will miss him. So anyway, I said to Scotty, ‘yes, we'll have a party here for Michael’ and we did. “Lots of Michael's friends showed up. We just had an afternoon in the studio here. We played music, we had a little jam, and sang some songs. We had some food, wine and beer. It was a really nice day and it was people out on the lawn and people in the studio. Some people stayed over for dinner and so it was a really nice day.”“We're going to really miss Michael. he can't come to LoveFest this year, but I'm going to invite him to LoveFest for 2026.” Michael Keith: “I love the idea. I would love to do that. I know I'd have no problem finding a place to stay.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Harbour Authority Cortes Island started taking applications for summer moorage spots at 9 AM on April 1st. Harbour Master Jenny Hartwick explained, “This is our way of helping to manage the number of boats using. What's happened over the last few years on Cortes especially after Covid, is we've seen a steady increase in summer visitors and local residents getting out on the water. That's put additional pressure on the available mortgage that we have at the docks.”“The one point that I want to make really clear is we have ample space available for anyone who is looking for mortgage at the docks. What we do not necessarily have is available mortgage at your first choice dock. We have some areas of higher population density and the docks that are in those areas tend to be the most popular. For safety reasons, we cannot accommodate every single boat that puts in a request for mortgage at those docks. If we tried, there would be too many security issues, be it vessels getting damaged, the, the possibility of people getting hurt and literally the facilities themselves wouldn't be able to support the weight of all of the boats that we have asking to stay there.”“Again, just making it clear for the community, absolutely we have the space and we will accommodate you. We just need your understanding in working with us to make sure that our docks are both accessible and safe to everybody.” Cortes Currents: Do you have any docks that are already fully booked for the summer?Jenny Hartwick: “I'm still working my way through numbers and applications. people give us the dates that they'd like to be there and we really try our best to fit everybody in. We say, okay, this person only wants three weeks, we can partner them with this person.”“Typically the Cortes Bay and the Whaletown docks are full. That's been the pattern for the last number of years. Those two tend to be the most popular, again, simply because of their geographical location.” “I have mockups of every single dock down to the exact footage. We plot out whose boat and then who we can raft together. We try to get everybody their first choice, but I would suspect this year, like last year and the previous years that Cortes Bay and Whale Town will be full.” Cortes Currents: My next question was going to be about waiting times, but you mean there's just no chance of getting to those two? Jenny Hartwick: “Most likely but, again, that's not always true.” “We encourage everybody to reach out and communicate with us because stuff happens. Your boat breaks down. You go on an extended three week sailing trip. If people communicate that and they let us know, we're down on the docks every single day. We monitor and we watch.” “If we notice that something's going on, we keep a wait list. If we can move somebody into their first choice doc, we'll do that.” “One of the important things to remember in this, our Small Craft Harbours docks give priority to commercial and CFB mortgage. That is the mandate that we're given from the federal government, we are to support those users first.”“The Gorge Dock for example, is primarily commercial users only. We actually don't solicit recreational mortgage at that dock because we really don't have room just with the number of commercial users that we have.” “So there's multiple factors in play, but it's an ongoing process for us and we keep wait lists. We'll get you in if we can.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - This broadcast opened with the Klahoose Singers chanting a blessing to the forest and the land in general, at the Forest Trust For The Children of Cortes Island Society AGM on Saturday, April 5, 2025. As many of you are aware, the Society was set up to try and obtain 624 acres of forest adjacent to Carrington Bay Regional Park on Cortes Island, that are currently managed by Mosaic. Around 40 people were present when Chair Chris Dragseth announced they were making progress in the negotiations for 261 acres. “The society's been in place for 15 years and we've been in serious discussions with Mosaic since 2019, about the operational issues around negotiating a fair market value for the properties. We've done some work jointly with Mosaic over this period of time. We've hired timber valuation companies and land valuation companies to come to a point where we've had what we feel is a fair market value for the property. The big step is coming up. We are probably going to be in a position in the very near future to actually make an offer. This will really be the key point for 2025,” he began.“Once that agreement is reached, the clock will start ticking because it will have a built in provision to allow us to do serious and significant fundraising over the coming months.”“We can't and are unable at this point to give the value yet because we haven't finalized the price with Mosaic, but it's my expectation and my hope that in the very near future we're going to be able to give you some very positive news. Then we'll start moving forward.” The Society intends to purchase another 363 acres that are not included in this initial purchase. Chris Dragseth: “There's still three properties that are not in the package right now. Those three parcels were put into the carbon capture by Mosaic, through the Big Coast Program, and they have another 20 years to unfold before those properties will come up for discussion. Those parcels will eventually become part of a longer term discussion. Once we take possession, probably in a year's time is what we're hoping for, then a longer term vision will be required.” Christine Robinson gave a slideshow of the property, what had taken place during the year, and an outline of the society's history. She asked, “I'm just curious, if you've been anywhere in the Children's Forest, just raise your hand.” It seemed like the whole room responded.Christine Robinson: “Lovely. We have a very familiar audience right now, all of you pretty much long term on Cortes, but it is a gem in the heart of Cortes.”As the audio quality was poor, here is a quick summary of her talk as written in the slideshow: The Children's Forest Trust was created in 2010 and would not have been possible without the expressed support of the Klahoose First Nation. These lands are ecologically significant and support 14 species at risk and the rare occurrences of 11 ecological communities.Cortes Island is part of the Discovery Islands Archipelago that forms a ‘bridge’ between Mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island and may provide important information on genetic diversity in species.The geographic location of the 50th parallel north marks the transition between the Coastal Douglas-fir and Coastal Western Hemlock bio geoclimatic zones.Important wildlife corridors are provided by landscape level ecological networks through the Children’s Forest.In the last 12 years the Forest Trust For The Children of Cortes Island Society has delivered a strong youth nature based program that has become an important part of the youth culture on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Depending on which election poll you are looking at, the Liberals are leading by anywhere from 5 to 10 points nationally. The last poll to suggest the Conservatives were tied with them was taken by Abacus on February 4, 2025. An Angus Reid poll taken on April 7, 2025 found that in British Columbia the Liberal Party leads by 11 points. It’s more difficult to get a breakdown riding by riding. While 338Canada’s projections are generally fairly accurate, they are calculated using a mostly proportional swing model adjusted with provincial and regional polls. In North Island Powell River there are currently at least three factors which this approach does not take into account. Firstly there is the widespread reaction to a series of tweets Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn made between 2019 and 2021. Many people feel his comments about residential schools are demeaning to First Nations and at this point 57 elected and former politicians, as well as Frst Nation leaders, have signed a joint letter calling for his resignation. So has every other candidate in North Island Powell River. There is also a little group of 9 politicians, primarily based in Campbell River, who have come out in support of Gunn. However with this kind of controversy going on, it is difficult to believe that 48% of the electorate would vote for Aaron Gunn if there were an election today. There is also NDP candidate Tanille Johnson’s popularity with some of the electorate, and the fact Bob Chamberlain, former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, endorses her. Lastly, Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash, her Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign Manager are all government staffers with an intimate understanding of how elections are run. When I interviewed Deputy Campaign Manager Holly Johnson last week, they had recruited 150 volunteers. Those are three good reasons to ignore 338Canada’s projections for North Island Powell River. The only poll that could tell us what is going on in North Island Powell River must be taken here.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In a series of tweets between 2019 and 2021, the Conservative candidate for North Island Powell River, Aaron Gunn, argued against the the idea that residential schools were a form of genocide. In the first of these he agreed that they were ‘truly horrific events,’ but added that people should not refer to them with a loaded word like ‘genocide’ that does not remotely reflect the reality of what happened.” He was wrong, residential schools are a perfect example of genocide.Mr Gunn’s understanding of the term appears to be limited to ‘killing of a large number of people,’ but when Raphael Lemkin coined the term he stated it wasn’t necessary to kill people. There were also genocides of political and social institutions, culture, language, national feelings, religion, and the economic existence of national groups.Lemkin was a Jewish lawyer who fled from his native Poland after the Germans overran it in 1939. He was deeply concerned about NAZI Germany’s extermination policy.In his book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe (1944), Lemkin wrote: “By ‘genocide’ we mean the destruction of a nation or of an ethnic group. This new word, coined by the author to denote an old practice in its modern development, is made from the ancient Greek word genos (race, tribe) and the Latin cide (killing), thus corresponding in its formation to such words as tyrannicide, homocide, infanticide, etc. Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings of all members of a nation. It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. The objectives of such a plan would be disintegration of the political and social institutions, of culture, language, national feelings, religion, and the economic existence of national groups, and the destruction of the personal security, liberty, health, dignity, and even the lives of the individuals belonging to such groups.”He added that. “Genocide has two phases: one, destruction of the national pattern of the oppressed group; the other, the imposition of the national pattern of the oppressor. This imposition, in turn, may be made upon the oppressed population which is allowed to remain upon the territory …”Lemkin also coined the term cultural genocide, which is the systematic destruction of traditions, values, language, and other elements that make one group of people distinct from another. How does this relate to Aaron Gunn’s Tweets?These three appear to be misguided: “There was no genocide. Stop lying to people and read a book …”; “I understand that people have a misinformed view of history which they have reached following a steady and persistent attempt to discredit Canada’s past in order to undermine its institutions and future.” “Residential schools were asked for by Indigenous bands in Eastern Ontario when John A MacDonald was still a teenager.”This last remark refers to residential schools in eastern Ontario sometime between 1828 and 1835, when John A MacDonald was a teenager, but according to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the purpose of residential schools changed during the 1870s.“With the passage of the British North America Act in 1867, and the implementation of the Indian Act (1876), the government was required to provide Indigenous youth with an education and to assimilate them into Canadian society.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Aaron Gunn, the Conservative candidate for North Island Powell River, has responded to some of the allegations made about his position on residential schools. I am reading this out from his Twitter feed. I’d like to clear up what has been said today.I have always been firm in recognizing the truly horrific events that transpired in residential schools, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is simply false. I have never wavered in condemning these institutions of abuse, where countless First Nations suffered at the hands of a patronizing federal government. I have never wavered in condemning the theft of children from their families, or the forced destruction of Indigenous language, culture and traditions. Not only have I repeatedly denounced what happened at residential schools, through my documentaries I have also interviewed more than two dozen Indigenous leaders on the importance of economic reconciliation with First Nations while also highlighting the disproportionate impact the addictions crisis has had on their communities. Leader Pierre Poilievre explained it well at the AFN Assembly last July: I know that the relationship between First Nations and the federal government has been painful and destructive because of the federal government's terrible decisions. For decades, the residential school system removed children from the love and care of their families. It was a monstrous abuse of excessive governmental power that cut your children off from their cultures, languages, and traditions. In many cases, students were neglected and abused tragically. Too many young children never came home. Those were terrible crimes by a big and imposing government against each victim and against your communities. In 2008, the federal government under then Prime Minister Harper issued an apology and launched the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but there is more work to be done. I know that Canada has no future without a strong future for the First Nations people. We must acknowledge the terrible mistakes of our past and learn from our history while celebrating Canada as the greatest country on earth. I look forward to working with great candidates such as former Haisla Chief Ellis Ross, to repeal the Liberals’ radical anti-resource laws to quickly green-light good projects so First Nations and all Canadians bring home more powerful paycheques.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The following statement was taken from Aaron Gunn's Twitter feed - I am firmly opposed to Putin’s heinous and illegal actions in Ukraine, and his oppression of the Russian people within Russia. I have held and articulated these views publicly for years. In early 2014, when I was still in my early 20s, I made foolish comments about Putin and Ukraine. I stopped holding those views a long time ago. Canada must support Ukraine in their defence against Russia’s illegal invasion, including by building pipelines to tidewater to displace Russian oil and gas and stop the funding of Putin’s war machine. A point I have made consistently in documentaries and viral videos since their second illegal invasion in 2022. Conservatives have a proud history of supporting Ukraine. It was under a Conservative government (Brian Mulroney) that on December 2, 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Conservatives were the ones who successfully negotiated the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. Stephen Harper led the charge to kick Russia out of the G7 following their invasion of Crimea. I’m proud to continue this legacy of support for Ukraine as they continue their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A growing number of elected and former politicians in the North Island Powell River riding are calling upon the Conservative Party to withdraw their endorsement of Aaron Gunn, and demand he withdraw his candidacy. There were already 19 names on this jpoint letter when Cortes Currents spoke to the two women spearheaded this campaign. “This has all happened within the last 48 hours. I believe (Bob Chamberlain) a former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs who sent out the first call for Gunn to be removed. After that many other chiefs supported the call for him to step down,” explained Arzeena Hamir, a former Regional Director of Area B in the Comox Valley Regional District. Wendy Morin, a City Councillor from Courtney, added. “When I saw the repeated posts of comments that Aaron Gunn has made, particularly that the experience of residential schools etc was not genocide, that's what really struck me as really harmful to First Nations communities in our region. Especially since the House of Commons unanimously stated that residential schools were genocide and, that was from all parties, including the onservatives. I thought, wow, this is someone who's a candidate who's not even aligned with the previous MPs in the House of Commons. I just felt that it was really important to show solidarity with the First Nations communities in our region, in the region where Aaron Gun is running.”Arzeena Hamir: “As elected and former elected officials, we just wanted to support First Nations leaders in really emphasizing that call because it's just an unacceptable viewpoint.” Wendy Morin: “We felt that it was important to show leadership on this and to show that local leaders across all different backgrounds, we don't all agree with each other. We don't all vote the same way, but on this issue we were very united.” Arzeena Hamir: “She and I sat down and crafted the letter and then sent it out for everybody else to sign.” Robyn Mawhinney, from Area C was one of the recipients, “I, as a director in the Stratcona Regional District know that within the administrative boundaries of the Strathcona Regional District, there are 11 First Nations and there are many more First Nations when you look at the entirety of the North Island Powell River riding. I believe that reconciliation is multifaceted and much more than only economic reconciliation. I have grave concerns with our riding being represented by someone who doesn't appear to take this full spectrum of reconciliation seriously. First Nations Leadership Council and many other First Nations leaders have expressed concerns with Aaron Gunn and I support them.” Arzeena Hamir: “We're not asking for the conservatives to not put up a candidate because everyone has a right to representation, but that candidate obviously was not vetted properly. Apart from his very awful views on First Nations, there's just a long list of very disturbing comments that this person has made. We don't believe that people like that should take the platform of a candidate.”“I think many people who just vote Conservative normally, don't even realize what he stands for. So this part of this letter is to raise that awareness in people so that they know, and hopefully choose otherwise.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -First Nations leaders are calling upon the Conservative Party of Canada to drop Aaron Gunn, candidate for North Island-Powell River, due to a series of tweets he made between 2019 and 2021.More than 150,000 First Nation, Métis and Inuit children were taken out of their homes and forced to attend residential schools between the 1870s and 1997. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called the residential school system "cultural genocide" in its final report released in 2015.Gunn tweeted: “Why are the report authors (and now Trudeau) sensationalizing truly horrific events, that need to be examined honestly, with a loaded word like ‘genocide’ that does not remotely reflect the reality of what happened.” More tweets followed: “There was no genocide. Stop lying to people and read a book. The Holocaust was a genocide. Get off Twitter and learn more about the world”“I understand that people have a misinformed view of history which they have reached following a steady and persistent attempt to discredit Canada’s past in order to undermine its institutions and future.”“Residential schools were asked for by Indigenous bands in Eastern Ontario when John A MacDonald was still a teenager, but hey, why let the truth get in the way of a good headline.” “ I think Mr. Gunn's comments about Canadian Indian residential schools are absolutely appalling and utterly unacceptable for someone that is seeking public office. It shows me that he is completely untethered from the reality that First Nations have experienced in this country and completely absent from knowledge of what the government has done and spoken of. I believe it was in 2022 when the House of Commons spoke about what happened to First Nations people as genocide, and when the Pope of the Catholic church also spoke of it as genocide. For Mr. Gunn to just disregard these statements based upon reality of this country, it's absolutely appalling. There's no way that I can envision anyone should be able to sit in public office with such blatant, racist perspectives,” explained Bob Chamberlain, a Powell River resident who served as the Union of BC Indian Chief’s Vice-President for 10 years and elected chief of the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis [quick-wa-sut-uh-nook / hakwuh-meesh] First Nation for 14 years. The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) echoed this opinion in a press release issued on April 3:“the FNLC is joining calls for the Conservative Party of Canada to drop Aaron Gunn, the candidate for North Island-Powell River, due to his horrific and offensive posts on X between 2019 and 2021 refuting that Indigenous people faced a genocide in Canada and that ‘residential schools were asked for by Indigenous bands.’ Such attitudes are extremely harmful and divisive and should not be held by those in public office.”Terry Teegee, BC Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, added "It's really concerning that perhaps the Conservatives can't work with First Nations peoples across this country, especially with a party that supports an individual of this type of view." Gunn has not responded to Cortes Currents requests for comment. When he was rejected as a potential candidate of the BC Liberal party in 2021, because of his views, Gunn claimed he had been blindsided:“At worst, it could be argued that one of the tweets was more terse than necessary. But it is difficult to see how any of these tweets expressed extreme or factually dubious opinions that fall outside mainstream Canadian political thought. Especially considering “genocide” is most commonly defined as “the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group” – a rather serious accusation which, I believe, should only be used in those rare, extreme circumstances (such as the Holocaust, for example).”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Bob Chamberlain, former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and former elected chief of the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation is endorsing NDP candidate Tanille Johnson in North Island Powell River. “I just hope that your listeners are understanding and supportive of justice for First Nations people.” “I hope they'll vote for the NDP. I say that because I've been NDP my whole life. Back here I've got a sign when I ran for the NDP in Nanaimo.""I hope that they will recognize that only the Liberals and the Conservatives have ever formed government in Canada federally. The situation we're trying to deal with and correct today is a result of red and blue. I have no faith that they'll do what's right, from Prime Minister Trudeau's tearful acceptance of the missing murdered indigenous women's report and the Truth and Reconciliation report - which he then did nothing with.”“That's why I would encourage people to support Tanille. She's from here. She's got the lived experience of the North island, she understands .She's very articulate, and has high concerns for the environment and employment. To me, she's an ideal candidate because she's First Nations, but she's not limited to that focus. Looking at what economy would make good sense, what does the environment need given the current global warming crisis, and what we need to do in our little area of the world to look after our environment.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - All of the recent polls report the Liberals ahead in this election. If the election were held today, 338Canada and CBC’s Poll tracker are projecting a landslide victory, with between 193 and 202 seats going to Mark Carney’s Liberal Party. It’s a bit more difficult when it comes to calculating the outcome in individual ridings. According to 338Canada’s projections, North Island-Powell River is the bluest of the four northern Vancouver Island ridings. Aaron Gunn is expected to receive about 47% of the popular vote, but projections rely on algorithms and past voting history, and there are some things that can sneak under the radar. For example, does 338Canada know about NDP candidate Tanille Johnson’s following, as the only non-Conservative councillor in the city of Campbell River? Or that Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash, her Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign manager are all government staffers who have amassed an army of 150 volunteers to knock on doors, man the phones and put up lawn signs? Or of the small successes of a Green Party movie and conversation night? The following stories came out of interviews with an NDP Campaign manager, a Liberal Deputy Campaign manager and two of the leading Green Party campaigns workers. The Conservatives were to have replied by an email which, should it arrive later, will be published separately.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum had their AGM on March 30th.“We had 52 people come out despite a really nice gardening day. You could see people having conversations and lots of hugs. Nice to see everybody out after the winter. Coffee and treats were available, a nice wide selection of home baked goods. So it's like the social atmosphere was really positive,” explained Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Cortes Island Museum.“The museum AGM business meeting takes maybe half an hour and then Iris Steigemann gave a really wonderful visual presentation of her travels in Greenland. Donations are up and membership is up, so we're very pleased about those facts.” Cortes Currents: How many members do you have now?Melanie Boyle: “When our fiscal year report came out 310, but I know between the time we printed the documents and the meeting we had more than that. So it's well over 300 this year.”Cortes Currents: Which is impressive on an island whose adult population was just over 900 in the last census. What about your donations? Melanie Boyle: “The donations were good and we have to just do our final tallies. With the museum, it's a donation of time or money. We don't set a minimum donation and we do find that works really well. Some people contribute their efforts in other ways.” Cortes Currents: What's coming up this year?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - While she recognizes DRIPA as a valuable document, MLA Anna Kindy recently informed the SRD Board that she does not support ‘article 26.’ The topic came up when she took part in the May 26 Board meeting. Kindy began by stating, “ Part of the reason I'm here is to actually learn how things are run. I'm not going to pretend I know everything, far from it. It's a steep learning curve, but my motivation is to truly represent my constituents. I ran for a party, but I'm apolitical now that I am an MLA, I just look at issues separately and try to bring people's voices to the legislature, to whoever it needs to be brought to. I'm not a public speaker by nature, but I do answer questions very readily, so I'm just going to pass it over to you guys if you have any questions."Regional Director Mark Vonesch, of Cortes Island, responded, “My question is about Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People's Act (DRIPA). During the election, your leader spoke about dropping it and since then, members of your party have denied the graves that have been found in some residential schools. That's raised a lot of concern and I'm just wondering if you could comment on that.”Anna Kindy: “Okay, first of all, let's go back to the first question, DRIPA. You have to look at unintended consequences of every bill that passes. UNDRIP is from the United Nation and we are the only, and I will repeat the only jurisdiction worldwide that has adopted it word per word (as DRIPA).”“Most of DRIPA is fine, I'm a hundred percent for economic reconciliation. What we've done is terrible and we need to reconcile what we've done. It's about treaties, it's about economic reconciliation. What DRIPA does, if you look at section 26, there's a question of what will be the private property rights of every British Columbian.”Article 261. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.2. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.3. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the Indigenous peoples concerned.Anna KIndy: “The entire aspect of crown land will be under the jurisdiction of 4% of the population potentially to make decisions and I am of the opinion that we all have equal rights. We are all Canadian.” “Economic reconciliation means that we need to make sure that we lift First Nations out of poverty. In this region, what that means is to support industries that are lifting them out of poverty. I'm an addiction doctor. If you look at the GNN nation (Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations), they had 10 or 11 overdoses and suicides in a two month period in 2024. So this is urgent, I don't talk about semantics.”“The issue is section 26. This is in a democracy and we're an equal society, we all should have the same rights.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On March 21, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a press release stating that in 2023 Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped to their lowest level in 27 years (excluding the pandemic years). The exception in this otherwise positive picture was the oil and gas sector, where emissions continue to rise. However there is good news within that sector as well, ‘fugitive greenhouse gas emissions from oil and natural gas have decreased by 33% between 2013–2023, driven in part by Canada’s 2020 oil and gas methane regulations, which have reduced methane venting and leaks.’ “The two main messages from the National Inventory report last week, which I feel are really important, is that climate policy works. Over the last 10 years, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions have gone down. Our methane emissions have gone down. Our electricity has become less emissions intensive, and all of that has happened while our economy has grown. This is a significant point to make. And this is something that environmental groups, activists, researchers, community leaders, all of them have been saying for decades,” responded Aly Hyder Ali, from Environmental Defence. “The other aspect of the report was that the oil and gas industry is holding us back. The oil and gas industry has failed to do its part when it comes to emissions reductions and if it was able to or willing to do that, Canadians would be in a much better place.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has been helping maintain Mansons Landing Provincial Park since 2016. They’ve been putting up railings to prevent further erosion of banks, putting up interpretive signage and maintain the trails. FOCI also holds a Broom Bash every year. 15 volunteers and staff showed up to remove this invasive species on Saturday, March 21, 2025.Cortes Currents asked Helen Hall, FOCI's executive director, “Is this a good turnout?” Helen Hall: “We’ve got a lovely turnout of people this morning, all ages and we're anticipating more people will turn out throughout the morning. We've also got BC Parks rangers coming out to help us as well, which is great news.” “ The reason we started clearing broom on the Spit originally was because of the coastal sand ecosystem. This grassy looking habitat doesn't look like very much, but it's actually an ecosystem that's quite rare up and down the coast. When we started, about six years ago, it was covered in broom and it was getting shaded out. So we decided to remove broom from there. Then we realized it was also all over the Spit. So partly to stop it growing back onto the beach, we decided to clear it on the Spit. Then we realized that the broom was out competing native shrubs like huckleberry.”“We've now been doing this for six years and we are begining to see a difference. The coastal sand ecosystem is starting to thrive and we've noticed a lot more native shrubs coming in. It's a good news story, but we have to keep on it because broom just keeps growing back. So it's great to have volunteers coming out today to help do this.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The election writ was dropped Sunday and the following day Cortes Currents published responses from the candidates in our riding. As they were either emails or excerpts from press releases, it is only on the web. However NDP candidate Tanille Johnston just sent in an audio clip as well. She’s referring to a meeting the Cortes Island Climate Action Network put on in Mansons Hall. “Hey everybody, just doing a little shout out. Thanks so much for having me a few weeks back. I really heard loud and clear your priorities of investing locally, especially in food sovereignty, climate mitigation, and how much investing locally really gets your best results for doing that kind of work on the ground.”“So really excited that the writ has dropped and the campaign is launched. On my way to qathet, and will be over in Powell River today. I have a full packed schedule and look forward to seeing you guys again soon, bye.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There hasn't been a major wildfire on Cortes Island for decades, but this could change as our summer’s grow hotter and drier. The Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing project is being designed with this in mind.“The main idea is to try to have more of a FireSmart community and get rid of the conifers that are much more prone to embers catching fire and then catching the neighbor's houses and vehicles on fire, like we saw in the California fires this winter,” explained Mark Lombard, speaking on behalf of the Cortes Housing Society. “We're also going to try to incorporate deciduous trees into the landscape of the 24 units, so that in the summer time you'll have nice leafy, shady zones around the houses in key spots. So that you don't get, for example, overheating in the summer midday and afternoon sun from the south and west, while still allowing our buildings to have good access for passive solar design and solar photovoltaics on the roofs of the buildings.” “Fire smart principles in general are to not have conifers - firs, cedars and hemlock trees - within 10 to 20 meters of your house. So when there are embers that fly ahead of a fire, they won't land in those trees, catch them on fire and then ignite the buildings around them. Using siding that's not going to be flammable like cedar; using metal or plaster as siding; designing your soffits so that the embers can't get trapped and then catch the roof on fire. We're going to use metal roofing which is very fire resistant.” “The way you do your landscaping is really important. If you put in a lot of hedges, for example, that is a real problem because embers can catch those on fire and then it's really hard to protect the structures. So trying to do a fire smart architeure site plan as well as the specific landscaping is the general idea.” “One of the big things for Cortes Island, if we have a major emergency our current plan is that we'll evacuate the island and that is expected to take about 40 - 48 hours - primarily using BC ferries. However, we know that if there's a major wildfire that starts, for example in Carrington, with a big northwesterly in five hours we could have serious fire conditions throughout the island.“So we need to create places where we can do what's called ‘shelter-in-place,’ which is have a cleared area that has no trees for four times the height of the nearest trees nearby. We don't really have very much of that on Cortes, as everybody knows. There aren’t a lot of big cleared areas. One of the areas that was the most likely place that we want to shelter in place and use as an anchor point in a major wildfire would be the training grounds at the fire departments.”“In the case of Manson's Landing, we had trees that were really tall directly adjacent to the helipad, and we did not have anywhere near the necessary four tree lengths. So now we've cleared the area to expand the training yard and directly behind that. We’re not going to have any tall conifers. So we've created a much more defensible place to ‘shelter-in-place’ on the south end of Cortes, right by the fire hall, which we think of as a bit of a multi-solving approach.”You have been listening to an interview with Mark Lombard about the Fire Smarting aspects of Rainbow Ridge.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A four acre clearing was carved out of the forest in downtown Mansons Landing to make way for the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing Development. A crew was busy piling the last of the logs when Cortes Currents arrived on site, and the ground was covered with branches, wood debris and stumps. Construction on the first building is expected to start in a month, which means a lot of wood is going to have to disappear. What is the Cortes Housing Society going to do with it? Mark Lombard answered on behalf of the Cortes Housing Society: “That's a great question.” “We have two loads of saw logs going to the Klahoose Sawmill, and there are four loads of saw logs going to the Blue Jay Lake Sawmill. One of those loads is going to be for the use of the Housing Society for construction in the future. Over time, as we need lumber for various projects, we'll be able to pull them out of the inventory of logs that went to the Blue Jay Sawmill. There's also a load of saw logs going to a small mill in Mansons and another load of saw logs going to a small mill in Cortes Bay.” “In terms of the firewood logs, any of the logs that were a little bit smaller than the local mills can use or a little bit lower grade, we have two loads of firewood going to Klahoose and then multiple groups of residents who are getting two or three neighbors together are buying the rest of the loads of firewood logs.”They started delivering logs across the island on Saturday and were expected to finish Monday, March 24. Mark Lombard: “ The next step for the project is all the branches and tops. It's a bit of a challenge to decide what to do with them sometimes..” “We've decided not to burn for a few reasons. One is the smoke, right in Mansons. Another is, there's a new requirement to have your piles piled for three months before they're burned, and that would put us right into fire season. So what we've decided is we're going to chip up the branches and tops too. That'll help keep the biomass on the site.”“Once we pull the stumps and level up the site, then we can spread the wood chips out so that it builds topsoil and slows down erosion. So we don't have a lot of exposed soil.” “The school is building a wetland this summer at the back of the school yard, and they are going to take about 125 stumps from the housing society projects. On the north end, directly behind the fire hall and where the first community building is going to be built, we are going to pile up those stumps so that they can be moved over to the school wetland project in July. Then the stumps further south on the project are going to be moved to the very south end of the clearing, where there was a little bit of a natural opening.”“Once the site is levelled out, we're going to start building the first community building, the laundromat and housing society office. We are hoping that in about a month from now we'll be starting construction on that building.” “There are lots of small cedar logs that we're not making into firewood logs. So if people are looking for posts for garden fences or any kind of posts, we have lots available. We also have quite a few longer cedar poles that would make a really good barn pole or timber frame outdoor shed that will be for sale.”“We also have lots of pieces of curved fir and cedar. Some of them are longer, some of them are shorter, but can make some nice curved beams for things. We're also thinking that some of the really curved pieces of cedar, we’ll Alaska mill them and make them into slabs. So if people want any cedar slabs, we're going to have some of those available.” Cortes Currents: Any last thoughts?Mark Lombard: "We are fortunate to have a crew of professionals doing the work and everything has been done carefully and in the most tidy way possible.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There were a couple of changes in the plan for the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing Development as the site was cleared. A small parcel of land along the northern border of the property was given to the Cortes Island Fire Department, to enable it to expand. Plans for a hedge of trees between Rainbow Ridge and the Cortes Island Senior’s Village were drastically altered after root rot was discovered. Mark Lombard spoke on behalf of the Cortes Island Housing Society, “ In the first phase, we have cut down the trees in the area where the housing society will be building 24 units of affordable housing over the next few years, as well as a community building that'll house a laundromat and washrooms and an office for the housing society.”“We've cleared about four acres of land right behind the Manson's Fire Hall. We've also cleared about 50 feet of forest that is now going to be part of the training yard for the fire department. There's more space for the helicopters to land and more room for training. The ambulance is also bringing in a housing unit for the paramedics into the training yard.”Unfortunately they also cut down a great many more trees than the Cortes Island Seniors Village wanted. Mark Lombard: “We didn't communicate as clearly as we could have. We met with some of the seniors this week, and we had a really constructive, positive conversation. I feel like their concerns were addressed and we were able to answer their questions, but it's a really hard thing and we really empathize and understand the fact that it's never easy to see the trees cut down in the neighborhood where you live”One of the seniors, who did not wish to be identified, expressed support for Rainbow Ridge as a project and agreed that Cortes Island needs more housing, but she had loved that forest.Cortes Currents spoke to three seniors and they were all devastated, but Naomi Hayter was the only one who agreed to an interview.“I've only just moved here. My concern is for the village here and the impact it's had on the people who have lived here much longer than I have. This has been a shock to everyone.” “This village was created by the elders who came before us, and I find that to be a very special living situation for people of the age group from seventies up into nineties. It's been a safe place for people and I think it's a model for other communities to come and look at. People have come and looked at it as future possibilities for other places, but it has been compromised, I think.” Up until now the Senior’s Village had been sheltered in the trees, now it sits on the edge of a four acre clearcut. This does not appear to be what the Cortes Housing Society intended. Two months ago, at a public meeting in Mansons Hall on January 29, Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Housing Society, said, “We heard loud and clear from them that they support the project, but they don’t want to lose all the trees. There are some nicer cedars. So we’re moving the project south. There’s a natural land clearing down here that we’ll be taking advantage of this way.”Cortes Currents: The first aerial photos of the logging operation showed a fringe of trees separating the Senior’s Village from Rainbow Ridge. Most of these have since been removed.Mark Lombard: “ In the northwest corner, which is directly adjacent to the senior’s cottages, we cleared the area where the training yard for the fire department's going to expand. Then we cleared out a little patch of trees that were unhealthy that had a lot of root rot in them, and some of them had already started to fall over. We were particularly worried about having them blow onto the seniors' homes.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Mascon by TELUS informed at least 10 Cortes Island residents that their internet service will be terminated on June 2, 2025.A dozen people were chatting about it on the Cortes Island Is Home Facebook page, where one typed a message to Regional Director Mark Vonesch, “The SRD was part of the whole CityWest to insure all communities were connected? Most of us do not have access to CityWest yet and now we are losing access to our only other option.” Nancy Kendel posted a comment on the Tideline, “A LOT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY was given to the Connected Coast Partnership of CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District, but THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED! When will Cortes Island be connected?” She also emailed Cortes Currents, which is what led to this story.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - mmanuel McKenty is the new face of the Cortes Island Microgrants 4 Neighbours Program. When this ZOOM interview began, he was sitting in a room that looked very similar to where I interviewed him along with the rest of the Awakeneers on previous occasions.Cortes Currents: Give me your spiel and then I’ll ask some questions.Immanuel McKenty: “ The 2025 round of the Cortes Island MicroGrants is now open for applications between March 10th and April 7th. We're accepting applications for cool projects in on in theCortes community and giving out grants between $50 and $500. The application process is super simple. The link is on the Cortes Foundation website under their Grants section. And there's also posts on Tideline and the various different Cortes Island Facebook pages. One interesting new thing we're trying this year for the first time is we're planning to put all of the applications out for input to the whole community once we receive them. So anyone who lives on Cortes can log in and view all the applications and submit their votes on which are their favourites.”“I'm looking forward to seeing all the creative projects that get submitted and there's a few that are coming in already.” Cortes Currents: Actually, the first question that popped in my mind is how did Immanuel McKenty end up as the person doing the MicroGrants? Immanuel McKenty: “Manda Aufochs Gillespie recruited me shortly after the program launched. She initiated the program based on her literacy outreach coordinator position in 2020, I think that was the first year she organized it, and she recruited me as a jury member in 2021. The jury is basically a collection of people who review the different applications and rate them based on the rating matrix of different attributes. I was on the jury for a few years after that, and Co-adjudicator last year. This year I'm coordinating the program for the first time.” Cortes Currents: When exactly did you say ‘yes,’ you'll be the guy in charge? Immanuel McKenty: “Manda asked me, I believe it was in December of 2024, just after Isabella McKnight retired from working for the foundation. She had been the previous coordinator, and I had been a co-judicator with her last year.”Cortes Currents: Are you going to be doing more than MicroGrants? Immanuel McKenty: “I've just been contracted to run the MicroGrants program this year. It's roughly a three month engagement during the time period that the grants are being accepted and reviewed.”Cortes Currents: What’s special about the MicroGrants? Immanuel McKenty: “I find them very special and inspiring because they're so easy to apply for. Obviously applying for it doesn't mean you'll get the money, but the nice thing about the MicroGrants is that you don't need to have a registered non profit or a registered charity and go through all of these hoops of submitting financial statements, forms and hours and hours of details. They're small grants and it's super easy to apply for them.”“They're a great fit for some types of community projects. For example, in the past, they funded things like the Cortes Island Skate Jam, or songwriter circles that happened on the island, or several years in a row they've funded some youth kayaking trips, or little library boxes, or language classes. Basically, they're great for projects that somebody is excited about doing on Cortes and needs a little bit of encouragement and support to get the project to happen.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the oil and gas sector is a major contributor to Canada’s economy, employing 182,000 people and generating $209 billion in GDP during 2023, yet it is also the source of 31% of Canada’’s Greenhouse gas emissions. “Demand for oil and gas is not going to go to zero tomorrow. It is a transition that takes decades to undergo. There will be a role for oil and gas as we move forward along that transition, but it is likely to be a cleaner oil and gas sector as the rest of the world stops buying the oil and gas products that Canada and other countries produce. Which , I think, really underlines the importance of investing in decarbonization now while we're still using oil and gas to 2050 and a little bit beyond if we get on a net zero trajectory,” explained Janetta McKenzie from the Pembina Institute, a Canadian think tank and non-profit focused on energy. She was responding to a new report from the Federal Parliamentary Budget Office. Janetta McKenzie: “They were assuming that very little action was taken by oil sands firms in particular, to reduce emissions on site, and therefore they would be choosing to stop producing. Across the sector, there's been a lot of commitments to slashing emissions by 2030. There's billions of dollars on offer through federal and provincial tax incentive and grant programs. We think there is a path towards choosing to decarbonize, choosing to reduce emissions and not just choosing to shut in production. We think it's a pretty narrow analysis that's based on a very specific set of assumptions that doesn't necessarily reflect the suite of options available to the sector.”The oil sector has been promoting the idea of carbon capture for years. A group of oil companies put forward a $16.5-billion plan for a massive carbon capture and storage (CCS) network in northern Alberta, but has not implemented it. Janetta McKenzie: “We have not seen a lot of movement from the oil sands Pathways Alliance carbon capture project. This was announced several years ago. We simply haven't seen it move ahead. In the absence of news on that, it's difficult to make the call on whether those big emissions reduction projects will be implemented anytime soon.”According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, “New regulations to be finalized later this fall will ensure that the sector continues to cut methane emissions by at least 75% from 2012 levels by 2030. Carbon capture is also going to play an increasingly important role in reducing the emissions from oil and gas production and Canada is well placed to cement its position as a global leader in this critical technology. According to both the IPCC and the International Energy Agency, there's no credible plan to carbon neutrality without carbon management technologies such as carbon capture and storage and their deployment must be rapid and immense, scaling up by nearly 200 times by 2050.”Janetta McKenzie: “It's difficult to say what is on the docket for these firms right now. I will say, with the combination of policy, like industrial carbon pricing, incentives, tax incentives like the carbon capture incentive tax credit from the federal government and provincial grants in particular for carbon capture, but also other emissions reductions technologies plus the possibility of doing a deal with the Canada Growth Fund, the conditions for the last couple of years have been quite good to get a pretty package to incentivize and encourage the industry to move forward with these things.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - As Canada prepares for an election, which may be called sometime before parliament is recalled on March 24, polls show the Conservatives and Liberals in a statistical tie. But 6 out of 8 recent polls also show the Liberals rising quickly and now narrowly ahead. On Sunday 338Canada projected the odds of a Conservative forming a majority government has fallen from 99% on January 19 to a mere 13%. About 8 AM Tuesday - an hour after Cortes Currents sent in its daily radio broadcast! - 338Canada revised its projections to suggest Mark Carney’s Liberals may be on it’s way to forming a majority government. That may have been because the first of this week’s polls. The Angus Reid Institute suggests the Liberals may be on their way to a majority. Mark Carney is believed to be better equipped to: handle the trade war with the United States (55%-30%), develop or expand new trade relationships outside the US (54%-28%)handle Trump’s threats of annexing Canada (53%-31%)protect Canada’s economy (53%-33%)deal with the provinces (47%-31%)protect health care (44%-26%)and reduce the cost of living (41%-35%)That said, Angus Reid only found the Liberals leading by 5% in the popular vote. Leger gave them a 3% lead and also identified a ‘wild card.’ 28% of their respondents said they did not know enough about Carney to have an opinion, compared to just 12% who said that about Poilievre.338Canada’s latest projection, from this morning, suggests the Liberals could be elected in 177 seats, which is 5 more than what is needed for a majority.The Liberals are now projected as leading in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario the Yukon and Northwest Territories. They are tied with the Conservatives in Manitoba. The Conservative Party currently only leads in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan.Angus Reid and Leger suggest the NDP’s support is now down to a single digit (9%).In British Columbia, where 338Canada projected the Conservatives may be elected in many as 22 seats, a dozen former NDP seats may be going Conservative or LIberal. Six of them are on Vancouver Island, where there is not a single NDP candidate leading in the race. North Island Powell River (NIPR) has been an NDP riding since Rachel Blaney was elected in 2015, but Blaney stepped down and the new NDP candidate, Tanille Johnson, is 25 points behind Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn. The big story in this riding may be the Liberal’s jump from 12% to 20% since Jennifer Lash announced her candidacy last week. While the NDP are currently second in this riding, they just lost 6 points and the Liberals picked up 5. 338Canada suggests the progressive vote in North Island Powell River is split between three parties: with the NDP falling to 23%, the Liberals rising to 20% and the Greens unchanged at 6%. Sometime in the next two weeks, Prime Minister Carney will dissolve parliament and an election will be declared. Once the writ is dropped, there will be a campaign of at least 37 days and no more than 51 days.
Sadhu Johnston/Cortes Housing Society - Tune in on March 14th for another collaborative monthly housing forum presented by the Cortes Housing Society, and supported by Folk University. Themed “Land Sharing”, this forum featured 5 local Cortesian guest speakers chatting about different land-sharing formats (Tiber Bay, Siskin Lane, land partnerships, living estates, and more!), what has worked for them, and what hasn’t. This hybrid-style forum took place on March 8, 2025, in-person at Manson’s Hall and over Zoom. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Wave and Range Cortes Island has decided it's time to go public. “This year we're going to be putting on the Cortes adventure challenge, essentially a Cortes triathlon: It's a kayak or a canoe, a swim and a trek. We've got a short course, and a long course. That'll be on the 12th and the 21st of July, tentaively. I'll need to confirm those dates with you, but we'll advertise that. We'll do a little bit of lead up training for that,” explained Kay Hope.“There's an opportunity with where we live to have not so much a love affair, but like a marriage with the physical place that we live in. I think a majority of us are really disconnected from our biophysical reality. All sorts of things have unfortunately corrupted a lot of people away from a connection with their body and the environment. I'm just trying to foray back into that. I think there's a big opportunity for all of us to just keep doubling down on hiking up Easter Bluff, going to Mansons Lagoon, getting a sweat on, but then exploring in, around and up Desolation Sound. The beauty we have around us, it's really underutilized by us as a community together. I don't want to go out and just be exploring by myself. I'd love to go out on the weekend and see more kayaks than I see power boaters. That's my wish, and my wish for my baby boy.”“I've traveled to so many different places and the stuff that's just in our backyard here, it's world class. The longer term plan is just to connect more Cortesians to get outside together, and to get away from these damn screens and all the internet fights.” “I've been interacting with Cortes for over 15 years now. We're living in Vancouver for the most part and coming here in the summers. My partner Tiana grew up here and we moved here a bit over two years ago.”“I'm pretty busy. I've got a young son, the business to run and that sort of thing, but I'm really passionate about this sort of stuff. I've been getting people outdoors for a long time. I run a business in Vancouver helping people do that.”“Essentially we looked at what Quadra Island was doing. They have the Quadra Island Outdoor Club. It's essentially a member led club. They do trips outdoors, hiking, skiing, kayaking, all that sort of stuff.“We incorporated Wave and Range in April 2024. We get insurance through the BC Federation of Mountain Clubs as a nonprofit. There's myself, Jordan Best and Tiana on the Board right now. We're looking for more board members and more people to get involved. We are a bit over 20 members.”“We've done maybe 32 plus trips. We've been canoeing and hiking. I've been putting on strength and mobility classes at the hall for our members as well, for people to build up the strength and mobility they need to go adventuring.”“Josh Bannister does some of the hiking stuff. Aaron Ellingsen is going to be there and Sanchez is going to be there. Trevor Bass , Kenny and Evie have been coming to the strength and mobility classes. Kate Madigan and Mike Moore are coming out on the canoe. It's just cool to interact with those people, and listen to the sea lions carrying on down at Mary's Point and getting to know the different places.” “I've got a big 22 foot, eight person canoe. I've done a bunch of canoeing and adventure trips, as much as I can with running a business. We canoed up from Vancouver to Cortes. I brought some of my coaches a few years back. Just a couple of years back, we canoed from Cortes and climbed up Mount Denman, which was really cool. Last season, Jordan Best, one of the board members and I kayaked around the Redondas in two days. We're both busy fathers, and we crammed that in.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the 2025 RIEP Virtual Forum presentations was a panel discussion of how the affordable housing societies were faring on eight rural islands. There were a lot of common themes running throughout their stories: difficulties obtaining funding through BC Housing, CMHC and other organizations whose requirements are drawn up for urban rather than rural areas; the cost of builing on remote islands; relationships with regional districts and Island Trust; and water issues. The moderator was Mike Hoebel from the Galiano Island Affordable Housing Society.Mike Hoebel: “The lack of affordable housing is truly a crisis in our communities and housing policy was a major item for discussion back at RIEP's 2023 In-Person Porum Gabriola. Today we're going to hear from a number of people about housing related initiatives underway in their communities.”“First we'll be hearing from Elizabeth FitzZaland from Salt Spring Solutions, then Adam, to talk about the Housing Now program, Bruin Black is going to share some information about the Cortes Housing Society’s Initiatives. April Lewis from Hornby, Simon Palmer from Denman, Deb Goldman from Mayne, Avi Bryant here on Galiano and I'll share a bit of update about the Galiano Affordable Living Initiative Society's project on Galiano. Following the panel presentations we'll touch briefly on some advocacy issues to the province.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the most popular presentations at RIEP’s 2025 Virtual forum was Former Green Party MLA Adam Olsen’s identification of ways to further support the success of BC’s Indigenous economy.Francine Carlin, Chair of the Rural Island Economic Partnership (RIEP) introduced Olsen, “ Adam is a proud member of the Tsartlip Nation. He currently serves as the lead negotiator for the Tsartlip, representing the nation's interests on land and resource management, governance and the treaty land entitlement process. His leadership and negotiation plays a crucial role and advancing the nation's rights and self determination, Adam's expertise of bridging gaps between environmental concerns, indigenous rights and sustainable development makes him a true champion of the greater good.”Adam Olsen: “ÍY ȻEĆIL. SȾHENEP TŦE NE SNÁ. ĆSE LÁ,E SEN ET W̱SÁNEC LÁ,E ET W̱JOȽEȽP ÁLEṈ. ZȺWIZUT TŦE NE MÁN. ZIȻOT E TELX̱ILEM TŦE NE SILE.” “My name is SȾHENEP (Adam Olsen) I am W̱SÁNEĆ from the Tsartlip village. My father is ZȺWIZUT (Carl Olsen) and my late grandparents are ZIȻOT (Laura Olsen) and TELX̱ILEM (Ernie Olsen).” “It’s an honour to be here working from my home. I want to acknowledge the territories of my relatives throughout the straights from south of the San Juan islands through Southern Gulf islands, through to the islands in the Northern straights. These spaces have been stewarded by my relatives and our ancestors since time immemorial. I raise my hands to the organizers, the brains and muscles of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP).”“I've always appreciated how you've kept the economic well being of the rural islands centered in your work. At this moment, we're all facing extraordinary economic times. We're confused by the actions of our neighbour, concerned about the future of this territory, and because it is unprecedented, it's difficult to visualize and plan for what may be next.”“Whatever may unfold in the next few weeks and months, I believe our short, medium, and long term success is contingent on the resilience of our relationships with each other. While some celebrate this term economic reconciliation, I argue that this catchy little phrase remains incomplete to our collective responsibility to First Nations and to our own Canadian identity.” “Reconciliation cannot be selective. It must be comprehensive addressing land governance and economic sovereignty together. It is important to ground our discussion today in the fact that for the state niche, the rural islands that we know as the Gulf islands today. The San Juan Islands are our relatives.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 100 people signed up for the Rural Islands Economic Partnership 2025 Virtual Forum. At least 10 were from Cortes Island and there were others from Quadra, Texada, Hornby, Denman, Cormorant, Malcolm and the Gulf Islands, as well as the Broughton Archipelago. Several of the topics were of great importance to islanders. One of the foremost was Aaron Cruikshank’s analysis of the impact US tariffs will have on island economies and what we can do about it.Cruikshank is the founder of CTRS, a Market intelligence company from the Lower Mainland that has worked with hundreds of organizations and governments over the past 20 years.He began his analysis of President Trump’s actions by stating, “People are really focused on the tariffs, but the message I want to leave with everybody is it's actually trade policy uncertainty disrupting economic patterns. It creates volatility in global markets. It leads to reduced investment, supply chain disruptions, and a contraction in economic activity which hurts everybody. I don't care where you are in Canada, all of that is bad news, but I wanted to make clear that tariffs are just one example of something that contributes to trade policy uncertainty. We're seeing others, and we'll continue to see others that are going to make these numbers rise.” He put up a chart showing the relative uncertainty that Trump and some of the previous U. S. presidents have created in international trade markets.Aaron Cruikshank: “This chart goes back to 1960 and the index is based on the impact of policies. You see the baseline jumping up from 25 points to 100 points under Nixon and Ford, that was considered a very big deal in the 60s and 70s. Then in the 80s and 90s you had some spikes with Reagan and Bush. I believe the one with Reagan, or maybe it was Bush Sr., was to do with NAFTA.” “If you look at these spikes that are happening during the first Trump presidency, where we're getting into the 250 range. Very, very, very significant trade uncertainty policy. Then the most recent hockey stick growth there is just in the last couple of months where we're getting up into the 450, 500 range. We're talking more than an order of magnitude above baseline for trade policy uncertainty. We also are hearing talk of President Trump or as I call him, ‘the orange turd,’ wanting to renegotiate the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, what some people refer to as NAFTA 2.0. That uncertainty makes people freak out. Threatening to withdraw from certain trade agreements makes the chart do this. Putting export controls on specific technologies or goods, that makes the chart do this, saying the US is only going to allow X amount of this good.”“That affects countries like Canada a lot because we end up exporting a lot of raw materials into the US: lumber, oil, metals, minerals, things like that. We supply 80 percent of the US potash, which is used for fertilizer to grow their food. So, they might be putting import caps on things like that. That makes markets go “woo.’”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - CityWest’s internet service for Cortes Island was cut off again, sometime after 10:44 on Saturday, March 8, and not restored until after 9:00 on Monday, March 10. This is the third or fourth time in the last 12 months. The outage did not affect CKTZ, which relies upon Mascon de TELUS, but did shut down numerous CityWest customers (including Cortes Currents).‘Rumour’ has it that the fibre cable was cut somewhere on the underwater stretch between Denman Island and Williams Beach. “They require a special "marine team" to take care of it and it will be weather dependent. Hopefully the break will be near shore, but they may have to pull up the entire length of cable to find the break and fix it.”One of CityWest’s public relations people confirmed there was a break in the cable, but could not say where. However the recorded announcement on their phone in line stated: “We are seeing services affected in Williams Beach, Stories Beach, Manson's Landing, Bold Point, Heriot Bay, Whaletown, Open Bay, Granite Bay, Chatham Point, Blink Channel, Bliss Landing, Seaford, Klahoose, and Gillies Bay.”So the rumour was true, at least in regard to where the break occured. There are some questions about CityWest’s recorded announcement.For starters, it says services are affected in Bold Point, Open Bay, Granite Bay and Heriot Bay - which are all Quadra Island locations. Only Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney, who lives on Quadra, has yet to hear of ANYONE being connected on Quadra Island and, up until this point, there has been no mention of Heriot Bay being served. A number of Cortes Island residents have been connected for over a year, but a lot of people have not. It is not clear which group is in the majority. In a previous post, Cortes Currents mentioned that numerous households in Squirrel Cove, Whaletown and Mansons Landing have yet to be connected. Since then, a source who wishes to remain anonyomous, claims that service has yet to be brought to Seaford Road. Don Hall, from Tiber Bay, recently stated there is no service in his area either. “We expressed interest early on to get hooked up. They used to phone us and they used to try to sell us things. They ran a line from our local road to our house, but they never ran the line from the main fiber optic network into where we live at Tiber Bay. They never hooked up our house either. The last time I ever heard anything from them was three years ago when they scheduled an appointment to hook up the internal to our house. They never showed up for that and we never heard from them again.”The Strathcona Regional District has not been talking about the connected coast project very much lately, but according to the press release on their website, this is “a joint venture between the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and CityWest" which “will be managed and implemented by CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On March 7, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by a group of Cortesians as they swapped stories of unexpected detours, chance encounters, and the adventures that changed them. Are we talking international travel or trips to town gone wrong? Tune in to find out! Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On Sunday, March 9th, the Liberal Party chose Mark Carney as their new leader.While there have been no polls taken since his election, EKOS carried out a survey just prior to the Convention that suggests Carney may be able to lead the Liberal Party to a majority government. 42% of the respondents between March 2 and 5 chose the Liberal Party, while the Conservatives slipped back to 33%. The NDP was at 13% and the Greens 4%. Cortes Currents reached out to Jennifer Lash, the Liberal candidate in North Island Powell River for her perspective. “I am so thrilled with the results of the leadership race last night. I think that Mark Carney is the right person at the right time, not only for the Liberal Party of Canada, but for all of Canada. He brings a level of expertise in terms of how to handle the economic chaos caused by donald Trump at the exact time that we need it,” she said.“I also think that the overwhelming support that he received, almost 86 percent of the vote shows that the Liberal Party is united. There's aren't factions. There's no infighting. We are united. We stand by him as our leader, and we're really looking forward to the next steps. One of the things I've found so fascinating about Mark Carney, when I've been talking with people on the street, on the phone, on social media, is just how much he is drawing people in from across the political spectrum.”“So people who have historically voted NDP, people who have been considering voting Conservative, they're all starting to look at the Liberal Party under Mark Carney's leadership as a really good viable option and for exactly what Canada needs right now. There's a lot of momentum growing and i'm really hoping that people continue to explore and Learn more about the Liberal Party . If they have any questions or any concerns or want to talk with me, they can always learn more about what I feel the Liberal Party can do for North Island Powell River at jenniferlash.ca."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Jennifer Lash has been working at the intersection of the economy, ocean conservation, climate change and reconciliation for the past 27 years. She founded two non-profit organizations in Sointula and more recently was a senior advisor in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Now she is running for election in North Island-Powell River."In the situation we're in right now, with the dire need for strong leadership both at the riding level and nationally. We're not getting that leadership from the NDP and the Conservative Party. Whether you're voting for the leader; whether you're voting for the party; or whether you're voting strategically: I think the best choice this year is Liberal,” she explained.“I have lived in this riding for 27 years. I have voted for the NDP for many years. I voted strategically. There wasn't anything the NDP were advocating for that I was opposed to, but I didn't really love everything that was being done. I wanted to keep the Conservatives out.""In 2021, I voted NDP and I didn't like it. I didn't like the experience. I didn't get the thrill of feeling like I was voting for the vision that I wanted. The NDP had a terrible climate plan, if you call it a climate plan at all, and I just didn't see myself or my kids in their vision.""Fast forward a couple of years, I started thinking that if I'm not happy voting for the NDP, then I can't just expect somebody else to step up and change the conversation in this riding. I realized I had to do it myself. So I submitted my application back in October/November.” “I did it because I felt that there was a conversation for this riding that looked at how do we build our economies and our communities so that they thrive? So that they have the support that they need, We are protecting our oceans and our forests and our climate, but still making sure that people feel a part of the community. So that people don't feel alienated; workers feel supported and resource users feel like they are a part of things. I really felt like that was something I wanted to help facilitate in this riding. So I threw my hat in the ring. It's just taken a while to get through all the hoops you have to jump through to get final approval."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Environmental Defence just released a report showing that last year oil and gas company lobbyists were targeting the Conservative Party, in preference to the Canadian Government, by more than a 2 to 1 ratio. Cortes Currents interviewed Emilia Belliveau, lead author of ‘Big Oil’s Playbook, A Summary of Big Oil’s 2024 Federal Lobbying’ and asked Max Thaysen, from the Cortes Island Climate Action Network for his insights. Emilia Belliveau: “Environmental Defence is a charity, so we are nonpartisan. What I can do is simply relay the facts, which are that the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party did not take any lobbyist meetings. The NDP took a very small number, four. Then you have most of the lobby meetings targeting the Federal Liberals and the Federal Conservatives. The Federal Liberals had 62 meetings with ministers and 29 meetings with backbencher MPs, and Conservative MPs took 216 lobby meetings.” Cortes Currents: That’s 91 contacts with government ministers and Liberal MPs, which is less than half of the 216 meetings the lobbyists had with Conservative party members.Belliveau said this was a change from 2023 when gas and oil lobbyists met with Canada's two leading parties about 200 times each. (203 Liberal meetings vs 197 Conservative meetings.)Max Thaysen, a member of the Cortes Climate Action Network pointed out, “The numbers presented for who the fossil fuel companies were lobbying, means that they are hoping for and planning on a Conservative government. This would be very strongly in their favour as far as I can tell and probably as far as they can tell. That's something that we need to consider when we're making our decisions and taking action leading up to our celebration of democracy (voting day), whenever that comes.” Emilia Belliveau: “Environmental Defense tracks the fossil fuel industry's lobbying of the Federal government in order to get a window into the ways that they're trying to influence climate policy. That has huge implications because we need ambitious government climate policy in order to tackle climate change at the scale that's really required.” Max Thaysen: “To quote one scientific paper that I'm still working through, ‘We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster.’ This is a global emergency. We can't really remember that often enough and that should form the context of how we interpret these kinds of activities.” Cortes Currents: What about meetings that are initiated by the government or by one of the parties? Are those tracked?Emilia Belliveau: “When we try and track lobbying, what we really see is only meetings that are initiated by lobbyists get tracked in the government's registry. If the government itself requests a meeting, or sets up a working group, which we know they have done with certain oil and gas companies on major projects, those meetings don't count as lobby meetings. So they're not filed in the public record.”“There's actually way more contact with the government that we know is happening, but can't report on in our analysis. We've seen some really wonderful investigative journalism. For example, in the past year, the Narwhal did a great investigation into TC Energy where they revealed lots of other ways that industry is trying to influence government. Lobbying is just one tactic, in this real playbook that they have, for trying to shape government policy in favor of fossil fuels.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On February 28, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Carrie Saxifrage, Jane Newman, and Karen McDiarmid, to chat about cold swimming. Are you curious about what cold water swimming could do for you? In this episode, we dive into the icy depths to explore the stories, benefits, challenges, and the sheer exhilaration of taking the plunge. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - After trailing far behind in the polls for the better part of two years, the Liberal party’s propects appear to be on the rise nationally, and the gap between the Conservatives and NDP is narrowing in our riding. Canada’s two leading political forecasting websites, 338Canada and CBC’s poll tracker, still show the Conservatives in the front, but no longer predict a Conservative majority. Last week Ipsos and EKOS both released polls showing the Liberal party edging into the lead. However Innovative Reseach, Abacus Data, Leger, and Nanos all reported the Conservatives were still ahead. On Thursday, CBC’s Poll Tracker reported the weighed average of all these polls showing the Conservatives still had 40% of the popular vote, the Liberals trailing with 31%, NDP with 14% and Greens had only 4%.338Canada’s projection, released Sunday, March 2, showed the gap narrowing. The Conservatives were still leading, but with 39% of the popular vote to the Liberals 33%. The NDP and Greens remained unchanged.A special feature of 338Canada’s projections is they give breakdowns for every riding. North Island-Powell River is still regarded as a safe Conservative seat, but the gap between the two leading parties shrank 5% during the past week. The Conservatives now have 47%, NDP 29% and Greens 6%. If there was a Liberal candidate, 15% of the population may have chosen her or him. As there is no Liberal candidate, a significant number of those people would probably choose NDP. If they all did, there would only be a 3% gap between the Conservatives and NDP. Given the speed in which the political situation is changing, it is important to realize that none of this data was collected after Tuesday, February 25. On a National level, the gap between the two leading parties has most likely narrowed. Similarly, the NDP are probably doing better than what the projection shows for North Island-Powell River.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The 2025 Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) Virtual Forum is coming up Thursday and Friday, March 6th and 7th. Two of the organizers, Francine Carlin and Kate Maddigan are my guests today.“ It's going to be a jam packed two half days, 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM. Our virtual events are really unique because we all live on islands or coastal remote communities and don't have the opportunity to get together as a collaborative regional grouping. So it's important to have these virtual events that bring together people from all across the coast and the islands, up from North Island as far as Alert Bay, to Sooke and beyond. So we have a pretty broad reach and this year it's really important, particularly with the events in the world around economic issues that relate to our local economic and social wellbeing,” explained Francine Carlin, Chair of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership. “Our theme this year is adaptation, innovation, and resilience, because in these times you need to be able to adapt to change. You need to be innovative in terms of what you are doing to keep small businesses vibrant and alive during these challenging times and to be resilient. It's an ongoing process to ensure that we have our sovereignty as a nation. And that we have our local communities and our local economies thriving as best they can.”“The opening sessions will be looking at our economic snapshot in terms of what exactly and who exactly are we in terms of our population, our economy, our, our health and wellbeing. We're going to follow up with a program around how we share our services. How we can leverage our economies of scale to be more resilient in times of change. Then moving into using artificial intelligence” Is it a friend or an enemy? Or fremony? (laughter) You have to find a way to use it so that it doesn't overpower and that we can take advantage of the technologies that have been evolving for the last 30 years.” “Day two is looking at economic reconciliation. What is that all about in terms of how we're going to work collaboratively and in concert with the indigenous communities that live and work on these islands and across the remote coast. We're having former MLA, Adam Olson, who is now the Chief Negotiator for the Tsartlip Nation. One of the reasons that our Southern Gulf Islands got into the Island Coast Economic Trust and was able to apply for funds there was because of his advocacy with the province. He's going to be speaking to us about working together with Indigenous communities to ensure a diverse and integrated economy over time. The most difficult thing to pull together was what we're calling this Learning Exchange. We're bringing together about nine Representatives of organizations from across the islands and the coast to share everything from housing initiatives and solutions to climate adaptation to food security and social enterprise.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Island - NDP candidate Tanille Johnson recently visited Cortes Island, where 20 people were waiting to see her in the Pioneer Room at Mansons Hall. The event was sponsored by Cortes Island’s Climate Action Network, which also provided lunch. Johnson said she prefers small meetings like this, “I've been spending most of my time going to people's houses, meeting with their friends, I like to think that I'm a very truthful, honest person and I actually care about what happens in this riding. It means a lot to me, like my family, generations and generations, lived here.”Recent polls suggest the Conservative Party may have lost its early lead in this pre-election period. Both EKOS (February 26) and Ipsos (February 25) released polls that show the Liberals edging forward in what has once again become a two party race. The NDP are a distant third and fading. That’s on the national level, it has always been a very different race in North Island-Powell River. If you include the results from the former Vancouver Island North riding, the choice has been NDP or Conservative for decades. Rachel Blaney has been our MP since 2015, but her predecessor John Duncan was a Conservative and the Conservatives have been a close second in every recent federal election. Now Blaney is stepping down. 338Canada’s most recent projections still depict Johnson as the underdog in our riding, but those projections will only be released on Sundays until the election is declared. A great deal has changed since last Sunday. More will change in the weeks to come. Tanille Johnson began, “ I was born and raised in Campbell River, that's my home territory and my home community in more ways than one. I am a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation, one of the three Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations that make up the greater Campbell River area and a little bit up into Sayward for our traditional territory. I didn't grow up on reserve. I spent a ton of time on reserve, but my house was down in Willow Point in Campbell River, which started me off in an interesting place in my life.” “I purposely moved back from Victoria eight years ago because I wanted to be home. I wanted to be home for me and for my kids. I did not want to raise a family outside of my traditional territory. I'm extremely connected and loyal to this area. I'm not going anywhere. I recognize that Ottawa is very far away and I will be in Ottawa when I have to be in Ottawa but I will have big accountability for showing up in the riding and having my ear to the ground and showing up when you need me and being where I need to be.” “I first got into politics in post secondary education. I dove in with both feet. I was on the Native Student Union Council, I was on the UVic Student Society Board of Directors, I was on the UVic Senate. I sat at the Equity Advisory Council for the School of Social Work, federally with the Canadian Federation of Students on their Federal Executive Board as well as their Provincial Executive Board.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 21 people attended the Premier of the feature documentary Yintah at the Campbell River Community Center on February 20th, 2025. The movie is sponsored by the North Island Powell River (NIPR) Federal Green Party Riding Association and follows the Wet'suwet'en land defenders 10 years struggle to keep gas companies from building a pipeline through their territory. Cortes Currents interviewed two of the event’s organizers about the film and some of the deeper issues within the local community.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A quick question just came up in regard to Cortes Island’s ongoing Zoning Bylaw Review. Cortes Island residents have up until noon on Friday, March 7, to make their thoughts known on possible limits to house sizes known. “Do we want to put a limit on the maximum house size on Cortes? It's a basic yes or no question.” asked Regional Director Mark Vonesch. “If you do agree, what is the maximum size you would like to see happen? Everything from 2,500 square feet to 4,300 square feet. I've certainly heard from a lot of people that this is something that's important to consider. Basically do we want to have folks buy land here and build mega mansions? Do we want to have Cortes be a place where the ultra wealthy can buy a piece of land and build a summer mansion?” “There's probably going to be quite heated thoughts on both sides of this question and rather than me just making a decision I want to understand what the wishes of the community are.” “If this new regulation goes through and we do say Cortes agrees that we should limit the size of the houses that are built, one of the questions people have is what does that mean for houses that are already larger than whatever square footage that we choose? The answer for that is simple, they’ll be grandfathered in. The bylaw does affect new builds only. If the house burns down, they won't be able to build to that same size.” “If this regulation does go through and anyone decides to build a house that's larger than the square footage that Cortes Wants, then the SRD can create a court injunction and have them either go through the process of reducing the size of their house to conform to the regulation, or take the house down.” “Is this something we want? How do we want to have land use on, on Cortez B? I'm really excited to hear people's answers.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - While most of the Strathcona Regional District’s costs can be directly allocated to specific areas, others are labelled administration costs and need to be shared among the 10 communities. At their February 19 meeting the SRD Board discussed ways to make a more fair allocation of this expense. Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained, “ To put this in perspective, let's say the SRD's total budget is $20 million or whatever it may be this year, we're talking about $2.8 million for admin costs.”Campbell River has close to three quarters of the SRD’s population, but only contributes $1.6 million towards the $2.8 million administration bill. That’s just under 56%. Some Campbell River Directors dispute that number and most appear to think they are paying too much for a service they derive very little benefit from. Mayor Kermit Dahl served notice that at the next SRD Board meeting he will move to slash Campbell River’s contribution by 82%.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On February 21, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by De Clarke for a deep dive into neoliberalism—its history, impact, and the debates surrounding its influence on economics, politics, and society. How do current trends in US and Canadian politics affect us on Cortes? Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Brian Kingzett, the Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, recently informed the city of Campbell River that: “ We have seen a weaponization of science where industry and government have their science, industry science is always put into conflict. Then we see activist science, which is largely coming out of urban areas being weaponized against us. We need that independent science more than ever.” What Kingzett, who by the way has a Master’s degree in Marine Biology from SFU, did not say is that the professors he was defaming ‘have cumulatively published over 1,500 peer-reviewed scientific papers, serve or have served on over 30 editorial boards of scientific journals, include five Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, and have many decades of experience in science advice processes across levels of government.’Nor did he mention that they were either professors working in the following universities, or have moved on from them after obtaining their PHDs: namely Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of California (Davis), University of Hawaii, University of Toronto, and the University of Victoria. At least two of them are also connected to the Pacific Salmon Foundation. When Cortes Currents asked Dr Gideon Mordecai, from UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, for a response, he pointed out that the urban label was not accurate because ‘much of the work is carried out by researchers living outside of large urban centres’ and additionally, there is a huge amount of science being led by, or carried out in collaboration with, First Nation Communities, which are often more rural.’Cortes Currents: Do you have any response to Kingzett's comments? Or his dismissal of a letter from 16 recognized scientists as ‘activist science?’ Gideon Mordecai emailed: “Bias exists in all scientific endeavours. However, I would suggest that it is quite clear who stands to benefit the most from certain scientific narratives. Industry-backed science inherently has a vested interest in outcomes that support continued operations, whereas independent academic research is typically more driven by curiosity and public interest. All that to say, let’s not let the BC Salmon Farmers Association be the final arbitrator of science!”“The 16 scientists who critiqued the DFO rapid science response did so based on their expertise. Dismissing their concerns as “activist science” oversimplifies the issue and avoids engaging with the actual critiques they raised (which would be more typical of the scientific process). These issues (as described in our letter) are that DFO’s sea lice report is fundamentally flawed due to selective reporting of methods and results. We noted that the report was did not meet any reasonable standards of independent peer review, and downplays a large body of peer-reviewed research — both BC-focussed and international — that has repeatedly demonstrated the relationship between salmon farms and sea lice on wild juvenile salmon”“One of the usual ways to mitigate bias is transparency— e.g. disclosing funding sources, data access, and methodologies. DFO has failed to share data for the sea-lice rapid science response (see the Information Commissioner's report on this). We will have to wait and see if the data is released in the coming weeks.” There is much more in the podcast
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by three beloved Cortes couples to chat about all things love. We heard their meeting stories, their advice, and we chatted about commitment, long-term love, challenges, and joyful moments. Tune in for a moving celebration of island romance and connection. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - It is only two weeks until President Donald Trump decides whether to impose 25% tarrifs on Canada and Mexico. There is some question whether he will follow through. Trump was initially going to impose the tarrifs on February 4, but the previous day Wall Street's three main indices fell sharply over concerns about the global economy. The stock market recovered that afternoon after Trump announced he would postpone the tarrifs for a month. However Canadians are preparing for the worst and, on the local level, one of the topics discussed at yesterday’s Strathcona Gardens Commission meeting is impact Trump’s proposed tarrifs could have on Campbell River’s $130 million REC-reate Strathcona Gardens project. Commissioner Cal Grunerud raised the question: “ What's happening with America.”Commissioner Ron Kerr stressed, “This is a tariff that is definitely going to raise our costs.” Wolfgang Parada, Senior Engineering Manager with the Strathcona Regional District, assured the Comissioners that steps are already being taken to minimize any impact. “The first thing is looking at the contracts, what type of contract the general contractor has with the trades. It's under the duties and taxes, basically the trades are only responsible for those duties and taxes when they bid for the project. Anything extra will be billed to the general contractor. The general contractor will pass it to us.” “We need to work carefully to minimize the impact to the project and the first thing that we have done is we asked the General Contractor to compile a list of materials and equipment coming from the States.” “This is very preliminary right now because if the tariffs are implemented to Canada, that doesn't affect the project. It will only affect the project when Canada retaliates and put tariffs on the States, if those tariffs are related to some of the materials that are coming for this project. That list is being developed at this point. We need to understand what suppliers we have here in Canada, if there are alternatives. We need to look at the status of the solutions.”“This is not an easy process. When we hire a trade, that trade needs to submit shop drawings. Those shop drawings are approved. They need to procure the equipment. Once they buy the equipment, they ship the equipment from the States. Once they cross the border, that's when they pay the tax.” Parada explained they are trying to assess which materials can be brought into Canada before the tarrifs are implemented. They are also trying to identify Canadian alternatives for some products.“I'm happy to provide an update as soon as I have more information, but we know it's critical. We're ahead of the game and we're hoping that the project budget and as well as the schedule doesn't get impacted by the tariffs.” David Leitch, CAO of the SRD, added, “If there's going to be a negative impact, we're going to let our MP, MLA and the province know because they will be hurting us.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Frank Mottl’s latest novel, Cumberland Gold, takes us to the quaint village of Cumberland BC. This is the same setting as his first novel, The Cumberland Tales, in which Mottl described the community he knew in the 1960s. Only now he is writing about the late 19th century, when Lord Dunsmuir (1825-89) was attempting to recruit Chinese immigrants to work in his coal mine. Mottle explained, “ I did some research at the Cumberland Museum, and there was an unsolved homicide in the 19th century in the old Cumberland Chinatown. Nobody knew much about it, other than it was unsolved. That really appealed to me, so I just ran with it. Of course I spent a year teaching in China, so it did have a lot of that Chinese influence inside of it.” Cortes Currents: I'm wondering about the divisions you mentioned in the Chinese community, with the secretive Buddhist and Taoist basement temples and the Confucian temple and the Presbyterian church. You're tracing them back to the periodic persecutions of Chinese academia during the early Qing dynasty. Frank Mottl: “Yes, there were a lot of revenge scenarios in ancient China, and I portray some of that in the book. What I did is I pulled those old revenges into the Cumberland Chinatown to give it a political edge, to make more sense of what was going on. So I introduced the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and the Tang dynasty (618-907). Each dynasty had their loyalists and there were betrayals. Especially between the Ming and the Qing dynasties. There's one passage in the book about a Ming dynasty general actually leaving the capital’s gate open so Qing forces could come in and start slaughtering people.” Cortes Currents: Was that kind of division actually occurring among the Chinese communities in British Columbia and San Francisco? Frank Mottl: “As far as I know, no - but can I say for sure? A lot of people hold on to political beliefs, so it would not surprise me if the old Chinatown held on to these things.”Cortes Currents: I like that scene where Dougal learned how to speak Cantonese. Do you want to talk a little bit more about that one? Frank Mottl: “That’s from a true scenario. My wife told it to me. One of her relatives did a speech in front of a group of people, I'm not sure if it was in his native Norwegian. He assumed that the people could understand him, then all of a sudden realized that nobody knew what the heck he was saying.” “As soon as I heard that story I thought 'oh my god this is great' because of course in China, a Mandarin speaker can't understand a Cantonese speaker. They are two different dialects. I thought that would be great because it was a real nice little conflict where the bad guy is embarrassed In front of this big union hall meeting with all of these Chinese gentlemen watching him and they don't understand what he's saying. His higher up, Lord Dunsmuir, had no clue. He said, ‘Wow, wow, it's really going great.’” Cortes Currents: I noticed that you brought one of the characters over from the Cumberland Tales, Sam Yick. Mind you, it could have been his grandfather. Do you want to tell us a little about this? Frank Mottl: “The character intrigues me and I wanted to get some poetry in there. I knew that I would, I wanted to have two characters that were poets. There's an old Japanese technique from the 14th century where they would make the characters poets. So I stuck with Sam Yick and then I came up with this other character's name called Crowheart.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -According to some estimates, BC would have to double its electrical output if everyone switched to electric vehicles by 2035. Others talk about blackouts and rolling brownouts if we don’t back renewables up with LNG or nuclear power. Clean Energy Canada has just released a report that claims this is not true, the province’s electricity grid can handle the increased demand from EVs, heat pumps and extreme weather events, while electricity trading keeps energy bills low.“Over the last year or two, we've been seeing quite a bit of incorrect information on BC's electricity system. It's being circulated and reiterated in the media. The purpose of this report was to do some myth busting and do some deep dives into the actual data to figure out what trends are actually happening,” explained Mark Zacharias, Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada. “We went into three areas. The first one is looking at EVs and heat pumps. What they would do to the grid due to future demand and whether there is a need to go back and revisit government climate policies around EV sales mandates. The second one is there has been lots of commentary on how much power BC is importing from the US over the last year. We wanted to explore the balance between imports and exports and what's the value of the trading? The third one that we looked at was there are lots of commentators that talk about wind and solar as not being affordable and not being able to integrate into our grid because they're intermittent."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - After years of anticipation, construction has finally begun on the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project in downtown Mansons Landing. “We had an open house a couple of weeks ago, and we had a lot of back and forth with the seniors village next door. We made some considerable changes to our plans based on their input. Then Monday, we started clearing the land in preparation for phase 1 of our project,” explained Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Housing Society. “Phase 1 is to clear the land and build the infrastructure that we need, which is the water and the sewer and get electric in and build a community building. That will be our first structure on the land, and then we hope to build seven townhomes later this year. We're going to be needing to raise the money for the townhomes, but we've got the first chunk of money set aside for getting all the infrastructure ready to go.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The energy team of Ecotrust Canada will be visiting Quadra and Cortes Islands next week. They are part of a registered charity which works primarily works in rural and remote areas and helps guide people through the process of doing energy retrofits, installing heat pumps, new windows and solar panels. They will be giving free workshops at 2:00 and 6:30 in the Quadra Community Centre on Monday, February 17 and at the same times in Mansons Hall on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. “The upcoming workshops are to introduce residents to our Home Energy Savings Program. We're offering a one on one support service, often called a concierge service. So once you register for our program, you'll get an email from me asking very basic information about your home, like the age of your home, the heating system you have etc. After that, you will receive a phone call from me and we'll go through more questions about your home. You explain what your desires are, what challenges you're experiencing around your energy bill, and then I can help guide you toward the right rebates and the right renovations, or retrofits, so that you can achieve that goal,” explained Michael Anthony Lutfy, the program manager for our area. “We support households from the beginning of the process all the way to the very end when it comes to selecting contractors, following through with the rebates, ensuring that they received what was expected from the contractor and we do financial planning, reminders, everything and anything a household needs to complete the process.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - If there were an election today, the polls show that Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party would probably form the next government. This isn’t what is necessarily going to happen. I like to think of polls as ‘point in time’ snapshots which may be 100% accurate right now, but the situation can be very different tomorrow. One of the trends I have noticed on 338Canada, which gleans data from many polls, is that support for the Liberals has been tacking upwards since Trudeau resigned (6 points), while support for the Conservatives and NDP has gone down (4 points each). If the Liberals pick a popular leader, we can expect their popularity to rise even higher in the polls - all of which is just to say that the as yet undeclared election is too far away to be certain. Anyway Max Thaysen, one of our thought leaders here on Cortes, has been watching what Donald Trump, a Conservative leader in the United States, is doing and getting anxious about what this latest rendition of the Conservative Party might be like if it comes to power. Max Thaysen: “Watching Donald Trump do his Donald Trump thing in America is pretty scary. There's a breakdown of the rule of law happening, but also just some really nasty meanness. It's such a tragedy that America was taken over by these goons, In part because 40% of people didn't vote. It's easy and tempting to be cynical.” “Yes, the result of checking out the whole political game is that sometimes the bad guys win, and sometimes when the bad guys win, they win for a long time. We actually go very far backwards.” “Defunding science and making life dangerous for activists, or including journalists such as yourself in the pool of people considered to be activists by the government. Those are all really dangerous things that are hard to recover from.” Cortes Currents: This is all about Donald Trump, a Republican leader who many Republicans are now finding alarming. What do you see in our Conservative Party that's alarming? Max Thaysen: “Like most Canadians, I read mostly American news.” (Laughter) “Yeah, you're supposed to be quiet while I'm talking! I don't think anybody knows that much about Pierre Poilievre's policies because he hasn't said very much about Pierre Poilievre's policies. But that's true of Donald Trump as well, which is one of the reasons why it's useful to look at what Donald Trump is doing.”“His policies are being implemented now, whereas before we had some hints, maybe some loud hints from the kinds of people he was planning to work with and what they were saying and stuff like that. Now the rubber is hitting the road.” “I think that's true of Pierre Poilievre too. He just seems to say one liners over and over again and indicate his cruelty, but not really delivering that much. I think we can just assume the worst because he's demonstrated a similar style and approach and intention in many issues similar to Donald Trump. That's what I'm most worried about. What he has said, the nastiness towards journalists who are trying to ask honest questions, tells me that he's the enemy of most of us in his intentions and whatever policy comes from that. It's unlikely to be fair, or kind, or honest - based on what I've seen so far. Those are very dangerous anti-values that he's got.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On February 7, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Elizabeth Burr to chat about concussions, brain health, and nervous system regulation. This discussion shed light on the hidden impacts of brain injuries, healing resources, and the path to recovery. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) may have a nasty surprise for property owners in Campbell River and Area D. They may soon be asked to approve an additional $54 million debt to finance the second phase of the new REC-REATE Strathcona Gardens project. When they originally consented through an Alternative Approval Process (which automatically passes unless 10% of the electorate object), taxpayers were informed the cost was almost half of what is now being put forward“The April 2023 staff report indicated that both phases of the REC-CREATE project were going to be included. They had a Class A estimate they were using for the swimming pool and Wellness Center and they had a 2019 Class D estimate for the ice arena. They also said that the Class D estimate for the ice arena had been escalated. So you would assume by reading that the April 2023 staff report was costed up to be based on current construction costs and inflation. In addition to that, what I found in the staff report was that they said that the $73 million would include both phases and that staff would strive to deliver the project within the $73 million budget. That staff report, since it was in April 2023, was less than two years ago,” explained Deborah Rasnick, a professional accountant who worked in senior budget positions of BC public sector organizations for 15 years.“ The new business case that was presented in December of 2024, and approved tentatively by the Strathcona Gardens Commission now, has an estimated cost for phase two only of $58 million. That's on top of The previous approval. So the total cost now of the entire REC-REATE project could increase to around $130 million, and that's an 80% increase from the prior amount.” “Same thing goes with debt. The original approval allowed for the SRD to borrow Up to $64.67 million and that was approved through AAP. Now this new REC-REATE project phase two, as they're calling it, wants to allow for an additional $54 million, creating a total debt of up to $118 million, providing they get authority to do that from the participants in the Strathcona Gardens service area. That increase to total debt reflects an over 80% increase from the prior balance as well.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On January 30th, Kate Maddigan, Rose Fitcyk, and Sadhu Aufochs Johnston joined host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie, to talk about the state of Cortes Island, the recent Vital Signs survey, CHS’ Rainbow Ridge housing project, and the stories and data of “now”. This is an important community update!Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around the time President Donald Trump started threatening to start a trade war, Cortes Currents reached out to Dr Kushank Bajaj from UBC’s Institute for Resource, Environment and Sustainability and Marc Doll, from Foot Forward Forest Farm on Quadra Island. The topic was food security and Dr Bajaj is one of the developers of a website called Canada Food Flows, which traces the amount of fruits and vegetables coming into British Columbia from other provinces and nations.Marc Doll comes from what, at first glance, seems like a totally different perspective. Foot Forward Forest Farm sells locally grown pastured chickens, custom made sausages, grass-fed lamb, free-range goat, pastured pork and free range pastured eggs.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s dream of having a makerspace has become a reality. The Cortes Wood Makerspace is being set up in the Orchard Village Shop, 671 Sutil Point Rd, Mansons Landing.“This idea has been around for a long time. I have heard people talking about it for at least 15 years and some old timers apparently remember even longer. We have lots of people who are woodworkers or building their own homes and not everyone has to build a shop for themselves and equip it with machinery,” explained Hannu Huuskonen, the Shop Master. “We had our first meeting here on Saturday and there were at least 21 of us. That's how many names I have, but there may have been one or two who didn't write their name down. There were quite a few professionals, a few total newbies and a few people who were working on their houses.”“People who don't have experience will have to go through an orientation workshop, where you learn the ‘one on one’ of using shop tools safely and doing a small project. The people who have extensive shop experience will be mentors in this process.”Huuskonen mentioned the Cortes Community Forest Co-op partnering with the Cortes Housing Society on this project:“Cortes Community Forest Co-op has a mandate to increase ‘value added’ products. They had the consultation where one of the things that was recommended was a makerspace.” Mark Lombard, General Manager of the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, added. “The question for the community forest, in terms of the bigger picture roadmap, is how do we get to where we want to be in the future? A woodworking maker space is a big, big next step. So this is really exciting. The community forest is putting in $15,000 towards some of the tools and the housing society is putting in $15,000 - $20,000 to upgrade the electrical service and then a little bit towards tools. It's a really great collaborative community project.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Anna Kindy was sitting in her Campbell River office. Her assistant stood almost out of the frame long enough to wave, before handing Kindy a headset and disappearing. The thing I find refreshing about Kindy is she doesn’t sound like a politician, which is understandable because she only recently became one. She and her husband are both doctors. Anna Kindy was elected as the MLA for North Island on October 19, 2024 and is the Health Critic for the Conservative party Shadow Cabinet, but has yet to sit in the legislature. This fact emerged when I asked her about the trips between her home in Merville and the legislature.Anna Kindy: “ The NDP didn't call the house. We had no sitting which is unusual, currently there's a lot of crisis that needs to be dealt with. The first sitting will be February 18th.” Cortes Currents: The legislature hasn't met in how many months? Anna Kindy: “Well apparently, if you look back, it's since May because usually they don't run the legislature during the summer.”Cortes Currents: The NDP government dropped the writ for the last election on September 21, 2024, four months after the last sitting. The legislature will have had a 278-day break when it reopens on February 18. Anna Kindy: “Our party did FOIs (Freedom of Information requests) to see what kind of meetings they we're doing. To me it seems almost unconscionable that you're not at work when you've been elected and part of work is becoming accountable, sitting in the legislature to make sure that you respond to the questions that the electorate has and move forward on policy that might improve certain things.” Cortes Currents: How many times have you been to Victoria? Anna KIndy: “Since October 19th, I think twice. Around February 12th to 14th we have MLA school and then on February 18th, the house starts.”Cortes Currents: Are your relationships with the NDP frosty? Anna Kindy: “I don't think. From what I hear you still talk to each other, but once it comes to the Ledge gloves are off, but behind the scenes, you try to make things work.”Julie Osborne is a former mayor of Tofino and was first elected in 2020. She was appointed Minister of Health in November 2024 - courtesy BC Government News“For example, with this specialist group that I met , they try to get a hold of the Minister of Health, Josie Osborne, and for some reason they weren't able to get through. Which surprises me a little bit, but I think she's very busy and there's probably layers of bureaucracy that they have to approve. They've talked, I think, to the Deputy Minister and they still didn't get through.” “So my job will be two things. I want to talk to her personally if I can, say, ‘hey, these are the specialists of BC.’ I probably would listen to what they have to say and then if that doesn't happen, I bring forward what their concerns are - bring it forward so that people are people at BC are aware. That's my job as a critic.”“I've been pretty full on since being elected, to be honest.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Close to 50 people turned up at Mansons Hall on January 24, for an update on the construction coming or already underway in the downtown Mansons area. The Cortes Housing Society, Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA), Cortes Island Community Foundation and Cortes Island Pickleball Society were on hand to describe what’s taking place at Rainbow Ridge, the multipurpose courts and the Village Commons. Regional Director Mark Vonesch exclaimed, “The big news here on Cortes is that the Housing Society is going to start building houses this year.” Sandra Wood, who's been at the heart of the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project from the beginning, added, “It's exciting to finally get shovels in the ground. We feel like we've been shovel ready for years.” Manda Aufochs Gillespie, from the Cortes Island Foundation, described another focus of the meeting “More and more, it's clear that the Village Commons is really this whole area and all the things that we gather in the heart of Mansons to do.”She mentioned the shared office and workspace which was close to completion beside FOCI, the CKTZ radio station and the little green with a picnic table.“The space is opened up so that you can get into that area where the pavilion is basically breaking ground as we speak. So by the summer, the pavilion will be up, wired into the radio station, and set up for performances. We also have put in these storage spaces. We have signed a lease for two of them with the Cortes Island Food Bank, as a drop off and distribution center, but also just to expand their capacity. The other two we're hoping will be for non-profit and the public because, as we all know, somehow on this island there is never enough space.” “This whole space has largely been possible because the SCCA was like, ‘yes, let's think about parking as a community effort downtown.’ Which I've really appreciated because before it looked like we would have to use a whole huge chunk of that rather small space for parking. There has been the creation of a set of new parking spaces, which is going to be signed, I think, by this summer.”Cora Moret, from the SCCA, continued, “I love the idea that this is all the Village Commons and that all these nonprofits are looking for the same thing, which is the Cortes community. So why would each place have a separate parking lot? It's all within a few dozen metres of each other.” “There is a sign as you come up past this parking lot, directly to the west of the parking lot between the skate park and the fire hall. It just looks like a cleared gravel area, and we'll work on that. What we'd like to see is an area that is central , that could host some EV charging stations. That hopefully is coming in the near future. BC Hydro wants to pay for these but they have certain parameters around them. So we're working on that too.”“We're going to be bringing in more grant projects for the area between the skate park and the parking lot. We are very open to input. We're happy to hear what you think of what we're doing, what you think we should do or could do.”The main interview was with Sadhu Johnston from the Cortes Island Housing Society.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There is a community meal somewhere on Cortes Island every week. “A warm bowl of soup, or a stew, that’s at the heart of it. Then there's always some sort of fresh veggies or a fresh veggie platter cut up. Folks are getting that kind of food in them. Then bread and butter, because that's just the basics for everybody and usually a dessert, some sort of cookies or brownies and the whole meal includes gluten free and vegetarian options,” explained Yasmina Cartland. “There's nothing you have to do to come to lunch. Everyone can come. You don't have to prove that you need it. It's completely inclusive. It's meant to be a warm social time and it's meant to actually nourish people with some warm nourishing food.” Cortes Currents: How many people show up on a typical day? Yasmina Cartland: “The average is around 60. That can be folks with families and little kids. The students have been coming from the Cortes Island Academy, so we've had that youth energy there. Also seniors and then just different individuals from all sorts of walks of life and ages. It really is quite a melange of folks who come out.” “At one point around this time last year, maybe a little further into the spring, it was sunny and people said, ‘Oh, I'm going to go to this community lunch.’ Folks just came out of the woodwork. I hadn't been quite ready and we didn't have quite a big enough pot. There were about 80 people. Luckily somehow, loaves and fishes, we were able to feed everybody who came right down to the very last scraping of the pot. Which is great, but I said, ‘okay, we need a bigger pot and I need to be ready every time.’ Not that there's been 85 people every time, but we need to be ready every time.” “There's people in their neighborhoods that might need a meal for whatever reason. People who don't get out much, or don't like to be in social settings or who've just been home from hospital or people are just ask, 'Is there enough to take home?' There are takeouts that go out into various neighborhoods, with the neighbors thinking of their neighbors that way.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A timeline on the REC-REATE – Strathcona Gardens Revitalization Project website traces the origins of this project back to an operational review in 1998. At that time, most of the community was satisfied with the existing facility and the idea of building a new complex did not gain momentum until 2015. A community survey taken between February 2nd and March 2nd that year found that someone from 72% of the Campbell River and 64% of Area D households visited Strathcona Gardens at least once a year. Construction for Phase One, the New Aquatic and Wellness Centre, finally began on September 10, 2024. However the estimated cost of this project had risen to $73 million and the Strathcona Regional District is exploring the idea that Quadra Island and Sayward taxpayers should be contributing. Nothing has been decided, but the SRD has received a stream of letters from hundreds of Quadra Island residents stating they do not use Strathcona Gardens and definitely do not want to pay for it! A little group calling itself the Friends of Area C collected hundreds of names on a petition opposing the suggestion that Quadra taxpayers should be included in Strathcona Garden catchment area. Cortes Currents: How long have you been collecting signatures? “We've been collecting for two and a half weeks. We have well over 600. My last estimate, because I haven't actually collected the form, is that we're closer to 800 already. We're actively canvassing, in some cases door to door. We have signing tables in front of the grocery stores. We have petition sign up locations at a multiple business locations throughout the island,” explained Mike Gall from the Friends of Area C.Cortes Currents: How long will you continue to collect? Mike Gall: “Well, I could set a limit and say 1,000. We think that would be a pretty good representation of the sense of the community. Or a week or so before the next board meeting, which will be February 19th. There's no set timeline for all of this because it's really a non-binding petition.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The grand finale of a series of interviews in which Rex Weyler offers his personal memories of the early Greenpeace campaigns and of Paul Watson, who became a lifelong friend.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Campbell River’s Strathcona Gardens is in the midst of re-development. Following a successful Alternative Approval Process (APP) in Campbell River and Area D, whose residents use this complex, in 2023 the Board authorized borrowing up to $64.6 million for this project. Crews are currently building the foundations. The SRD is exploring the possibility of using Area C property tax dollars to support this complex, but has not yet decided upon a course of action. This sparked a great deal of resistance from Area C residents who do not want to see their property taxes increased to pay for a ‘Campbell River’ project. In a motion made by Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney in November, she referred to hundreds of items of correspondence to that effect. The flow of correspondence continues. Emails and scanned letters from 65 Quadra residents, 2 Read Island residents and 1 Maurelle Island resident were received as correspondence at the January 22, 2025 SRD Board Meeting.None of the 68 correspondents supported the project. One admitted to using the Strathcona Gardens approximately 4 times during her 40 years on Quadra Island.
De Clarke/CityWest - In the third of a series of five programs, Rex Weyler talks about Captain Paul Watson, some of the personality dynamics onboard the Greenpeace vessal and blockading the Russian whaling fleet.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - The second in a series of five broadcasts in which Rex Weyler offers his personal memories of the early Greenpeace campaigns and of Paul Watson, who became a lifelong friend.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - The fourth in a series of interviews in which Rex Weyler offers his personal memories of the early Greenpeace campaigns and of Paul Watson, who became a lifelong friend.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - This is Roy Hales with Cortes Currents and as the data for the following report was almost exclusively collected by email or phone, the only voice in the following report is mine. CityWest started hooking Cortes Island residents up to the internet in December 2023, but many homes are still waiting. As the evidence is anecdotal, it is difficult to say how many people are currently connected through CityWest and how many are not.Sherman Barker just informed me that he has never met anyone who is connected. After waiting for two years of waiting, he was using Starlink by the time a CityWest crew showed up to do the final hook-up. “I have a pile of CityWest cable, all the way from my driveway to my yard, that they don’t want back.” Sean Coyote, a techie who works for Cortes Community Radio, said typically people who have yet to be serviced are told their names are on a list. Some, like Sherman, subsequently moved on to other internet providers. Sean added that there are a couple of CityWest trucks working on the island right now.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There are approximately 100 short term rentals, collectively earning between $1million and $5 million a year, on Cortes Island. At of the end of 2021, there were 177 on Quadra. As of May 1st, all Airbnbs and short-term rentals in BC have to register with the provincial government. “It's a process where the provincial government is asking short term rental operators and short term rental platform operators to register. Then they're going to cross reference and use that as a way to regulate Airbnbs,” explained Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island (Area B).Cortes Currents: Is there a cost? Mark Vonesch: “I think it's $100 if your Airbnb is in your home and you get 50% off if you register by February 28th. There's incentive to do it quickly.” Cortes Currents: Are there any exceptions?Mark Vonesch: “ Anyone can offer a short term rental to their friends and family and not have to register. If you've got a family home on Cortes, for example, and you rent a few weeks to your friends and family.”“This is only a registry for people who are publicly advertising their short term rentals. If you are operating a short term rental where you're advertising through public newsletters, newspapers, social media, Airbnb, VRBO, Booking. com, those kind of things. If you're advertising your short term rental publicly, then you need to register.” Cortes Currents: What happens if you don't? Mark Vonesch: “ If you don't, then what will happen is Airbnb or whatever sites you're using to advertise will pull your listing. You won't be able to use the platforms.” “ If people check out the link that you've included in this story, there's tons of details there and lots of fine print of how things apply and who it applies to and the processes. According to the provincial website, from June 1, 2025, and going forward, platforms must stop advertising any short-term rentals that do not have a valid registration number, prevent any new bookings, and cancel any existing bookings. Operating without a valid registration number may also result in monetary penalties.Mark Vonesch: “ I just want to make it clear that Airbnbs are great. Short term rentals are an awesome way for people on Cortes to make some supplementary income and to be able to support them living here. We have a hundred Airbnbs on the island. It's an important source of income for a lot of people and I encourage people to get a short term rental and to do Airbnb.”“At the same time the reason why there was popular support for opting into the primary residence requirement is that we don't want Cortes to be sold off to folks to turn properties into Airbnb businesses when they don't live here. I've heard lots of stories already of places being opened up to the market and rentals being provided.” “So this is a way to sort of just protect the rental housing that we have on Cortes and to close the door on speculation in the housing market, and people buying homes and turning them into businesses.”
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - In December 2024, the environmental activist Paul Watson was freed by Danish authorities from detention in Greenland. He had been held there due to an Interpol red-notice (warrant) issued against him by the government of Japan. The Danish Ministry of Justice denied official requests to extradite Watson for trial in Japan, and he was released to rejoin his family.What did Paul Watson do that so angered the Japanese government? Watson, born in Canada, has spent most of his adult life — ever since the 1970s — protesting against the commercial slaughter of whales and other marine mammals. He was a founding member of Greenpeace, and participated in their early actions to document and obstruct the Russian whaling fleet in the North Pacific. One of his shipmates on these early campaigns was longtime Cortes resident Rex Weyler.In this special feature, we offer an extended interview with Rex Weyler; he offers his personal memories of the early Greenpeace campaigns and of Paul Watson, who became a lifelong friend.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Academy’s third semester is wrapping up and in this year’s end showcase the students are taking the audience on an imaginative visit to the year 2040. It starts at 7:00 this Thursday, January 13, 2025 at Mansons Hall. “A really important part of the Cortes Island Academy is our year end showcase where the students are given the task of finding a way to share some of the learning that they've gone through in the semester in a form that is digestible for the community at large. So they put on this big event which is supposed to be fun and compelling and also spark the imagination of the citizenry of Cortes and the surrounding islands. We are really hoping that a lot of people will come out. I'm quite proud of the way the students have really taken things a different way this year,” explained Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie.“ One of the big things that the students were examining this year is the concept of climate and art. By climate, we don't necessarily mean climate change. They did a lot of deep diving into citizen science and current ecology, but we also wanted them to examine this time that they were living in.This time is often referred to as the Anthropocene which is derived from the ancient Greek word 'ánthrōpos' meaning human and ‘cene’ meaning new. People are using it to refer to this geological era that we're in now, where human activity has been the dominant influence on the world and the environment. The students have spent the semester examining what it means to grow up and live in this time with radical change, with societal pressure, and ecological pressure, ect. So they did a bunch of different things.” “They had Tianna Hope come in and lead them through art. Rex Weyler led them through science. Kai Harvey and her brother Tosh Harvey led them through citizen relationships, science, and also field studies of different kinds and outdoor education. Michael Datura led them in social justice and in English. I helped them through two big things. One is what we call the Apocalyptic Book Club, which was not as doom and gloom as it sounds. It was a series of very interesting books that examined the idea of different apocalypses through time, from now and into the future.”“They also put together an anthology of their works called 'growing up in the Anthropocene,' where through art and through writing, they look specifically at what it means to be alive in this time and what it means to try to remain hopeful in this time. They are basically creating a time portal into the future and they're saying, what if we really choose and fight for the most imaginative and hopeful future possible? They are taking all the guests that come Thursday through this imagining of what it might look like in the future on Cortes in 2040.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On January 9, 2025, Max Thaysen and Erik Lyon hosted a hands-on workshop on all things shellfish! This fantastic teaching team chatted harvesting, sustainability, identification, risks and benefits of eating local shellfish, and so much more! This is a field-recording-style episode made possible by Decoda Literacy, the Cortes Island Community Foundation, and the Cortes Island Food Bank. Big thank you to Max and Erik. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Housing Society will soon break ground on Rainbow Ridge. They are also renting out two houses, are about to explore the possibility of a tiny house village, and hope to launch a homeshare program this summer. There is also news about the aquifer study, more online housing forums, the Cortes Island Trade Directory and Cortes Island’s vacant homes.“2024 was a banner year for us in many ways,” exclaimed Executive Director Sadhu Johnston.Bruin Black, the Society’s new Project Manager, added, “This year is going to be a big year in terms of things happening. I'm just excited to see how things unfold.”Orchard VillageWhat was special about 2024? What did you accomplish?Sadhu Johnston: “ I guess the biggest thing is that we got some housing under our belts. We purchased a property with two existing houses on it, and we're able to get those rented out. I'm really excited to be working with the health association, CCHA to be providing housing to the doctors on the island, which is much needed. We have a second house on the property that's being rented out to some artists, long time Cortes folks. That's really great and exciting for us to have housing that we're able to provide in the community.”Cortes Currents: Tell me about the woodworking maker's space. Sadhu Johnston: “At Orchard Village, the project where we have the houses being rented, we have a good size shop. We put a call out on Tideline for proposals for how to use that shop for community uses and we got a wonderful proposal from Hannu Huuskonen who's a woodworker on the island. He proposed the idea of setting up a woodworking maker space and those are pretty popular around North America. Shared workshops where people can go and be a member and use tools and use a shop.” “We've established a partnership with the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, where we will be co funding it and working together to pursue the value added wood strategy that the co-op adopted last year. People can have an annual membership and that gives them access to use the shop and we'll have commercial grade tools there and hopefully support entrepreneurs and hobbyists alike to have access to a wood shop and hopefully use more local wood for business opportunities.”On the Webb, the Cortes Trades Directory & New Staff“We've also just got staff and a new website with the Trades Directory on it. So there's just really a lot going on right now and gearing up to get construction going on Rainbow Ridge too. So it feels like an exciting time.” Starting Construction on Rainbow RidgeCortes Currents: So tell me about this construction on Rainbow Ridge. I understand it's going to be this Spring?
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On January 9, 2025, Campbell River’s City Council gave first and second readings to a public nuisance amendment bylaw intended to prevent floodlighting, spotlighting and directional lighting from shining beyond the properties they protect onto residential areas. Council is giving the public to respond in writing before making a decision. Bylaw Services Manager (SM) Karl Read pointed out that it has been a year since Paula Burque asked the city to remedy this matter.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Election fever seems to be in the air again and in the first of a series of interviews with the candidates, Cortes Currents talked with Jessica wig the green party candidate for North Island-Powell River. “We have a chance now to show the world that we will not Follow the trend of electing conservative right wing governments out of fear because we're told that things are bad. We know that things are bad in some ways, but things are amazing and wonderful in so many other ways,” she exclaimed. “If we just have our knee jerk reaction and say, the last government was liberal, they didn't work. Let's go over to the other side and give this. Conservative government a try, we're never going to advance the ball. We're just going to keep hitting it back and forth. What we need is a way through this mess. That is with each other, that is by voting with our hearts and knowing what is right, what we value, using our brains to look at the world around us and see what is happening and ask ourselves, what's the best way that I can try to make it through this?” “Who's the best person to stand up for what I believe in, to represent me in Ottawa and that's the Greens. We have known this is coming. We've been shouting it from the rooftops, trying to get attention and now it's unavoidable. It's here, so I would encourage people to vote Green.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Max Thaysen and Erik Lyon led a shellfish harvesting workshop in Mansons Lagoon on Thursday January 9, 2024. This was a free event sponsored by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Decoda Literacy, and the Cortes Island Food Bank. Cortes Currents interviewed Max a few days prior to the workshop. “ I would love to support people to get more of their food from our local environment in a way that is ecologically sustainable and invited my friend Eric Lyon to join me in presenting the glory of shellfish to anybody who hasn't yet heard, or felt comfortable accessing this food,”he said.“I think eating wild local food makes life more meaningful. I am hoping to encourage people to develop this relationship that I find so meaningful. It defines part of who I am , and makes my life beautifully intertwined with the ecosystem. Eating the place that we live is a way to love and need the place that we live, in addition to making life more affordable and healthier.”“I also plan on talking a little bit about the impacts of climate change, which are strongly felt in the shellfish community.”“Clams exist all around our coast. Manila and Littleneck are the easiest to find and the ones that I'm most familiar with. Then of course, there are oysters. Both of them are super easy to harvest even in not a very low tide, more like a medium low tide.”“They are pretty accessible, delicious, abundant and super nutritious in ways that lots of other foods that we eat are not. Like healthy sea fats, which are rich in brain food and also important for heart health and immune function. So shellfish are pretty amazing, if we can figure out how to work it into our lifestyles.” Cortes Currents: How do you know where to find the clams? Max Thaysen: “They're pretty common. If you're not sure, you can go to the beach and just start poking around. Certainly finding shells on the surface of the beach is a good indicator that there's clams around. Manson's Landing, also known as Clytosin, is the place that I'm most familiar with. There's shells everywhere littering the surface, indicating that there's clams everywhere under the surface. They're about an inch down.” “Oysters live on the surface, so they're visible. You can find them almost everywhere.” Cortes Currents: You didn't mention mussels. Max Thaysen: “There are some wild mussels around, but they don't get as big as the commercial variety in most of the places that I've been. They tend to be quite small. While I have eaten them, I haven't usually bothered to harvest them.”“If you find yourself somewhere where there's big mussels and they're safe to eat, then that's pretty premium stuff. On the west coast of Vancouver Island there's some really big mussels that are quite delicious.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -While there is some disagreement as to whether we have passed the 1.5°C threshhold set at COP 21 in Paris, scientists agree that we are on the brink and 2024 was the hottest year on record.At COP 29 last November, Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) explained, “Children born today will not know a world without climate change. The IPCC has shown that we, and furthermore they, will live in a world marked by more intense storms, exceptional heatwaves, devastating floods and droughts, a world where food chains are disrupted, and where diseases reach new countries.”On Friday, January 10, Samantha Burgess, Strategic lead for climate, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, reported, “We are now living in a very different climate from that, which our parents and our grandparents experienced.” “Giving some more details for 2024, the year was 1.6°C above the pre-industrial level. 2024 was the warmest year on record, and the last 10 years have been the 10 warmest years on record. The primary reason for these record temperatures is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and this accumulation has occurred primarily due to fossil fuels as greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere. Temperatures continue to increase including in the ocean. Sea levels continue to rise and glaciers and ice sheets continue to melt. According to the latest IPCC six assessment report published in 2021, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are the highest that they have been for the last, at least 800,000 years for methane and for over 2 million years for carbon dioxide.”The most positive reports of last year’s average global temperature rise come from NASA and NOAA, in the United States, who claim it was slightly below 1.5°C.However the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was warmest year on record and stated the average global temperature was 1.55°C.This is the second year in a row that Berkeley Earth reported that the global temperature rise exceeding 1.5°C. They were 1.54°C in 2023 and 1.62°C in 2024. As a result of our entering a weak La Niña phase, Berkeley Earth suggests 2025 could be cooler than 2024, but still ‘roughly the 3rd warmest year in the instrumental record.’Jim Skea warned, “Today, our chances of limiting warming to 1.5 °C are hanging on a very slender thread. The recent UNEP Gap Report concluded that global emissions would need to fall by 7.5% per year through to 2035 to return us to a 1.5 °C pathway. If we delay more ambitious action to 2030, this becomes an unprecedented 15%. Even limiting warming to 2°C is at risk.”“This does not have to be the case. As the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report demonstrated, we have the know-how, tools and financial resources to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. A world where transport is no longer polluting, our cities are green, and we have transitioned away from fossil fuels. We have shown that carbon pricing, regulations and other interventions have already resulted in gigatonnes of avoided emissions. More can be achieved if policies and measures are scaled up and deployed more widely.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - French filmmaker Jérémy Mathieu’s award winning documentary ‘Salmon Secrets,’ will be coming to Gorge Hall at 1 PM on Sunday, January 12. This 40 minute film was produced by Clayoquot Action, whose co-founders Bonny Glamback and Dan Lewis will be speaking at the screening. Mike Moore, President of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), stated, “The film is hosted by FOCI and our streamkeepers who have just done an incredible job working with the highways department to put in new culverts so that the fish can go up beyond Whaletown Road and the Squirrel Cove Road. They've done a lot of work on salmon enhancement projects, but without ocean survival all of those efforts are in vain.” “One thing that we can do to improve ocean survival of the salmon is to remove the salmon farms that are in their way. We can't affect ocean nutrient levels and upwelling currents and plankton, which all feed the salmon when they're out in the North Pacific, but we can keep the salmon farms from transmitting diseases and lice to the wild salmon.” The trailer starts with Joe Martin, of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, speaking a Nuu-chah-nulth word I cannot pronounce or spell.He said, “ It means that everything is connected. The mountains to the ocean and they're actually connected by salmon. All the Nuu-chah-nulth have survived with that. You don't see that anymore.”As the aerial view of a fish farm came into view, Dan Lewis explained, “The companies are Norwegian. They imported the eggs from the Atlantic Ocean from Europe and those eggs brought with them Piscine Orthoreovirus and the fish here had no defence against it.”Independent biologist Alexandra Morton is depicted staring into a microscope, “I have been looking closely at hundreds of juvenile pink and chum salmon every single year. By the time the juvenile salmon made it to the open ocean they passed four or five salmon farms and they were just dying, hundreds of thousands of them.”John K Forde, from the Marine Mammal Research Unit, added, “Right now the gray whales are having a catastrophic die off. In the spring, we're getting gray whales washing up on shore that are starving to death. If they don't have their food because it's been poisoned by Cermaq, then we won't have any whales through the summer months in this area. This is going to be devastating.”Morton added, “Orcas have culture, and to maintain their culture, they need to gather. For resident orca to gather, there have to be a lot of salmon. That's how they maintain not only their health, but their culture. In recent years, it's been really sad to see them come in. Sometimes they pace up and down, one little family, and then they leave.”You’ve just been reading a transcript from the trailer for ‘Salmon Secrets.’Dan Lewis was skiing at Mount Washington when Cortes Currents contacted him. He stated, “With this whole fish farm transition, we knew that there would be a compromise. When we looked at the war in the woods, and we were saying, stop clear cutting old growth. What they said was, well, why don't we try variable retention in old growth? We knew there would be some kind of half assed compromise like that being proposed.”“When Cermaq brought a semi closed containment system to Clayoquot Sound in 2020, we knew right away that's what they're going to be pushing for.” “So we've been focusing a lot of effort on that. Our goal is to make sure that there's nothing in the water at the end of this transition. Fish farms in the water, it doesn't matter what kind, they're not going to work.” “We have an amazing videographer on our team, Jérémy Mathieu. He comes on our Clayoquot Action missions where we monitor the fish farms, and he's collected quite a bit of footage.”
Max Thaysen/Climate Action Network - When filmmaker Jon Cooksey talks about kicking ass in his frog-boiling film, he's referring to the application of pressure, embarrassing, shedding light on the people and institutions that are doing bad things. He points to the fact that we have massive access to video and publishing resources, so we can be ass-kicking youtube stars (or tiktok if that's your jam). The theory is, if businesses or politicians get bad press coverage, they will change their ways because they have strong self-preservation instincts. And the opposite may be true: if no one is paying attention, then many of these people will do whatever they can get away with. The enemies of fairness, safety and progress would have us believe that this is basically 'clicktivism': the act of doing activism online. This term is used in a derogatory way, as in, "It's online, it's not 'real' so it can't have an impact, right?" Well... wrong. And I can prove it.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Starting on Saturday, January 11th, Dance Temple Cortes will be held every two weeks in Manson's hole. "Everyone has an excuse not to dance. In Gabriel Roth's book, Sweat Your Prayers, there's a two page list or maybe a three page list of all the reasons. That's great, if that's your choice, but there's something to be said for getting over the resistance because there's no wrong way to dance. There's no wrong way to move. It's incredibly freeing to be in a space where you can dance in all your goofiness, offbeat, rolling around, whatever works for you and just engage with your body in a healthy way," explained Connie Quail. "Sometimes it's just stretching that shoulder. You can do Dance Temple sitting in a chair. You can do Dance Temple lying on the floor. It's just about moving however feels freeing to each person. That's the essence of Dance Temple. For some it's a spiritual practice. For some it's just a connective practice. For some It's healing, hence somatic healing, and for me, in my recovery from a dissociative disorder, embracing mindfulness practices has been key to what's brought me into being able to be functional and well again. So good for mind, body, heart, and spirit." "The support of a room full of people doing that has a collective energy that helps us stay engaged with the energy in our bodies in a way that can be transformative."Cortes Currents: How did you come to Cortes? Connie Quail: "I moved here first in 2003, and left Cortes for some years to spend some time in Victoria, where my kids were in high school.""I found this weekly Dance Temple in Victoria and I just started going every week.""Dance Temple first began something like 15 years ago on Salt Spring Island and in Victoria. It's a model, a container, a way of doing dance.""People picked it up all through the pandemic. Like Mary Lloyd, who facilitated dance on Cortes. She had these outdoor silent DJ headsets. We just kept dancing on the beach all through the pandemic and then back indoors when that was allowed." "It was slow to get the ball rolling on Cortes. I think it was just once a year for the first couple of years. Naomi Jason, one of my mentors and one of the founders of Dance Temple, came to Cortes a couple of times.""That just became such an important source of community, of wellness for me, a big part of my own healing journey. So I took facilitator training, I took DJ training just to be able to keep carrying this forward and offering it where I live on Cortes so I still always have access to it. It's a little bit selfish that way, because I just want to keep dancing." "Andrew Lee and I picked it up with a lot of support from Dancing Wolf two years ago. We said we want this in our lives and we want the DJ experience.""I'm DJing Dance Temple in Campbell River at the end of the month. I'm DJing in Mid Island - in Cedar Dance Temple, Salt Spring Dance Temple - in the coming year. Then in Victoria again. It's a consistent container in every place it's offered, or as consistent as we can make it." "We start with very slow, gentle music, then slowly build, build, build, build, build in tempo and intensity of music until we reach a peak. The peak is the chaos stage of five rhythms and then we go down through what would be lyrical and into silence. So, into a quiet relaxed ending, sometimes the sound is healing, sometimes it's just a little bit of breathing meditation." "So it's a whole journey that we go on, and there's something for everyone. Some people don't like the peak. For years, I didn't. I'd leave the dance temple in Victoria, go outside for a bit, just wait for the intensity to ease off, and then I'd go back in and rejoin the dance. Some people don't like the slowness at the ending, so they duck out early, after they've had their journey. There's so many ways to approach Dance Temple and it's so much fun."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Audobin Society has been holding Christmas Bird Counts across North America for the past 125 years. On Cortes Island it is co-sponsored by the Cortes Island Museum and Birds Canada. Thirty-nine walkers, cyclists, boaters, and people in cars participated in Cortes Islands 2024 Christmas Bird Count. This was the third time that more than 4,000 birds have been counted since the islands first Christmas Bird Count in 2001. A new record was set: 4,545 Birds were listed.Donna Collins explained, "We had more birders out, more areas covered and lots of birds counted." The most numerous species were 1,057 Surf Scoters. There were also three unusual sightings. This is the first time Ring-billed gulls have been listed in a Christmas count. Laurel Bohart counted 32. Turkey vultures are not usually seen this time of year. One was seen during the week in 2014, but it did not make it into the official count. Sierra Sullivan saw a Turkey vulture this year. Michael Sullivan saw three American coots. Laurel Bohart and Donna Collins agreed to describe their experience of the day. Laurel Bohart: "Donna showed up at my place in Squirrel Cove. I had already looked at the birds on my feeder, which were maybe 12 Juncos. We went directly to the dump to check on birds there and spotted 6 Ravens. Of course, they're always there when the dump is open because of food. Along with them, there were some wrens." Donna Collins: "We were having a hard time because we could hear them, but couldn't see them."Laurel Bohart: "It's hard to see them because they were lurking in the bush. We spent some time just on the driveway, in and out of the Recycling Centre. Unfortunately my binoculars aren't very good and her eyes are better than mine and sharper. So she was just describing what they might be. We had the bird book with us and were frantically looking through the pages." "We saw a whole cloud of Pine Siskins." Cortes Currents: Can either of you recognize the birds by their sounds? Laurel Bohart: "A Wren's like ‘chik chik, chik chik, chik chik, chiche, chik, chik, chiche, chik, chik.’ That's the alarm call." "The other calls were more a mingled sound, kind of a high pitched ‘we wi wi wi wi wi.’” Cortes Currents: What was that? Laurel Bohart: "That would be birds higher up in the trees and no, I couldn't really tell which ones they were. I could hear them, although my hearing aid is not perfect.""The adventure came first of all, when we went down to the waterfront by the Squirrel Cove store." "I have never seen so many gulls in my life. The gulls were Glaucus-winged Gulls mostly. There was one Mew gull, one Bonaparte's and a bunch of Ring billed gulls, all splashing very happily right around, right in the creek's mouth and making a great deal of noise.""What was happening was the gush of water out of the Basil Creek estuary was fanning farther out into the ocean. Behind that fan, where all the birds were in front, there were sea lions or seals. We had a line of a couple dozen Bufflehead ducks cleaning their feathers in the fresh water. There were Goldeneye ducks, I think there was four. There was a whole line of Surf Scoters, at least a dozen." "What caught our attention was the crows between there and the Klahoose First Nation."Cortes Currents: In the final tally it says you saw 89 crows. Do you have any explanation for that number?
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - There has been a flurry of media stories about the dangers of eating raw oysters lately, but Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed that there have been no problems with Cortes Island grown oysters. (And there have been no problems anywhere with cooked oysters.) Only one of the 8 emergency closures DF0 listed, in response to Cortes Currents request, is in the Discovery Islands. A DFO notice from December 23 states, “The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has received reports of illness linked to BC Aquaculture Tenure Landfile #1402974” in the Bold Island-Crescent Channel area between Quadra and Read Islands. The other 7 oyster closures pertained to 42 ‘Landfiles’ in the Baynes Sound area across from Denman Island. Mo Qutob, Communications Advisor with Fisheries & Oceans Canada, emailed that all of the closures he listed were in force as of December 31, 2024. “The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has received illness reports linked to aquaculture tenures in British Columbia and has recommended emergency closures for certain aquaculture tenures within Pacific Fisheries Management Areas 13 and 14.”The Crescent Channel tenure mentioned above is in Management Area 13 (Subarea 13-12), and the Baynes Sound closures were in Management Area 14 (Subareas 14-8 and 14-15).Two of the Landfiles mentioned In DF0’s December 19, 2024, closure notice (#1402293, #1413888), were also in US reports about people being infected with Norovirus after eating ‘raw oysters from British Columbia.’ The associated DFO notice mentions ‘multiple reports of illness’ and lists closures to 13 Landfiles in the Baynes Sound area.A second closure notice, issued the same day, lists closures to another 18 Landfiles in the Baynes Sound area. An extensive list of these and subsequent closure notices is at the bottom of this page. Qutob: “The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) is a federal food safety program jointly administered by the CFIA, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and DFO. The goal of the program is to minimize the health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish such as mussels, oysters and clams.”“As partners in the CSSP, CFIA conducts testing for biotoxins and ECCC conducts water quality sampling. DFO’s role as partner in the CSSP is to enact fishery openings and closures based on recommendations from CFIA and ECCC. Please reach out to those agencies for specific information concerning biotoxins and water quality sampling.”“DFO’s mandate under the CSSP is to manage shellfish harvest (e.g., to close and open areas, patrol closures) and provide support to illness investigations.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Modern geneticists have shown us that the past is much closer than most of us realize. We carry the genetic coding from previous generations in our DNA and it can be traced back 200,000 to 300,000 years. Adam Rutherford went further, proclaiming everyone with European roots descends from Charlemagne (as well as his most humble followers). His point being that the number of your direct ancestors doubles every generation you count backward. By the time you count back 33 generations—about 800 to 1,000 years ago—you have more than 8 billion ancestors. By way of contrast, the population of England is believed to have only been about 2 million in 1,000 AD. At that point you had 4,000 ‘ancestors’ for every living person. This means your genealogy is populated by the same people counted over and over again through different lines of descent. If you are of English ancestry, something of even greater antiquity like the Stonehenge artefacts currently being exhibited at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria is definitely about your heritage.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday December 27th Manda Aufochs Gillespie from Folk U and Jane Newman from the Cortes Island Museum teamed up to present stories of snow on Cortes. A festive radio story telling event where neighbours tell their favourite stories of fun, festivities and mishaps. All things snowy on Cortes. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Greg Osoba/Folk U - On December 20, 2024, host Greg Osoba was joined by guitarist Michael Keith to chat about all things guitar: theory, terminology, sounds, effects, and practice. This is a fun, demonstrative interview for both total beginners and advanced players looking for some new inspiration. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - At their December 11 meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board passed a bylaw to regulate bulk water processing, bottling and sales on Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous islands.Three Campbell River Directors voted against receiving the staff report for this bylaw.Director Susan Sinnott explained, “I just want to hear from staff, the reasons necessary. Is there a pending application for people to bulk water in the distillation sound area? Is there an imminent issue?” Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch replied, “The impetus of this. Bylaws came from the directors. So I think it's probably more appropriate for the director to speak to it.” Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch pointed out, “This is the same bylaw we already passed for Area D, Cortes and Quadra Islands.” Director Sinnott: “Well, thank you, my recollection was there was concerns about water usage and aquifer protection. I just wanted to know if this was similar. I don't know if there's an issue in the Desolation Sound area that's similar.” Robyn Mawhinney is the Regional Director for Area C, which includes Quadra, Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous islands: “Although it says the Desolation Sound Rural Land Use Bylaw it's funnily enough, not in Desolation Sound. It's Read, Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous Islands. If you look at the bylaws, it's really about providing an opportunity for community to have a public hearing If there is an application for a commercial water extraction enterprise.” Director Sinnot: So raising my question again, are we regulating something that's not ever going to happen? I can't imagine there's ever going to be a person that wants to bulk water bottling or any type of extraction of a very remote area without ferry service. So one, I don't like the idea of regulating things if we don't have to, but second of all, we're intruding into an area outside our jurisdiction if it's about water preservation.” Director Mawhinney: “I would suggest that providing an opportunity for the community to have input on a commercial enterprise, which could drastically affect their drinking water is reasonable. I think when you look at what happened in Merville, if you wait until an application is coming forward it's too late.” The concern about bulk water extraction can be traced back to a Merville property owner’s idea to bottle and sell the water beneath his property. On March 8, 2023, two weeks before CVRD approved MacKenzie’s application, Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney asked the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to report on the possibilities for limiting groundwater extraction within Area C. The District had just gone through the severest drought in Campbell River’s records and it was about to go through the drought of 2023.On September 25, 2024, the SRD passed bylaws prohibiting ‘bulk water sales, bulk water processing and bulk water bottling’ on any upland or foreshore area of Cortes or Quadra except where expressly permitted within a zone.That was when Director Mawhinney then introduced what has erroneously been called the Desolation Sound Bulk Water Regulation.Director Mawhinney: “ We've had a public hearing and the community was in support of it, as they have been for Area D, Area B (Cortes Island) and the Quadra island portion of Area C.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The 32 properties in Tiber Bay are one step closer to being included in the South Cortes Island fire protection area. They are currently outside the boundary and, consequently, the Cortes Fire department cannot immediately respond to fires in that area. It needs direction from the BC Wildfire Service. Tiber Bay residents will soon be receiving a petition in which they can state their preferences.Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch read out the motion at the December 11 SRD Board Meeting, “That a petition be prepared and distributed to affected property owners to determine if they support the extension initiative, and then a further report be prepared for the Board's consideration at the conclusion of the petition process.”The only resistance came from two Campbell River Directors who had questions about process. Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott asked, “ With the petition being distributed during the mail strike, how are we doing this?”Shaun Koopman, the SRD’s Protective Service’s Coordinator, responded “We're going to work with the Cortez Island Fire Department who will, we'll also work with the resident to make sure that everyone's envelope ends up in their hands.”Director Sinnott: “So I'm assuming that there is a procedure under a petition that we can do this?”Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) David Leitch explained, “There's a petition process in generally. If you have a small amount of people in an area, you'll do a petition. If there's 10, 20, or 40 50 of them, whatever petition is totally acceptable. So this is a small group and a small area, and you can deliver the petitions to them.” Campbell River Director Doug Chapman objected to this, “The only comment I have is that I wouldn't send the volunteer fire department into the new area at the risk of appearing to be pressuring people to sign. I think it should be people in the current area seeking signatures from those who are already in the area.”CAO Leitch: “ I think what we'll end up doing is they'll be delivering them to their door. There's no solicitation here.” Director Vonesch: “This extension is a request of this community already. So it is a bit of a formality to go through this, the residents have signed on for this.” Director Chapman: “So, what you're saying is that every single resident who's going to be included has already said they're in favor. Is that my understanding of what you're saying?” Director Vonesch: “I believe that's what happened here.” Director Chapman: “I know you believe that, but is it a fact.” CAO Leitch: “After the petition process, we'll find out.” Director Vonesch: I guess we will. Let's see what happens here Doug.” Director Chapman voted against the motion being given a second reading, but the decision to send out a petition was unanimous when Vice Chair Matthew Jack called the final vote
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -BC Ferries currently deploys 11 vessels on its major routes that connect Vancouver Island with the Lower Mainland. Six of these are decades old and nearing the end of their effective service life. While the volume of traffic has significantly increased over the past three decades, there have not been any additions to the major routes carrying capacity since the Spirit Class vessels were introduced in 1993-94. Consequently, 60% of the vehicles using the ferry on a major route last summer had to wait for at least one sailing. In a bold move to bring this portion of its fleet into the 21st century, on Friday, December 13, BC Ferries applied to the BC Ferries Commissioner for permission to add 5 New Major Vessels (NMV).Each of these new ferries is a diesel-electric hybrid, with the capacity to go 100% electric once the necessary infrastructure is in place. This would seem to open the door for a fully electric fleet at an as yet to be determined date in the future. Meanwhile, according to their application, “The NMVs are expected to reduce tank-to-wake GHG emissions and well-to-wake GHG emissions by approximately 90 percent compared to fossil-fuel-based diesel in support of the Province’s CleanBC goals and GHG emission reduction targets.”If this project is approved, the first of the NMVs should be deployed in 2029 and BC Ferries expects to add a vessel every six months until 5 are in service around 2031. The plan is to replace 4 of the fleet’s oldest ferries with 5 larger new ones. This will bring the total number of vessels serving these routes up to 12. If this plan proceeds as planned, BC Ferries will increase the routes’ carrying capacity up to 28% for passengers and 19% for vehicles. However their application warns, “If only four ships are approved, BC Ferries’ capacity growth will fall behind population projections for our region, meaning delays, waits and the risk of breakdowns will be worse than they are today when we are already feeling the impact of the lack of resiliency in the fleet. By approving all five vessels, the Ferry Commissioner will help ensure BC Ferries can keep pace and improve how it serves our region, with additional resiliency during refits and breakdowns, greater capacity in peak season and year-round, and demonstrable benefits to our climate with cleaner fuels (and the option for electric power) and less noise pollution.” The British Columbia Trucking Association estimates that ferry cancellations, breakdowns, and delays can cost up to $100 million per year, every dollar of which is passed on to consumers.These new ferries are expected to reverse this trend, enabling an increase of over $240 million worth of additional cargo by 2035. They are also projected to enable the introduction of another 130,000 incremental tourists to the islands. The current scenario is to deploy 3 NMVs on the Tsawassen to Schwartz Bay route (#1) and 2 on the Tsawassen to Duke Point (#30) run during peak season. Any additions to the Horseshoe Bay - Nanaimo route (#2) will preseumably be made by 2027, by which time BC Ferries hopes to have 7 NMVs deployed.Some of the additional features mentioned in the BC Ferries press release include: “The NMV propulsion systems are being designed to reduce underwater radiated noise, which poses a known risk to the health of at-risk marine life, including the Southern Resident Killer Whales.”Wider walkways on the ferries, designed to accomodate large wheelchairs. “new kids’ play areas and updated food service offerings still in the process of being designed.”“new pet amenities on the passenger deck, including stainless steel kennels, semi-enclosed seating for owners and pets, a handwashing station with hot and cold water, pet relieving areas with artificial turf, and a dog drinking fountain.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - he Cortes Island Food Bank recently launched a food drive to meet unprecedented needs. Cortes Currents met with two of the charity’s key personnel in the garage where most of the food is stored. Executive Director Filipe Figuera explained :“The situation is getting worse on Cortes. It is the same across the country. Two years ago, we had 100 client visits a year. This year we had 600, that's about 50 clients a month. People are really suffering economically. The good news is that we're in a better situation to help those people. We've really built up the capacity of the food bank to deal with this emergency. We’ve got some really good staff and good food, but it's not a good situation.” Cortes Currents: I understand that Food Banks Canada has just released their annual hunger count. What are the highlights from that? Filipe Figuera: “The picture is pretty bleak across the country. They do a count every March and the numbers increased again this year. In March 2024, there were 2 million visits to food banks across Canada. That's the highest ever. It's a 6% increase from 2023 and a 90% increase compared to 2019.”“The numbers just keep increasing. I think a lot of food banks are really struggling with this pressure. I know that 30% of food banks across the network actually ran out of food before they could serve all clients. At least 33% of all clients across the country are children and a new thing that's happening is that 18% of food bank users are now employed. They've got jobs, but they just haven't got enough money at the end of the month to buy the food they need to survive. That's a huge increase. It was historically around 5% to 6% and then it crept up to 10% and now it's 18%. There's a lot of economic pressures on people across Canada.We've known about housing for years. We've got people who won’t be able to afford to buy their home - ever - but now we're seeing working people who can't afford to buy enough food to survive to the end of the month. It's a great report. Google Hunger Count 2024. Have a look at the data, it's really interesting. Cortes Currents: How can people get food? Angelica Raaen responded, “The easiest way and the best way is through our website. Select the location, either Manson's or the Gorge, and then the day you want to pick up. It'll ask a few questions about your family size or your household size and your dietary restrictions, if there are any. Then you just book it and we'll have it ready for you on the day that you booked. Cortes Currents: Why do people need to pre-book? Angelica Raaen: “We don't have a purpose built food bank facility. The food is stored at a private residence, in a garage. We have to go pack the food into hampers and transport them to the pickup locations. This takes a couple of days to prepare, so it's better if people book in advance.” “So, the best way to book is through a website with the booking form, but you can also call us or email us if the website is a barrier for you. The phone number is 1-672-202-0052 (it’s a local number) and our email is cortesfoodbank@proton.me."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - It has been 85 years since the Truck Loggers Association was founded to give independent loggers a collective voice in society and the forest industry. Now they would like the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to intervene on their behalf with BC’s Minister of Forests, Minister of State for Workforce Development and Chief Forester. This was disclosed during the discussion of a motion from the SRD’s Natural Resources Committee at the Wednesday December 11 Board Meeting. Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney said she is not a member of the Natural Resources Committee, but the issue is a concern to her. The Forestry Practises Board recently released a report that stated there was a deficit of old growth on Quadra Island and only about 1% of the trees were greater than 250 years old. Three companies were found to be out of compliance with some aspect of forest legislation. The reported added that “the bigger issue is that no one is responsible for monitoring or ensuring that Quadra Island’s old forests are conserved, or that enough mature forests are protected from logging so that they can develop into old forest in the future.” Mawhinney had brought this matter to the SRD Board asking that “that the board write a letter to the Minister of Forests, the Minister of Water, Lands and Natural Resources, and BC's Chief Forester, highlighting concerns with old forest management on Quadra Island.” Instead the matter was referred to the SRD’s Natural Resources Committee, who responded with a very different motion of their own. Perusing the associated materials, Mawhinney realized,“ This motion was coming from the Truck Loggers Association.” Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch confirmed, “ Sure, this motion was crafted by the delegation, but it was supported by the committee. So this is a motion of the committee.”The Natural Resources Committee is proposing that:“WHEREAS Forestry works for communities in every corner of the province, from jobs to exports, to providing revenues for hospitals, schools and roads and communities;”AND WHEREAS the future of forestry is at risk, with the closure of half of BC mills in the last two decades, and harvest levels falling to more than 40% below the annual allowable cut;“AND WHEREAS a sustainable forest sector must have access to a reliable annual allowable cut to support the services and infrastructure British Columbians rely on to provide families with livable wages, and bring stability to the supply chain;”“THEREFORE the Natural Resources Committee directs staff to send a letter to Minister Parmar, and Minister of State Mercier, and Chief Forester Shane Berg, requesting a meeting to discuss their meaningful commitment to delivering a stable, accessible and reliable annual cut.”There was no reference to the Quadra Island backstory, when the Natural Resources Committee motion was introduced.Instead CAO David Leitch said, “Mr. Chair, this is a motion from the Natural Resources Committee, so nothing more to add from staff.”Regional Director, Gerald Whalley of Area A responded, “Just a question for staff here. The meeting, is that to involve the board or just that specific committee?”CAO Leitch: “It’s unclear, you're right.”Director Whalley: “I think it should involve the board, at least for those who are interested.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The final numbers for Cortes Island's 2024 Chum run are in. Local streamkeepers Cec and Christine Robinson gave a rundown. Christine Robinson: “I think we all know that this was a stupendous year for Chums up and down the coast. So not just Cortes, not just Quadra, not just the Sunshine Coast, but from the mainland all the way up to Alaska and down through to Puget Sound and I think possibly further south. The numbers on Cortes were the highest that we have seen since we've lived on Cortes, which is now 34 years.”Cec Robinson: “To put it in context, they're probably three times higher than the best years we've ever seen. So it was pretty huge.” Christine Robinson: “So it was very exciting and the interesting thing was that fisheries did not predict this. They were predicting a very low term return to the coast. They were caught off guard, and everybody probably was.” “The numbers that we keep are an approximation given that we don't have a fish fence across the creek that counts every fish. We've had a pretty high degree of accuracy, but there were so many fish that we couldn't count accurately this year. We did several bank walks, and at some point we stopped counting because we couldn’t count - which is always what we hope for.” “All eight creeks that we have kept an eye on over the years had something to report this year. In Basil Creek, we have about 2,500 Chum.”Cec Robinson: “At least.” Christine Robinson: “At least, they were higher up in Basil Creek because as more came in the lower parts of the creek it pushed them higher up. So it extends the spawning area. Squirrel Cove Creek, which is a little creek around the corner of where the Klahoose village is, was a huge surprise. It often has no fish and it often has no water. We figured there were 350 Chum there one day. Another 300 were in Hansen Creek. In James Creek, flowing through the Children's Forest into Carrington Lagoon, there were 220 - which was tremendous. The exciting thing about Whaletown Creek is with the new arch culvert, they all got through easily and they were further up the creek than we have ever seen. There were probably a hundred. For the little Frabjous Day Creek, which flows into Cortes Bay, our best guess is 20. There were probably more, but they weren't counted in the stream so much as in the intertidal area. Manson's Lagoon was the lowest, seven were counted.”Cortes Currents: Have you heard any explanations as to why there were so many Chum this year? Cec Robinson: “I think that the consensus lies with ocean conditions and so the bottom line would be feed. I'm not sure why. I know that the El Nino was backing off and the waters were cooling, which certainly favours more food, but it's only in the last year that cooling has been taking place. Those fish were relying on the ocean for three and a half years, so I'm not sure that even the El Nino phenomenon explains that, but probably conditions at sea and most likely food.”Christine Robinson: “ The fisheries people that we talked to would say the oceanic conditions, the food, was so right that they came into the creeks bigger, stronger, healthier than we typically see. That was everybody's observation. That wasn't just us and streamkeepers. Everyone who came to look at the fish that we talked to said, we talked to said, ‘my gosh, they're big and they're strong. Certainly they're healthier than we've ever seen come in.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 54% of the respondents to a new poll from Abacus Data stated they think Canada should prioritize the development of renewable energy, 36% would like to see a ‘balanced approach’ and 11% would rather prioritize fossil fuels. “ We commissioned Abacus to run this polling for us and see where Canadians stand in terms of their support for renewable energy and around reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. What's clear is that a majority of Canadians want to see government action to phase out fossil fuels and prioritize renewable energy. Canadians know that renewables are a win, win, win. We know that they save people money. They mean lower energy bills. Renewables mean cleaner air. They mean job creation. So the benefits are huge,” explained Julia Levin, Associate Director for National Climate, Environmental Defence. “The results around phasing out fossil fuels may be a bit more surprising. More than half of the people we surveyed want to see government action to phase out fossil fuels. What it says to me is that Canadians are really understanding that the production and use of fossil fuels is what's causing the climate crisis and the only way to avoid ever more catastrophic climate disasters is a transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.”“The extent of support, especially within progressive voters, took me by surprise because this is much bolder climate policy than what we're seeing being proposed, by any government outside of Quebec, and so I think there's a clear lesson to governments at all levels that these aren't just important policies for climate, for the economy. They're popular, Canadians want them.” Cortes Currents: I see that 2,700 Canadians were polled, how many of these were in British ColumbiaJulia Levin: “ We had a sampling size of 278 BC voters. BC and Quebec were the highest in terms of supporting renewable energy and prioritizing renewable energy over fossil fuels.” Cortes Currents: Looking over the figures I see 65% of the respondents in Quebec, 54% in BC and 52% in Ontario support prioritizing renewables. There is a similar alignment when it comes to phasing fossil fuels out: 60% in Quebec, 55% in Ontario and 54% in BC. Julia Levin: “Only about a third of Canadians put any kind of trust in oil and gas companies, and that was similar for BC. It reflected the national average.” Cortes Currents: I’m wondering how important is a poll like this? Public opinion seems to fluctuate. It seems like whenever the world takes a step forward, it is followed by a backlash. A lot of governments supported the Paris Agreement in 2015, but that was followed by the election of several Conservative governments including Trump’s first presidency. We’ve seen a similar backlash here in BC, where a government which at least claims to favour climate action only narrowly won the recent election. Julia Levin: “ I think there's a few observations on that. One is to validate your observation that when we see climate progress, then we see a big backlash. Part of that speaks to the influence of the oil and gas industry.”“This is, globally, the wealthiest industry. A lot of political influence, political power here in Canada at all levels and around the world. Any time there's a real threat, the oil and gas industry get creative about how they push back. We see that in the amount of lobbying that happens here in Canada. At the federal level, oil and gas companies were meeting with federal officials five times each working day last year. We see that in their massive ad campaigns. The coalition of the largest tar sands companies in Canada ran a multi-million dollar ad campaign to lie to Canadians about their climate impact.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U -On December 6, 2024, Tina Willard-Stepan from Comox Strathcona Waste Management joined us to talk all things circular economy and waste. Along with the students of the Cortes Island Academy and some community members, we learned about where our garbage goes, how much we produce, repair cafes, and the Cumberland dump (where our garbage on Cortes is sent to!) Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Over 100 people came to the Quadra Community Centre on December 7, to learn about the acoustic dialects and social connections of Orca, Humpback and Fin Whales. Sierra Quadra invited Janie Wray - CEO and co-founder of the North Coast Cetacean Society, BC Whales, and the manager of the BC Hydrophone Network - to share from her more than two decades of research.“One thing that we've recognized is that if we want to understand and protect whales, we have to listen them. That is why we think hydrophones are so important. It's a non-invasive way of trying to understand whale communication and how communication between whales has changed over the years. There's so many different whale species along this coast that are communicating,” she said.“The more we learn, the better our chances are to protect whales and the only way we can protect whales is to work in collaboration with other people along this entire coast of BC, especially with Indigenous communities.”Cortes Currents: How did you come to study whales? Janie Wray: “I was about nine years old. I had heard the recording of Humpback whales singing. It was the first time that I had an emotional response to a sound, especially the sound of another species. That pretty much put me on track. I was fascinated by whales and whale communication.” “After school, I traveled a bit and then went to university. From there, I worked as an intern at a place called OrcaLab, which is near the top end of Vancouver Island. They have a large number of hydrophones in the water. A hydrophone is like an underwater microphone, it allows you to listen to the underwater marine soundscape. It was listening to a lot of different whales, especially Orca in those days. The more I learned about whale communication, the more I wanted to know.”“I met my partner at that point and we ended up purchasing a small liveaboard research vessel. We traveled up the whole coast of BC and ended up in the First Nations community of Hartley Bay. We asked the Hereditary Chief at that time for permission to build a whale research station within their territory. Not only did they give us permission, they shared with us their own historical knowledge of whales and also pointed us in the right direction concerning a great place to build a facility. So we built that in 2001. I've pretty much been working up there ever since.” “We record and analyze every whale call that we hear, whether that be an Orca, a Fin Whale or a Humpback whale.”“In regards to Humpback whales, we have a heavy focus on this song display, which is a song that evolves and changes year to year. It's only the males that sing this song, but when you listen to it, it really is a song. We're trying to understand how that song is being learned between individuals within the community of whales along the coast of BC, but also how it changes from the North coast to the South coast. Then as they migrate towards Mexico and Hawaii, how is the song changing and evolving through time and from season to season?” “The other call type we're fascinated with is this bubble net feeding call. It's a call that they only use when they're bubble net feeding. So we can actually put a behaviour to a call type, which is unusual to do with whales. When we hear that call, we know they're bubble net feeding, but even that particular call type has changed and evolved over the last 20 years. What these whales have actually done is they've taken a call type that was a bit complicated and they simplified it.” “There's a large number of Humpback whale social calls that are quite consistent. All of the Humpbacks within the Pacific Ocean use somewhat similar social calls. Up and down the whole coast, from Mexico, to Hawaii, we're having lots of fun trying to catalog those.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - With the rise of global emissions already at 1.4°C, we are currently on track to reach 2.8°C by the end of this century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claims, “every additional 0.1°C of global warming causes clearly discernible increases in the intensity and frequency of temperature and precipitation extremes, as well as agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions.” Denise Mullen, from the Business Council of BC, recently informed the SRD’s Natural Resources Committee that the province faces a more urgent problem. British Columbia is in the midst of a productivity emergency. “BC is unique among the provinces in registering effectively no private sector growth in the last five years.”“Almost all of the job growth in British Columbia has been in the public sector. Mainly in education, health, and public administration and even more so in general government administration.” 85% of the job growth on Vancouver Island has been in this sector.“The point to take away from the two, public and private, is that you need a strong private sector to pay for public sector jobs.”Mullen pointed to CleanBC, the provincial government’s plan to fight climate change, “the plan is to shrink the economy.” According to the Canada Energy Regulator, BC’s “emissions have INCREASED 26% since 1990.” This is only half the amount of the global increase, but during this same time period the EU reduced its emissions 37% BELOW 1990 levels while dramatically growing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The European Commission states this reduction was ‘driven by the growth in renewable energy generation and fall in coal and gas use.’ Denise Mullen: “We should be focusing on global emissions and not domestic emmissions. Our hard targets on emissions are damaging to the economy, especially given that the rest of the world is responsible for 99.81% of global emissions. There's not a lot we can do to create an inflection point in the direction of either energy use or GHG emissions, but we can hurt ourselves economically.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “ Lunch is duck tortellini, which is one of the smaller ravioli. It'll be floating in a broth of vegetable and parmesan rind that have been simmered for six hours. It's very cheesy, but also subtle and just really complements a spoon sized tortellini.”I just met Trever Bass and his wife, Elizabeth Anderson-Bass, at Manson's Friday Market. Someone had suggested I do a story on them. When I asked Trevor for an interview, he suggested I come over for lunch. The duck tortellini was delicious. “I love feeding people. A plate of pasta can mean a lot of different things to a lot of people, so you can have a lot of different shapes, you can have the pasta itself can be made from a lot of different things, it can be sauced a lot of different ways, it can be presented a lot of different ways, so within just making pasta for people, there's endless variety,” explained Trever. “I'm an American living in Canada, making Italian food. it was more of a hobbier business, I would call it. In the most modern terms, ‘a side hustle’ - a thing that that I do to make some extra money to round out our household income. In my previous life, I ran breweries. I have a certificate in brewing science and engineering, fermentation science. I really liked being an American making styles from all over the world and got pretty good at it, but then also just put my own fingerprint on those traditional styles. I can make a Irish stout, which would be a lot like what you'd have in Ireland, that would be reminiscent of Guinness, but it'd be my impression of that thing. They try to honor the thing, but also make something that tastes delicious and pasta is a lot like that too. Elizabeth added “This is all Trever and his magical pasta making. I just get to enjoy it and be supportive. Trevor used to be my customer when we both worked in the beer industry.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - t has been three weeks since Anna Kindy was sworn in as the Conservative Party MLA for North Island riding.We actually had a long phone conversation shortly after her election, but this has been a very busy time for Ms Kindy and so we agreed to do the interview on December 3, yesterday. As I didn’t get an opportunity to interview her during the election, it's probably best to start at the beginning. “As an MLA, I represent everyone in this constituency. It doesn't matter if you voted for me or not, I represent you and I'll do it to the best of my capacity. I have to look at what the issues are in my riding and how to address them,” she said. Cortes Currents: Why did you run for office? What was the inspiration?Anna Kindy: “It wasn't in the cards a few years back, like two or three years ago. I wasn't even thinking of running for the office, but I was seeing so many things going sideways. I've always been politically aware, so I decided to stop complaining and do something about it. So I threw my hat in.”
Roy L Hales/COrtes Currents - There's a wildfire mitigation operation underway in the Community Forest near Squirrel Cove."This is something that we've been working on since 2018. It was identified as a priority in the 2020 Community Wildfire Protection Plan. We received funding for a prescription, then we got funding to do an archaeological assessment, as required by law in the Tla'amin First Nation and then this year we obtained funding through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC to actually do the work. I'm just really excited to see it happening because when you see an overgrown plantation like this, it feels really good to be able to reinvest in the land base to leave a better forest for the future generation and reduce the wildfire risk in this neighbourhood," explained to Mark Lombard, General Manager of the Cortes Forestry General Partnership.Cortes Currents: How big of an area are we talking about? Mark Lombard: "This project is 6.5 hectares and then the Coulter Bay project is 9.8 hectares. So a total of 16.3 hectares this year, out of 3,800 hectares in the Community Forest. So it's just a drop in the bucket really, but they're in neighbourhoods.”Bruce Ellingsen, a founding Director and thought leader of the Cortes Community Forest movement, added, "One of the justifications for mitigating the possibility of wildfire is because of the adjacency to neighbourhoods and other residences."Mark Lombard: "Your residential neighborhood in Squirrel Cove is all uphill from here."Bruce Ellingsen: "That's the way fires go, it's uphill usually."The Cortes Forestry General Partnership's first cutblocks were in Larsens Meadow during 2015. They started working in Squirrel Cove the following year. Bruce Ellingsen: "It's the intention of the partnership to cut below the annual incremental growth of the whole forest on the Community Forest land base so that it gradually ages while we're still cutting a modest amount. Over time, they intend to harvest increasingly larger trees that are much more efficiently processed by Cortes Island’s local mills. We met at the gate, outside of the remediation area. Mark Lombard: "The hemlock are almost all dying out here. This stand was 'space improved' 20 years ago. They would have left a little bit of hemlock, and we're seeing it die out. There's one hemlock there and one hemlock there, they're both dead. There's another one right there that's broken off.""The stand that we're working in is maybe 10 years younger and it hasn't been spaced and pruned. It's really overgrown. The fir are not doing as well as in this plantation. We're forced to leave a little bit more balsam and a little bit more hemlock and certainly we're trying to leave cedars wherever we can because it's hard to grow cedars. It's nice to see the cedars doing well, but the balsam has a beetle in them so it's a real balancing act of trying to leave a decent stock knowing that quite a few of the trees we're going to leave are probably going to die just like these ones. We just don't want to leave a whole bunch of stuff in our wildfire risk reduction project that is going to be dead in 10 years or 20 years.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On November 29, 2024, host Manda Aufoch’s Gillespie was joined by Klahoose council member and political science major Johnny Hanuse, to lead a conversation about indigenous governance. Tune in for a discussion of decolonization, politics, tradition, and community. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A Strathcona Regional District (SRD) motion that might have taken Gas Tax funding away from its rural areas was narrowly defeated at the Wednesday, November 27, Board meeting.Every year, the funds collected through Canada’s Gas Tax are used on infrastructure and planning projects across the nation. In British Columbia, the Union of BC Municipalities distributes $280 million to local governments. Municipalities like Campbell River, Sayward and Zeballos are all paid directly, receiving $1.7 million, $79,000 and $69.000, respectively. Viewed on a per capita basis, every municipality in the SRD except Campbell River receives between two and ten times more Gas Tax funding than the district’s rural areas. However the $543,000 for the Strathcona Regional Discovery’s four rural areas goes through the SRD. Up until now, this money was used ‘solely for their benefit,’ but there has been a push to explore ‘other options’ for this funding.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - By law, the Strathcona Regional District is required to elect a Chair and Vice Chair every year. The SRD Board met on Wendesday November 27 and as the SRD press release states, elected Mayor Mark Baker as Chair for the third consecutive year. What it does not say is that their were two other candidates: Mark Vonesch of Cortes Island and Gerald Whalley of Area A.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - As some of you may have already heard, BC Ferries is going through some changes. They range from a total revamp of the way they have been engaging with the public to that probably won’t effect fares until 2028.Let’s start with finances. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez recently informed the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce the cost to build ferries has risen 40% since 2020. Speaking as a customer, my immediate thought was this sounds like there is a fare hike coming. Jeff Groot, BC Ferries Executive Director in charge of communications, responded “I think that's a fair reaction. There's a couple of things that we're experiencing right now.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The 10th Annual Holiday Fair at Mansons Hall will be from 11 to 3 PM on Sunday December 1, 2024.“Join us at Manson's Hall on Sunday, December 1st, from 11am to 3pm for a 10th annual holiday fair. 30 talented vendors will display their finest wares, including gourmet food. handmade crafts, specialty beauty products, natural remedies, unique jewelry, artisan soaps, textiles, beeswax candles, musical instruments, baskets, baked goods, woodwork and handicraft items. The event also features live music and a delightful lunch,” explained Jennifer Pickrod, the Hall Manager.Cortes Currents: When was the first Holiday Fair? Jennifer Pickrod: “I just did some research into our database and it looks like there is a record of some kind of a Christmas fair happening since at least 2004.” Cortes Currents: Do you get much of a turnout? Jennifer Pickrod: “We get an immense turnout actually because people seem to be really excited to come out and support their local vendors at this event. And so it's always nice also for them to come and see how the hall is all decorated in Christmas lights and twinkling and it just seems like a festive, wonderful event for the whole community to enjoy.” Cortes Currents: What does this represent for the vendors? Jennifer Pickrod: “This represents really an opportunity for the vendors to showcase what they've been working on through the whole year. Many of our vendors only participate in the holiday fair because they have been having a great success at this event, and they see it as an opportunity to focus on something, a project throughout the year, wherein they will work on their crafts and have an opportunity to really showcase them at this very popular event.” Cortes Currents: Tell me about your vendors.Jennifer Pickford: Brig Weiler is our long standing jewelry and crafts and card vendor. Joy Shipway is going to be having some special holiday treats. Irene Bleweth will be showcasing her silver jewelry. We also have Dancing Wolf coming. He's going to be bringing some interesting goods. I'm not sure what, but it sounds very intriguing at this point.We have the Cortez food bank coming. They're going to be bringing their designer grocery bags. We've got a chap named Xavier who has silver jewelry as well.Alana Karen. Who's bringing her homemade soaps. Heather McKenzie is coming with some crystal jewelry. Savannah Young is bringing her pottery. Hilary Else is bringing her elsewhere clothing. Meredith Bill, has willow baskets, hides various herbal things like soaps, salves, mists.Tammy Collingwood will be there as well with her homemade cosmetics. We have Monica Mangetti and Sheldon with their books, watches, watch batteries, and handcrafted items.\We will have the radio station CKTZ, with their merchandise. Anastasia will also be there with her glass jewelry. Melissa Campbell with textiles, beeswax candles, and goodies like that.Ron Bazaar with his beautiful handcrafted woodwork. Rod Lee will be there with his bird houses and other woodworks. Noba Anderson is going to be there with her wild harvested fish. Karen Paras will be there as well with some beautiful homemade clothing. We also have Sarah from Wildflower. She's going to be selling some homemade apple cider. “Of course, there will be a delicious lunch provided by Trevor Bess, who is going to be selling a little cup of his delicious homemade pasta in a soup that people can carry around with them as they're perusing all the beautiful products at the holiday fair.”“That's just a few of the vendors that you will see highlighted here. We are really excited that the community is so on board with this event. It is always such a pleasure to have everybody come through the door. There will also be some lovely harp playing by Laurel Bohart and we will have some Christmas tunes. It'll just have a general feeling of festivity for everyone to enjoy.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report, in the next two years Cortes Island will need another 95 new housing units and Area C will need another 270.The studies underlying assumptions are that the Discovery Island’s population will continue to grow by 8% over the next few years.One of the key findings is that “there is a need for housing that is affordable and accessible for those on a fixed income, particularly within the rental market. An aging population presents a greater need for at-home care options and smaller housing units that allow for downsizing. Seniors are also more likely to be living with a disability or activity limitation than other age groups and may have to pay for all household expenses on a fixed income”Another sector identified in the report was renters who are expected to face continued challenges because the increase to their housing costs will continue to be greater than increases in income. Around 45% of the renters who responded to recent surveys indicated they were paying unaffordable rents. This is particularly alarming when you consider that a quarter of the respondents to Campbell River’s most recent Point in Time Count stated had been homeless for less than 6 months and the #1 cause they cited was not enough income to pay rent. There are currently 145 rental units on Cortes Island and 250 in Area C.Three of the comments cited in the report: “This is a crisis that needs to be dealt with. The number of folks online that are desperate for housing is shocking. Any renter is at the mercy of their landlord to become homeless.” As a small business owner and someone who grew up on Quadra Island, I see the struggle younger generations are going through to find housing. Rentals are increasingly hard to come by and finding property to buy for a young family trying to make a living on the island is not possible. There are younger generations that have grown up on the island and want to stay but just can’t make it without some kind of affordable housing. As a business owner, I am experiencing a lack of labour options because of this.” “There is a huge lack of affordable housing on Cortes. People are in a constant search of a place to live; some are elderly, many are young. People live in cars, vans, tents, derelict boats. People request a place to bring a trailer or a trailerable home.” By 2041 Cortes Island is expected to need another 241 units and Area C another 633 units.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - When the Cortes Island Foundation released Cortes Island’s Vital Signs Report last month, Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie said she’d like to go into specific sections in more detail. "One of the things that really stood out to me is the information around income and work and economy. This area starts around page 13 in this document and I'm going to be using a lot of words to talk about this, but when you look at the report there's graphs, little quotes and etc. that make it easier to read.”She suggested inviting Kate Maddigan, from the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), to get another perspective.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) 2024 AGM is coming up at 5 PM on December 3rd. They are celebrating more than 30 years with their Marine Stewardship program and special partnership with the Watershed Sentinel Magazine. Sabina Leader Mense and Delores Broten will be the guest speakers. “That's the second part of the AGM. For the first part, we will be talking about the work we've done in 2024. We've just produced our 2024 Annual Report and that's bursting at the seams with amazing work that we've been doing over the last year,” explained Helen Hall. executive director of the Friends of Cortes Island.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On November 15, 2024, host Manda Aufoch’s Gillespie was joined by AI researcher and community organizer Daniel Lindenberger, to lead a conversation about artificial intelligence. Along with the students of the Cortes Island Academy and some community members, we explored the potential of AI in various tasks, including data structuring, summarizing, and generating business ideas, while acknowledging its limitations and potential risks. The conversation ended with discussions on the environmental impact of AI, the potential of AI for positive change, and the importance of considering the economic consequences of AI for artists. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Carries Saxifrage/ Cortes Currents & FOCI Climate Action Committee - In early July of 2024, a small group of Cortes Islanders, supported by Friends Of Cortes Island (FOCI), screened the film “How to Boil a Frog” for the community. You can watch the film here. The film is about the five-pronged problem life on Earth is currently facing — overpopulation, a war on nature, wealth disparity, peak oil (hee hee), and climate change—and offers five actions that can help—boycott Exxon, change your “life bulb” (reduce consumption), a change of heart, one kid per couple, and kick some ass. This article is the second in a series focused on each of these five solutions. You can read Maureen Williams great first article on a change of heart here. This second article is about changing your “life bulb.” The term refers to the end of Al Gore’s 2006 movie An Inconvenient Truth in which minor suggestions, including a switch to LED bulbs, float across the screen. The disconnect between the size of the problem and the size of the suggested solutions was so very obvious. It still is. Whether or not you change your “life bulb,” it is still important to “Kick Some Ass.” That will be the next article in the series.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 40 people turned out to the Cortes Island Museum on November 10 for the launch of a series of community speakers. The host, Brian Scott traced the idea for ‘Finding Home: The Cortes Island Experience’ to a conversation he had with Sherman Barker. “Sherman and I have known each other for a few years, it's long other story, but he was up on Easter Bluff one day when Jane and I went up for a hike. We're chatting, and he started telling us his arrival story. It actually goes even further back to when he came as a kid. He said, there's lots of stories on the island here and if we don't somehow capture them, we're going to lose them.” “I thought it would be an interesting thing for the museum to do because the museum has artifacts that it's saving and preserving and sharing with the public. Stories are artifacts as well. How do we capture those? Then it occurred to me, well, why don't we do a speaker series? I approached Sherman and said, ‘Hey, what do you think? You want to be the first?’ And he's like, 'yep, It's awesome.'” “So essentially it's: how did you discover the island? What made you decide this is going to be my home? And what keeps you here?” Sherman described his interest in the project:“In my mind, I pictured a book with a leather cover, front and back, maybe made from one of the goats you tanned. It has parchment pages, like you may have discovered it in a hobbit library. It could be in our library. When people come here in the summer, or people who have been here a long time, they can write down why they came to Cortes and the things that happened when they came here. Everybody's got funny stories, sad stories, like what was your first ferry ride like? What was the reason you came to Cortes? It could be really cool book just to keep the past, present, and future all intertwined.""The first time that I came here I just finished grade 6 in a little town up in the north Shuswap called Celista, which I think is pretty much burnt to the ground right now. My dad was a teacher and he had an elementary school that he was transforming into an outdoor educational school without the school board knowing about it. I'm going back into the seventies, and public school. He wanted to come to Strathcona Lodge, to take an edible plant and wilderness survival course so he could go back and teach his kids at the school. We packed up our old truck in the Shuswap and to the coast we came. We camped in the truck at Stanley Park. We ended up on Cortes because he was friends with the writer here, Gilean Douglas, and he wanted me to meet Gilean Douglas. We came to Cortes from Quadra. We camped at Rebecca Spit, because you could camp at the Spit at that time. I caught my first salmon there. We came across, and camped at the Gorge. And at that time, I think the Gorge would have been in the hands of Tammy Allwork's parents. It was just a big field. No hot tub, you could go outside, dig a hole, and have a fire. It's summer. I remember picking up some apples, they’re kind of started but not fully ripe, and walking out to an apple tree. A black tailed deer looked at me and I looked at the deer and it walked up and ate the apple out of my hand. That's a pretty impressionable thing at 12 because where I grew up, white tailed deer do not walk up to you and eat apples out of your hands for a good reason, right? That was my first sort of emphatic whoa!”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The final count for Cortes Island’s 2024 Chum run is not yet in, but according to local streamkeeper Christine Robinson, “We have never seen a return like this during the 34 years we've lived on Cortes, but the phenomenon is up the coast as far as Alaska. It's not specific to Cortes and the Discovery Islands.” “It’s down into Washington state as well,” added her husband and fellow streamkeeper, Cec Robinson. On Monday, November 18th, five Cortes stream keepers and a semi-retired DFO employee from Campbell River gathered in the Klahoose Hatchery to count this year's first egg take from Basil Creek. Christine Robinson: “Males and females were taken from the creek. The milk and the eggs were taken out and they were fertilized by hand. It happened twice this year because there were enough that came in.”Cec Robinson: “So ten pairs and then another fifteen pairs.”Cortes Currents: All of the eggs counted Monday were from those first 10 pairs. There were 24,949 eggs. 829 were dead, which leaves more than 24,000 live eggs. Assuming that there is a similar harvest from the remaining 15 females, the streamkeepers could have about 60,000 Chum eggs. Cec Robinson: “Today was shocking the eggs that we have in the Klahoose hatchery. Shocking, picking out the dead ones and counting what we've got. The shocking is a simple process of physically shocking the egg to break a little membrane inside any of the non viable eggs. This little membrane will fracture and when the water gets in, it turns the egg white. So you know which ones are not viable and you pick them out. So it’s a case of counting or weighing the number of live and the number of dead. We want to know the percentage of the survival, how many eggs we've taken and the level of fecundity of the females. That's of all super interest to DFO.”“In this case it was terrific. The usual expectation is around 2,000 eggs per female. We took 2,500. These fish were extra big and extra healthy. The eggs actually are extra large. It all bodes well for the survival of these little guys. Now we know how successful we've been so far and what our potential is for stocking the creeks.”Cortes Currents: Do you usually have a number of eggs that die? Cec Robinson: “There’s always some, I think 5% mortality is excellent and at this point we're under four (3.32%). There will be a few more over the next few days and we'll just keep picking out the ones that have turned white. It'll still be under 5%.”Cortes Currents: Do you have any idea how many salmon came up this year? Cec Robinson: “Our best guess would be easily 2,500 and there could be close to 3,000 - in Basil Creek alone.” Christine Robinson: "Not collectively on the island, I'm still totalling up." Cortes Currents: Given that this year’s run seems to be shaping up to be two to three times larger than anything seen in recent memory, why bother taking eggs? Cec Robinson: “That’s a darn good question. I'm sure nature does the job way better than we can, but it's happened twice in recent years that Basil Creek has had a massive flooding that essentially blasted most of the eggs out of the creek or buried them. If the fish are unfortunate enough to have that happen again, this year we've got a bit of a reserve. The other thing we can do is use some of these eggs in the less productive streams. So, in Whaletown Creek, James Creek or Carrington Creek. Some of them will go there, and those streams are the ones that could definitely do with a larger run.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Jane Newman will be leading a series of creative workshops at the Cortes Island Museum this season. “The museum was in contact with me about running some programming this fall,” she explained. "After thinking about it I was like, 'yeah, I'm really interested, but I only want to run creative programming. I want to do things that are hands-on. It's my thing, I love doing it, I love sharing it with people. I love hanging out with people when they're making things. The things that come out of it are so precious!' So I designed three programs. One of them is collage card making, another is making some garlands and ornaments at 'Vintage Christmas' at the Museum and the third one is making homemade snow globes."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Nature Trust of British Columbia wants to purchase 35.7 acres in the Mansons Bay Forest for a land conservancy. They have already raised about half of the necessary funding and have until December 31 to rise the remaining $408,000. “One of the landowners has come forward, and they're interested in selling the land for conservation. They've never developed the land, and they'd like to see it stay in the intact condition that it is right now. We are working with them to purchase the land so that we can prevent the conversion of habitat to residential use and maintain the habitat values for the species at risk that live on Cortes Island,” explained Dr Jasper Lament, CEO of the Nature Trust of Canada.“The Mansons Bay Forest lands are located near Mansons Bay and quite close to Mansons Landing Provincial Park. It has some forest on it that's over a century old and then scattered veteran trees that are over 200 years old. There's habitat for species at risk including Barn Swallows, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Common Nighthawks.”The associated press kit also mentions “Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Martins, Olive-sided Flycatchers, and Northern Red-legged Frogs, all of which are of SARA Special Concern.”“Marbled Murrelets are one example of a species-at-risk that has been observed in the ocean waters surrounding Cortes Island. These small seabirds can travel over a hundred kilometres a day between their inland nest sites located in large areas of old forest and marine foraging areas, where they hunt for small fish to feed their chicks. Murrelets are unusual among seabirds because of their solitary and secretive nesting requirements. They avoid predators by flying silently at high speeds (greater than 80 km/h) during dark twilight to visit their secluded forest nests.” Jasper Lament: “These are just examples of over a dozen at risk species that have been observed within one kilometer of this important forested parcel.”Cortes Currents: What about animal species? I would imagine you have wolves going through there at least.Jasper Lament: "We don't have wildlife cameras up on this particular parcel but if we did, we might detect wolves, black tailed deer, cougar, mink, etc. There's definitely the potential for those species." Cortes Currents: Tell me about your organization. Jasper Lament: "The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a land conservation organization that was founded back in 1971, and since then the Nature Trust of BC has conserved over 180,000 acres of land across British Columbia.""Cortes Island is one of the landscapes where the Nature Trust has worked. The first project was back in the early 1980s, when the Nature Trust acquired Hague Lake Island."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Current - There were a number of next steps connected to last summer’s Cortes/Quadra Transportation survey.Kate Maddigan, Economic Development Officer of The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) explained, “I haven’t publicly said the final report is complete because I really wanted to put some attention into just making it shorter, like a briefing on that final report, rather than having people read the whole thing. Having said that, the recommendations, which is what I always skip to if I have to read a final report, are pretty straightforward. If I was to summarize the whole thing, I would just say these are the next steps and this is what those people who participated said they wanted.” “I'm just in the middle of completing a funding application to the Rural Transportation Solutions Fund, which is due at the end of this month.” “We basically wanted to do a pilot project of old and new approaches to passenger transportation. A shuttle on Quadra, which should come to no surprise to anyone who lives here. They wanted a bus that does a loop across the island. A lot of people could use that bus. There's also some new ride hailing, and ride sharing technology that other places are using, so let's get it working for our rural area.”“You can get an app for things like ride hailing, which is Uber or Lyft. There's apps that have been developed out there to make it much easier for people to carpool. There is an option with these carpooling apps that allows people to make a donation towards gas or whatever other expenses a driver might have.”One problem with bringing an Uber type passenger transportation service to our islands is you have to have a car that's no more than 10 years old. That's going to disqualify a lot of people." "Some people were suggesting we should assist matching someone who has a car that's less than 10 years old with people who want to drive. You can lend your car out to people who have the appropriate license. The response from Quadra was very good.” “One of the streams was for the SRD’s recent Grant in Aid intake is for the environment. Getting people out of their cars and using alternative passenger transportation options is definitely good for the environment. So we applied for that to just help us be able to explore ride hailing, ride sharing apps and also recruit drivers.” Cortes Currents: Hollyhock expressed some interest in using their shuttle bus to transport people to and from the ferry.Kate Maddigan: “They were interested in that pilot project, and they were willing to provide a shuttle twice a day, first ferry, last ferry. We got a quote from them and we're factoring that into the budget for the pilot project, which we hope to roll out in the spring/summer 2025.” There has also been some talk about utilizing the Klahoose bus. We will undoubtedly hear more about all of these ideas in the months to come.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The faint stench of rotting salmon greets visitor’s nostrils just beyond the Squirrel Cove Store. Further down the rocky beach, at the mouth of Basil Creek, clouds of seagulls feasted upon the corpses. A few of the dead Chum Salmon were reduced to skeletons, but most have been left to rot. The only body part missing is their eyes, a delicacy among sea gulls. Nothing has been feasting on their brains, which is a delicacy among black bears. There were reports of bears raiding human properties during the last big Chum run, in 2020. The Whaletown Bear needed to be put down. His Squirrel Cove counterpart was also slated for execution, but may have escaped. There have been a couple of bear sightings in Whaletown this fall, but so far they have not been a problem. The island taxodermist, Laurel Bohart, says she has not seen any scat or other indications of bears in Squirrel Cove.The question remains: Have Cortes residents learned to Bear Smart their properties? Or will yet another forest creature be lured to his death sentence by human attractants? As a result of the rains, water is now raging through Basil Creek. While their numbers appear to be slacking, there are still dozens of salmon fighting their way upstream. Bohart has been living in Squirrel Cove for 22 years, but insisted, “I have never seen so many salmon.” She listed four species of gulls feasting on their corpses: Glaucous gulls, Mew gulls, Ring-billed gulls and Bonaparte’s gulls. Another Squirrel Cove resident saw the gulls scatter as a bald eagle flew by. They returned to the harvest once it passed. Two squadrons of black duck-like birds were cruising offshore. Bohart confrimed they were most likely Surf scoters, but added there have also been Mergansers. Sea Lions can be heard barking most nights. Harbour seals are quieter.The anonymous Squirrel Cove resident reported seeing five gulls zero in on the Chum disturbed by a hungry seal. Bohart remarked, “Everything is feasting on the salmon.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to the United Nations, global diversity loss is one of the world’s most pressing emergencies. “Intense human activities, such as land-use change, overexploitation, climate change, pollution and the introduction of invasive species, is causing an extinction acceleration that is at least tens to hundreds of times faster than the natural process of extinctions.” More than 400 vertebrate species have been lost over the past 100 years. The populations of close to half the species listed by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals ‘are showing population declines’ and 97% of the fish species are ‘threatened with extinction.’ Canada made an international commitment to protect species at risk, but a new report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada found we are not providing the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) with anywhere near the the support it needs. More than 5,000 of the approximately 80,000 species in Canada are potentially at risk, but COSEWIC only has the resources to complete 60 assessments or reassessments a year. Mike Moore, President of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) added, “It’s one thing just to enumerate that species are going into decline, but if that’s not also coupled with money that goes to changing policy to protect habitat, or to reduce the risk of climate change, then counting species is really just gathering data to write a really nice epitaph for the gravestones of species that go extinct.”According to the Auditor General’s report, “The department limited its support to 60 assessments and reassessments in 2023/24—without a formal analysis to demonstrate why the target was chosen—and it still did not provide the support necessary to complete the 60 as targeted. With a target of 60 assessments and reassessments per year, it would take almost 30 years for the committee to assess the species currently prioritized and over a century to assess those that are potentially at risk.”
CKTZ/Cortes Currents - Two live theatre productions are coming to Mansons Hall this weekendCortes Radio sent over five audio tracks. A lot of Cortes residents are going to recognize the voices of the two people who conducted the interviews that follow but as they chose to not introduce themselves, they are labelled CKTZ in the written version of this story. This is their show and it starts with the PSA for Moonrise the Rock Opera, which opens on Friday November 8, 2024:Moonrise, the mythic rock opera, retelling an old Celtic myth about returning power to the earth and the goddess. Starring in the Starseed Theatre production is Denman based artists Thomas Aerie, Jenna Bird, Bee Balm, Lea Tess, and Cortes’ own Rue McDonald and Christopher Fleck. Theatre Undertow presents The Elephant Song, a play by Nicholas Bion. Two performances. Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th, 7 p. m. at Manson's Hall. Tickets available at the Co op, Cortez Market, and Manson's Hall office. PG 13 mature content. See Tideline for childcare options. The Elephant Song. Two performances, Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th, 7pm at Manson's Hall.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Part of Tiber Bay may soon be included in the Southern Cortes Protection Area. This matter was brought up at the Wednesday, November 6, Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting, where a motion to recommend it with no dissenting votes. Regional Director Mark Vonesch remarked, “This is great to see happening. I know it's been a lot of years in the works and certainly before my time. An increase in 32 properties to the fire service, is that going to have an impact on the budget, as the cost of the fire protection is distributed amongst more properties?” Thomas Yates, Senior Manager at the SRD responded, “My understanding from talking to Shaun Koopman is that there might be some slight increases in certain operational costs. Obviously, the gas for the trucks to get into that area, that kind of thing. But in terms of capital or a significant operating cost, I'm not aware of any.” Easc’s recommendation will be passed on to the SRD Board meeting of Wednesday November 20. If the motion carries there, approval of the protection extension will be sought through a petition process. More details will follow at that time.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Are Cortes property owners paying more taxes because their assessments went up? The topic came up at the Wednesday November 7, Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting. Mike Harmston, Chief Financial Officer for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), wanted to correct three widely believed myths.“The first one is the assessment increase automatically translates to a property tax increase. A lot of people compare property taxes to a sales tax where they requisition a fixed amount. For example With a provincial sales tax at 7%, if the underlying price of the goods rises, the government automatically collects more money. Whereas in the local government, we requisition a fixed dollar amount, so there's not always that automatic increase. Quite often, everything else being equal, when assessment values rise our applicable tax rates go down.” To which Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island, responded, “I think it's worth noting that on Cortes this past year that the assessments were increased more in proportion to the rest of the district. So in Cortes's case, property tax increases did cause a property tax increase.” David Leitch, Chief Administrative Officer of the SRD, objected to this, “No, that's not true. It doesn't matter where the area is because we have shared service. We have individual services. So each one of those has a requisition taxation limit to it. So if you have a park service on Area B, that has a requisition limit and it's not tied to any other areas.” “All the areas will go up differently, but those individual requisition limits are not tied to assessment value. They're all individually assessed. So you could go up twice as much as somebody else and in fact, if you did, it's more likely that the taxation assessment will go down. I don't know if it's ever happened that the requisition goes up. I would say 99 percent of the time, if not 100, the taxation assessment will drop.”Gerald Whalley, Regional Director for Area A, pointed out, “David, I think what he's saying is that the mill rate will go down as the assessment goes up. That makes sense. If there's a two participant service and the one area assessments go up but the other area doesn't, the mill rate will drop a bit - but each individual household will still pay a bit more in the higher assessment.”CAO Leitch: “When assessments go up, it almost always triggers a reduction in the rate.” Director Vonesch: “In the mill rate. Yes, I agree with that." Mike Harmston: “They’re both correct. What the slide is really focusing on is the amount of dollars we collect. The amount of dollars we collect is independent from the assessment increase. We don't even look at the assessments until the last minute when we calculate the tax rate.”Director Vonesch: “If Quadra and I are sharing a service, and our property values increase by 20%, that would mean that Cortes would cover more of the cost of that service?” Mike Harmston: “That's exactly right. If you two shared, then if yours went up 20% and Area C went up 40%, both assessments increased, but there would be a proportional more tax shift to Area C.” Director Vonesch: “Thank you.” So it would appear that Cortes residents did pay more taxes last year because of their assessments, but there are probably years where we paid less.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday, November 1, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by Rebecca Kirstein Resch, to chat about magic mushrooms, chronic pain, and healing. Tune in for a discussion about the power of psychedelics.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In previous years, bits of Quadra and Cortes Island data have been incorporated in Campbell River’s Vital Signs Reports. This is the first year that both islands are collecting their own data. Cortes has already published its 2024 Vital Signs Report. The Quadra Island Foundation is about to start accumulating the baseline data that will enable it to produce a report for Quadra and Jody Rodgers, Chair of the Quadra Island Foundation: “Vital Signs empowers organizations for tailoring their initiatives: so they can work on things to improve, and also not spin their wheels on things that are already good. It also really gives them the hard data to apply for grants more effectively.” “I think that it allows us to gain perspective on the differences in spending needs of organizations. Vital Signs is a vehicle for organizations to measure their effectiveness or lack thereof, according to certain benchmarks.” “One of the problems that Quadra Island as a community has with respect to Vital Signs is it was always tucked in as this little afterthought to the Campbell River Vital Signs. They got our data from the surveys of Canada. Not only were they out of date, they were not very controlled because only certain people responded to the surveys. While it was a tiny little sidebar in their large report, I felt like it was non data.”“They also included Cortes and did the same sorts of things based on Surveys Canada. Cortes’ needs may be vastly different than Campbell River's and ours, which is what we strongly suspect.”Cortes Currents: Quadra Island’s needs are different from Campbell River?Jody Rodgers: “Yes, that's why Quadra wanted to break off from being a combined effort. I love the folks over at Campbell River Foundation. They are fantastic and they've been very generous to include Quadra in their Vital Signs report.”Rodgers met with Michaela Arruda and Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Directors of the Campbell River and Cortes Island Foundations, respectively. “I gently said, we really want to go off and do this ourselves, if you don't mind, because I think our community would appreciate that too. It'll make it much easier for us to say to these grant writers, ‘we know you've given to XYZ. However we don't share these resources. We are completely separate organizations and entities and communities.' In view of the fact that our communities are unique, it seemed more sensible for us to be able to measure ourselves against ourselves.” “There are 12 indicators that are part of the Vital Signs. They range from things that are extremely applicable like housing, economy and education, to things that are aspirational, like transportation.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) has partnered with several local sports to build a multi-use sport court beside the Cortes Island Skate Park. The proposed facility would consist of two courts on a 60 foot by 60 feet concrete or asphalt square. It could be used for pickleball, basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis.According to Cora Moret, Executive Director of the SCCA, there is currently a complete lack of sports courts on Cortes Island. On October 2, she gave an overview of the project in a letter to the Strathcona Regional District. Moret wrote that the Cortes Island Pickleball Society (CIPS) approached the SCCA about the project last year. Pickleball is currently played on a small asphalt area behind the Cortes Island school. The surface is not ideal for court sports and cannot be used during school hours. Since then, the SCCA has been approached by youth and adult basketball groups. In June, the SCCA set up a Pickleball Committee headed by Board member Ruth Barrett. The committee considered various locations and configurations before recommending the area beside the Skateboard Park. Moret wrote, “CIPS has developed a provisional budget for the project and potential sources of revenue to pay for the expected $190,000 project. The major expenses (substrate material and concrete work) will be revised once the site is cleared and contractors can evaluate the work. For revenue, in addition to a potential grant from the SRD Community Works Fund, CIPS members and supporters will donate generously through the Cortes Island Community Foundation and SCCA. In-kind contributions of labour and expertise will be requested from island suppliers and contractors and other funding grants will be sought. The BC Gaming Capital Projects Grant will be applied for in 2025 and may match up to 50% of the total project costs, including documented in-kind contributions.” She also sent the SRD a provisional budget detailing the estimated costs and sources of revenue. The SCCA hopes to obtain a $50,000 grant from the SRD Community Works Fund, which is often referred to as the gas tax. At the SRD Board’s October 30 meeting, Regional Director Mark Vonesch moved “that a report on providing $50,000 of community works funding for the building of a multi use sports court on the Southern Cortes Community Associations property be prepared for further consideration by the Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC).” Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott responded, “I just want to hear a little bit more about the staffing requirements and the use of the community works fund with respect to a specified recreational project like this. If staff can give me any idea of how common this is, or if this is traditional use and how that affects the regional development of recreation.” Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained, “Recreation in itself is allowable for the community works funds, but there's a number of new rules and complications with non government organizations in terms of ongoing management, operational funds, asset management, land ownership, etc. As well with the new community works fund rules, it cannot replace another piece of infrastructure that the regional district either has or is on its list of infrastructure upgrades. For example, if you have a series of recreation, inner recreation, infrastructure projects that you're not providing gas tax in lieu of a project that competes for it, let's say a non government organization that would be a conflict. So there's a number of new rules with the community works funds that I'm going to say are going to likely complicate this request, but we'll bring back a staff report identifying those challenges.” This is only one of the proposed revenue sources for the proposed multi-use sports court.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - In September of this year, Currents reported on a proposal from Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gweeth-dowkh] Nations (We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah) for the formal renaming of various locations in the greater Campbell River/rapids area. The new names would be drawn from First Nations language and tradition.Three of these place-names are local to the city of Campbell River. The well-loved park now known as Tyee Spit would be renamed to ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease], the spelling of the Quinsam River would be updated to "Kʷənsəm River", and Discovery Passage would be renamed to "Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage".
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The cell phone reception in Village Bay Lake is sketchy. Up until this summer, the little Quadra Island community’s only reliable telephone access was a pay phone in the Village Bay Lake parking area. Then TELUS removed it. When Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney raised this issue at the recent SRD Board meeting, it turned out she was not the only Director dealing with the problems resulting from TELUS withdrawing pay phones.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In 2020, the Strathcona Regional Regional District SRD entered into a core funding agreement with the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) and Whaletown Community Club to support Mansons and Gorge Halls. Up to $80,000 a year could be used from Cortes Island’s property taxes. This agreement is due to expire on March 31, 2025.Staff is proposing that the new agreement include a new paragraph stating “The Regional District may contribute funds for capital expenditures at its sole discretion.”This would, for example, allow the SRD to use Gas Tax funding to finance renovations or purchase new equipment. This is a grant and would not cost Cortes Island taxpayers any money. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of the original agreement would carry on into the next.At the Wednesday October 30, 2024 SRD Boad meeting, Regional Director Mark Vonesh of Cortes Island moved The new contract will include the phrase allowing the SRD to use additional sources of funding for capital expences.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will be meeting with the Cortes Housing Society to discuss the possibility of making a short term loan to help bring power, water and sewage to some lots in the Rainbow Ridge affordbale housing project. While the SRD created a Housing Service earlier this year, it has yet to requiistion any funds and the request prompted some discussion at the Wednesday October 30 Board meeting. Regional Director Mark Vonesch, of Cortes Island, made the motion “that the Regional District work with the Cortes Housing Society to develop a plan for a short term loan through the Regional Housing Service so that the Cortes Housing Society can develop a part of its land with power, water, septic, and road access to facilitate long term lease agreements and thus create affordable housing opportunities on Cortes Island.”The seconder, Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C, asked, “I'm curious from staff the likely timeline on the report and if it would be returned in time for the Board to consider the request inclusion in the 2025 financial plan.”To which Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch replied, “I don't know what kind of model they're looking at in terms of a lease. The motion says a short term loan. I don't really know what that means. I can bring something back as preliminary to high level thoughts about what the society has in mind and bring that to the board, hopefully before the end of the year, there's only two meetings left before the end of the year.” Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott added, “I'm just curious about staff capacity and coming in with an innovative thing. I would prefer if the Cortes Housing Society wanted to do a delegation present to us and explain to us how they've exhausted their options, including going to B. C. Housing, which seems to me the place you go for this type of funding and shows that they've met the requirements and how they're going to provide housing that goes within the requirements for the provincial funder. I'm not sure if I would appreciate our staff working on this right now. We have a lot of other things that we need to get through.”“When we create a housing service, does it include the power to grant loans?”CAO Leitch: “Well, that's also tricky. I don't know if it's just even through the service to grant loans, but I'm going to say it's highly unlikely that the regional and district would offer a loan to society without any security, that would create a significant amount of liability.”“I'm not saying that's what they're asking for. I haven't had any discussions, but let's say they needed 3 million loan through the regional district, that would create a great deal of risk and vulnerability to the regional district if there is no secured asset to that loan. I don't know what the payback terms of that would be, are we talking about security? I don't know.”Director Vonesch attempted to clarify the matter, “Obviously the land would back any loan and the initial discussions that I've had is looking for a million dollars put power, water and sewage into 10 lots, sell those to 10 lots in a long term lease for let's say a hundred thousand that would pay back the loan.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There has been a colourful addition to the Tyee Mall. The four brightly coloured boxcar-like units are a remembrance of Campbell River’s old logging railroads. They are also part of an innovative project designed to have cottage industries make the transition to brick and mortar stores. The Rail Yard Market has been open for about 3 months."The project is fantastic. I think it gives little entrepreneurs like myself and the rest of my pod mates here a fantastic opportunity. We're allowed to be here for up to three years at a time and the city also provides business initiatives like marketing and online resources. They're putting us into a course right now. We've done two days in October and we'll probably do another two days in November. It gives us a lot of help to survive today's economy and a leg up on what to expect when we get to a real brick and mortar. I think we can be a success and I'm hoping that they'll open more," said Tina from Maggie's treats. "I think the Mayor had a real winner with this one."Cortes Currents: Whose idea was this? Tina: "It was the Mayor Kermit Dahl's idea. Mayor Kermit Dahl was actually my first sale as well. He doesn't own a dog, he bought a bag of dog treats for his neighbour."Rose Klukas, Director of Economic Development for the city of Campbell River explained, "It came together in maybe a roundabout way. On an annual basis, the provincial government makes available a grant to communities and particularly communities that have a strong connection to a resource sector, in this case forestry, which have been impacted by change. They make grant funding available through a REDIP (Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program) grant. It's a way for communities to try to diversify their local economy.""Simultaneously, we had a practically brand new mayor at the time. Kermit Dahl came with an idea that we should be looking for opportunities to grow businesses in Campbell River. He had seen various examples of this, including in Langford, and asked the Economic Development department to figure out a way to replicate that model here in Campbell River as a way to support the growth.""One of the challenges that businesses have today is that starting up is expensive. Rents in British Columbia are expensive and so this is a way to allow businesses to get their roots grown and hopefully move on from these units into more traditional bricks and mortar down the road."Cortes Currents: Tell me how you went from an idea to opening the doors to those four businesses?Rose Klukas: "Very quickly, which is the case from almost anything you do in Economic Development. We had two or three weeks to flesh out the concept and get the application in by the deadline. All this was happening over Christmas and then we had to wait for approval of the grant, which we weren't guaranteed for sure. During that waiting period, we gave some more thought to what this program could look like. We’re not inventing the wheel. We connected with other communities, to learn from them. What are some best practices? What could they have done differently? Or what should they have done differently? “I think it was probably in March or April that we were approved for the grant."The Rail Yard Market officially opened on September 13th, but as you will soon hear, some of the stories have been there since the end of July. Maggie's Treats, the Tin Can Pottery Shop, the Mossy Coast and Sinfully Delicious each rent an 8 by 20 foot module.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There are more Chum swimming up Basil Creek than we’ve seen for years. According to Matthew Clarke of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Cortes Island isn’t the only place where the Chum run is good this year. “As a general rule this year things are looking much better for Chum than they have looked, albeit with a couple of places that are not quite as strong as we would have hoped to see,” he explained.“We are seeing strength like you mentioned on Cortes. We actually saw some Chum in Campbell River, which has been hard for us to really survey for a while. It was nice to see that because we have had that as a question mark. Oyster River has some good Chum numbers in it, and as we move down the island, things are generally good." "There are definitely some returns that are better than we have seen in recent years, but we are also seeing some runs that may not come up quite as high as we would like to see. At Orford (which empties into Bute Inlet and has a summer Chum population) we saw a few thousand fish come back, but it wasn't excellent returns relative to what we've seen elsewhere. In adjacent rivers, like the Qualicum, Little Qualicum, and Big Qualicum, one is not showing quite as strong, but the other one is showing reasonable strength.""As a rule, pretty much throughout the entire south coast area, we've seen poor Chum productivity since about 2017. Some years we did see some slight upticks in abundance. 2019 was poorest year on record for all south coast Chum stocks and that has tumbling down effects. Chum returns are primarily 3, 4 and 5 year old fish with the 4 year old component typically being the strongest, but that can vary a little bit." “Last year the dominant brood year return would have been from 2019, a low abundance year. We saw low abundance pretty much throughout, but with maybe a slight indication that things were improving for Chum. We typically see that four year old component as the most abundant component, but in the test fishery last year, we actually saw the three year olds showing up in really strong numbers. Typically, four year olds are about 80% of what we would expect to see. Last year, in the final days of the test fishery, 50% of the run consisted of 3 year old fish."
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday, October 25, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by musician Ruby Singh and musician and principal of the Cortes School Michael Datura, to chat about biosonification, technology, and their collaborative projects kraKIN and Polyphonic Garden. Tune in for music, philosophy, and lively discussion.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - Part two of an interview with Gabriel Dinim about his DIY e Trike
De Clarke/Cortes Currents -In 2019 and 2020, Cortes Currents ran a series of articles about e-bikes on the island, interviewing owners about the pros and cons of their electric-assisted rides. One of the featured bikes was quite unusual: an electric sidecar cargo trike, designed and built by local resident Gabriel Dinim.It’s now four years later, and Currents checked in with Gabriel about his DIY personal EV. It has been his primary transportation for the last four years, and he’s quite satisfied. We asked him whether he’s ever found the trike inadequate and needed to borrow a car:The only time I’ve borrowed a car, was when I had to go to the clinic for early blood work and they had to measure the cortisol — and I didn’t want to arrive there all stressed out from riding. And it was cold — so I borrowed a car to do that. Aside from that, No…I mean, I did borrow a car sometimes to move firewood around — which I could do with the bike, but it takes so many trips, you know. I can put 80, 90 pounds of firewood in the bike. But it’s so much easier to borrow a van and put a thousand pounds of firewood in it and just transport it.Otherwise, yes, it’s met all of my needs. In the winter, too, I’ve ridden in two, three below zero. Just long johns, wool pants — just lots of gear.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - The conclusion of an interview with Gabriel Dinim about his experiences building and driving an
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Chum started returning to Basil Creek a week ago. To an inexperienced eye, the water levels seemed too low on the 16th, but dozens of large salmon were progressing upstream beyond the culvert. Christine Robinson said that she and her husband Cec had seen them the previous day. That was when we agreed to do this interview. “We know it's the big year in their four year cycle. Chum primarily have a four year cycle, a few of them three, and a few of them five, but the majority have a four year cycle. In 2020, four years ago, approximately 1100 fish came back to Basil Creek. Four years prior to that, in 2016, there were about 1100. We're not alone in this. All the creeks are in a similar cycle. Basil Creek, of course, is the main stream on Cortes for salmon return. So we're optimistic that it should be a big year this time,” explained Cec Robinson, one of the principal Streamkeepers on Cortes Island.“Just a few weeks ago, Fisheries was anticipating a very poor return, based on their test fishery. They couldn't find them and they thought that they weren't there, but the Chum pulled a lovely surprise. They were somewhere, and here they come. Lots of Chum have been spotted.” “They are so full of energy when they first come in, they're all excited. They're above average size this year, too. Beautiful, strong, big fish, nicest we've ever seen. That's also encouraging because the larger fish have more eggs and, also, larger fish eggs. It bodes well for the survivability of their offspring.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Community Foundation just published Cortes Island’s Vital Signs report. “ When I started with the Community Foundation a few years ago, I was already in the community, trying to make things happen. In particular, I tried to make things happen in the most grassroots small nonprofit ways possible, but often in the area where I saw that there was a lot of need. Very quickly, I was in the process of writing grants and trying to figure out how to bring in those resources that I knew were out there somewhere,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Cortes Foundation. “We're all being taxed the same as someone who lives in the city more or less, but when you look around, we don't have transit and fancy bike lanes and we don't have subsidized housing like the cities have. So I said, I know that there's money out there. There must be a way to bring some of that money here to Cortes. One of the things I realized very quickly is that we did not have data related to Cortes. Volunteers on the island would be like, ' we clearly have a housing crisis' but how do we try to express that because no one believes that rural communities at the time had a housing crisis. By and large, the data that was available to us had us lumped in with the entire Strathcona Regional District, including Campbell River.”“If you look at child vulnerability rates in Campbell River, they're looking at available childcare spots: What kind of resources are going into after school programming for the youngest? What kind of early literacy programs there are? What kind of food bank supports are available for families with young kids?” “When we tried to see how our young kids were doing, there was basically nothing. I would be talking to Desta Beattie, at the family services on Cortes, and she would say, 'I cannot get them to give us funding for a head start program, because I cannot show them that we have any particular need.'” “When I started working with the Community Foundation, a few years ago, I learned about Vital Signs and Vital Signs are usually done by community foundations with a lot more resources. Community foundations told the stories of needs and opportunities specific to their communities because a community foundation's job is to help bring the resources that a community needs to thrive and bring the knowledge of how best to leverage those resources into the hands of the community.”“I was like, 'we need to start with understanding what the opportunities are, what the needs are and what an amazing thing that this Vital Signs tool exists.' The Vital Signs tool is largely just a framework for looking at the health of the whole community.”“It has taken us a number of years to be able to come up with enough capacity and financial wherewithal to do it. I was told recently by one of the people who helped us with this project that we are, as far as she knows, the smallest community foundation to ever do a Vital Signs of this size.”“We specifically tied our Vital Signs into the release of the Campbell River Vital Signs. That beautiful community foundation offered to support us in a number of ways. One of the biggest ways was that they gave us a page in their print document because we are many thousands of dollars away from having the resources to do our own print document.”“We have this page that's going to thousands of people in and around the Campbell River area, including our representatives that sit on the Board for the Regional District and other government officials who make funding decisions for us. They get to see one page about Cortes, amongst the other things, and a link to our whole report, which is on our website.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A day before the election 338Canada is predicting a slight NDP majority. 338Canada is a campaign website that uses available polling data, each riding’s history, and population data etc. It predicts the outcome of the election for every riding and has been used in 13 elections. They have been right close to 90% of the time. They were wrong, but still within the margin of error 6% and totally wrong in 4% out of 1,657 electoral district races. This prediction for the election was made Oct 16: 49 seats for the NDP and 42 for the Conservatives. As this is based on projections that show the popular vote very close (45% to 43% respectively) and this is within the margin of error (4%), the race could still be very close. The NDP need 47 seats to form a majority government. They are especially vulnerable in the 5 ridings where their lead is within the margin of error. This means their number of seats could (but probably won’t) sink to 44. The Conservative lead is especially vulnerable in 10 ridings, which means their total number of seats could be as low as 32. Our North Island riding is one of the ones where the Conservatives have a slight lead, but the race is so close 338Canada is calling it a ‘toss up.’ The popular vote for: Andy Kindy was projected at 44%, Michele Babchuk at 43% and Nic Dedeluk 13%.The margin of error for both Kindy and Babchuk is 7%, which means either of them could win.The Green Party is expected to take 2 ridings (Saanich North and the Islands and Furstenau’s own Victoria Beacon Hill riding) could take 3 and it is possible they may take 4. They are only 2% behind the Conservatives in West Vancouver Sea to Sky, which means that race is still a ‘toss up’ and they are 6% behind the NDP in Furstenau’s old Cowichan Valley riding.Overall, 338Canada is stating the Conservatives could still win, but gives them only a 20% chance. They gave the NDP a 69% chance of victory and a 5% chance this will only be a minority government.Of course if a large number of NDP supporters stay home, as happened when Christy Clark was elected in 2011, the Conservatives could win. The recent Angus Reid poll identified two segments of the population who are especially pro-NDP: women and males under the age of 34. Given the closeness of the vote, their votes (or decision to not vote) may decide the election.The Green Party’s hopes of increasing their number of seats beyond 2 most likely depend on the same segments of the population.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There has been a lot going on at the Cortes Community Housing Society. They are starting to provide housing for the community, are supporting changes to the island’s bylaws and are acting as a matchmaker for potential renters and landlords. However the first story I want to cover this morning is about the aquifer study that is about to begin.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Community Foundation is helping to review Grant-in Applications again. As in the past, the Strathcona Regional District Board will be dispersing a pool of approximately $25,000 to Cortes Island Social Profits. The average grant award is in the range of $1000 – $5000 and will be dispersed by end of 2024. This year’s Grant-in-Aid funding will prioritize projects supporting Arts, Culture or Environment. Any non-profits or charitable societies who wish to participate sust send their applications in by midnight on Friday, October 21. Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Community Foundation explained, “We are working to assist Regional Director Mark Vonesch and the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) with reviewing the grant and aid applications for this year. Most of the nonprofits on Cortes are quite familiar with the fact that we have a bit of our tax money that comes back to us for assisting community groups on the island.”A volunteer jury of community members goes through the applications and makes a recomendation on who should receive funding, and how much. Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “The parameters of both who is eligible and the kinds of things eligible are set by the Regional District. The SRD does not allow organizations that are getting funding from other other tax districts or other text funds from the island , for instance, the Fire hall, Manson's Hall, the Whaletown Community Club Hall (Gorge Hall). None of them are allowed to apply through these funds. The Regional District doesn't want to see organizations that are funded through higher levels of government applying through these particular grants either. They also don't like to see operating grants come through these.”Cortes Currents: So no one can apply for core funding. Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “We would highly encourage that people do not apply for core funding. I just wanted to say right now, when I go to work with other community foundations, this is where community foundations are going. We believe in core funding absolutely 100%. If there was only one thing that I could do as a community foundation, it would be core funding. It's the most important kind of funding. The restrictions and extra burdens that are put on organizations that are working so hard, the endless rat race of applying for grants and trying to come up with new projects when you can't even pay your existing staff, I think is really unfortunate.”“These funds are largely project related funds this year. We have determined that we're going to be looking at projects that prioritize arts, culture and environment.”“We chose that area of emphasis because we looked at all the funds that we've been able to help adjudicate through our community granting process over the last couple years. They include over $440,000 that we've helped adjudicate through federal grants, the most recent of those grants were for the Prosperity Fund and the prosperity fund prioritized projects. This is also the third round of Grants in Aid that we've helped with.” ‘We said, 'Whoa, there was not a lot of emphasis on our arts, culture and environment in any of those rounds.’ So that's the priority.”
Bryan McKinnon/CKTZ - The unedited audio of Michele Babchuk's meeting with Cortes residents on Oct 12, 2024
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - NDP incumbent Michele Babchuk came to Cortes Island Saturday, October 12, in the second in a series of meet the candidate events organized by FOCI’s Climate Action Committee. There is not room to unpack close to two hours of fact filled conversation into this half hour, but the full podcast is at the bottom of this page and here are some highlights. Babchuk began by giving an overview of her career: “I've lived in Campbell River for 20 years, with my wonderful husband of 37 years, my two kids, and my three grandkids. I started off in the school board in 2005, moved to Municipal Politics in 2014, became the chair of the Strathcona Regional District in 2016, and then made the jump to MLA in 2020, in the last provincial election. In between there, I had the opportunity to work on the Hill in Ottawa for the Member of Parliament for this area, in Jack Layton's caucus. My little claim to fame is I have either been elected or staff at every level of government. So, we joke that I am polylingual - because we know that they don't all speak the same language.” “It's no secret to people on Cortes that BC still has some issues that we've got to sort out. We have housing issues and we've got some education inequity issues, affordability issues. We're turning the corner and starting to get some of those going, but we've got a long way to go.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 338Canada’s latest projection, taken on Sunday October 13, shows the NDP may be heading towards a majority government. The NDP was leading in 49 ridings, but in 6 of these only by a narrow margin.The Conservative Party of BC was leading in 42 ridings, but in 7 by a nose.Our own North Island riding is one of the the latter. Conservative candidate Anna Kindy is currently projected as a nose ahead of incumbent Michele Babchuk, 45% to 43%. As the margin of error for these projections is 7%, it is actually too close to call.A new projection came out Sunday, and the principle change appears to be more people turning to the Green Party. Prior to the the televised all-candidates debate on October 8, it looked like they might be reduced to a single seat (Saanich North and the Islands). Saturday’s projection suggested Furstenau has taken taken a 6 point lead in Victoria-Beacon, as of Sunday that lead is 9%.When I originally posted this article, the Greens were only 2% behind in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. This is where Green candidate Jeremy Valeriote lost by a mere 60 votes in 2020. Sunday’s projection shows them tied with the Conservatives at 37% each. The Greens also appear to be narrowing the gap in Furstenau’s old riding, Cowichan Valley, where John Kouri was 9% behind the NDP on Saturday. On Sunday, it was only 6%. At the moment the Green Party appears to be leading or in a very close race for 4 seats. They currently do appear to be gaining momentum and hope to send MLA’s from 6 ridings to the next legislature. North Island is not one of the six. The latest projection shows the Green candidate at a mere 13%.Of course these statistics are the at best the most likely results if the election were yesterday. There are still five days until the election.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents Around 30 people turned out to meet Green candidate Nic Dedeluk when she came to Mansons Hall on Monday, October 7. Cortes Currents recorded 145 minutes of the two hour meeting, which is far too much to fit into a half hour broadcast. So today’s program consists of a few highlights. A copy of the unedited audio is embedded in the written version of this story. As a third of the audience came from the Cortes Island Academy, Dedeluk told them, “I'm so thankful that youth are here and participating in this. You're part of the reason I'm doing this. I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother, and I'm concerned for the children yet unborn.” Dedeluk also gave an overview of her life before becoming a candidate, “I am a marine biologist. About 25 years ago, I came up to study whale/ vessel interactions. I fell in love with the area and I've lived in Alert Bay since 2003. Some of you who have spent time on the watermight've run into a small Zodiac program that does boater education and lets people know about the whale watching guidelines, Strait Watch. That was a program that I helped create in 2003, as well as the Cetus Research and Conservation Society. That program and society still carries on today even though I'm no longer with them.”“In 2013, I started working for the Namgis First Nation. I'm their Aquatic Resources Manager. If it has to do with the ocean or the rivers, those are projects that fall under my supervision and I really love my job.”“While working with Namgis, and still under Namgis, I was subcontracted to work on another project called the Broughton Aquaculture Transition Initiative. That was a four year program where we did work with two fish farm companies, MOWI and Cermaq, as we transitioned to closure 17 fish farms in the Broughton area. That program just ended in March, and so I'm now back to my aquatic resources position with just Namgis. The Broughton project was a project of the Namgis, the Mamalilikulla, the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis nations together. As a biologist, I have experience working with multiple levels of government and organizations to find selective successful paths forward meeting the conservation needs. So that's quite a bit about me. I'd love to hear about you. I'd love to learn more about your concerns on Cortes and hopefully answer some of your questions.” The format we agreed upon at the beginning of the meeting was that speakers who were okay with having their comments included in the broadcast would speak their names and anyone who wished to remain anonymous would not. I believe everyone gave their name.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - “A ccording to NASA, if we look back 800,000 years, we can see that carbon dioxide concentration fluctuated between roughly 180 and 280 parts per million and just in the geological blink of an eye, we have sent that parts per million up to just about 400. So we're getting very close to a doubling of CO2 relative to where it has been for a long time.” That quote was Max Thaysen, from FOCI’s Climate Action Committee, explaining one of the slides (top of page) shown at ‘Our Fair Share,’ an interactive online climate solutions workshop held in Mansons Hall on Thursday, October 3, 2024. The event was hosted by the Climate Action Committee. Max Thaysen introduced emissions targets and the concept of a fair share. Christine Leclerc, from Simon Fraser University’s Climate Research Lab, guided participants through the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator, developed by MIT Sloan and Climate Interactive. Max Thaysen: “The other thing I hope they got, especially from playing with the simulator, is we have options. We're not stuck. There's actually no good reason, other than the political will and the will of the public, that we can't do this. The simulator helps to show that.”“All we have to do is the things that we already know we have to do. We don't even need magical technology in the future, which a lot of people's plans rely on. We just have to do it thoroughly and sufficiently. We have to actually do it and that's the hard part.” “The overall goal of the workshop was to expose people to this simulator that helps people see the impact of different kinds of changes, different kinds of climate solutions. We're trying to increase some ambition and attention and energy on the issue of climate change, trying to help us all stop contributing to the pollution that changes the climate in increasingly extreme ways.”“Half of the workshop was an information presentation with a bunch of slides, charts and graphs, letting people know here's what the admission levels are right now, what the impacts of that are now, and a little bit about what the impacts of increased warming are projected to be in the future.” “The piece that I contributed was mainly helping people walk through the process that I went through, of understanding what it means to have a sufficient emissions reduction target?”“When governments and individuals want to address the role that they play in climate change, they're thinking ‘how much emissions do I need? How much less pollution should I put up into the atmosphere?’ The only scientific way to figure that out is to determine how much pollution causes how much warming and decide how much warming you're willing to tolerate, live with, or survive. Then stay within that amount of pollution. That's called a carbon budget or pollution budget, if you want to put it more simply.” “We looked at some different opinions about how to fairly share and this is where the title of the workshop comes in. Our fair share is about understanding if we have a global pollution budget, how do we translate that into how fast we need to reduce emissions and that translation requires fairness.” “When we signed on to the Paris agreement, we agreed to limit warming to 1.5°C, or try for 1.5°C and definitely keep well below 2°C.” “We also agreed to do that with a strong sense of fairness. In the Paris agreement, they call it common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities. That's referring to things like historical emissions. How much pollution have you contributed in the past? Well, that might have something to say about how much of the current pollution budget you should have access to. We can all understand that. If we're sharing a birthday cake and there's a couple pieces left, we might want to know how many pieces somebody has already eaten.”
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - Company seeks permission to locate wind farm north of Campbell River.Capstone Infrastructure Corporation, an independent and publicly traded power generating company headquartered in Toronto, has applied to SRD for permitting and approval for a new project on Vancouver Island. The "Brewster Wind Project" would install about 30 wind turbines on a site about 40 km northwest of Campbell River. The proposed site is on some ridges between highways 28 and 19 -- more specifically, between the White River and the Memekay River, spanning a range from west of the Memekay Horse Camp to north and east of Memekay Peak.Capstone is submitting their proposal in response to the 2024 BC Hydro Call For Power. Hydro is soliciting bids with the goal of acquiring about 3000 GWhrs per year of new clean or renewable electricity to serve the region. Capstone’s project, when completed, would produce about 200 MW; they anticipate a 30 year operational lifetime. If everything were to go smoothly, they anticipate a successful environmental impact report by 2028 and completion by 2031; so this project will not be popping up overnight.Capstone requested that SRD post the relevant information in public, and also ask and also asked for advice on a list of stakeholders who should be consulted. SRD responded by advising that Capstone should consult with the BC Speleological Federation, the Canadian Cave Conservancy, the BC Paleontological Alliance, and the Royal BC Museum Palaeontology Department.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - There was some bad news this month for the Norwegian fish feedlot industry in Canada: their own trade magazine featured the following headline:The Critics Are Right: It’s Time To Close Down Salmon FarmsAs many of our readers know, the Norwegian salmon feedlot industry continues to defend its BC operations fiercely against critique from fishermen, environmentalists and marine biologists. Despite the political clout of this lucrative industry, and after years of activism, research and protest, several “salmon farms” were finally removed from the Discovery Islands channels — a constrained migratory path for wild salmon.This removal was in response to evidence that researchers and activists have been presenting for years that the effluent from Atlantic salmon feedlots damages the health of wild salmon as they pass through it. Not only do the feedlots use antibiotics and pesticides to keep the non-native fish alive in their high-density close confinement, critics say; but the crowded and unhealthy fish are a perfect breeding ground for sea lice, a natural parasite that affects salmonids on the BC coast. Critics of the industry say the locally inflated superdense population of sea lice from the infested salmon feedlots, has been spilling over onto the migrating salmon, weakening the fish and reducing their numbers.This theory was strengthened a year after the fish feedlot removals; returns of pink salmon in the Discovery Islands corridor were reported to be significantly larger than they had been for several years. Many took this as a vindication of long-standing criticisms of salmon feedlot operations. There are many pressures on salmon, including destruction of riparian habitat by logging, overfishing of small fish species lower on the food chain, and the warming of our coastal waters due to climate change. The fish feedlot industry has vigorously insisted that any decline in wild salmon populations is due to these other factors, and has nothing to do with their activities — and that sea lice in particular are not a problem.Meanwhile the BC industry spent about 40 million dollars in 2020 on a specialised vessel from Norway, equipped. among other things, to vacuum the sea lice off the feedlot fish. [This large investment in a “delousing ship” at the time led one mischievous fisherman on Facebook to suggest that maybe they were focusing on the wrong species — and should be harvesting the sea lice as their protein-rich product.]
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Transcript of a radio broadcast by Sabina Leader MenseJust last weekend several of us were at the Cortes Island Museum for the launch of Sheila Harrington's new book 'Voices For The Islands: 30 Years Of Nature Conservation In The Salish Sea.' What Sheila does in this book is she celebrates this amazing community of conservationists that are living and working in the Salish Sea. In the foreword, Briony Penn wrote, "If you've picked up this book, chances are that you've fallen in love with the islands in the Salish Sea. You might have wondered how the heck they've retained their natural beauty against the hostile tsunami of contemporary clear-cuts, cookie cutter suburbs, and mindless malls that are encroaching elsewhere.” Briony talks about the collective efforts of thousands of people over generations that have actually been working to maintain the beauty of the islands. Sheila's book documents the last 30 years of people (voices in the islands) who have been working at conservation. She includes a chapter on Cortes, so we're in there with the best of them! I encourage everybody to pick her book up and have a read to see what the island community of conservationists have been doing. The most exciting conservation story on Cortes today is definitely the Children's Forest! This is the 624 acres of forest lands that stretch all the way from the Carrington Bay Road trailhead, east across Carrington Lagoon to Goat Mountain, just on the northern shore of Blue Jay Lake. These are lands owned by Island Timberlands. It's part of their privately managed forest land base on Cortes Island.When Island Timberlands announced imminent logging plans for their forest lands in 2009, several of us invited Briony Penn and Mort Ranson to come to Cortes. They were defending forest lands on Salt Spring Island in 1999. Mort is a videographer and produced a fabulous little video called 'The Money, The Money, The Money.' We asked Briony and Mort to come to Cortes to show the video, and to brainstorm with us and with the community for solutions to how we might conserve some of these lands. One of the sparks that came out of that conversation in 2009 was this idea of a forest in trust to the children.So that concept was established in 2010. By 2012, we had managed to register ourselves as a B. C. Society, the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society. By 2014 we had charitable status and we've been hard at it ever since! We have engaged Island Timberlands with the goal of purchasing these 624 acres of land. We're tenacious! We're in there hanging on, and we have a very dedicated negotiations committee that's actively engaged with Mosaic Forest Management, who now manage the Island Timberland forest land base. The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society has a vision and that vision is twofold. Firstly, we're setting out to protect in perpetuity natural forest lands on behalf of children and future generations. Secondly, we're there to nurture relationships between children and nature and to inspire advocacy for the natural world.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - While the Green party has shown promise in the past, especially on Vancouver Island, this has yet to translate into votes on election day. So my biggest question for Nic Dedeluck, the candidate for North Island riding, is why should we vote Green? Nick Dedeluck: “The Green Party is running candidates in 69 ridings, but we have six ridings that we are really hopeful will actually get elected. Getting six green MLAs voted in would be really positive for BC politics and holding the other parties accountable to moving forward in a way that's better for our environment.” “We’re not going to form a government, and we're quite aware of that, but the more green MLAs that we can get elected, the better it's going to be for BC. We can work better together with the other parties and the Green Party is well known for holding the other parties accountable to proper action for the needs of the communities rather than for big business. The Green Party is a party that has a four pillar platform that includes thriving people, resilient communities, a flourishing natural world, and good governance.” Cortes Currents: Tell us a little about your life before running in this election.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A small group of people turned out to hear an overview of FOCI’s Western Screech Owl Project at Mansons Hall on Friday September 27, 2024. Participants listened to different owl calls, examined owl feathers and learned why putting up nest boxes is important. The speakers were the two biologists from Madrone Environmental who wrote FOCI’s final report. Cortes Currents interviewed the lead author, Roxan Chicalo, afterward. “What gets me up in the morning, when I'm working at these species at risk, is thinking about balanced ecosystems. Everything is working together to create the ecosystem that supports our lifestyles as humans. In my mind, every animal and plant has a role that they play,” she began.“Screech owls are a small avian predator. They eat anything from amphibians to small mammals to fish, insects, slugs, all sorts of different small animals in the ecosystem. As a predator, they keep a check on those prey species populations so that they don't get out of control, and they also support biodiversity. If one of these prey species booms in their populations, they might start to compete against other populations of other animals. We might see that we're having more extinction events. That's why we should care to promote a balanced ecosystem and support that.” Cortes Currents: How scarce are Western Screech Owls? Roxan Chicalo: “There's not a whole lot of recent data regarding population estimates for Western screech owls. So first I would like to talk about the two subspecies that exist in British Columbia. There's the Megascops kennicottii kennicottii subspecies, the coastal subspecies. They go up to the south coast of Alaska, and all the way down the coast to northern Oregon. Then we have an interior subspecies, the MacFarlane's Western Screech Owl. Their range is just a little bit into the Kelowna-Okanagan area. Today I'm mostly talking about the coastal subspecies that we would have on Vancouver Island and the Discovery Islands. The most recent population estimate from the COSEWIC report is about 2,000 individuals left in the wild and the range is between 1,500 to about 3,000.” “This data is heavily skewed from where these surveys have taken place. There's so many areas along the coast that are inaccessible or really expensive to access. A lot of the surveys were in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island around Victoria, a little bit on the Sunshine Coast, but not much further north than that.” “There have been some long term studies, specifically from the Christmas bird counts. Where they started documenting their owl counts in 1983, they detected an owl about one hour per hour survey time. I think the most recent estimate, a COSEWIC report from 2012, found about one owl for every 10 hours of survey effort.” “So there's been about a 20 to 30% decline in the 15 years prior to 2012 and it's suspected that that decline has continued, maybe have stabilized a little bit. Nobody really knows, but there are recent efforts by the government to conduct an inventory of what is happening now with those populations.” Cortes Currents: Has the Screech Owl been driven out of areas like southern Cortes Island by human development and predation from larger owls?
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There was a Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at Gorge Harbour on Monday, September 30. It consisted of sacred songs and sharing experiences, as well as Chief Steven Brown’s perspectives on how the Klahoose are reclaiming their present and their future.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 338Canada’s latest projection for North Island Riding, taken on September 30, shows the Conservative party of BC having just taken the lead in the popular vote. Nineteen days from the election, they may currently be supported by 47% of the electorate as opposed to 42% for the NDP. The media website uses data from recent polls and the riding’s history. They have covered 13 general elections and, so far, 338Canada claims to have successfully identified the winner in 1,657 electoral districts 89.9% of the time. That said, this is essentially a ‘point in time’ analysis and yesterday showed these two parties virtually tied. “We know this is going to be a really close election, so we're rolling up our sleeves and we're not taking anything for granted,” said Michele Babchuk, the NDP candidate and current MLA for our riding. “I'm just actually in the car pulled over on the side of the road right now. It just came out of a meeting with a local group here. We will be in Campbell River today at the campaign office. As soon as I get back, I will be knocking on doors and out with my team. Another group will be on the phones, putting in the hard work, putting up signs, doing some fundraising. I've been all over the riding all summer, but this week focused in Campbell River.” “We've heard Mr Rustad talk about not believing in climate science, how the government shouldn't be involved in helping people with housing. We've heard a few conspiracy theories come out, so I am just concerned of what this looks like for the North Island.” Cortes Currents sent Babchuk, the Conservative candidate Anna Kidney and Green candidate Nic Dedeluk a series of questions about extreme weather events, emissions, the housing crisis, food prices, employment and education in our area. Dedeluk agreed to an interview which will take place later this week. Kidney’s campaign manager, Richard Martin, emailed “More than ever, British Columbians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living as they see jobs, investment and economic opportunity leave our province. Anna owes it to the people of North Island to speak with them about their concerns on the direction of our province and how we can make it better. In the lead up to October 19, her focus is on engaging with voters directly at the doors.”So far, Babchuk has been the only one to respond in detail.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gwilth-daxw] Nations (We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah) are asking the province to change several geographic names in the Campbell River area.They wish to change the name of the Discovery Passage to Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage, the Quinsam River to Kʷənsəm and the Tyee Spit to ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease].The Discovery Passage was once called Yaculta Narrows, because the Ligw”itdax peoples charged a toll for canoes passing through. The name Ligw”itdax belongs to a virtually unkillable worm. If it is cut into segment, each part becomes a new worm.“Kʷənsəm” is a Coast Salish word meaning resting place. The Quinsam River was originally K’omoks First Nations territory and home of their first two ancestors. It is now Lig”itdax territory as a result of a conflict between the two nations which ended with a marriage between noble families.ʔuxstalis is a Ligw”itdax word which could mean ‘beach on the back side’ or ‘where the land ends.’ There were once several longhouses there and it is surrounded by food-gathering areas. There were crabapples, gooseberries, wild strawberries, medicial plants and fish traps. On August 19, Trent Thomas from the BC Geographical Names Office informed the city of Campbell River they have until October 25 to ask any questions or make any comments about the proposed changes. This matter was brought up at the September 5 city council meeting and referred to the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2024.
Rpy L Hales/Cores Currents - The Active Transportation Planning grants that Quadra Island is about to receive, and both Cortes Island and Area D are applying for, opens the door to far larger opportunities. As Meredith Starkey, Manager of Planning for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), explained “Active transportation means anything human powered: walking, cycling, and rolling in the sense of skateboarding or some other type of device that you might use to roll." "This is the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program that's administered through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. They have a sub grant that is specifically for active transportation network planning." "What we have is the network planning grant." “We just were directed by the Board to apply for Areas B (Cortes) and D. It's this same grant that we now have for Area C. The province provides a maximum of $50,000. It's 50 percent grant funded and 50 percent funded by the Gas Tax for us and so in total, it's $100,000 to develop the plan.""That enables us to do all the foundational background research, the data gathering part, but then also to flesh that out into a full plan. On top of that, we're able to pull out one high level priority from that plan and do all the engineering work, the survey, the cost estimates and concept design work that would need to happen so that we can actually make it shovel ready. All the groundwork that we need in order to apply for the infrastructure grant, which is the same fund but a different funding stream within it." Cortes Currents: So this grant is the door opener and in the next grant you actually get to do some of the stuff. Meredith Starkey: "That is correct." Cortes Currents: Is there a financial cap for the second stage?Meredith Starkey: "The infrastructure portion of the grant is much, much bigger. I don't actually know the cap on it now, but it's quite substantial."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is applying for a grant to develop plans for walking, cycling and rolling (skateboard, roller skates etc) infrastructure on Cortes Island and in Area D. The Ministry of Transportation refers to these as active means of transportation and has made Active Transportation Network Planning Grants of up to $50,000 available to communities with populations under 25,000. If their applications are successful, the SRD plans to match the funding with money obtained through the Community Works Fund (better known as the Gas Tax). Mayor Michael Lott of Gold River read out the motion at the SRD Board meeting of Wednesday, September 15, 2024:“I'd also like to move that an application be submitted to the 2024/25 Active Transportation Network Planning program for grant funding to develop an Active Transportation Network Plan for Electoral Area B; and that the Regional District commit to overall management of the grant if the application is successful; and that, if the application is successful, 50% of the project funding be approved from the Electoral Area B Community Works Fund to a maximum of $50,000.” He also read the motion for Area D, which was virtually identical. Both motions passed with no opposing votes.Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director of Cortes Island (Area B), responded, “I just want to thank staff for bringing this forward. Active transportation is definitely an issue on Cortes. People are wanting some movement on that. So I welcome this grant application and to be able to support it through the Gas Tax funding as well.” John Rice, Regional Director of Area D said, “I'm wondering if we could tie this into the traffic study that Area D has been doing because this is also quite important to that traffic study.” CAO David Leitch asked, “Do you have line of sight that it's going to be done by 2025?” Director Rice: “My understanding is I think we'll be getting an update on it in November.”Campbell River Director Doug Chapman wanted to know, “How does that dovetail into the transportation study the Regional District is currently undertaking.”CAO Leitch: “This is an active transportation. This is different from the regional transportation that we're looking for because active transportation is different forms of transportation like, cycling lanes, walkways and pathways, and as opposed to the regional transportation that we're looking at, which is likely buses.”Director Rice: “When is this funding going to be available if successful? A staff member responded, “They announce the awards in April of 2025.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - At their Wednesday September 25 Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board unaminously voted to support a We Wai Kai application for funding to make a feasibility study for the Caddisfly Wetlands Restoration project, south of Campbell River. This had been a topic of some debate a month ago, when the Board decided to defer making a decision on this project. Salmon once spawned in Caddisfly Creek and if they return, it could trigger a need for setbacks along the banks. This could directly impact building projects in Campbell River, as it is one of the sources of Caddisfly Creek. As CAO David Leitch explained, “There was some discussion at a previous board meeting about supporting this application and the folks from Campbell River had some hesitancy and anticipation that it possibly would interfere with some development applications they had in the works. We’ve attached some correspondence from the city staff which says there aren't issues and they would support the application.”Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, responded, “I'm really happy to see this request for resolution of support on the agenda. I am 100 percent in support of a resolution to support the We Wai Kai Nation's application to undertake wetland restoration planning activities for Caddisfly Creek.” John RIce, Regional Director for Area D, added, “I'm also quite happy to see this back on. I know that for Area D, where Caddisfly Creek is, the wetlands behind it have historically had a problem with high water. I’m hoping that there are a lot of things that can be addressed by this.”“I also want to point out that it's Area D's Stream Keeper (Greg Roberts) that has been working quite hard on Caddisfly Creek. There's still lots of things to do and I'm very thrilled to see Campbell River supporting this. I think if you're going to be the Salmon Capital of the World, you have to be able to support creeks that could possibly have Coho.”One of the Campbell River Directors who originally called for deferment, Ron Kerr, made the motion that all the SRD directors supported:“That a resolution of support be provided for the We wai Kai First Nation’s application to the 2024 Disaster Resilience Innovation Fund Grant Program to undertake wetland restoration planning activities for Caddisfly Creek.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The final report on the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) Western Screech Owl Project will be unveiled at Mansons Hall on Friday. The two biologists who were hired to write it will be giving an hour long talk that starts at 7 PM. “Western Screech Owls are a beautiful little owl. They used to be one of the most common owls in coastal BC, but they've declined hugely in the last 20 years,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI. “They're a species that need attention. In the last three years we've been running a project on Cortes, Read, Maurelle and Sonora Islands to look for Screech Owls and to do what we can to help conserve them. We started the project in 2021. In the spring of 2022, we conducted our first audio surveys, mainly on Cortes Island. Then in 2023, we expanded our surveys onto Read, Maurelle and Sonora Islands. We did pick up Screech Owls in the north of Cortes and one on Read Island. We also went out put up nest boxes around all the islands to try and provide nesting habitats for the owls.”“In the spring we employed consultants from Madrone Environmental, Roxanne Chilcalo and Alicia Mildner to conduct our final report for us. They looked at all the results. We're really lucky that they're now going to come over to Cortes on Friday and give a talk about the report, what we found on Cortes and to put it into the context of regional work on Screech Owl.”“They've been working recently on another big project in the Campbell River area. So there's a really good comparison for what we're finding on Cortes. They're also finding a lot of the landscape has been logged. There’s only very small pockets of old-growth remaining and again, they're finding Screech Owls in those pockets.”“What we're trying to work out now is what is the strategy for making sure they can exist in those small pockets and how do we provide more habitat for them. This is just one indicator species showing that where you have old growth, you still have some really valuable species like Western Screech Owls. Obviously, we don't want to see any more old growth forests cut down, and I think this is just another argument for retaining everything we have, and having a moratorium on logging old growth areas.”“We're hoping that we can do some more work on Screech Owls going forward. We're just in discussion about that at the moment.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Foundation recently distributed $110,000 to four non-profit organizations. In today’s interview the foundation’s Vice Chair, Marc Doll, explains the rationale behind those choices and a little of what he expects the money to accomplish. Marc Doll: “There was this recognized recognition of how much this province uses and depends on nonprofits. So the government of British Columbia put together a pool of $25 million, which went to Vancouver Foundation. From the Vancouver Foundation, it trickled down to foundations like the Quadra Foundation, Cortes Community Foundation and Campbell River Foundation. It was administered at the local level by local foundations, but from a pool of money that came from the British Columbia government.” “We advertised - online through local media, press releases etc - to indicate that we had this fund of $110,000 to distribute locally. We were almost triple subscribed, we had about $300,000 in total applications.” “So to whittle that down we hired a coordinator, Jennifer Banks Doll, who headed up the grant committee. She was tasked with finding a committee populated by regular Quadra Island citizens and a board member or two. They then went through the grants. We had a way of weighting the grants in terms of what was going to be the most returned to the community and from there allocated the grants to the four successful applicants.” Cortes Currents: Tell us a little about each of the successful applicants.Marc Doll: “There were 4 successful applicants. There was Quadra Circle that received about $54,000. Quadra Circle is an organization on Quadra that serves the seniors population. They have weekly meetings. They offer help to seniors that are housebound, need medical, exercise, or social gatherings. They have quite a portfolio of things that they do, and they were looking to build their capacity through the hiring of a part time Executive Director. The largest allocation went to them.” “The Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society received about $30,000. Again, I believe it was for a part time Executive Director. The Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society was incredibly successful. To be able to build affordable housing on Vancouver Island is an incredible task. They were able to successfully get that done a couple of years ago and I think they're looking at increasing the number of dwellings on the island. They have a waiting list in the dozens and dozens of people for the units that they were able to create. They're looking to future growth and getting paid staff to facilitate that.” “The third successful Grantee was the Quadra Island Climate Action Network, which on the island is known as ICAN. That organization is relatively new. It's been around for maybe five, six years, and their focus is building community capacity with a climate focus, and they've been doing a lot of great work on water, food security, and a bunch of different high profile projects that they've been undertaking. They are looking to, again, hire an Operations Coordinator to provide some support in all those many and varied projects that they're working on.”“The final successful grantee was the Quadra Island Recreational Society. It was a subgroup within the rec society, which operates the Wednesday lunches and the idea was to increase the capacity of that kitchen to serve the 100, 150 people that they do every Wednesday during the shoulder or the slower seasons. There were some kitchen upgrades that were going to enable them to better serve the people of Quadra. So those were the four successful grantees.” Cortes Currents: Which sectors of Quadra's population are in the greatest need? I'm thinking of age groups, but there might also be other factors which I haven't thought of.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Forest Co-operative’s 2024 AGM will be from 7:30 to 9 PM on Mansons Hall on Wednesday October 9th. Together with Klahoose Forestry, they make up the Cortes Forestry General Partnership. Mark Lombard, General Manager for the Partnership gave Cortes Currents an overview of their operations this year and plans for the future:Mark Lombard: “We’ve really got pretty good support from the community. Our emphasis is barely logging, our emphasis is building value for the community, training and firewood for seniors and logs, local mills. We're the lightest touch logging operation in the province by a mile and a half.”“Log prices are really low right now. There's potential concerns about a recession in the U S or globally or whatever reasons and because prices are low, we're not planning to do any logging right now.” Cortes Currents: So where were you working this year?Mark Lombard: “This spring we built 480 metres of road in the Gorge Harbour operating area and the log sales went all to local mills on the island. Seven loads went to the Klahoose Sawmill, Blue Jay Lake Farm sawmill, Ellingson Woods and Ron Wolda. They got the logs that they needed and the log sales paid for the road. We didn't have to buy capping for the road because we recycled the capping off of the spur road for the firebreak block. We basically paid for the road, which is a long term investment access into the land base. We did a new faller training. Two Cortes Islanders did the falling and got their training to become fallers. Then the logs went to the mills and all the firewood went out as a community firewood day for mostly seniors and people in need.”“So there was a lot of benefit, even though there wasn't a big so-called profit. There wasn't any financial profit from building the road, but it paid for itself. So that is pretty good value creation.” Cortes Currents: Do you find that the community forest has kept the local mills busy? Mark Lombard: “I think all of the mills have gotten the majority of their logs from the community forest since about 2015/2016. We haven't always been able to quite supply them with everything that they need because it takes a lot of community consultation, planning and announcements. All the T's have to be crossed and I's dotted to be able to cut one tree. It's the same amount of work if you want to go cut a whole bunch of trees. So it's tricky to just cut one logging truck load or two logging truck loads.” Cortes Currents: Tell us about the community forest’s role in the development of a superior tanker shuttle service.Mark Lombard: “Sure, the community forest moved two tanks from the Whaletown Fire Department to the Gorge Harbour area, to the new logging road, and the two tanks from the Manson's Fire Department were moved to the Coulter Bay Logging Road, and those were areas that were considered gaps on the island.”“The nearest tanks to Coulter Bay previously were at the Whaletown Fire Hall and the nearest filling station for the Thunder Road neighborhood was Anvil Lake. So by getting those tanks in, we improve our performance for the Superior Tanker Shuttle Service, which if we can get a certain amount of water shuttled to a fire, we can actually qualify to get our insurance lowered on the island.”“The two fire halls got big new tanks, and then two additional tanks went to the south end of Cortes. So now we've got a lot better coverage of the island with having moved these tanks into the community forest, which I was really happy to be able to work on with Fire Chief Eli McKenty and Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).” “We have a few announcements, mostly around wildfire risk reduction work in the community forest this fall.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - It’s been a busy season for Marnie’s Books. Marnie Andrews explained, “It's really fun to have a bookstore on Cortes Island. There's some amazing readers here. I get so many of my titles because friends come in and recommend what they've been reading. There's a lot of regular people, but I think a lot of people came west because of all the wildfires. It's been a great bookstore season, people are reading like crazy. They want real books.” A young customer named Devran was perusing the contents of a nearby shelf, “It's very nice to have a bookstore on the island. I can walk in, look at the books and pick what I want. I also like that I can order books from here.” Cortes Currents: How long have you been coming here?Devran: “Since I moved here, which was around ten years ago.”Another regular, local Naturopath Maureen Williams, added, “Marnie is a great curator of wonderful books. She has read everything on her shelf, and she always has the perfect recommendation when I'm looking for something special.” So Cortes Currents asked Marnie, “Can you give us some recommendations on books to read?”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There was a familiar face behind the Wild Things Seafood booth at Manson’s Friday Market last week. In addition to being our former Regional Director, Noba Anderson’s family has a connection to Cortes Island that stretches back to 1978. So Cortes Currents asked Noba about the new business she is undertaking with Peter Schmidt.“It's Peter's passion, there's no doubt about that. Peter owned his first fishing boat when he was a teenager off Saturna Island and has been fishing on and off with his own boat in younger years, and then on other people's boats more recently. So last year he was out on a tuna boat and took his payment in fish rather than money and had it processed. You can't just sell tuna, so then he bought some other things and went on the road last winter,” she explained. “Then I started getting a few things from his supplier and went to Denman and Hornby islands last winter, just once a month kind of thing. We teamed up more considerably this spring and summer season.”Cortes Currents: How did you come up with a name for your enterprise?Noba Anderson: “Wild Things Seafood? - Peter came up with it. It speaks to the fact we only carry wild products, only BC products and that great old book ‘Where The Wild Things Are,’ just a little bit of play.” “We set up in the Comox Valley for May and June, but we either didn't do enough marketing or whatever. It didn't really pan out as fast as we needed it to.”“So we pivoted and we've been selling on six Gulf Islands every week all summer. Hornby, Denman, Gabriola, Salt Spring, Pender and Maine, and then the odd little place in between and then having one day to recharge and regroup and restock. So we direct source as cash flow and storage allows.”Cortes Currents: So you sleep on the road?Noba Anderson: “When we're on the road, we sleep in the fish truck. We carry four big freezers full of product, generators, and rope to the front bumper. It’s a traveling fun show a la Pete for sure.”
Maureen Williams/ FOCI - In early July of 2024, a small group of Cortes Islanders, supported by Friends Of Cortes Island (FOCI), screened the film “How to Boil a Frog” for the community. The film is about the five-pronged problem life on Earth is currently facing — overpopulation, a war on nature, wealth disparity, peak oil, and climate change—and offers five actions that can help—boycott Exxon, change your “life” bulb (reduce consumption), a change of heart, one kid per couple, and kick some ass. This article is the first in a series focused on each of these five solutions from the film, and more.
Sadhu Johnston/ Cortes Housing Society & Folk University- Tune in on September 20th for another collaborative monthly housing forum presented by the Cortes Housing Society and Folk University. Themed “Rural Modular Housing”, this forum featured guest panelists Michelle Mazzotta (Viva Kiwi), Ken Sharpe (Supermod), and Salik Khan (Rohe Homes). This is a recording of our September forum, hosted over Zoom, with over 45 people in attendance. Hear us chat about different kinds of modular homes, pricing, benefits and challenges, and the possibility of using them to combat our housing crisis. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Union of BC Municipalities 2024 Convention is in Vancouver this week. Local government and First Nations leaders from across the province are participating. One of the delegates is Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director for Cortes Island, who spoke to Cortes Currents via ZOOM as he was heading out on the ferry last Friday. Mark Vonesch: “I’m on my way to a gathering that happens every year. All the municipalities, all the regional districts, the counsellors, the electoral area directors, and mayors are invited to a five day conference where we do workshops. We learn from each other. We hear speeches and we have a lot of meetings with the provincial government. We have a five or six meeting set-up through the regional district to meet with different ministers of the provincial government and advocate for everything from housing to our roads.”“Hundreds of millions of dollars flow through UBCM to municipalities and regional districts through the provincial government. It's one of the main lobbying organizations connecting regional districts and municipalities to the provincial government. There's hundreds of resolutions that get voted on and then become priorities to UBCM executives and staff. Throughout the rest of the year, those are advocated for and policy is suggested and pushed forward to the provincial government.”“One of the big things we're pushing for is getting a rural housing stream through the provincial government. Right now, all the housing grants are done through one category. We believe there needs to be a separate category for rural places, because our needs are different. The ways we build are different, and it should be a different category.” “That's one of the things we're pushing for, but it's a real opportunity for me to get in front of provincial ministers and staff and advocate for the needs of Cortes and the needs for the Strathcona Regional District. It's an opportunity for me to network and work with my colleagues in the regional district, other board members, and create more unity on our board as we move forward on our priorities. It's a chance for me to make connections with other politicians across the province that are trying to get good things done, and learn from each other.”“I don't want to have to reinvent the wheel on ideas. A big part of getting together is learning from each other, having conversations with other politicians that are looking at similar issues, and what they've done. A lot of times we can duplicate that.”“One of the exciting things for me at this UBCM is that I've been nominated to be the electoral area representative on the UBCM executive. There's another person running. So I'll also be running a bit of a campaign while I'm down there and we'll see what happens. If I do get in, it's a great opportunity for me to have a stronger voice with the provincial government to get the things we want to happen on Cortes, but also be a representative for rural communities. They are often underrepresented because a lot of the population is in urban centers, but a lot of the land base is held in rural communities. Our needs are unique and I want to be a strong voice to represent them.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There were 45 people on the Whaletown dock when Cortes Currents left half way through the Open House on Monday, September 16. Some were listening to Andy Ellingsen, a Director of Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI), talk about the current condition of the wharf and what needs to be done. Others gathered in small groups, eating the free pizza, sharing memories or their perspectives on the matter. HACI has owned the 110-year-old structure since 2009 and now it is in need of extensive repairs.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Community Foundation recently announced that it is giving $105,000 to four of Cortes Island’s essential non-profit organizations. The Cortes Island Food Bank will receive $40,000, Whaletown Community Club - $22,000, Island Death Care Society - $26,400 and Support Our Seniors $16,600. This money came from the BC Government’s Community Prosperity Fund, which is intended to help local communities address poverty reduction and social inclusion. In today’s interview Christina McWilliam, Co-Chair of the Community Foundation and a member of the granting jury, and Andrea Fisher, Operations Manager of the Foundation, tell us the story behind this grant and why these four organizations were chosen.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to 60 Cortes Island residents turned out for the Zoning Bylaw Review Meeting in Manson's Hall on Thursday, September 12th. The following article consists of audio clips of the main speakers, taken at the meeting, and an interview with Regional Director Mark Vonesch the following morning. Mark Vonesch: "Leading up to it, I think there was a little bit of tension in the air. ‘What's going to happen?’ ‘How are we going to change our zoning in a way that's good for Cortes and protecting what we have here, but also making room for more housing and addressing the housing challenges that we face?’” “I think the key takeaway is this is a process that we're still in the middle of. There's still lots of opportunity for input. We've had four meetings leading up to this. Last night's meeting was about presenting the summary of the findings from the previous meetings, and giving us a sense of what the Zoning Bylaw draft is going to look like.”“The biggest shift, based on the input from the community, is that people are looking to increase density on rural residential lots." Annie Girdler, a planner with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), explained, "We've also added the potential for an additional dwelling unit on lots greater than one hectare. Previously a residential property was permitted a single dwelling and one secondary suite or an additional dwelling unit. The proposed change is that this property would now be allowed to have a secondary suite AND an additional dwelling unit."Another proposal is to increase in the maximum size of additional dwellings from about 650 to about 840 square feet.Meredith Starkey, Manager of Planning and Parks for the SRD, stated, "The secondary units were previously called ‘Granny Flats’ in some places because it's intended for your parents, in-laws or a renter or a couple etc, but our world is changing. There may be more families who want to live in a secondary dwelling. So, that's certainly a possibility." Annie Girdler: "We've also added a new provision on clustered housing and how to accomplish that. We've also removed regulations that are not in the SRD's jurisdiction to enforce. Lastly, we've consolidated or removed zones that were either not in use or they were duplicate zones.""The current Zoning Bylaw is from 2002, and as a legislated document, there's several requirements under the Local Government Act that a Zoning Bylaw has to meet. Many of those requirements are new since 2002. So a review is necessary to ensure that our bylaw meets provincial requirements and is legal.""The goal is to bring the Zoning Bylaw into better alignment with your Official Community Plan (OCP). We'll also be removing or correcting outdated regulations, updating some of the terms with new language that's consistent, and also addressing some of the modern challenges, which we've heard a lot about."”Our goal for this phase of the project is to hear your feedback as a community. It’ll give us a chance to either confirm that the provisions look how they should, or revise as necessary if we were way off. This revision process will be ongoing, and then we'll move on to the regular bylaw referrals process which will involve consultation with other government agencies, other levels of government, and First Nations. Once that phase is complete, we can move on to the bylaw adoption process. At that time we will have a formal public hearing and that will be the last opportunity to provide public input on a draft bylaw."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Nic Dedeluk, a marine biologist with over 24 years of experience, is the BC Green Party candidate for North Island. This brings the number of candidates in our riding to three. Michele Babchuk, our incumbent MLA, is once again running for the NDP and Anna Kindy is running for the Conservative party of BC. Zoominfo states Dedeluk is a Marine Coordinator for the Namgis First Nation, and based in Alert Bay. The ‘Namgis News contains’ references to her work to preserve Chum and Sockeye salmon stocks.The press release announcing Dedeluk's candidacy cites extensive work with nonprofits and local governments.In an interview with the National Observer, she mentioned housing, healthcare and the ongoing toxic drug crisis as key issues in North Island. As a result of staffing shortages, the hospitals in Port Hardy and Alert bay were unable to provide overnight services for a year and emergency patients had to be taken to Port McNeill. According to data released by the BC Corononer’s Office in August, Greater Campbell River and Vancouver Island North had are among the five worst Local Health Area’s in the province in terms of unregulated drug deaths. Dedeluk has also expressed support for the removal of fish farms, to help preserve salmon stocks, and preserving highly productive intact ecosystems within the forests. Close to 20% of the voters in our riding voted Green in the last provincial election,
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be a special Taxidermy Showcase at Wild Cortes on Saturday, September 14. Cortes Currents interviewed Laurel Bohart and Donna Collins, the co-curators of Wild Cortes, in the exhibition area. The bird songs in the audio of this story are from a recording of local birds, which provides atmosphere for the displays but is unrelated to this story. Collins gave an overview of the plan for the evening, starting from the opening at 6 PM. “Laurel is going to have a brief talk, and then we'll have lots of time to wander through all of the birds and see what's there. We're going to showcase Laurel's taxidermy from Africa and also some local animals not necessarily from Cortes Island that maybe nobody has ever seen before. There's also going to be some Nigerian artwork and interesting things like there's a Bird of Paradise under glass." "Mostly they're in very unique postures, for example, our Snowy Owl with the wings completely up. This is the posture that they take just as they're going to step off the posts, or whatever they're on, and take flight.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - British Columbia is heading for the polls on October 19, a little more than a month from now.So far only two candidates have registered in our electoral district, North Island.Michele Babchuk has been our MLA since 2020 and prior to that she was a Campbell River City Councillor for six years, as well as Chair of the Strathcona Regional District Board. Dr. Anna Kindy is running for the Conservative Party of BC. She is an addiction specialist, and physician. On her campaign website it states “Throughout her career, Anna has been a tireless advocate for the marginalized and stigmatized populations of the North Island.”Neither she or her staff have acknowledged Cortes Currents’ request for an interview.Cortes Currents has interviewed Michele Babchuk on numerous occasions through the years, the last time being when she visited Cortes in July. At that point, she said, “I do have some concerns, not just from my riding, but for rural BC and some of the comments that have come out of some of the opposition parties in regards to cutting the budget by 25%, which means they’re cutting public service and social funding, usually That’s where they have a tendency to go. We have an opposition leader that is talking about the fact that human caused climate change isn’t real.”I know that’s something that is extremely important in this writing. As Islanders, we all have a very large environmental ethic. And we’re seeing that play out in everybody’s everyday life, whether it’s from fire smarting communities, like we talked about earlier with the fire department, to being able to grow our local food and have food security.“I’m also really concerned about the fact that the opposition leader {John Rustad) has also talked about cancelling DRIPA, or rolling DRIPA back. One of the things that I’m most proud about with the government that I am in, Is the fact that we are giving our indigenous communities that level of self determination that they have not had in the past.”Cortes Currents is hoping to secure another interview. Going through Babchuk’s list of assertions, John Rustad is on record stating “We must also repeal the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was established for conditions in other countries — not Canada.”He is not advocating a return of all traditional lands, but claims the real issue is ‘returning land to First Nations, who do not currently have sufficient property rights needed to secure prosperity.’Rustad states the provincial debt has to come down, “It is immoral (and financially hazardous) to continue living beyond our means and leaving our children with the bill. While not immediate, we will plan on balancing the budget.”As regards global warming, when he spoke to the CBC a week ago, Rustad said there are many things that are far more important. “Climate change is an issue, there is no question it is an issue, but we have to put that in the context of making sure that people can afford to live in British Columbia.” He wants to scrap the carbon tax, develop nuclear power and dramatically expand B.C.’s natural gas production and LNG export facilities. Rustad calls himself a champion of resource development, and states ‘activists who impede the activity of resource development through illegal blockades, harassment and violence must be held legally, and financially responsible for their actions – as must the groups that support them.’One of the ways he hopes to reduce health care costs is ‘unleashing the power of private-sector innovation.’He is promising to spur economic growth through personal and corporate tax cuts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has a new President, is getting prepared to launch out in new directions and is also trying to raise $30,000 by the end of the month. The first two of those announcements may be interrelated, the third definitely is not. It is a result of two large contracts coming to an end, more on that later. First, Mike Moore has been one of FOCI’s members for decades and is now taking on a more active leadership role.Mike Moore: “I hadn’t really been that involved in FOCI before, except that FOCI and the Watershed Sentinel were at one time very closely aligned, and I’ve been a proofreading editor for Watershed Sentinel for quite a few years. I joined the FOCI board in December 2021, so I’m coming up now to three years. I joined because I was getting out of the Misty Isles and having more time to pursue naturalist activities. I was really excited about all the projects that FOCI does in the forest, on the ocean, and on the beaches. It’s a pretty cool thing that they’re doing.”Cortes Currents: Now you’re the president of the board.Mike More: “I’m the new president.” “It’s not a big upset or anything like that. Our AGM was in December. At our board meeting in January, when we elected positions, the board said that because we were just embarking on a process with Andrea Fisher (of board development, education, and defining the structure of FOCI), we would keep that course under Max Thaysen until it was finished. We finished that process in early summer and are still working on the final touches, but Max was happy to step back and I was happy to step forward. Nobody has left the board. Everybody is really happy and energized with how things are going.”Cortes Currents: Have there been any changes in direction?Mike Moore: “This is an excellent question and that’s just something that we’re coming to grips with.”“FOCI has done a really great job in monitoring the local environment, in enhancing the local environment, and in educating people about our local ecosystems. We work with parks, both at the regional and provincial level , to maintain Mansons lagoon and the regional parks all over the island. We’ve got the longest continuous data set for foreshore monitoring. We’ve embarked on some wonderful projects like the Dillon Creek Wetlands Project and the Western Screech Owl Project.”“We have all this stuff going, but it feels like it’s all pretty local and the world is changing. There’s this feeling that we want to have a bigger voice, a bigger input. We’re just coming to grips with that. That’s what this five hour meeting was this weekend. We’re pretty excited about where we can go. We are just in that revisioning process and we can’t actually make those decisions ourselves as a board. We want to involve our Executive Director, Helen Hall. She’s away at the moment and she’ll be back mid month, but we’ve done some preliminary work on that. We’re really excited about where we can go and stay relevant and vibrant as an organization.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Wetlands are key resources to address climate change and help maintain surface water flow during dry periods. But they are also largely disappearing. According to a recent study in Nature, since 1700 approximately 3.4 million square miles of wetlands have been lost in the United States, Europe and China. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates that 70 % of the wetlands in southern Canada disappeared prior to 1990. In densely populated areas, that figure is close to 98%. Unfortunately wetlands are often found in the same areas where humans like to live and this problem has been amplified by the critical need for affordable housing. Both of the most populated Discovery Islands are attempting to assess their water budgets while they look at further development. Quadra Island is mapping its wetlands, as well as carrying out rainfall, streamflow and aquifer studies. On Cortes Island, the Community Housing Society is seeking funding to carry out a study of Cortes Island’s water resources. Meanwhile the opportunity to apply for a $30,000 grant for the proposed Caddisfly Creek restoration project may have been lost, or at least deferred, because of Campbell River’s concerns about the possible impact on their plans for development. $5,000 of the funding was for removing logs and vegetation from culvert exits to the Salish Sea, but the bulk of the application was to fund a feasibility study. At the SRD Board meeting of August 21, Regional Director John Rice of Area D asked, “Caddisfly affects Area D, just like it affects the city of Campbell River, but this is only a feasibility study. Why are we potentially holding up their opportunity to get money to do a study that is going to include both Area D and the city of Campbell River?” Campbell River Director Ben Lanyon responded, “This feasibility study is one step towards making it even harder for Campbell River to meet its housing targets. We're choosing the environment versus housing in alot of cases, unfortunately. This isn't currently a salmon bearing stream, but changing its status will directly affect the city of Campbell River.” To which Director Doug Chapman, also from Campbell River, added that Mayor Dahl said they have almost 840 housing units ready to go.“We're waiting for the Minister of Environment’s approval. If there's an open ditch that has a pollywog in it, that delays everything.”There was a presentation in favour of the project earlier in the meeting.Katie Lavoie, Executive Director of the Greenways Land Trust made the introduction, “We're coming to you today to present on a project that we're applying for funding through the SRD.” Shawn Koopman, Protective Services Co-ordinator for the SRD, made an application to the province’s Disaster Relief and Innovation Fund on behalf of the Caddisfly Creek Restoration Project. Katie Lavoie: “I see a lot of familiar faces, you probably know what Greenways does. We are a Campbell River based environmental nonprofit. We've been around for 28 years. We do a lot of restoration, a lot of community work, a lot of partnering with First Nations and all levels of government and volunteer groups.” Caddisfly Streamkeeper Greg Roberts provided some of the details.“I'm a resident of Area D. We moved beside Caddisfly Creek around 2021. I felt very fortunate to have this beautiful little ditch beside my house. I started to do some research and thought, well, I'd start by cleaning up some invasive plants and maybe doing some plantings because all that's there at this point are some deciduous trees. One thing leads to another, and I realized that Caddisfly, like many creeks on the east coast of Vancouver Island, was historically a very productive salmon habitat, particularly for Coho. That’s been dramatically changed over the years through logging, road development, and urban development.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Care 4 Cortes campaign officially ends today, but there is still a chance to donate this weekend. Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Cortes Island Community Foundation, explained “There's still a day or two where we'll leave up our Care for Cortes donation page on Cortes Foundation.ca. you can still see all the different projects that were highlighted. Give to them, if you have the financial wherewithal. It doesn't have to be a lot. $20 to something like MicroGrants for Neighbours or to the Cortes Death Caring Collective, makes a difference. If a lot of people do it, this makes a big difference.” “One of our jobs as the Community Foundation, is to make it easier for organizations who are doing the work to get the funds that they need and to help those who have money to give do it in ways that they know will have an impact. I hope that some people will still be like, ’okay, this is how I'd like to say thank you back to this place that I visited or to this place that I call home.’”Cortes Currents: What was the overall goal of Care for Cortes? Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “Our big goal was really to help people understand more of the projects and activities that are happening. The financial goal: We basically said to our partners this year that we were hoping to raise $500 into each fund. Most of the funds raised that, but not all did. Some of them got a few thousand. The ones that really did best through this campaign did their own awareness raising, that includes Cortes Radio and the Dr. Emily Ellingson Scholarship Fund.”“I think we did a great job of having fun and ensuring that everybody who comes to Cortes in the summer begins to understand a little bit more of the often hidden work that goes into caring for this place that we call home.” “We combined it with our Village Commons Music Series. We were like, ‘Okay, if we're going to be on the airwaves anyway, if people are going to be coming, could we actually just have fun with it? Could fundraising not be the kind of oppressive tons of work, big event hard thing that sometimes it can feel like I know to small nonprofits. Could it just be part of the fabric of the community?’ So we combined it with this beloved thing which is the village commons music series, which we do with Folk University and the Radio Station anyway. “There’s so many projects. We couldn't choose all of them. We knew we had nine weeks so we said, okay, we'll basically choose a fund a week during that time.” The Nine projects were: The Cortes Academy Scholarship. Village Commons Music Series. Cortes Housing Society.Dr. Emily Ellingson Scholarship Fund.Climate Adaption Fund. Social Profits Network,Cortes Community Radio Society.Cortes Death Caring Collective And MicroGrants for Neighbors.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - After 14 years at the helm, Ester Strijbos is moving on from the Tideline. In one of the archived posts, from the fall of 2011, she wrote: “Last year June, after careful consideration, Richard Trueman decided to step down from cortesisland.com (Tideline). I took over from Richard in July 2010. Irene Blueth is still Assistant Editor, which means that she takes care of the Tideline when I am away, and also helps make editing decisions.” Cortes Currents: How did you become the editor of the tideline? Ester Strijbos: “Richard and I became friends when we met up at the TAC on a weekly basis. We got together with a bunch of people that were into web stuff and photography. We became friends. Then after a few years in 2010, he was just done with it. There was a lot of stuff going on, the hall tax , the rezoning of the fish farms and the community plan.” “So he called and said, 'I need to find someone within a few days because I don't want to do it anymore.’" “I thought I would do it for a little while and then someone else would take over. ' That was my initial idea because I thought, 'well, we can't not have it. So I'll do it for a while and then we'll figure something out.' I guess that part never really happened until now.” Cortes Currents: Has it been a good time? Ester Strijbos: “Yes. Most of it, yes.” (Laughs)Cortes Currents: Why? What was good about it? Ester Strijbos:"Well, it's the community. There's a lot of people that are part of the timeline, it feels like the whole community. I loved that about it!”Cortes Currents: What have been the challenges and what have been the successes? Ester Strijbos: “I think the successes are what you see every day, people communicating with each other and to our community.” “The challenges have been the not so nice notes or people just not wanting to understand the policies and the guidelines and staying within them. That's been a challenge. When things happen on the island, and when we lose people that you're really close to, that's hard.” Cortes Currents: What are you going to miss about it? Ester Strijbos: “Again, I'm going to miss the community. At this point there's lots of things I'm not going to miss about being editor, but I know I will miss the connections that I had on a daily basis with a lot of people. I won't have that anymore, and so I'll definitely miss that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island's most economically challenged residents appear to be facing another bleak winter this year. Filipe Figueira, Coordinator of the Cortes Island Food Bank, explained, “We’ve definitely seen a huge rise in general economic distress over the last couple of years. I think that covers two key areas. One is food insecurity, the other one is housing insecurity, which feeds into economic insecurity as well.” “In terms of food insecurity, we all know prices have increased significantly over the last few years. I don’t think the reported cost of living index truly reflects what's going on. I think everybody's experiencing higher food costs, and that has an impact obviously.”“We are seen as a food insecure location. We don't have a lot of big stores which sell cheaper food. We don't have easy transport to places where food is a little cheaper. That puts us particularly at risk with food prices.” “I did some research recently, and the official cumulative food price rise over 10 years is about 48.7%. I think that's conservative. I think the real food prices that everybody experiences are much, much higher than that and certainly wages haven't increased that much over 10 years. They've probably declined in real terms.” “You can see evidence of this in the stores. There was recently a story about the dollar store in the US and I think in Canada as well. Their sales drop off in the last half of the month because low income people buy stuff from them, but by the end of the month they've run out of money.” Cortes Currents: Have you seen an increase in the number of clients coming to the food bank? Filipe Figueira: “Over the summer months we always see a bit of a decline because people get seasonal work and they're able to grow their own food and that kind of thing. We're expecting this winter the numbers will rise again. We reached a peak of around 86 people per month in January of last year. We expect to go to those numbers again because the economic situation has increased and people don't really have the reserves to survive.”“We're seeing a lot more people in housing that's precarious. A lot of people live on boats, in shelters and in trailers that don't have proper kitchen facilities, refrigeration, freezers, that kind of thing. So that makes it really challenging.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday, August 30, Louis Belcourt performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Manda Aufochs Gillespie, this event marked the last concert of the season in the Village Commons Music Series.The series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also raising funds for the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. Every week, the donations raised in the big tent go towards a different community project the campaign is highlighting. This week, the series highlighted the Microgrants for Neighbours program which has supported community-led projects like the Skate Jam, song circles, community book exchange boxes, Ayajuthem language workshops, and many more.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Pickleball Society has recently established a Pickleball committee with the South Cortes Community Association to oversee the potential construction of Pickleball courts next to the skatepark.Mary Jo Woolgar, long time resident to Cortes, introduced Cortes to Pickleball with her husband about two years ago and she says its often described as “a lifestyle.”“We have capacity issues and we’re limited behind the school because obviously we can’t use the courts when school’s in. It’s totally the way it should be,” said Woolgar. “So we would like to have some courts that are dedicated to pick a ball ideally close by, probably behind the skate park.”An architect was hired last week, as well as a surveyor to assess a potential site for the new courts, according to Woolgar.
Louis Belcourt/ Folk U - On Friday, August 23, Jemma & the Good Thing performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Louis Belcourt, Cortes Island-based Jemma Hicken (Jemma & the Good Thing) weaves together tender lyrics, funny storytelling, and catchy sing-a-longs to create a feel-good Canadiana-folk show.The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also highlighting community organizations and funds part of the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. This week, the series highlighted the Cortes Island DeathCaring Collective. This collective is working create a fund to assist families with limited resources and to support the training of volunteers.https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/care-for-cortes-deathcare/ Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is considering a Grant in Aid policy which would funnel all applications through staff. According to Gerald Whalley, who has been a Regional Director since the SRD was formed in 2008, this is the third time the idea of a policy has come up. After an intense debate, the proposal has been forwarded to the Electoral Areas Services Committee and Municipal Services Committee for further discussion. Some of the main points of the proposed policy include:Financial assistance will only be considered for registered, non-profit organizations that have an operational presence within the Strathcona Regional District.Applicants must provide a current financial statement and budget for the yearthe SRD will not fund core operating expenses, capital improvements to equipment, insurance, property taxes, or multi-year funding commitments The SRD will give priority to applications that do not exceed $5,000 and are from organizations that do not already receive funding from the SRDMayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos explained that in the past, “We found that it would alter many of the contributions that are already being made. We just felt that some of the restrictions were too restrictive.” Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C agreed: “I just wanted to point out that the next item on the agenda is three requests for financial assistance from Electoral Area C, and with this policy as is, none of these three very important and valid applications would be considered eligible. That includes the Quadra Island Foundation's application for financial support because they are hiring a consultant to create a Vital Signs report for Quadra Island. Neither would liability insurance costs for the Quadra Island Conservancy, which maintains public land that is publicly accessible and is a highly used piece of land for outdoor recreation in our community for visitors and for residents, be covered. Lastly Quadra Island Concerts is asking for $1,000 to assist with administration insurance costs for bringing music to our community for the entire winter. I just want to point out that this policy would negate all three of those applications.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) wants a list of School District 72’s properties on Cortes Island and Area C. As Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney pointed out, in a letter to the other rural Directors, some of them ‘may be a good fit for a housing project.’ Mawhinney proposed that the SRD ask for a list. At the Board’s August 21 meeting, Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott made an amendment to Mawhinney’s motion: “I'm going to say that a letter be sent to School District 72, inquiring whether or not there are lands available for either the school district to develop for housing, or over which they have an interest, that they own or have a license of occupation or right of access that they'd be interested in disposing to the Regional District.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum has a genealogical database. It was compiled by Bernice McGowan, whose interest in genealogy was sparked by her mother’s research of their family roots. Coming to Cortes Island some 50 odd years ago, she was intrigued by the fact that so many of the island’s older European families seemed to be related. She has also dug up some census records for Klahoose, Japanese and Chinese residents. Bernice McGowan: "I was always interested in questions like, 'how are you related to so and so." When I started putting my family into a database, I thought it would be interesting to do that for Cortes if nobody has done that before for the museum. So, I just started doing it and when I retired, I went, 'okay, now I have some time to do that.'" "I started with June Cameron's book, 'Destination Cortez island: A Sailor's Life Along The BC Coast'. She talks about going around Cortes by water, talks about the various places and has lots of stories of the different families that she knows. So I just took names out of there." Bernice went on to incorporate the data from census returns, birth, marriage and death records, newspaper articles, interviews and all the other sources normally used by genealogists. Bernice McGowan: "I tend to limit myself to people who've actually lived here. So say with one family, I might have gone like 'so and so lived here and these were his siblings' if I happened to find it, and they were born in such and such a place and their parents were such and such, but I wouldn't go any further back than that. I'm really interested in the people who lived here, the interconnections between the families that are here and then maybe where they dispersed to."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Academy’s third year starts on Tuesday September 3, 2024. Executive DIrector Manda Aufochs Gillespie explained that there are a number of innovative new programs this semester as well as popular facilitators from previous years. The Mother Tree Network, Hakai Intitute, Hollyhock and Power of Hope are all contributing partners. For the first time ever, there are also still some last minute spots available for new students.Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “For those of you who do not know what the Cortes Island Academy is, it's an accredited experiential place-based high school program that happens right here on Cortes Island and is a partnership with the school district, the Cortes Island School, the Cortes Island Community Foundation and pretty much every other organization and person on Cortes, because boy, does it take a lot of heart and help to make it happen.” “This is our third year, and we've decided to change all sorts of things up in order to keep it fresh.”“We'll start on September 3rd with a meet and greet. Please, please come and be part of it. Meet the students, some of the facilitators and get behind the scenes a little earlier on.” “That Labor Day weekend you will start seeing teenagers arrive back on the island.”“We still have some spots for this year. So if you have a special young person in your life who would be a great addition to this kind of experiential project based learning, send them our way.” “This year we have lower enrollment from Cortes students because there are very few local kids going into grade 10. That's both a little bit sad and also something that we knew would come. There are just years on Cortes where there are less kids or where the kids have already had to leave in that hard effort of trying to find schooling that works for them. For the first time, we don't have foreign exchange students, but it looks like we already have two signed up for next year.” “As we have in years past, we have students coming from other communities, most especially other rural islands - so Sonora, Reed, and some from as further out afield as Pender.”“We're doing a couple of things that we're pretty excited about.”“We have partnered with the Mother Tree Network and Hollyhock Leadership Institute and are doing a leadership intensive at Hollyhock October 20th through 25th. This gathering uses the creative facilitation model, which has really been popularized through Power of Hope, and is based on exploring the interface of ecology, the arts and experiential education. We have room for 30 students in a week long intensive with Dr. Suzanne Simard, other leaders from the Mother Tree Network, the Juno nominated musician Ruby Singh, a team of other local facilitators and knowledge holders, and some of the best known facilitators from the Power of Hope camps. Kari McClelland, who's perhaps the best known and most beloved of all Power of Hope facilitators is the main facilitator for that week. They're all going to be having a camp experience at Hollyhock.” “This case leadership intensive is for the Cortes Island Academy students and other students are coming to join. There is still some spaces for this. We're prioritizing local and indigenous youth, but there are still spaces for any kids and there are some scholarships available for this workshop.“Cortes Island Academy students are also going to be joining with some other students at Hakai again for a climate intensive to, see what the current science is around all things related to climate and the ecological impacts of our changing ecosystems. They spend a week at the incredible state of our science facilities on Quadra Island.” “The themes this year are climate and art."
Greg Osoba/Folk U - On Friday, August 16, Sean Coyote performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Greg Osoba, Sean is a long-time Cortes resident who has been a musician & music lover since he was young. Sean mostly performs in his living room for the benefit of the cat, however he does occasionally sneak out for a few rare public performances.Just beforehand, to wrap up her kids camp, Monica Lee also performed a kids music set. (Pictured)The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also highlighting community organizations and funds part of Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. This week, the series highlighted Cortes Community Radio’s Power the Tower campaign.Find out more here:https://cortesradio.ca/power-the-tower/Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As of this morning, Heather Deeth has been the Interim Executive Director of Hollyhock for 19 days. Cortes Currents caught up with her on Sunday to talk about the changes in her life, as well as what’s happening in one of the most dynamic retreat centres on the West Coast. It is the peak summer season at Hollyhock. The programs listed on their webpage are grouped into categories like: wisdom teachings, social innovation, health & healing, creative expression, the Hollyhock Leadership Institute and signature holidays. Cortes Currents asked, Why is Hollyhock important? Heather Deeth: “People have transformative experiences here. If we can give people the skills where they can have their own transformation internally themselves, and then collectively together, whether we're bringing people together and they're collectively arriving somewhere, that's really potent. If we can be seeding that more and more out in the world right now, that's exactly what we need to be doing.”Cortes Currents: Have there been changes in your life, now that you're in the Director's seat?Heather Deeth: “We're feeling Peter's departure. I really loved working with Peter. I learned so much from him. It was a total gift to have two years of working and learning from Peter. I miss working with him very much and I'm thankful that he's become a dear friend and is a deep ally of Hollyhock and will be for a long time. I feel that in his continued relationship with me as well.”“For me, the change is in being with the people. I haven't worked on site since before the start of the pandemic. I worked remotely, many people worked remotely during the pandemic and it's my first time coming back. I've been out here a few times, but not for longer stays, always as a visitor.”“I arrived last week. It feels very different for me this time, really connecting with our staff who are here on the island.” Cortes Currents: Where are you living right now? Heather Deeth: “I'm in Shivon Robinsong and Bill Weaver's house. That's where my family's been staying.” Cortes Currents: What’s happening at Hollyhock right now? Heather Deeth: “This is the first summer where it's felt like we were back at strong peak summer numbers, the way it used to be. It's nice to see our guests returning.” “Today's a changeover day. We have ‘The Art Of Leadership’ starting. I have Dan Siegel coming in on Friday to offer two workshops back to back, which is very exciting.”Insights Meditation will also be this week and Cortes Island’s very own Bill Ophoff will be running his naturalist program.“We had Sophie Gregoire Trudeau to start July off, which was a really incredible experience. Many of our programs were running through the month of July. We had our Canadian Psychedelic Summit in July as well, which was our third year of running. There were a hundred people this year and the feedback from that gathering was that it was extraordinary. We're almost through our peak season and so that's feeling really good because the last couple of summers we were still in pandemic recovery.” Cortes Currents: Tell me about your day. When do you start in the morning? What do you do first? Heather Deeth: “I'm an early bird, especially because I'm from the East Coast. Usually I'm up around five. I love the birds, and so usually if I am lucky in the morning, I listen to the early morning bird song. Coffee is very important. Then usually the first thing I do is I look at my calendar, to refresh my memory about what's on and what's happening. So I can come in clear headed and ready. On a good day, I can get out for a walk in the mornings.”
Roy L Hales - Andrea Padovani is a professional artist who has been living on Cortes for much of the last 17 years, but there is a sense in which his show ‘Deep Breath,’ which opens in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery this Friday, is his introduction to the larger island community.He explained, "I have a problem expressing my real deep feelings in a conversation, if you really want to know me, look at my paintings. That this really represents a hundred percent of what I am." Cortes Currents: Do you find people get it? Andrea Padovini: "10 percent." "It took me 17 years before I really understood and allowed myself to go and to really portray the different beauty of Cortes. Obviously I could do the first year, but that would've been a technical expression. What I'm going to show in my show is the way in which I see Cortes."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - CKTZ is looking for donors to help power the tower during 2024 and 2025. Cortes Currents caught up with Bryan McKinnon, station manager and President of CKTZ, while he was manning the radio’s booth at Lovefest. In addition to the hum of conversation from some of the first people to arrive at the festival, in the background you can hear a sitar and tabla from the opening performance. Q: So tell us about the power the tower campaign?Bryan McKinnon: “Our broadcast antenna is on a tower, and all that equipment goes back 20 years to when the radio station was first set up. Back then it was a pirate station where people were really pulling together equipment that was already used and old at the time. What we want to do is make sure that our signal goes far, wide, and clear as possible.” “We're looking to upgrade basically all the equipment around the broadcast tower. A broadcast tower has three components, generally. There is the radio shack at the base of the tower, which has a lot of the receivers , transmitters , all sorts of equipment, internet and then also backup power.”“There is the main tower itself, the mast. I believe David Rousseau was saying that tower was already falling over when we set it up. So, it's really past its due date and so we're looking to replace that. Then at the very top of the tower is the antenna, which is the most important piece.”“People may have noticed that the signal sometimes cuts out, depending on where they are on the island. In order for us to really get it to where it needs to be and where we're actually allowed to broadcast, we need to upgrade the equipment.” “Right now we are broadcasting in mono because it extends our reach a little bit. With the new upgrades, we'll be able to go back to broadcasting in stereo, which would be best for us and also for listeners.”“So this is Cortes Community Radio's Power of the Tower campaign. We have a goal to raise $25,000, which seems like a lot for us, but that includes full upgrades of all our equipment, a new tower, and then also to access the tower site. It's very difficult, and so in order to get equipment up there, we're going to have to do a little bit of landscaping.”Cortes Currents: How do people give you money? Bryan McKinnon: “Donors can give any way they, that they feel most comfortable with. You can give us cash, you can give us by check. E transfer is a really great way to give it to us and that information is all on our website at cortesradio. ca forward slash donate. You can also get by credit card right through our online portal. Or if you see us at the Friday Market, you can make a donation there, right at our table.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Earlier this year, the Cortes Island community learned that there were renovations underway at the island's old gravel airstrip. At a town hall meeting last June, around 125 residents turned out to express their concerns. Very little transpired until yesterday, Monday, August 12, when an asphalt truck was spotted in the BC Ferries webcam feed from Heriot Bay. It did not take long to confirm that the truck was coming to help lay a layer of chipseal on the runway. During the next hour, around 20 people gathered at the corner of Raven and Suitil Point Roads to block access to the airstrip. From the beginning it was clear this demonstration was a brief expression of displeasure and, after a delay, the truck would be allowed to proceed to the airstrip. The truck was delayed for about half an hour. Ben Ajami, who Martine Rothblatt employs as the project’s lead contract, came out to politely listen to the protester’s concerns. He then clarified some details about the project.Chris Dragseth explained, “We’ve tried, as a small group of people, to engage in a respectful way. Unfortunately, to date, that has been totally unsuccessful. We're wanting to go on record stating the community is not happy. The contractors are stuck in the middle. Our intent is to allow this truck to go through, but we want to demonstrate that there is some concern at all levels within the community.”
Louis Belcourt/ Folk U -On Friday, August 9, WITCH POP performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Louis Belcourt, WITCH POP emerges as a new duo of Heather Wolf & Raqa Down, fusing queer intuitive pop with folk lineages, moody soulful vocals, minor drones of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer layered with synth & 808 beats. They create dark wave electro psych folk trance rooted in the multidimensionality that is witch wisdom. Their music is quirky and playful, while descending into scorpionic depths, spellcasting visions for a healing collectivism.The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also highlighting community organizations and funds part of Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. This week, the series highlighted the Social Profit Network.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Brenda Hansen, with her brother Dwayne and Kenny Hanuse, greeted the audience of Love Fest 2024 with the ‘Klahoose Welcome Song.’ (You can listen to it, sung in the ʔayʔaǰuθəm language, in the podcast version of this story.) Close to 700 people purchased tickets, performed, or were at the event on Saturday August 10. Cortes Currents went backstage to interview some of the performers and record clips of their music. Singer/songwriter Rick Scott explained, “I've often been interested in what happened with the hippie movement. Because the hippies got it right on a lot of levels. The ecology, community, the idea of cooperative and there was also a musical Renaissance that happened. All these things coming out of that time were so great and it got co-opted. Suddenly, Coca Cola had long hair, and the Monkees were clean-cut hippies. Like so many things, it got bought out and changed. We all grew older, the computer age happened and all these things distorted it in a different way. Something like the Love Fest reminds me of the essence of that time, that renaissance I call it.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - 283 people from Cortes, Quadra and the Outer Island’s as well as some visitors participated in CCEDA’s passenger transportation survey. They were asked about a variety of options for passengers on the islands; a bus, taxi, carpool, van pool, or rideshare."We found that the most popular option for all respondents was a bus on Quadra that included both ferries. Cortes and Outer-Island residents only need a bus that goes from the Cortes ferry to the Quadra ferry. They don't necessarily need to go anywhere else on Quadra. It's just that straight line that so many people take across Quadra. On Quadra, the most popular option was a bus that included both ferries, but also made a loop. It would be helpful for people living on Quadra and for visitors to get around Quadra," explained Jennifer Banks-Doll, Project Lead for Quadra Island."Those were the most popular. Of course those are also the most expensive options to try to implement, which is why we wanted to look at what else people would be interested in?""People are also really interested in having some kind of a taxi or ride-hail, because of course a bus doesn't necessarily come to your door unless you're really lucky and live on the route. It doesn't come exactly when you need it. It doesn't necessarily have a direct route. It doesn't necessarily take you home from the bar at night.""People are still really interested in some kind of door to door option that they would be paying more for, but it might be needed under certain circumstances.""Ride sharing was really popular and in terms of economics, it is really the most economically feasible as well as the easiest to organize because it's already being organized on Quadra and Cortes, through Better At Home. Only a very small number of people can access it that way, but it's a worldwide program funded here to help people stay in their homes. We found that many more people besides the clients of Better at Home are interested in ride sharing.""The strongest thing motivating people to use passenger transportation was reducing their carbon footprint. A lot of people who responded have their own vehicles. They wanted to not always have to use them and be able to use options that are more environmentally sensitive."
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative has obtained funding to implement two wildfire risk reduction projects in the community forest, a project that’s been in the works for years.“The Forest Enhancement Society of BC gave funding to the community forest focused on fiber utilization, but since last year, they’ve been spending half their money on wildfire risk reduction and have a mandate to spend it all around the coast,” says Mark Lombard, manager of the Community Forest Coop.“We’re the first shovel ready project that they have funded on the coast, which is exciting,” added Lombard.This fall, the projects funded will involve thinning out the trees and reducing fuel loads in the Colter Bay residential neighbourhood and in another area in Squirrel Cove.The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative worked with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to complete a revised wildfire protection plan that completed in 2020. These two projects are the final two of three remaining projects as a part of that plan, with one final project straddling Klahoose First Nation land.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A crew of seven volunteers was just starting to put up the stage, when Cortes Currents arrived at Linnaea Farm on Wednesday. The doors to Love Fest 2024 will open at 11 AM on Saturday, August 10. “This is the fifth year. We took two years off during COVID, so it's seven years since we started in 2017,” said Rex Weyler, one of the founding organizers of Love Fest, His co-producer, Benji Coey, added, “Things are going really well. We're about three days out and things are moving very smoothly, so fingers crossed touch wood it continues. It's going to be a beautiful day. The grass on the lawn in front of the stage is lush and green, which for this time of year is a miracle. The lake looks calm and I think the whole vibe is going to be really beautiful.”The final line-up; food; the grounds; getting there
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday, August 2, Johnny Hanuse performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent.The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also raising funds for the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. Every week, the donations raised in the big tent go towards a different community project the campaign is highlighting. This week, the series highlighted the Cortes Foundation’s Climate Adaptation Fund.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - A local sailing company “Calma Sailing” is offering a free sailing course aimed at providing Indigenous and lower-income people an opportunity to learn the sport.“I think sailing is a bit of an elitist sport,” said Dominik Domanski, co-owner of Calma Sailing. “It seems so inaccessible.”Funding is provided by Sail Canada’s “Sailing for All” initiative, created to support grassroots programs in delivering sailing experiences to underserved and underrepresented communities and groups.“When this opportunity came up, I thought it’d be great to give the opportunity to people who live on Cortes, who, even though they live in this area, the sport might not be so accessible to them,” added Domanski.Calma Sailing Co is based on Cortes Island owned by Dominik and Ania Domanski. The course is two days (running Aug. 12-13 and then Aug. 15-16) with a Sailing Canada certificate earned on completion on at the Gorge Harbour Resort.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Rick and Cheryl Schellinck have been trying to obtain approval to subdivide their Quadra Island property, as the first step towards development, since 2011. The most recent version of the proposed Gowland Harbour Views project consisted of twenty-two 2 hectare rural residential lots, a 5 hectare Agricultural Land Reserve parcel, and two small Regional District Parks. Quadra Island residents were given a chance to state their opinions of the project at a public meeting on June 12. Then Schellinck’s application was defeated in an electoral Directors only vote at the July 24, SRD Board meeting. It failed to make it to the third reading.
Greg Osoba/Folk U - On Friday, July 26, Josie Simpson performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Greg Osoba, singer-songwriter Josie Simpson draws from influences of classic American jazz, blues, and country. "The timeless quality of her phrasing...sonorous melodies and tender songwriting are Simpson's strengths" - Regular Occasion.The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also raising funds for the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. Every week, the donations raised in the big tent go towards a different community project the campaign is highlighting. This week, the series highlighted the Emily Ellingsen Scholarship Fund.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District Board SRD is considering amending the Grant in Aid process. A proposed ‘Financial Assistance to Organizations’ policy from 2021 is being considered. Regional Directors Gerald Whalley from Area A, Robyn Mawhinney from Area C and Mark Vonesch from Area B (Cortes Island) voted in opposition, but were defeated. The associated staff report refers to a recent grant in aid to the Cortes Island School, questions the relationship between the school and Parent Advisory Council and asks whether the funds being requested should actually have come from School District 72. The policy brought forward in 2021 proposed that in the future: Applications must be submitted directly to the SRD’s Financial Officer.Only registered non-profits can apply.The funds are not to be used for core funding, operating costs, wages, insurance or multi-year funding etc.Applicants must include a written statement indicating how the grant-in-aid will benefit the community.The board will give preference to applications that do not exceed $5,000.Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney, of Area C, spoke in opposition:“I'm satisfied with the current model. I think that the proposed policy that is included as a draft from 2021, does not benefit Area C constituents as it would deny applications for support with insurance fees, which can be a significant item for small organizations, and the policy also denies support for groups which are not registered not-for-profits. "Apart from the repercussions this could create in area C. It made me wonder about more loosely organized events looking for support, such as the Campbell River Canada Group, which we supported with fireworks funding earlier this year, so I'm supportive of option B, leaving the grant and aid working as it currently is." Regional Director Gerald Whalley moved, “That the matter of policy for considering grants and aid not be pursued at this time.”Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott explained, “The city of Campbell has got a substantial confusion in terms of how much money we're spending for various things like permissive tax exemptions, grants and aids and where we sit relative to other communities, including the funding source right now, where it's tied to the percentage of revenue of the city's tax base, which continue means it's growing, which I don't know if that's an acceptable use of tax dollars.” More in podcast
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Peter Wrinch is stepping down from his position as CEO of Hollyhock. "My last day will be July 31st this year. That will be exactly seven years, to the day," he explained."The reason I'm leaving is a much deeper question. I'm 49 years old. I'm turning 50 next year. This is my second job as an executive director or CEO. When I finished the first one, I said, 'Well, I will never do that job again” and then a few years later, I took on this role. Coming into Hollyhock, I had very little sense of the depth and warmth and connection of this place. I also knew that I would not stay forever. I'm so happy that I got to experience the love that is Hollyhock. And, I am clear that my purpose at this stage of my life is to figure out how to support organizational leaders instead of being one myself. I've thught about this quite deeply and see this ending as a call to a deeper purpose. “Heather Deeth who's been Hollyhock’s Chief Product Officer for two years and is an incredible colleague and incredible friend will take over as interim CEO for the foreseeable future. We have written a new strategic plan for our organization and are socializing it through our networks. The idea is that the board is going to hire the next full time organizational leader through the prism of the new strategic plan. I feel really confident in that view."“Hollyhock has changed a lot in the seven years that I've been leading it. I had come from working in startups - political, advocacy, technology - and to come into an organization that was 37 years old was a new experience for me. When I came in, I did not regard myself as a change agent, but more as someone who culd manifest what was wanting to come through - mostly by getting out of the way. The change that has happened in the organization over the past seven years is the result of many, many beautiful hands.” “It has occasionally been seductive to define my tenure through the lens of the pandemic. And there is no doubt that the pandemic changed all of our lives, and certainly changed my trajectory here. However, I have come to see it as an amazing time to lead the organization. It allowed us to lead from values and I am very proud of the way we led through those years."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In 2008, the city of Berkely had a problem. They wanted to hasten the adoption of solar technology, but the $20,000 to $30,000 bill was too steep for a lot of homeowners. Cisco DeVries, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, came up with what Scientific American would later call one of the top 20 “world-changing” ideas of the year. The capital would come from private investors, but homeowners could finance energy upgrades through their property taxes. Since then, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs have provided more than $13 billion for solar installations and energy saving improvements for homes and businesses in the United States. Cortes Island resident Brian Scott would like to see PACE made available to British Columbians. “I represent two things, an idea and an organization. The idea is the PACE financing tool, which will not be ‘the magic bullet’ but is very close when it comes to our need to address climate change quickly. PACE specifically addresses the fact that roughly a third of our greenhouse gas emissions come from residential and commercial buildings. I'm representing the concept and promoting it. I also represent PACE Alberta and PACE Canada,” he explained. “The key that makes PACE work is that the homeowner isn't borrowing the funds. Their house is borrowing the funds effectively. It doesn't impact their credit rating. It shouldn't even impact their mortgage because essentially it's just like a local improvement charge. The bottom line is when you borrow PACE money to upgrade your house, that borrowing effectively flows through the taxation authority and you repay the borrowing through your taxes.”“PACE unlocks our motivation right across the board, whether it's personal, whether it's private, whether it's government, et cetera. It removes the barriers and it makes it easy to become a sustainable champion and to take action. The proof is that in the US: where those measures have been properly implemented, PACE is growing exponentially. In Canada, it's a turtle. That's really the bottom line.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Tamara Dawn has been travelling to India for the past 15 years. On August second she brings her personal interpretation of Tibetan Thangka art to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery in a watercolour collection called 'Buddha as a Principle.’ “I was 18 when I took my first trip to the east, I went to Nepal. I went to India when I was maybe 20. I've been back and forth several times, going to India and Nepal, and then coming back to Canada and integrating what I learned,” she began. Cortes Currents: What’s special about India? Tamarra Dawn: “In my childhood there was a real absence of spiritual teachings. I was raised as a kind of pseudo-Christian. I have been baptized, but there were not really any real teachings involved with it, almost like a surface (Christianity). I was drawn to the East because of the preservation of tradition and the way that they're alive in day to day life.” “I think my favorite part is the embracing of the chaos and the embracing of just life being not all clean or pure. Life is full of the whole spectrum and an appreciation of that, the culture of worship and devotion being present. I think that inspired me in my life, and then really came through in my art.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There’s a lot happening at Wild Cortes this summer. “Come to Wild Cortes because it's the coolest place on the island, literally and figuratively. Literally because we're in the basement and it's always cool here,” said co-curator Dawn Collins.At 2 PM on Wednesday July 24, they are holding a bug hunt at Wild Cortes.There will be a taxidermy display at an as yet to be determined time on Saturday July 27. Kristen Schofield-Sweet will lead a session on drawing wild critters at 12;30 on Sunday, August 4. At 12:00 on Wednesday August 14, Ayamia Strike will offer a demonstration on crafting with nature.Laurel will give a taxidermy demonstration, using study skins, at 1 PM on Friday August 24.Wild Cortes will be holding a special Taxidermy showcase at 6:00 on Saturday September 14. These events are in addition to the current exhibits, which are on display five days a week through the summer.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie: On Friday, July 19, Rick Bockner performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Greg Osoba, Rick Bockner is a guitarist, songwriter, teller of tales, and social commentator. He mixes a deep love of traditional music with contemporary influences and topics.The Village Commons Music Series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also raising funds for the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. Every week, the donations raised in the big tent go towards a different community project the campaign is highlighting. This week, the series highlighted the Cortes Housing Society.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Once or twice a year, visitors are given an opportunity to ‘gumboot’ into the natural and human history of Mansons Lagoon. This is a joint event put on by the Cortes Island Museum and Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Jane Newman provides the glimpse into the lagoon’s past. In the following article, Cortes Currents supplemented her account with materials from the Museum and additional genealogical records found on the web. Jane’s account started with a description of Mansons Spit during the precolonial era.
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Community Foundation announced its funded projects for the 2024 Microgrants for Neighbors Program.There were thirty-two applications, which was more than last year, and fourteen projects were funded that used up their entire budget of around six thousand dollars, says Isabelle Mcknight, Executive Administrator at the Foundation.Within in the successful applicants are multiple Indigenous projects supporting the Klahoose Nation, including a Helping Elders Heal program, design work being done for a group of Namqam Singers, and a project working on Klahoose Regalia and a workshop to go along with it.“We’re super excited that we have had lots of engagement from the Klahoose peoples throughout this program. One of the really big things that the foundation is trying to work on is increased accessibility for all different sectors of our community,” added McKnight.
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - Construction has officially begun on the first two of the four new battery-electric hybrid Island Class vessels at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.“Today, the first steel plates were cut, marking the official start of production for our newest Hybrid Island Class ships,” said Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries. “Their innovative design will also improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of our operations.”These ships have multiple improvements including increased capacity and better environmental sustainability by incorporating a battery system powered by BC hydro electric, according to BC ferries.The new vessels will enter service “around 2026 to 2027”, BC Senior Communications Advisor Colin Zak told CKTZ. They will travel the Nanaimo – Gabriola route and the Campbell River – Quadra route and “that’s going to help give us a little bit more capacity to ease some of the capacity issues we’re having on some of the other routes,” added Zak.
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - July 18, 2024 - Cortes Island was included in the third annual Oceanwise Conservation Association’s 2024 Whale Blitz, which included events all over the Vancouver coast, educating people on whale information and how to spot whales and report on their sightings.A booth hosted by the coordinator of the Oceanwise Conservation Association provided information on whales in our area and encouraged people to report their whale sightings to the Whale Report App.The Oceanwise Conservation Association was made aware of the reports of the supposed three year old whale named Vector that is entangled in fishing line, but hasn’t heard of any follow up sightings.Another potentially entangled humpback was reported to Oceanwise off of Hornby Island on Monday night and locals are encouraged to keep an eye out and report it to Oceanwise, the D
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Elevenses is coming to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery.“A lot of people are like, ‘Elevenses? What is Elevenses?’ Well, Elevenses is the time of day. I believe it's a Harry Potter thing, but it's not really why I like it. I like it because it's a great name for the time of day. We're going to meet at 11 and really the whole intent of doing this is to spark imagination. It really is not so much about creative writing and preparing something that's going to come to completion. It's about a process. So we're going to enter this evocative experiential installation space at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery at 11 o'clock Wednesday, July 24th as a group,” explained Jane Newman, who will lead this creative writing workshop. “I will have crafted a number of different prompts and questions for people to respond to in sort of timed writing segments.”“It isn't a traditional exhibition where there's paintings all around the room with labels on them and their price and the name and everything. It's called an installation and an installation has a different sort of form in the gallery.” “It's a little bit more interactive experiential. It may hit you on an emotional level just as far as the mood of the space. It may be misunderstood. It may be confusing. It may be that our responses are ephemeral and we don't really know what we're feeling, but we're going to capture it. We're going to stop, reflect, write, share, move forward, another prompt, stop, reflect, write, share, move forward another prompt“.“We'll be in that space. We'll interact with each other just in that we're in the room together, but really interacting with the installation by Ebony Rose. That's the intent. That's the process. This installation will be a little bit of a mystery to begin with for many, and we will meet the muses.” “There will be an opportunity to share back too, because that's always really interesting. If people don't want to share back, they don't have to share back.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday, July 12, Michael Keith performed a live + live-broadcast FolkU concert in the big Village Commons tent. Hosted by Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Michael Keith is a guitarist from Toronto, now living on Cortes, who plays globally-informed, original music.The Village Commons music series is put on every Friday by a partnership between Cortes Island Community Foundation, FolkU, and CKTZ Cortes Community Radio. The series is generously sponsored by Decoda Literacy and Coastal Community Credit Union.This year, the series is also raising funds for the Cortes Foundation’s fundraising campaign Care for Cortes. Every week, the donations raised in the big tent go towards a different community project the campaign is highlighting.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - It began with sacred songs, drumming and dancers. Executive Director Kristie Lamirande would later tell Cortes Currents that while many healing centres have Indigenous spiritual components, as far as she knows none of them possess the 50/50 blend of Indigenous and Western healing methodology that the new Tsakwa’luten Healing Centre will offer. Some will remember this property as the Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge, on the southern tip of Quadra Island. There will be 42 beds for people struggling with addiction. 20 of them should be ready when the Centre opens this Fall. Jennifer Whiteside, the province's Minister for Health and Addictions, MLA Michele Babchuk, Chief Susan Savoy of the K’omoks First Nation and a number of leaders from the health community joined the We Wai Kai First Nation for the dedication on Tuesday July 16, 2024. Ronnie Chickite, Chief Councillor of the We Wai Kai Nation addressed the visitors, “I would like to welcome you all to our traditional territory. It's a great day to be here. The sun is shining for this monumental announcement that the Minister is going to do for us today. We've been working on this over the last year and a half, but this vision has been there a lot longer. It's something we've seen our people go through and not only our people, but people throughout this whole country, let alone BC, but Indigenous people are definitely struggling the most.”“We wanted to create an Indigenous led traditional healing centre. We've seen them work. We believe that the culture based approach, combined with evidence based practices, can heal our people. The clinical programming that we are looking at as well is going to be combined with 50 percent Western therapies and 50 percent land based therapies. We are looking to open up in the Fall, hopefully in November.” “I'd also like to thank the Ministry of Health and Addictions. Without Minister Whiteside and her team and staff, and also our local MLA, Michelle Babchuk, a lot of this wouldn’t be happening.”The province is investing $7.86 million towards the renovations and the operations. Whiteside explained, “It’s an important part of building a continuum of care in this part of the island, with the detox beds that have just opened now, at the hospital. The relationships that have been built through this project.”Lamirande added, “The province has committed to funding our social beds for the first year. That's 80 percent of our beds. 20 percent of our beds are corporate, private pay beds, and so year two and beyond, we need to sort that out, but social beds are covered for the first year.” Cortes Currents joined Minister Whiteside, Babchuk and Linda Campbell, the facility’s lead for construction, on a tour of the bedrooms that are already finished. They were discussing the centre’s interactions with other First Nations.Cortes Currents: What about Klahoose? Linda Campbell: “We haven't heard from Klahoose yet. They've been invited today, but I don't know if they're sending anybody over. Certainly we'll be reaching out to all the nations. One of the nice things about it is I sit on the primary care network and the Indigenous Advisory. Klahoose is also a member. I've been bringing them up to speed on where the Healing Centre is at. We will be open shortly, and a lot of nations have been reaching out.”Chief Ronnie Chickite: “Our goal is to create a safe and wonderful environment for anyone who wants to come here, not just Indigenous people. We want to make this for everybody.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - MLA Michelle Babchuk was on Cortes Island for a few days last week. She spoke to Cortes Currents after meeting with some of the island’s non-profits in the Village Commons. This was the third time she’s visited the island since she was elected in 2020. “I'm hearing that Cortes actually has a lot of capacity and we've known that for a long time. There's a lot of not for profit groups here. A lot of them are feeling extremely underfunded,” she explained. “I'm really excited because in my past visits there've been a lot of not-for-profits doing really great work at a grassroots level built specifically on need for the community, which is super heartwarming because it's a community feel, but now we're taking a look at those organizations scaling up. They are not dispersing little amounts of money that are not getting where they are needed. I'm seeing a lot of collaboration with people actually taking a look at where there is overlap, where the highest need is and being able to collaborate and scale that up so that you're actually hitting that next level of service delivery.” Babchuk has visited a lot of rural communities in her riding. Michele Babchuk: “I’ve been traveling through the North Island for the last four years, It's a large riding but I've been able to go to all of the communities at least once or twice to see if the direction of the government in housing, health care, public safety, all of that is working for the community, and if not, what are the things that need to change. Rural communities are different from urban communities, different from metropolitan communities and sometimes it feels like we're fitting a round peg into a square hole. We need to be able to listen to the communities to make that happen.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The audio version of this story starts with Michael Keith’s impromptu response to a car horn sounding off during his Friday, July 12, performance in the Village Commons Music Series. “I don't want to live in this crazy place, all the horns are beeping all over the place. Every time I try to play, I can’t - I hear another horn, it's probably someone shopping for corn.” There have been a lot of changes in what Manda Aufochs Gillespie calls the heart of ‘Mansons Landing.’ The big tent where Michael played has been moved beside the Mansons Hall parking lot for the summer. Cortes Currents did not check to see if Reef Point Farm is already selling corn at the Friday Market, but Sara Stewart was there. Her stall was involved in the realignment which now connects the Market with the Village Commons.Manda Aufochs Gillespie: "The Cortes Island Community Foundation is really excited to be partnered with our neighbors in particular, the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) and Manson's Hall to rethink the Village Commons and heart of Manson's in a way that would be more from the neighbourhood user experience." "One of the first things we realized, when we started looking at this piece of land that we're calling the Village Commons, is how separated the land right beyond the radio station and FOCI was. As if to say, ‘Who cares about that?’" "What we want is to have interactive places where we can come together as a community, and flow between. The grants that came with the Village Commons, when CCEDA passed that land to the community foundation, provided an opportunity to do some revisioning taking onto account that has happened in the past with CCEDA and the deliverables that we have to do." “One of the things that came up again and again, when we were talking to the community, was that people wanted to feel like there was less division between spaces. They wanted to park their car, leave it for some period of time and walk between things." "As you can see now, the parking lot here at Manson's hall is starting to feel a little bit more organized. It's a little less overfull. Now there's an overflow parking that's tucked in near the skate park and the museum that is publicly accessible with a short trail that goes right to the Friday Market, Manson's Hall and the Village Common space."
Lovefest 2024 is coming to Cortes Island on Saturday, August 10. The full slatep of performers has now been confirmed and today’s program is going to be a sampler from five of the acts: 6 Foot Johnson, Doc Fingers, Elise Le Blance, the Adonis Puentes Cuban band and Ann Mortifee “ It'll be a great day of music; it’s a family affair. There's food, of course, and all the crafts vendors and there will be massages. There's a kid's tent. We're going to have fun and games for kids. It's the Cortes annual music festival. This is for the people that are here in the summer and of course, the year round residents that live on Cortes. We like to feature our local musicians and we like to bring in new bands that people haven't heard. Doors open at 11, the music starts at noon, Lovefest will probably go till nine o’clock,” explained Rex Weyer, one of the Festival’s principle organizers. Tickets are on sale in the stores: the Cortes Market, Cortes Natural Food Co-op, Squirrel Cove General Store and Gorge Harbour Store. Rex Weyler: "They're also on sale at Friday Markets. I'm there every Friday.” Cortes Currents: Let’s go to the sampling:The audio version of this story opens with a short clip of 6 Foot Johnson which CKTZ News reporter Louis Belcourt recorded just prior to their 20th year anniversary performance. You can listen to it in the podcast above. Rex Weyler: “This is the first time that Six Foot Johnson is going to play at Lovefest. We're really excited about that. This is a Cortes band that's been playing for a long time for decades and great musicians, “We have Doc Fingers, great BC musician. I knew Doc Fingers in the seventies and eighties, when he used to play in Vancouver all the time. He'll bring his band, really good music.”Weyler’s co-producer, Benji Cohen emailed that Doc Fingers has been on the Vancouver scene since 1972: “Doc plays an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, pop, boogie-woogie and originals and has toured Europe regularly.” ‘Good Times Roll’ is from a 2017 recording of the Doc Finger’s Trio. Rex Weyler: “We have Elise LeBlanc, a country singer from Cumberland. She plays with a fiddle player. They do just great western swing style fiddle music. She did an album in 2011 called 'Runaway Kites' and her most recent, The Fiddle and the Fire, is excellent, just released last year. You can find her on Spotify and BandCamp and so forth. She's got a website. You could play some of her music on the radio too if you want.” "The Fiddle and The Fire” is from a 2023 recording of Elise LeBlanc & The RidgeridersRex Weyler: “The Adonis Puentes Cuban band that people love so much is coming back.” Puentes has been a headliner at the last two Lovefests and his song Sabor A Café was a shortlisted nominee for World Music Album of the Year at the 2014 Junos. This sampling closes with a clip from one of the most internationally recognized singers on Cortes island. “Anne Mortifee is going to do a retrospective of her career. And Anne, I also knew in the seventies in Vancouver. Anne has always been an extraordinary singer. She lives here on Cortes Island now, and we're really fortunate to have Anne on the island and double fortunate that she's going to do a set for us at Lovefest.”‘Nobody Gets My Child’ is taken from the Ecstasy of Rita JoeRex Weyler: “I found out that August 10th, the day of Love Fest, there will also be a massive shooting star exhibition put on by the universe. so as the music's ending, we'll be showered in shooting stars. The grand finale will be the shooting star display in association with the Universe and Love Fest.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - As anyone passing through Squirrel Cove in recent months knows, there has been a great clearing in the upper part of the new Klahoose property. QXMC, the business arm of the Klahoose First Nation, hopes to open a store and gas bar there by March 2025.Ron Buchhorn, Chair of the Board of QXMC, explained, ”We retained a project manager back in November of last year and we have signed a letter of intent with Chevron for the gas station component of the store and gas bar. We have a commitment from Co-op that they will assist us with stocking the store and helping us basically manage to their standards. Co-op will supply us with all the products in the store through their wholesale distributor TGF. We're very happy about that. It won't be branded Co-op because obviously with the Chevron branding on the facility, you can't have two brands.” “The footprint of the store will be about 4,000 square feet. Full service with everything from groceries to produce, to meat, to deli to some prepared warm foods. It looks as though we'll have four suites upstairs. A 2 bedroom and three 1 bedroom suites, to ensure that we have accommodation for staff at the store.” “If we proceed with phase two, which is the campground next door, our plan is to have the General Manager and potentially a couple of the other department managers living at the facility. We want to have someone there full time.”“In terms of the store layout and the external architecture of the store, we're trying to keep the architecture consistent with the cabins that we've had an architect design. He's done a lot of research on Coast Salish buildings, during the last couple hundred years and tried to factor in that type of architecture. It'll be very similar to the Klahoose Administration Building as well, so it'll be a shed roof with some nice exterior wood paneling. Our hope is that the sawmill will be able to provide all of the beams and most of the wood that will be required for the structure.”
Maureen Williams/Cortes Currents - Last week, I sat down on zoom with television showrunner and independent film maker Jon Cooksey to talk about his 2010 film, “How to Boil a Frog”. The film, which also features Rex Weyler, is being screened at Manson’s Hall on Tuesday, July 9, at 7PM. Jon and Rex will be there to participate in discussion after the film.In the interview, we talked about the events that led to his interest in climate change and ecological overshoot, his long friendship with Rex, and how his thoughts about impacting the future have evolved since making this film.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The renovations at Gorge Harbour Marina are finished. This has been much more than a facelift. It includes a new water system, upgraded septic and electric systems, yet the face of the resort has also been dramatically improved. The RV sites, campsites, much of the grounds and internal layout of the lodge have all been redesigned. Six new visitor domes, 2 cooking stations, a new massage hut, a new bridge across the creek and a food truck have been added. There is one big decision remaining. Will QXMC, the business arm of the Klahoose FIrst Nation, build a restaurant to take the place of the former Floathouse restaurant? General Manager Marco Bedetti says a decision is imminent and, for now, the food truck serves the resort’s needs.The last three months at the resort have been a success story, which Bedetti insists starts at the board level:“Obviously we had ideas on the direction that the Gorge Harbour should go. Those ideas became more focused and clear towards the beginning of March. There was a board meeting at the end of March and we decided to go ahead with a bigger project which left us with basically April, May, and parts of June, to be able to get them all done for the opening on June 28th. We couldn't have done any of this without the Klahoose community, without council and chief, without the board of directors who: A - purchased the property, and B - had a vision of wanting to own a better run resort like this one. So I want to give a big thank you to the Klahoose Community Chief and Council and Board of Directors." Darryl Czegledi, the general contractor during this final stage of renovations, added, “This is a big project. It doesn't make a lot of money up front. So you have to have the vision and then you really have to want to put the money forward so the vision can come together. From my perspective, the Klahoose seems to want to invest in the community.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Michael Keith has been a professional musician for over 35 years, and lately people have been asking him to share some of his expertise on the radio. He finally launched ‘Six Strings And Beyond’ on Tuesday June 18th. “The idea of the programs based on guitar, which is my area of expertise: guitar, guitarists, and guitar like instruments from around the world. So, plucked string instruments a number of which I've studied privately over the years. I'm an amateur Ethnomusicologist,” he explained.Cortes Currents: What’s the format: interviews? recordings? your expertise?Michael Keith: “All of the above, I'm wide open. Cortes Community Radio (CKTZ 89.5 FM) would like to have local people as much as possible, so I'm certainly open to that, but mostly just sharing anecdotes about my experiences as a guitar player. discovering and being inspired by people ta lot of people (if they tune in) probably haven’t heard of. I've done such an extensive amount of listening and following of off the radar guitarists and other instrumentalists over the last 40 years or so. I also plan on bringing different instruments with me, having a little talk about them and playing a little bit live in the studio myself, just for the fun of it. Randy Bachman has done that on a CBC show where he'd have guitar player guests, and then they would jam a tune live on the air and I think that's a cool idea.”Cortes Currents: How is the show coming so far? Michael Keith: “I’ve done two and they both went smoothly. So now we're starting to advertise it a bit. It's Tuesday afternoons on CKTZ 89.5 FM, at 3:30 to 5 PM.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) have just published their summer activities program for 2024.“We're really delighted to be launching our 2024 Summer Events Program. We've got eight really fabulous events running in July and August. Everything from a low tide walk in Manson's Lagoon, which we call ‘Gumbooting in the Lagoon’, through to a kayak tour of Hague and Gunflint Lakes. We've also got a tour of Blue Jay Farm, a herbal tea workshop, and an early morning seashore walk in front of Hollyhock. So lots of really exciting events coming up,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.Cortes Currents: Are any of these activities hands on, where you get to really experience nature? Helen Hall: “All of them are like that. We've got a new event for us which is called Forest Foraging on Foot, and that's with permaculturalist and herbalist Maria McKenty. That's going to be a guided walk through Hank's Beach Forest Trails. People get a chance to learn about the nutritional and medicinal uses of plants, so that should be a really fun and engaging.” “Our ‘Gumbooting in the Lagoon’ event is really hands on. Marine biologist, Deb Cowper is there to guide people around the lagoon and look at all the different marine life in the lagoon. On that event, we have lots of children who are really excited to take part. It's a bit like a marine treasure hunt for them. They look at crabs, the moon snails and Deb tells them all about it.” “We've also got a herbal tea workshop that we're running in August, which is where people can actually learn how to blend different herbs and make teas. So that's going to be a very hands on fun event for people to take part in too.” Cortes Currents: I noticed that two of your events or farm tours. Helen Hall: “That’s learning about the two different farms: Blue Jay Farm and how people live there off grid. Max Thaysen, who's a farm resident, will be talking to people about some unique systems of human habitation there. The Linnaea Farm Tour is quite a nice tour for kids to take part in. They get to meet the farm animals, see life on the farm and where the food comes from.” Cortes Currents: Are these events fundraisers for FOCI?Helen Hall: “It helps, we do make a little bit of money about it, but our prime reason is to get people out there enjoying. the natural environment, having fun and discovering new things about the island.” Cortes Currents: Do you find that it that some people who go on the tours turn around and become volunteers for FOCAI? Hellen Hall: Yes, over the years had people volunteering or joining FOCAI as a member, and then getting more involved in the organization. Maybe a child who's come on our low tide Gumbooting walk will be inspired to become a marine biologist. When people do an event or activity, you never really know what they're taking away from it.”We get a mixture of locals and tourists, so it's a good way for us also to talk about the work we're doing in the different locations. Like we're doing some work at Manson's Spit next to the lagoon, so it gives us a chance to tell people about the work we're doing as well. So people get to learn a bit more about us as an organization. It's a lovely time in the summer to be outdoors exploring and we usually get really good feedback from people who take part.“I'd like to say one more thing about our summer events program. The program is on our website, which is friendsofcortes.org. You can find out more about the events there. If people want to book a spot, then they just have to contact the FOCI office by phoning 250-935-0087 or emailing us on friendsofcortes@gmail.com. The events are usually very popular, so we encourage people to book to make sure they get a spot.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents- Alan Morrison of the Sunday Herald described Simon Kempston as ‘One of Scotland's very best singer-songwriters.’ Scottish Television said he is ‘a stunning Talent.’ Tom Robinson of BBC Radio 6 added, ‘Beautifully authentic guitar style & heartfelt vocals.’Kempston will be performing in: Campbell River’s Spirit Square from noon to 1:15 on Tuesday, July 9th; Mansons Hall on Cortes Island, at 7 PM on July 11; and in the Kameleon Cafe on Quadra Island, at 7 PM on Friday July 12th.This is Simon Kemptson’s 9th Canadian tour and Cortes Currents caught up with him in Wells BC, where he was playing at the Sunset Theatre. "Listening audiences are the most important thing to me, an audience that's going to listen to you. I have a lot to say both in the songs and with the music, but also I like to tell stories and give some context and background about the song. So small art centers, churches, small theatres, house concerts: these are the type of ideal venues for what I present," he explained.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the most controversial ideas being considered in the SRD’s Poverty Reduction Plan is advocating for a Universal Basic Income (UBI). There are numerous examples showing this is an effective way to riase people out of poverty. The problem is too much of the financial impact may fall on the diminishing middle class ($50,000-$135,000 per anno in BC) rather than the rich who appear to be increasingly growing richer. Many Cortes Island residents would benefit from a Universal Basic Income. The recent Housing Needs Report states that our median wage was about $15,000 lower than the District’s norm.(1) According to data from the 2021 census, only 27% of the labour force have full time employment. The remainder work part time.(2) Quadra Island is only marginally better off than Cortes. The median wage was $14,000 lower than the District’s norm and 36% of the labour force had full time jobs.(3)Both islands also have residents whose take-home income would most likely shrink if a Universal Basic Income were introduced. (Someone has to pay the taxes needed to support such a system!)
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday, June 28, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by community leaders Sadhu Johnston, Michael Datura, Bryan McKinnon, Kate Maddigan, Forrest Berman-Hatch, and Andrea Fisher, to chat about the Cortes Foundation’s Care for Cortes fundraising campaign and the community projects it will be supporting. Tune in for news and discussion about the CIA, Microgrants, CKTZ, the Cortes Foundation’s climate fund, Cortes Housing Society, and the Social Profit Network.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
LOuis Belcourt/CKTZ News - Sam Tudor, a recording artist based in Vancouver, is currently touring across BC to showcase their newly released EP and recently have included a show on Cortes Island as part of the tour.Tudor, a self-taught musician and recording artist, has been recording and releasing music since 2014.This upcoming show at Manson’s Hall on Cortes Island marks Sam’s debut performance on the island, arranged spontaneously following a recommendation from a friend with ties to Cortes.Titled “Hidden Minute,” Sam’s latest EP was released on June 15. The EP’s release show will take place in Vancouver on Friday, June 28, with the Cortes Island show following on Tuesday, July 2.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is considering what could be an extremely innovative and societal changing plan. As CAO David Letich informed the Board, at their Wednesday June 26 meeting, the draft Poverty Reduction Plan is already more than 100 pages long. It was his intention to have the plam introduced through a presentation and then, hopefully, they will forward it to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. Madison Stewart, the District’s Community Health Network Coordinator, made the presentation:“A large group of folks worked on this plan, so I'm happy to be here to present it to you.” “In April 2023, the Strathcona Regional District was successful in receiving $147,000 from the UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program, which aims to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level and to support the province's poverty reduction strategy, known as Together BC.” “The plan is meant to build on and align with similar foundational reports such as the Housing Needs Report and be utilized for the following government functions. One being providing a strategic framework to focus and align poverty reduction efforts, lending to policy and program development, leveraging funding and resources to secure provincial, federal, and private funding, facilitating collaboration to foster a sense of shared responsibility.” “To monitor and evaluate, measuring success, ensuring accountability, and informing data driven adjustments, raising awareness, and serving as an advocacy tool to educate the public and policy makers. And to build on and leverage existing efforts, creating a more robust strategy.”
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - The Gorge Harbour Marina and the Gorge Hall have both booked Roots Round Up this weekend for two shows.The prolific Vancouver based band haven’t played Cortes since before the COVID-19 pandemic and have never played back-to-back shows on the island.Originally formed in 1985 in a small apartment in East Vancouver, Roots Roundup became more widely known through the late 80s and early 90s with their constant touring and high energy music. On their website, you can find videos of their first show on Cortes back in 2014.On Friday, June 28, Roots Round Up will play at the Fireside patio at the Gorge Marina and on Saturday at the Gorge Hall.They recently reunited to finish their new record titled Up Rooted, and released it earlier this June.
Roy L Hales/ CO\ortes Currents - Iris Steigemann was an artist before she came to Cortes island in 1980, but for the last five or six years her work has taken on a new focus. “I've been painting icebergs. What fascinates me is the underneath of the iceberg. You usually see a quarter to a third of an iceberg above the water. Under the water, it's kind of a dream landscape. I like to play around with that,” she explained.“There is also the environmental aspect of it. The ice cap there is melting way faster than what was expected. The thickest part of the ice cap in Greenland is about three kilometers deep. They're doing ice cores of this and they can actually see what kind of weather there was, what was happening on earth at those times. Now this is all melting. They break off and a lot of them from Ilulissat Icefjord actually float around to the Canadian side. They drift down the east coast and then they melt." An exhibition of her work called ‘Adrift above The Arctic circle’ will be on display at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery from July 5th to 14th. It opens at 6:00 PM on Friday, July 5th.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The SRD will be carrying out the second step of a feasibility study to determine whether on-island compost treatment of Cortes Island’s septic wastes would be more beneficial than the current pump-out system, and could it be delivered at a cost comparable to setting up a conventional system. Cortes Island’s septic systems need to be cleaned out roughly every three years. This is currently done by a septic truck, which takes the wastes off-island. The SRD has just completed the first part of the feasibility study.Sylvis Environmental carried out a study which found that, ”On island composting of septage would produce a valuable soil amendment, slightly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep local organic matter and nutrient resources within the community.” However it could cost twice as much as setting up a conventional treatment system.Regional Director Mark Vonesch said this is not something that Cortes Island taxpayers are interested in, but still wishes to proceed with a phase two of the feasibility study. This consists of reviewing design specifications of up to three commercially available compost systems and providing capital and operational cost estimates for each system, with recommendations for the SRD Board’s consideration. At the SRD Board meeting yesterday, Wed June 26, 2024, Vonesch explained his rationale. “The initial report that came through showed, it's roughly a million dollar investment into making this happen on Cortes with anywhere between $150,000 and $250,000 in operating costs each year. This is not a project that we can just move forward with using tax requisition, not something I'm interested in. I don't think Cortes is.”Vonesch wanted to proceed with phase two because, “If we can get this study done when the provincial or federal government opens up, infrastructure funding, it could be something that we can jump on.” “I do want to make a note after talking with the CAO , I think there are some aspects that weren't necessarily considered in the first stage that could be considered in the second stage.“Cortes is such a boating and sailing center for a lot of people, and the Gorge Harbor has gone through a huge revitalization. If septic removal from boats could be added to that service, it could be a way to bring down operating costs.”“I'm really excited about this potential and recognize that it's a long term thing and hope we can have the board support to move forward with the second step.” There is no cost to Cortes Island taxpayers. Phase One of the study was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program. If the Board proceeded with phase two, it would be funded by a $20,000 grant from the Growing Communities Funds and $5,000 from the Liquid Waste Management Service Function 340.There was a slight hiccup when Director Vonesch moved that the Board proceed with part two for Cortes Island (Area B). The studies were proposed for Areas B and D, but Regional Director John Rice of Area D agreed to have it carried out in his area as well. The Board unanimously voted to proceed with the second step of a feasibility study for compost septic treatment systems in Areas B and D.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been two days since Isabella McKnight sent the word out. The Cortes Island Community Foundation was only a third of the way to collecting the 300 signatures needed for the Vital Signs community survey! “Vital Signs is a program supported by the Community Foundations of Canada. It's more than just a survey. It's a powerful tool designed to illuminate the areas where our community thrives and also identify the aspects that need our collective attention and effort. So by participating, you're contributing to a richer understanding of Cortes, explained McKnight, Executive Administrator of the Cortes Island Community Foundation.Cortes Currents: How important is this for grant applications?Isabella McKnight: “It will definitely help us streamline where the need in our community is, so it can definitely help us to decide what kind of grants we should apply for. For example: The housing needs on Cortes, or the need to support our elders, etc. It's really important to help us fill it out because we want to hear everyone's voice and understand, from a vast diversity of people, what Cortes needs and wants in the future.”Cortes Currents: When’s the deadline? Isabella McKnight: “The deadline for Vital Signs is July 7th.” “We have an option on July 5th at the Friday Market for people to come in and fill out paper copies or on the computer. We also have paper mail and pouches available around the island at Manson's Hall, the Mansons Post Office, Whaletown Post Office, Bertha's, Klahoose, and at the library.” Cortes Currents: How far are you towards getting the number of responses you need? Isabella McKnight: “So as of yesterday, we are at 155 responses, which is over halfway to our goal of 300. We've been focusing lots of efforts on partnering with the non profits on the island to get them to share the survey out to their networks, as well as just reaching out to friends and family on Cortes to try and get as much representation as we can.”Isabella McKnight: “With the published data from this Vital Signs survey, the Cortes Foundation will be able to see where the gaps in our community are and where our residents believe we should be focusing our efforts, which is a huge reason to participate.”“It also helps provide our nonprofits with some information that they can use to help better serve our community. Plus, you can win some really great prizes.” Cortes Currents: What are the prizes? Isabella McKnight: “The prizes that we have available are: a six hour trip with Misty Isle Adventures, $250 cash, dinner for two at Hollyhock, two 50 gift cards, one for the Refuge Cove Dockside restaurant and one for the gallery. A free Nzuri basket, a gift card from the Sunflower Food Truck, a free paddle with Cortes Kayaks, a gift set from Twigroot Botanicals, a handwoven tea towel from Beth Napper, handmade pottery from Jeramie Ellingson, and a massage from Fawn Baron.”“I really hope people take the time to participate. It's really great to get your voice heard and feel free to stop by on July 5th at the Friday market to fill out a copy in person.”
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News -The Village Commons construction project aims to have its new structures operational by end of October, says General Contractor Richard Andrews.In January, the Village Commons title was transferred from CCEDA to the Cortes Island Community Foundation. The CICF set out to develop the land for community usage with a variety of grants.The current project underway is “a combined shared meeting and office space” with an operating title of “the Nook.”“It’s two small buildings that are going to be covered by one roof, and there’ll be a fairly extensive deck and breezeway between the two buildings through which people can pass,” says Andrews.Recently finished was the “wild play zone” which is an “interactive playground and sculptural area,” including a large swing, a ship-like deck with seats and a small hut made of driftwood.The remaining projects include three shipping containers installed for non-profit storage and an outdoor pavilion for outdoor gatherings and performances.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The audio version of this opens with a short clip of Jemma Hicken singiing ‘Skim Milk.’ I was hoping it would be a new version, with her and Robbie Bankes singing together, but it looks like the only place to hear that will be in Mansons Hall at 7:00 on Tuesday July 2, 2024. Jemma and Robbie are just finishing a month long tour of Alberta and BC. They were about to play at Campbell River’s Spirit Square when Cortes Currents reached them yesterday. They will be on Read Island today. Cortes Currents: How long have you been playing together? Jemma Hicken: “We had one show together last November. Then we've just had our tour, so mostly since May 30th.”Robbie Banks: “We started in Alberta, at Dinosaur Provincial Park, and then we worked our way back through southern Alberta and then through southern BC. Played in Calgary, Nanton and the small town of Parson. Then we went down to the Kootenays to the Nelson area for a few days and then back up to the Okanagan.”Jemma Hicken: “We played at a tree planting camp in Midway.” Cortes Currents: How many tree planters did you have in the audience? Jemma Hicken: “42.” Robbie Banks: “We thought it would be the biggest party show of our tour, but they were all very tired (laughter) and slept on the floor.” Jemma Hicken: “It was really fun.” Cortes Currents: Other highlights of the tour? Jemma Hicken: “I think one of my highlights was the first show that we played because we were in the Badlands and I'd never seen them before. It was really picturesque and it was exciting to go there for the first time.” Robbie Bankes: “We had some really great turnouts at a few of the house shows, which was really fun. We weren't expecting to play for that many people, but there were some house shows with 50 or 60 people, which was really nice.” “The whole thing was a highlight. We had really planned our driving days well. I was worried about long drives and stress, but it was very relaxing for the most part, which was a big surprise.” Jemma Hicken: “It was a big surprise, it felt almost like a vacation.” Robbie Bankes: “We got to see a whole bunch of different things and meet a whole bunch of different people and …”Jemma Hicken: “We got along.”Robbie Bankes: “Yeah, and we got along, which was also a surprise.” (laughter)Cortes Currents: So are you playing in Campbell River? Jemma Hicken: “Yeah, we're playing in Campbell River in an hour and a half. Then we are going to Read Island tomorrow, to play a show. Our last show of the tour is on Cortes next Tuesday. It's going to be at Manson's Hall with our friend Sam Tudor, who’s amazing. I feel just totally excited about this show because Robby and Sam are two of my favourite local songwriters. I feel honoured to be sharing a show with them on Cortes.” Robbie Bankes: “Sam’s a real up and comer. He's maybe one of the next big things in Canadian music, I would say. So it's really exciting that he wanted to come to Cortes. It'll be really fun, hopefully a good turnout, Sam puts on a great show every time I've seen him, so it'll be really fun to see that show.”Jemma Hicken: “There’s going to be lots of storytelling.”
Roy L Hales. Cortes Currents - Moorage for recreational boats is even more limited on Cortes Island this year and vessels intending to stay more than 3 nights must make prior arrangements with the Harbour Authority Cortes Island. In addition, Small Craft Harbours regulations for using winches have changed. The manual winches at Mansons Landing and Whaletown have been decommissioned. The winch at the Squirrel Cove dock is available for commercial users who make prior arrangements through the Harbour Authority. The general public is no longer allowed access except through certified staff provided by the Harbour Authority. “Over the last few years, we have seen a drastic increase in the number of requests for moorage spaces. We are Small Craft Harbors owned facilities and so we are mandated to provide priority mortgage to commercial fishing vessels, aquaculture and then other commercial vessels. If there is space available after those priority needs have been met, we offer it to the community,” explained Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick.“There's more and more applicants for the limited number of spaces that we have available for recreational moorage at every one of the docs. And so we just want to remind users that if you are looking for anything over 3 nights mortgage at 1 of our docs, you must apply in advance and you must have a signed and approved moorage agreement in place.”“Several of the docks on Cortez are now full for the summer season. We are no longer taking mortgage requests for the Whaletown Dock or the Cortes Bay Dock. We do have some long term recreational spots available still at Mansons and at Squirrel Cove, but again, as the season progresses, those spaces do fill up. So please reach out to the Harbour Authority and ensure the documentation is in place prior to bringing your vessel to the dock.” “Small Craft Harbours recently changed their requirements for winch usage.”“We have removed the manual derricks at the Mansons and Whaletown docks. At this point in time, those winches have been decommissioned. They are owned by Small Craft Harbours. We're waiting to hear what their plan is for those pieces of infrastructure.”“In order to access the winches or the derricks on the Squirrel Cove dock, you now need to be a commercial user and provide proof of WCB coverage as well as sign a winch user agreement with the Harbour Authority. The winch is no longer available for drop-in public use without first contacting the Harbor Authority. We can still arrange that we do have certified trained staff who will come down and have to be on site if the winch is being operated by a non-commercial user. Please reach out to the Harbour Authority. We can facilitate that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - So far, there have only been minor fires on Cortes, Quadra and Read Islands, but the BC government warns that the province will see more large fires in the future. “Longer, hotter summers lead to more droughts and a longer wildfire season. Dry conditions make it easier for lightning storms and strong winds to start fires. These fires can spread, combine and burn for longer.” This is not a local phonemenon. A new study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution found that there has been more than a two fold increase in the number of wildfires, around the globe, during the past two decades. There was a 7-fold increase in Alaska, Canada and Russia.Lead author Calum Cunningham, from the University of Tsamania in Australia, told APF that, "The effects of climate change are no longer just something of the future. We are now witnessing the manifestation of a drying and heating atmosphere.” Cunningham and his colleagues used satellite data to study the energy intensity of nearly 31 million daily fire events between 2003 and 2023. Their focus was about 2,900 extreme events.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Harbour Authority Cortes Island is asking the public to not use its upper Gorge Harbour parking lot or park at the Whaletown Commercial Dockhead until further notice. There is work underway at both locations. "A few years ago the Harbour Authority entered into a lease agreement with MOTI, the Ministry of Transportation, and we actually hold the road allowance leases for the lower part of Robertson Road. We did some clearing, graveled and then developed a parking lot," explained Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick."There is a second area that is leased by the Harbor Authority, immediately adjacent to the BC Hydro's yard. Recognizing that there is very serious congestion and a real lack of parking for the commercial users that use the Gorge Dock, the Harbor Authority is moving ahead with some plans to clear and develop the parking area adjacent to the hydro yard. We hope to make several more parking spaces available that we'll be able to offer to our mortgage agreement holders and commercial users."Cortes Currents: Is the dock closed? Jenny Hartwick: "The Gorge commercial dock is open. It's commercial use only at that particular dock. We don't take recreational users there. The dock is full to the brim with our regular commercial users." Cortes Currents: When does the work in the upper parking lot begin and how long will it last?Jenny Harwick: "It sounds like the contractors will be in at the beginning of next week to clear the upper lots. So at this point in time, the request is simply that individuals who have left vehicles, boats, boat trailers, anything that's being stored in the current parking areas at the Gorge Commercial Dock find alternate areas to leave their vehicles while this project is happening. Contractors need access to the space. There will be heavy machinery operating in that area.""We don't expect it to take a significant amount of time, but we do have material and there are some things which need to be shuffled from the new lot, which is being cleared, into the lower lot for a temporary time while these upgrades happen.""Once the upgrades are complete, we'll be reaching out to the community with phase two of the parking plan and that will start to address the allocation of spots for the commercial users." Cortes Currents: What’s happening at the Whaletown dock?Jenny Hartwick: "The Whaletown Commercial dock wharfhead is, until further notice, closed to all vehicle traffic. There are some substructure issues which we need to address. None of which are debilitating, but they do need to be addressed before in good conscience we can allow vehicle traffic on to that facility again. The dock does remain open. There's no absolutely 0 concerns in terms of accessing that facility by foot.""We will be building a barricade. We are trying to source a dolly or a wheelbarrow for those individuals who do need to be transporting larger amounts of material. So the dock and the wharf head do remain open to foot traffic. You can bicycle, you can do everything you want on the dock. We just ask that you do not bring a vehicle onto the wharf head at this time." "The community may or may not know that the whale town commercial dock is not one of the small craft harbors owned facilities on the island. It was an old transport Canada dock, which was divested to the harbor authority in the late 2000s.""When the dock was divested to the harbor authority, it was brought up to good standards and has been maintained at that level for a number of years. However 20 plus years have gone by and there are some structural elements, which need to be addressed.""We just had a phenomenal structural survey done. The structure of the dock does look good, but there are a few maintenance concerns."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Sunday, June 2nd, a 50 foot vessel sank near the Squirrel Cove dock on Cortes island."There was quite a lengthy, involved, process with the Coast Guard and Transport Canada. I am very happy to say that the vessel has now been removed and environmental remediation has taken place, but that was quite an exciting event for the Harbour Authority," explained Jenny Hartwick, Harbourmaster for the Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI)."I always want to stress this to the community., the 1st thing you do when you see a vessel that you have concerns about either because of an environmental spill or because it looks like it's about to go down or has gone down, is to call the Coast Guard ROC (Regional Operating Centre of the Coast Guard). It is their triage centre, which is based in Victoria. And the number for that is 1 800 889 8852. They provide 24/ 7 coverage. When you call that number, you will reach a live person. That person will collect some information from you. They'll ask for pictures to be sent. They may ask for length of vessel and information about the particular situation. They will craft their response around the information that's provided.”"In this case, when the boat went down the owner happened to be on site and was there immediately.""We actually have our own summer Coast Guard IRB station, the inshore rescue boat (IRB boat) in Cortes Bay. They access the water through the Seattle Yacht Club.” “We were able to get an extremely fast response because there was a very local crew that didn't have far to travel to do the initial assessment. Somebody came by relatively quickly, and the decision was made to boom the vessel.” "The Coast Guard made the decision to act on that vessel immediately because of the size of the vessel and the potential for hydrocarbon pollution and contamination."Cortes Currents: Have there been occasions when the Coast Guard didn't respond quickly. I'm thinking of the derelict boats at Squirrel Cove a couple of years ago. Jenny Hartwick: "A couple of years ago, anyone who's familiar with the Squirrel Cove Dock would have noticed that there were 3 derelict boats which sat on shore for a significant amount of time.”"Like I said, the very first step in the process is always to call the regional operating center, the Coast Guard ROC will always respond to every call. It may not be an immediate physical response, but they will always evaluate every phone call that comes in. In the case of the boats sitting on the shore in Squirrel Cove, they physically visited those vessels. They removed any potential hydrocarbons. So they felt that there were no immediate concerns of environmental damage and at that point in time, those vessels were triaged and handed over to Transport Canada.”"The unfortunate situation is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of derelict vessels on the BC coast. When a boat gets added to the Transport Canada inventory, It's added to that list, but there's no guarantee that it's going to end up at the top of that list. It can take significant time for a boat that ends up on that side of the program to work its way to the top where we finally see some action.”Cortes Currents: What's the Harbor Authorities role in this kind of situation. Jenny Hartwick: "One of the really important things to note is that the Harbor Authority’s jurisdiction is extremely small and is limited only to a very small water area surrounding the docks themselves. The minute a vessel leaves the dock and gets outside of that lease area, we, as a Harbour Authority, lose our ability to act on it. Those boats were sitting outside of our water lot and we no longer had the ability to use our legal and environmental programs to act on them."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The summer market season begins on Wednesday June 26th, from 12:30-3:00 PM.“We're having our first artisans market at Hollyhock, just outside the garden and the lodge in the grassy area above the hot tubs. This is our first in a series of five or six markets that are happening every second Wednesday afternoon over the summer. We have a variety of artists, fiber artists, ceramicists, lotions, potion makers, clothing makers, painters and live music,” explained Tamlyn Collingwoood, Business Mentorship Coordinator for the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA).“Come and check it out, everyone's welcome.”“This whole plan came out of a meeting that I had with Hollyhock, in the early winter, where they shared their wonderful ‘Things To Do’ program. This is where they look for activities in the community for their guests to engage in, on their afternoons off. My thought was to create some activities that also involve engaging with the community, engaging with local businesses and artists - making it a win-win-win situation.”Cortes Currents: Where are you getting your artists and artisans? And can anyone get involved if they want to? Tamlyn Collingwoood: “There’s limited space, so it’s pretty much full now, but hopefully we'll be able to spread out once the grass is fully grown. It was just recently seeded. The market is curated to support local artisans and local small businesses.”Cortes Currents: Are they all from the Friday Market? Tamlyn Collingwoood: “No, there are a couple of vendors who come from the Friday market, but also some that don't. We do have one vendor from off island, Hillary from “Elsewhere Clothing,’ a very popular handmade clothing line from Vancouver Island. She comes once in a while to the Friday Market.”Some of the other artisans were listed in a press release:Moon Cat Magicals, Wild Spirit Glass, Twigroot Botanicals, Soft Rock Ceramics, Tenant Farms Handicrafts, Stephanie Whitman, Art Spirit Drum and Brigid Weiler Art.Tamlyn Collingwoood: “Once I started getting the word out there, about this market, a couple of the old timers told me that there used to be an artisans market down by the beach at Hollyhock and that it was really fun. Some of those folks were just really excited to see that this was happening again, and I was really happy to hear that this was something that people enjoyed and that we were bringing it back to life.”“I will be advertising the market in my usual bombarding way on all of the social media pages, the Tideline and sending it out to my email list.” “It's not just for Hollyhock guests. It's also to attract Cortes residents, or folks that might be here in the summer, to have a wander through the Hollyhock Garden, maybe visit the store or have a little bit of lunch before the market. Come and enjoy the setting and check out some really nice locally made art.”Cortes Currents: Do you have to pre book for the restaurant? Tamlyn Collingwoood: “Yes, there is a reservation system for booking lunches at Hollyhock. Anyone wanting to do that should phone Hollyhock and book ahead. Lunch goes from 12:30 to 1:30. We'll be setting up the market right at the beginning of lunch, so people can get a little refreshment from the restaurant as well and come out and enjoy the market.” Cortes Currents: What about the music? Tamlyn Collingwoood: “Michael Keith is playing music for this market, which is fabulous. It's always a great time to have Michael playing music and just creating a nice vibe. Hopefully he'll be able to play for us again at one of our other markets. All the vendors fees goes towards paying the musician, so if we have enough vendors, then we can hopefully afford to bring over a band that I really enjoyed listening to at the Quadra Market.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - ‘Painting With Eyes Closed,’ an exhibition by Filipe Figueira opens at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery on Friday June 21st, 6-9pm. “You always have to come up with the title for shows. Usually they're sort of pretentious and arty, but there's a reason for this one. It alludes to the process. I'm inspired by scenes on Cortes. I'll go somewhere, sketch and I'll get inspired, but a lot of my ideas come just when I'm at the point of falling asleep. The painting will come into my head. Sometimes really detailed thoughts, like the paints to use, the techniques, the layout and even very specific paints and paint mixes pop into my head. Often I have to get up and sketch. Sometimes it wakes me up in the middle of the night. I'll be thinking about the painting and that becomes the basis of the paintings. They are scenes from Cortes, but they're mediated through this process,” he explained.“Most of these paintings have been done in the last three months.”“This show is actually in fond memory of Lisa Gibbons. As well as being a lovely woman, she was a huge encouragement and very positive about my painting. It's actually bittersweet that as I paint them, I think of her and I'm still a bit stunned that she won't be here to see it.”Cortes Currents: Was she your teacher? Filipe Figueira: “No, no, she didn't teach me specifics. we had very different techniques, but she was just very encouraging in terms of continuing.” Cortes Currents: Why is painting important to you? Filipe Figueira: “It's something I've wanted to do for decades, probably since I was a kid, and somehow I waited till the COVID lockdown happened. I'd actually brought some paints from England when I emigrated to Canada about 25 years ago. I found them and then started painting. It's just a huge, meditative, therapeutic, helpful thing to do. I just love the process.” Cortes Currents: I notice some of your paintings look like familiar places - like the mouth of the Gorge, or looking through the trees at Hanks Beach - but at the same time they are not exact representations. Do you want to talk about that? Filipe Figueira: “I'm not particularly interested in painting an absolutely accurate picture of a scene. What I'm trying to capture is more the feeling that I have, the sense of the place, and trying to capture different angles of the same scenes, different things that are happening in the scene. Sometimes it's the texture on the rocks or the movement of the light. So trying to capture the whole thing.”“There's one I've done of Plunger Pass in a winter storm. It's a very monochrome one because that's the winter light. There's not much light but the background is a wave and the foreground is more of the islands and stuff. It plays with both scenes. The waves were pretty dominant in the scene, but were just painted in a different mishmash of senses.” “There's another one that I really like, which is also Plunger Pass. Again it breaks down the scene, uses different textures and different techniques. I've started mixing media a little bit. I've been painting in oils, but for this show, it's predominantly in acrylic paint and I've been experimenting with Indian inks and acrylic inks as well. enjoying the texture that those can create. I really enjoy paint. Sounds a bit weird, but I like the way that it dribbles, it runs, it mixes, accidents happen with it that you can use. The other Plunger Pass painting is a really good example of that.” “I've got some of Hank's Beach where it's focusing on the shapes of the rocks and almost like the historical movement of the rocks and trying to capture that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Government of Canada issued five year licenses to the fish farms still operating in British Columbia, and announced it will ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters by June 30, 2029.“After July 1, 2024, only marine or land-based closed containment systems will be considered for salmon aquaculture licences. The Government of Canada recognizes that such systems are likely to come with increased investment costs. Incentivizing the transition to such systems is desirable given the need to promote wild fish health, reconciliation with coastal First Nations, economic development in rural and coastal communities, food security, and other important public outcomes. As such, the Minister intends to issue nine-year licences to successful applicants applying for closed-containment production.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Screening of ‘the Test’ On Cortes Island Thursday Male voice: “I’ll vividly remember there was a very large wall of flame methodically marching towards Logan Lake and a huge column of smoke coming off of that and looking down at these cul de sacs and thinking, ‘wow, they look so small.’ And in my mind, all I could think was that this is either going to be a great day for Logan Lake, or a horrible day.” Female voice: “What inspired the first activities in Logan Lake was fear.”Second female voice: “We’re a small community on top of this beautiful hill surrounded by forest.” - excerpt from ‘the Test.’There will be a screening of ‘The Test’ in the Mansons Fire Hall at 7 PM, on Thursday, June 20. “This is a documentary about the Logan Lake wildfire and their success in preparing for it using the FireSmart methods. I believe they had been preparing for 18 years before they had a major wildfire come through the community, “explained, Interim Fire Chief Eli MccKenty.“We're going to be holding it at the Fire Hall, so we don't have a huge seating capacity there. If we're packed in, we probably could seat about 30. We looked at booking Manson's Hall in case we got a big turnout and it wasn't available. If we're overwhelmed, we might be able to move down to the truck bays and pull the trucks out. If we get strong interest, we will do a second showing. We even thought about doing a drive-in showing later in the summer when it's dark earlier and projecting it on the side of the fire hall.”Cortes Currents: Why is that important for Cortes Island? Eli McKenty: “It’s important for Cortes Island because FireSmarting is important for Cortes Island. This is a demonstration of how successful it can be and how important it is for a community to engage with.”Cortes Currents: I’m going to play another clip: Female voice: “Until the day we got evacuated, it's almost like you feel invincible - that it's not going to happen to you. Male voice: “Everything was going well and all of a sudden the power went out. We were down towards the acreage and we could see it rolling in on us, the gray dirty black smoke coming and then it got close enough we could see the flames and we knew it was definitely coming in.” Second male voice: “These people came to save our community. Holy jeez we're going to war!” Female voice: “I had one person come up to me and ask me at what point we should leave. I didn't know at what point you leave during an event like that.” Cortes Currents: Isn’t this film a bit alarmist?Eli McKenty: “It could be seen that way, but this particular documentary is also a success story for how we can mitigate the effects of climate change and how we can prepare for a worst case scenario. We may never see a worst case scenario on Cortes, but it's still relevant to prepare for it because we don't really know what's coming.” Cortes Currents: Do you think there's any chance we could have a major wildfire on Cortes? Eli McKenty: “Certainly, I think that It's a question of when, not if. In the larger scale of things, especially with climate change and increasing fuel loads in the forests and the transition of species as climate changes, we have a lot of dead cedar on the island . So I think it's definitely a risk and something that we should be preparing for actively.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On June 7, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Jenny Hartwick from the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island to chat challenges, changes, and upcoming happenings on our island’s public docks.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On June 7, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Jenny Hartwick from the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island to chat challenges, changes, and upcoming happenings on our island’s public docks.
There are several whale watching companies in our area and one of the treats they offer are Grey Whale sightings. Campbell River, Cortes and Quadra Islands are in the middle of a migration route. Thousands of Grey Whales pass through BC, en route to Alaska, during the Spring and return in the fall, while heading for the warm waters of Mexico’s Baja penninsula. Most appear to go by the West coast of Vancouver Island, but there are also sightings in our area. About 240 Grey Whales spend their entire summer feding in the shallow waters of BC and Washington state. They are often close enough to the shore to be seen from the land. However few people seem to have noticed that they are getting smaller. A new study from Oregon State University found that the Grey Whales passing through their waters have been getting progressively smaller for the past 20 years. The average Grey Whale is now 13% smaller. Scientists have not yet determined if Grey Whales are shrinking because of the state of the food web, or what effect this will have the health and reproductive success of the affected whales.“This could be an early warning sign that the abundance of this population is starting to decline, or is not healthy,” said K.C. Bierlich, co-author on the study and an assistant professor at OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute in Newport. “And whales are considered ecosystem sentinels, so if the whale population isn’t doing well, that might say a lot about the environment itself.”“In general, size is critical for animals,” said Enrico Pirotta, lead author on the study and a researcher at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. “It affects their behavior, their physiology, their life history, and it has cascading effects for the animals and for the community they’re a part of.”Scientists used the drone images of 130 Grey Whales whales, taken between 2016 and 2022. As this study heads into its ninth year, they are tyring to identify the environmental drivers that have caused this change in size
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Viewers from Cortes, Salt Spring and Galiano Islands down to the cities of Victoria and Vancouver logged in to the virtual Cortes Housing Forum on Friday June 14, 2024. The topic was ‘increasing rentals’ and host Sadhu Johnston invited two high profile guests. David Hutniak has established himself as the voice of the rental housing industry in BC with the government, media, renter groups and other stakeholders that call upon him for input and advice. He is also the CEO of Landlord BC.Lisa Helps is a former advisor to the Premier, as well as a former mayor of Victoria. Now she heads the BC Builds program.Sadhu Johnston is a former City DIrector of Vancouver, and wears many hats on Cortes Island in addition to being Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.In his introduction to the program, Johnston pointed out, “Building in rural communities is even harder than building in urban communities. In many cases you've got to bring in materials, you have labor shortages. There are unique challenges that we face in our rural communities.”
Sadhu Johnston. Cortes Housing Society - Tune in on June 14 for this special pre-recorded episode of FolkU Radio. This week featured the May Transportation Forum, hosted over Zoom and presented by the Cortes Housing Society, CCEDA, and representatives from Quadra and the outer islands. This forum featured guest panelists from Denman, Gabriola, Bowen and more! Join us in chatting about passenger transportation options, and about how they could be applied to Cortes and Quadra. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents Cortes Island’s Forum on ‘Rental and Ownership Opportunities’ came to Mansons Hall on Thursday June 13. There were breakout groups on what people were looking for in rentals, affordable ways to become an owner and renting your property out. Regional Director Mark Vonesh brought pizza. The whole board of the Cortes Community Housing Society appears to have turned out.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The future of fish farms in British Columbia is uncertain. On June 7, Judge Paul Favel supported the Ministry of Fisheries decision to not renew the licenses of 15 fish farms in the Discovery Islands, and denied a joint application by industry and the Laich-kwil-tach Nation for a judicial review. At the end of this month the licenses of the remaining 66 fish farms still operating in this province will expire. It has been a month since the current Fisheries Minister, Dianne Lebouthillier, reassured the industry that, “In the mandate letter, I’m asked to put in place a transition plan. It doesn’t say that we have to close everything, that we have to close all the aquaculture centres. It really means working to put in place measures to protect wild salmon. I’ve confirmed that there will be no closure of aquaculture centres in 2025.”Independent biologist Alexandra Morton explained, “The recent decision by Judge Favell was a big surprise because DFO staff appear to have worked quite actively in support of the salmon farming industry, particularly the aquaculture management division. That's why there's an ethics commission, right now, that was launched into how they're handling the science. They made it difficult for the minister to win this lawsuit. They offered the companies the opportunity to pay for their licenses before the minister had made her decision. So in court, the industry lawyers brought up that the companies had paid for their licenses, they expected them.” “For reasons like that, and many others, the lawyers cautioned us that we probably would lose this judicial review. We lost the last one as well. So the minister had to go back and make a new decision. The companies launched a judicial review on the new decision and we won. The industry is almost certainly going to appeal the decision.” “This is going to drag on and on and on, but what the decision did was it alerted the Canadian government to the fact that they can close the salmon farms. They do have what is needed. Their concerns are valid.” When Judge Favel made his decision about the Discovery Island fish farms, he weighed the opposing concerns of two groups of First Nations. Seven of the closed fish farms are within traditional territories of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, We Wai Kai Nation and Kwiakah First Nations, collectively known as the Laich-kwil-tach Nation. Another of the closed farm sites, Raza Island, is off the northern tip of Cortes Island. In a press release last year, Wei Wai Kai Chief Councillor Ronnie Chickite declared, “This court challenge is not about whether we support fish farming or not – it is about our inherent right as title holders to decide how our territory is used, and determine for ourselves if, when, and how fish farms could operate in the future. We strongly believe the minister’s decision to not reissue licences in our territories was a political decision heavily influenced by nations who do not have title in our territory.” Yet many Indigenous Nations are dependent on sockeye salmon that pass through the Discovery Islands en route to the Fraser River.Judge Favel reasoned, “The Minister owed a deep level of consultation to Indigenous peoples outside the Discovery Islands since the right and potential infringement is of high significance to the Aboriginal peoples and the risk of non-compensable damage is high. Fraser River salmon play a significant role in the exercise of Aboriginal rights by many Indigenous peoples and the risk to the health of the Fraser River salmon posed by fish farms in the Discovery Islands is unacceptably high. In contrast, the risk of non-compensable damage to the Laich-kwil-tach and Klahoose is low because the impact of a decision not to reissue licences is the loss of economic benefits from their territories, which is quantifiable and compensable.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Will Rendall released a CD called Keep on Smiling on May 22, 2024. Some Cortes Island residents will remember him as Julia Rendall’s son. He was 7 when he moved to Squirrel Cove in 1976.He emailed, “I had always liked music but it wasn't until I heard Billy Joel in 1978 that i became a rock and roll fan. I always thought his lyrics were amazing. I think it would have been around 1981 when I started writing songs. To me lyrics were the most important part of a song. “I used to take a bunch of 5 gallon buckets we used for digging clams and would make a drum set out of them with a couple of pieces of kindling for drum sticks. I would set it up by a salal bush and that would become my hi-hat. Then I would sing my songs and pretend I was in a rock band. I would build guitars for my two brothers out of wood and they would pretend to play them.”Julia gave Will a real drum set after they moved to Mansons Landing in 1987. He started jammming with a few of the local Cortes musicians after that. When he was 20, Will moved to Quadra Island, where he met his first wife and they had a child. He put the drum set to rest. “I had written tons of lyrics and always had a tune in my head, but not being a guitar player I didn't know how to convey them to other people. I always had a passion for singing and remembered the words to most songs but did not have much confidence in my singing voice.” “One night I went to a karaoke bar. Most of the singers there were terrible so I thought ‘what do I have to lose?’ After doing a couple of tunes people kept asking me to sing. After that I started to go to open mic jam sessions and became the 'Rock and Roll Guy' on Quadra.” “I hooked up with Duane Hansen, an old friend from Cortes Island and started a band. Our first gig was at the Quadra Legion.Rendall either started, or helped start a number of bands in the years that followed: the Iron Pyrates, Electric Lemonade, Arabella Drummond and finally Queen Anne’s Revenge in 2015, That last band was a reformation of the Iron Pyrates which was active up until the time COVID reached Campbell River.“When the Covid restrictions were lifted and we were allowed in the bars I would bring an acoustic giutar and play some of my original songs.” “My friend Dylan Alps, a songwriter who could play any instrument, told me he would like to record me. So I would go to his little trailor where he had an interface hooked up to a laptop. He would then go to his studio in Campbell River, re-record the music and then I would sing along with his recording. It took about a year of me going to his trailor once a week for a couple of hours before the album was finally released.” Most of the songs on the album were written over the past 4 years with a couple from the 80's and one song I had written in the 90’s. All in all I am pretty proud of the final product. I feel there are a variety of topics as well as different styles on this album. I have just put it on BAND CAMP and also have some CDs for sale at $15 each. I can be contacted at 236-997-3265 via phone, text or e-mail at will.vette@outlook.com
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Creative Spaces Garden and Studio Tour is Saturday June 22, from 10 am to 4 pm. This is an annual fundraiser for the Cortes Island Museum, as well as a showcase of some of the island’s hidden gems. “It's a great opportunity to feature creative talents of people on the island, and it's a self guided tour of studios and gardens that takes you all the way around from Whaletown, down to Smelt Bay, and Cortes Bay. We've got painters, textile artists, weavers, spinners, ceramicists . We've got a number of potters and pottery studios that are participating. And then some beautiful spaces with gardens that range from low bluff to high bluff. You pick up a map, which includes a button, and you just go around the island visiting people that you may not know that they've had all these hidden talents, or see spaces that you were curious about but never had an opportunity to actually walk into. Walk through the gates and see what people are growing there,” explained Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Cortes Island Museum.“We have 15 spots, when I say spots I mean locations, because, even though one person's name may be on the garden description, we know that there are a lot of people who participate and contribute to the shape of any garden. So we say 15 different locations, and I would say that we've had a good representation of artists.”Some of the artists will be selling work .And it's a great opportunity just to engage with your neighbors, for locals, as well as people coming from off island.Cortes Currents: Can you give examples of some of the spaces on the tour?Melanie Boyle: “Suzu Matsuda and Larry Cohen are longtime friends and longtime residents of Cortes. They have some beautiful works to show and their studios beautiful. Volker Steigeman and Larry built it together. It's a really unique space and a lot of people on the island may know of their space because they held an annual pottery sale, which was really popular.”“Brian Hayden's house up on the gorge is one of the houses that we're featuring here in the exhibition. When people go to visit Brian's garden, which is a really unique Mediterranean focused garden, they have an opportunity to see the outside of his home, which is based on a traditional pithouse design from the interior of BC First Nations design. Brian's landscaped and really integrated the building with the landscape. The home was designed by David Shipway and built by Trigva Ellingson and his crew.” “Christer Ekstrom has a very beautiful contemplative style of painting. He has a beautiful studio up north of Whaletown, and it was a delight to have visited his studio last year.”“Filipe Figuera will also be showing at the Schoolhouse Gallery this year. He was on the tour last year, and Philippe will be featuring his paintings as well.”“Jeremy Ellingson and Aaron Ellingson live in a historic float house on Haig Lake. Jeremy has a ceramics practice, and she will be opening the doors to her studio, as well.” “Mary Claire Preston is down at Foxglove Pottery Studios.” This is the first time Ayami Stryck has opened her her textile studio for the tour.“Hollyhock Garden is always spectacular and they're on the tour as well. Hollyhock is offering a 10 percent discount for lunch for ticket holders. This lunch discount requires pre-reservation, as spots are limited.”“The heritage garden here at the museum has really been spruced up. So much hard work has been put in through our volunteers.”“That's a few spaces. I don't want to mention too many people because I think everybody is bringing some really unique work to this tour.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first truckload was filled over the roofline with beach debris. Sam Gibb drove into the Klahoose village shortly after 10:30 AM on Saturday. Alex Bernier, followed with a smaller load. Helen Hall and Autumn Barrett Morgan, two other members of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), were there to help them unload. Stephanie Valdal, Services Coordinator for the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service, had come from Courtenay. The debris collected by Klahoose Aquaculture had not yet arrived. By the time the month long Cortes Island wide beach clean-up officially ended, on Sunday, there was a bin full of beach debris. This year’s clean-up was a collaborative initiative between Klahoose Aquaculture, FOCI, the Ocean Legacy Foundation and Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service. “This is the first time we've done a whole island beach cleanup. We've been able to do that because we've been able to work with Comox Strathcona Waste Management and with Klahoose to bring an Ocean Legacy bin to the island, and also to get the super sacks that we've distributed around the community. So suddenly from us just doing one beach cleanup, which is what we've done for a number of years, we've been trying to target the whole island,” explained to Helen Hall, Executive director of FOCI.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Eighty-three people turned out on Friday June 7, for the gala opening night of the Old School Art Gallery’s 2024 season. This was a group show, with 28 contributing artists, that will be open to the public on Fridays (6-9 PM) and on weekends (2-6 PM) until June 16th.Bianca Lee, Manager of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery, was delighted by the large turnout, “I wasn't sure how it was going to work out having the member show at the beginning of the season, but it worked out pretty magnificently. There was so much interest and participation in the show. It seems like a really beautiful way to start out the season, get people excited about the gallery and also avoid the burnout of late season.”Early visitors were treated to an instrumental selection by Cortes Island guitarist Rick Bockner. At 7:00 Kristen Schofield Sweet gave a welcoming address, “We had 28 artists this year. (Cheers and clapping) It's the most we've ever had and I’m going to read out the names of a group of people, just to give you some sense of what it takes to hang a show. Besides myself, we are thanking Christann Kennedy, Gerry Davis, George, Orien Lee, Bianca Lee, Pamela Boles, Janet Turpin, and Ayami Stryck. It took that many people four days to get all that on the wall.”“Next Friday, the 14th, I'm going to be doing a walking tour of the show saying, ‘To get it on the wall didn't just happen by accident, here's some of the things that we considered. Why is this piece next to that piece? And those two are over there, but not with this one?’ A show is also a piece of work. How those parts come together is really fascinating. Especially when you have nine people doing it.”One of her colleagues, Christann Kennedy, later explained, “The idea is to try and create a dialogue so that the different pieces are talking to each other. Maybe they have a similarity of colour or a similarity of subject matter or a similarity of material that makes them seem like they might have something to say to each other. What we try to do with a group show like this is set up some relationships that are interesting, and that might illuminate the artworks in a way that if you were just seeing one piece, you might not see that.”“It's great to have so many creative people living on this island and to have a venue where everyone can come together and show their work and open up conversation between each other. I just think it's a really exciting thing that this gallery exists and I feel really lucky that I'm getting to participate.”Several viewers remarked upon their success. Sole Arico said, “It’s just an incredible diversity and the quality is just really high. Very beautiful work.” Jonathan Ogilvie went further, “I will say, as someone who has spent a good deal of time in art galleries as a religious practice, that this collection is exquisitely put together, that each one of these pieces complements all of the others. And that's not easy to do when you have so many artists at play together. So I'm feeling it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District will be carrying out FireSmart assessments on Cortes Island between Tuesday, June 11, and Thursday June 13. This is a free evaluation of the exterior of your home and surrounding yard, which usually takes about an hour. “I started doing home assessments across the Strathcona Regional District in January. I have come to Cortes a few times to do public education and have tagged on some home assessments. I was just there in May for emergency preparedness week, and through that we had quite a few requests to come back for home assessments,” explained Bonnie Logan, Wildfire Risk Reduction Coordinator with the SRD.“Usually there's only one wildfire risk reduction coordinator and that would be me, but I am eight and a half months pregnant. I'm in that danger zone at that point where they like you to be close to a hospital. We hired Jeff as my maternity leave replacement. So Jeff will be coming over to Cortes and he's going to be doing free FireSmart home assessments.” Cortes Currents: How did the assessments go in other communities?Bonnie Logan: “There’s definitely some common trends that we do see, like firewood stacked up against a home or under a deck because it's nice dry storage, and most people are lacking sufficient storage. Wood decks are another one. Unfortunately, wood combustible, there isn't really a good answer. That is the most common decking system. “We do have some suggestions on how to mitigate that. Again, it's not a pass or fail. It's not 'all of these things need to be done right now!' Some of these things are very small. There’s general housekeeping, like keeping your roof and gutters clean, mowing your lawn, raking some debris away from the home and then maybe moving that firewood pile in the summer when you're not using your wood stove.” “Everybody really buys into the program because it's not all or nothing. It’s a bit of a choose your own adventure. Everything we're talking about is scientifically backed. These aren't just Bonnie Logan's ideas, or Jeff Caring's ideas, and they're not just the Strathcona Regional District pushing this program. These are tried, true and tested; based on science and research. So once you start talking to people and pointing out some of these things, they say, ‘Oh, I never looked at that’ or ‘I never considered that.’ It's a conversation with people and people realize that Rome wasn't built in a day. So the feedback's been really great, actually.” Cortes Currents: How do you carry out an assessment?Bonnie Logan: “We start with the roof and the structure, and then we work down and out.” “FireSmart has three zones.” “The immediate zone, which goes out about five feet, is going to be your roof. We'll be looking at what type of materials on the outside of the house. What materials the house is built with, and then what materials surround the house. Something super common we see is firewood stacked up right against the house, which can be a hazard in wildfire season.” “Moving outwards: we move into the intermediate zone and then the extended zone. We get a little bit more lenient about what can be in those zones. Depending on how big your property is, you might not have that bigger zone. You might end up in your neighbour's yard and at that point, you have no control over what your neighbour does.” “Nothing is a requirement, it's just education and awareness for the homeowner. There's no follow up. We're not going to come back a month later and finger wag at anybody and say, you didn't do these things.” “Some of these things we're talking about, like a roof, that's a big ticket item to potentially replace. It's more about when that roof does need to be replaced, maybe we make a different choice if we have a combustible roof, like a cedar shake roof.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Vancouver Foundation, in partnership with the Government of BC, Community Foundations of Canada and over 50 local community foundations, is distributing $25 million to programs that advance poverty reduction and social inclusion. $105,000 of that will be channeled through the Cortes Island Community Foundation and another $110,000 the Quadra Island Foundation. The deadline for organizations to apply for funding is June 24th. “This fund is part of BC's Poverty Reduction Initiative. They're really hoping that communities are the best people to determine what the needs are in that particular community in terms of poverty reduction and social inclusion,” explained Jennifer Banks-Doll, coordinator of this program for the Quadra Island Foundation.Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Cortes Foundation added, “We have quite a bit of flexibility in how organizations plan on using those funds. They can be for projects or for core operating support that could go over up to three years. We wish that it was significantly more than $105,000, but we are also very, very grateful to have access to these funds.”Photo credit:Photo by Michelle Spollen on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - About 125 people turned up for the town hall meeting in Mansons Hall, on Monday June 3, 2024. Noticeably absent were the air strip’s owner, Michael Ching, his manager, Judy Kemchand, or Martene Rothblatt, who is financing the air strip’s renovations. This did not come as a surprise.One of the three speakers at the meeting read out an email he sent Rothblatt in February: “I am writing to see if there is a chance I (we) can persuade you from paving the airstrip.”“If left as a gravelled surface we have a better chance of preserving our wonderful island and community. As they say, 'If you build it, they will come.’"“Change is inevitable, a fact you are familiar with being a pioneer in so many fields. But I will guess it is this very change that has drawn you to Cortes, a safe sleepy little island, away from the busy mad world, and its constant change.”“A paved runway will bring even more people to Cortes, and with that, comes more change. The biggest threat from this change is the slow but steady replacement of our local population. It is the locals that have created the sanctuary you seek, the community created though countless volunteer hours and persevering through the long winters and isolation.”“I know that work is underway, so improve the runway, just don't pave it. Let's not make it any easier for change to advance here.”“My name is Mike Manson. We live about 2kms from your place and are on the beach down from Hollyhock. I am the grandson of pioneer John Manson ( Mansons Landing). My family has been farming this same piece of land since 1888, now in our 136th year. We have seen change.”Rothblatt did not reply.One of the speakers, Sadhu Johnston, mentioned numerous attempts to communicate with the air strip or Rothblatt - all of which were met by silence. Half way through the meeting, the assembly broke into small groups for further discussion. After listening to reports from the small groups, Johnston pointed out, “The primary and first concern was (Ching’s and Rothblatt’s) lack of community mindedness to show up here, to a community meeting, and (at the same time) be making changes that could be really significant for the island.”Judyth Weaver added, “A lot of this started because of non-communication, and it's gotten much bigger because of non-communication. This meeting was about communication, and I am so relieved. The difference is quite stark to me.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Ben Coey is co-producing this year’s Lovefest, which returns to Linnaea Farm on Saturday August 19th. “Rex, Amy and Rick have been running and producing the festival for a number of years. They've decided that they need to have a bit of a break from doing it. I've worked with Rex on a number of projects previously. He asked me if I liked to get involved and help out with co-producing and I said, ‘yeah, sure,’” Coey explained.“I'm good friends with Rex I've toured for many years as a drummer in a band with a Rex's son, Jack. I've always loved coming to Lovefest. I played it a couple of times and I'm spending more time up in Cortes. I'm gradually moving up here and this is a nice way to just get involved with the community.”Cortes Currents: Tell us about this year’s Lovefest“It's going to be the same vibe as previous years. It's just going to be about nice folks having a good time: good tunes, good crafts, lots of blankets, good food, hanging out all day and into the evening. It's very much about just having fun and just enjoying each other.”While a number of acts have yet to be confirmed, Coey was able to release a partial list of performers. “We have a few special feature acts who are going to be coming through, quite a lot locals also:“Johny Hanuse is going to be playing a set this year, and the McKentys (the Awakeneers).Nicole Demers, Six Foot Johnson, who’ve been promising to get to the frestival for a number of years. They’re a really great on-island band led by Greg Osoba. Heather Wolf, Michael Keith,Rick Scott is going to be doing a kid’s set, as well as an adult set. Doc Fingers, who is a wonderful blues pianist. We’re going to have a very special set from Ann Mortifee, who's going to be playing a catalog of some of her greatest hits. If you were there at the lasy Lovefest, we had a terrific Cuban band playing. Adonis Puentes are returning to Cortes and will finish the night off.“Early bird tickets for the festival are on sale now. You can pick those up at the Friday market. Myself and Rex we'll usually be there and we're taking cash.” They are also for sale at the Co-op, Cortes Market, Squirrel Cove General, and the Gorge Store.Adult - $40Family - $80Under 18 - $30
Sadhu Johnston/ Folk U - Tune in on May 31st for the third collaborative monthly housing forum presented by the Cortes Housing Society and Folk University. Themed “Community Land Trusts”, this forum featured guest panelists John Davis, Sandy Bishop, and Lisa Byers and a following community discussion. This is a recording of the third monthly housing forum in mid-May, hosted over Zoom, with 28 people in attendance. Hear us chat about community land trust initiatives on islands in the US, Canada, and internationally, and about how these ideas could be applicable to Cortes.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday May 24, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by songwriter Jemma Hicken and founder of the DeathCaring Collective, Margaret Verschuur, in a program about grief.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In 2021 Sheila Harrington embarked upon a three-year journey to explore the creation of local nature conservancies on 17 islands. Cortes and Quadra Islands were among them. She conducted more than 50 interviews, and wove together a chronicle of land conservancies and the people behind them since the 1990s. The resulting book, ‘Voices for the Islands, 30 Years Of Nature Conservation On The Salish Sea’ is just being released by Heritage House.There is a chapter dedicated to each of the 17 islands. The subject is very close to Harrington, who was the founding Executive Director of the Land Trust Alliance of BC from 1997 to 2011. She was also a director of the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy for more than 12 years.Cortes Currents: Why should we care about land conservancies? Harrington: “We should care because it works! These conservancies are protecting land and protecting nature. We’re in the midst of a species extinction that is unheard of all over the planet. The only way to save species is to save habitat, and land conservancies are an excellent way to save land. They’re local, they know what’s important, and they’re on the ground in order to ensure that it gets protected over time. They often work with regional districts. The Strathcona Regional District has worked with Land Trusts on Cortes, Quadra, and the province. On Salt Spring Island we protected 10 percent of the island by various land trusts working with the province and this whole Burgoyne Bay Park was protected through local people working with those other agencies.”“I took a sailing journey to meet with the dedicated founders of land trusts, which are also known as conservancies, and current activists from 17 of the islands in the Salish Sea, who have protected hundreds of nature reserves, parks, and protected places for people and the wildlife we share these precious islands with. The book chronicles this legacy of passionate Salish Sea Island residents who have dedicated much of their lives to protecting nature in determined, creative ways.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Given the amount of neighbourhood concern about the renovations underway at the Cortes Island airstrip, Cortes Currents asked Transport Canada: Do the owners of private airstrips have a duty to consult with their communities before undertaking extensive expansions? What will Transport Canada do when, as appears to be the case on Cortes Island, this does not occur? Sau Sau Liu, Senior Communications Advisor at Transport Canada, replied, “All aerodromes on private property are required to meet the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), regardless of their registration status. Aerodromes that are building a new runway, or increasing the length of a runway by more than 100m or 10%, are required to consult communities, as per Canadian Aviation Regulations 307 and the related Advisory Circular 307.01." Note that she did not mention hangers and this also implies that there is no requirement to consult if increases to the length of the runway are less than 100m or 10%. Liu continued, “This is a regulatory requirement that compels the aerodrome developer, in advance of construction, to proactively consult with interested parties, with the intent of hearing their comments or objections to the proposed aerodrome’s work and to propose actions to mitigate any concerns. Aerodrome operators may be subject to monetary penalties if they do not properly consult with communities. Concerns can be reported to Transport Canada at:aviation.pac@tc.gc.ca."“It is also important to note that the Aeronautics Act and CARs do not absolve an aerodrome proponent from complying with valid provincial or municipal laws of general application. Other federal laws may also be applicable.”“For more information about consultation construction at the Cortes Aerodrome, we recommend you reach out to the aerodrome directly.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At the May 22 meeting, Director Mawhinney informed the board, “the Area C Advisory Planning Commission met and discussed this Kanish Bay application and the following Upshur Road application. They also heard a delegation from one of the applicants. The Advisory Planning Commission did not support either covenant discharge application. The Advisory Planning Commission provided an additional motion, which supports maintaining the covenants for 520 Upshur Road and 1731 Kanishbu Drive as legal agreements freely entered into by the Regional District and landowners, recognizing that maintaining these covenants causes less land to be available for housing than would otherwise be the case.” The minutes of the Area C Planning Comission show that, in both cases, 7 out of 9 comissioners voted against removing the covenants. Director Mawhinney moved, and Director Whalley seconded, motions that the application to remove both covenants be denied. These carried with no opposing votes. Rick Schellinck has been trying to obtain approval to develop his property in Gowland Harbour since 2011. There has been a great deal of opposition from the surrounding community. The most recent application was to create 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks. After 11 years of delays, the proposed Gowland Harbour Views development was finally allowed to have a public meeting on April 20, 2022. The Regional Director at that time, Jim Abram, reported all but 8 of the 546 submissions made at that meeting were in opposition. All four Regional Directors subsequently voted against the project, effectively killing that version of it. Now Schellinck is back with a proposal to rezone 64-hectares so that he can create a subdivision of twenty-two 2 hectare rural residential lots, a 5 hectare Agricultural Land Reserve parcel, and two small Regional District Parks.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - British Columbia is feeling the strain of a rapidly expanding EV market. On January 11, 2024, BC Hydro stated there are more than 150,000 EVs on the province’’s roads. While It is more difficult to access local data, ICBC figures show that in 2022 there were 11 EVS registered on Cortes Island, 19 in Quathiaski Cove, 172 in Powell River, 190 in Campbell River, 228 in Comox, and 370 in Courtenay. In addition to being hailed as a partial solution to the climate crisis, an increasing number of drivers find they prefer EVs to gas cars. 96% of the EV owners who responded to a BCAA survey last year stated they found EVs to be more affordable and intend to purchase another in the future. There are currently about 5,000 EV chargers in the province and Clean BC set a goal of 10,000 chargers by 2030. A report by Energy Futures suggests that four times this number may be needed.There will also be a need for more electrical generation to service the new electric vehicles. BC Hydro states, “We're predicting there will be around 330,000 EVs on B.C. roads by 2030. This is estimated to add an additional 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity load per year.”To which the Energy Futures report responds, “Meeting the minimum new vehicle sales targets will require approximately 2,700 GWh of added electricity by 2030, about half the annual production of the Site C Dam. By 2040, this requirement will grow to 9,700 GWh or equivalent to two Site C Dams.” Image credit: Screenshot from CleanBC website
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dave Blinzinger has toured Canada, the United States and Europe but, by choice, primarily plays his saxophone at local venues. “I'm from St. Louis, Missouri. My father had moved up to Cortes Island in the 70s. I lived there from 88 to 1990. At that time, well, there wasn't very much happening on Cortes. You could go up to the Cortes Cafe on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, hang out with the fishermen and that was about it. So I moved to Quadra in 1990, basically to get a job,” he explained. He has lived on Quadra ever since. “I love both islands, but Cortes is special for me because it's the place I went to as an eight year old boy. I lived across from what's now Linnaea Farm in 1976. It was my first visit and it was magic. I just fell in love with the place! I think this place has its grip on me.” “The summer of ’76 was my first summer on Cortes, when I was a kid, so I did a composition called ’76.’” Cortes Currents: How and why did you become a musician? Dave Blinzinger: “I started when I was a teenager, because my father was a saxophone player and so was my uncle. I really admired them. That's what got me into playing the saxophone and into music, really.” “My father was a Choir Director and I spent many years in choir. I did vocal jazz. I play a few other instruments. I play hand drums. I play the flute. I play a bit of piano and then I have several different saxophones to choose from, depending on the situation.” Cortes Currents: When did you turn professional? “I really started in about 1991, with a band called ‘the Valiants.’ They were a large 11 piece rhythm and blues band based out of the Comox Valley. I stuck with them for about 9 years and played probably two to three times a month, sometimes once a week.” “My unspoken goal is to be a working musician. I didn't want to be a pro to try to ‘one up’ anybody. I really just wanted to play music professionally, eight days a week.” “My father came from that breed of people. He played in dance bands in the 60s in the United States. In those times, the 40s, 50s, and 60s, you could work as a musician, get picked up by big bands and you could gig for a living, almost like a job. That's what I wanted, to be involved in my music full time.” Cortes Currents: What will your second song be? Dave Blinzinger: “One that had airplay on Cortes Radio and is on the Quadra Compilation CD. ‘Smoke From A Distant Fire’ is one of my original compositions.” “The idea of this song is that you're laying out at night on Cortes Island under the stars, looking up at the stars, looking up at the universe, contemplating the cosmos, which we've all done a lot of. The distant fire is not the forest fires that we have. It's the fire in the sky, meaning the fire from distant galaxies, the light that we see.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A Cortes Island based solar company has been installing more systems that tie into the grid. There is a lot of potential for solar energy production in British Columbia. It has been largely untouched because of the province’s reliance on hydro-power and natural gas. As of October 2023, BC Hydro had 8,500 net metering customers with a combined solar capacity of 71 MW. This was only a fraction of the 4,609.5 MW of solar capacity tied to Canada’s grid that year. These statistics do not include off-grid installations. “The majority of my customers are off-grid. Anytime you're using fuel, switching to solar is a 'no brainer.' The payback is extremely quick. You don't have the noise of the generator and it generator is not very efficient either,” explained Ian King of Cortes Island based King Solar Contracting. He cited a recent $60,000 installation on Twin Islands. Prior to this, his customer had been burning through $40,000 worth of diesel every year. The system should pay for itself, through reduced energy costs, in a year and a half. King: “The bulk of my customers are on Hernando Island. I've put in about 95 of the systems out there. There's quite a few installers on Savary Island, but I've done a few out that way. I had quite a few up in Granite Bay before BC Hydro reached the north end of Quadra. Refuge is another little cove of no power. There's the two fingers around the Gorge, and that's generally where there's no hydro.” He proceeded to list some small islands around Cortes: Channel Rock. Whale Rock, Heather Islet and Coulter Island. King has put in more than 200 systems during the past 20 years. While the majority appear to be in our vicinity, he has worked on some of the remote islands around Port McNeill, and as far south as Mill Bay, or across the waters to the Lund - Powell River area. Cortes Currents was especially interested in some of the grid tied systems King Solar recently installed on Cortes Island. The ‘pay back’ is slower, often about 20 years, but this really depends on the complexity of the system required. Sadhu Johnston and Manda Aufochs Gillespie had two solar systems installed on their property a couple of years ago. They have a complex system with battery storage for their house, and a more simple system for their shop and a rental unit on their property. Johnston: “Our system up the hill doesn't have the separate inverter and battery system, so that system was a lot less expensive to install. We don't get the benefit of power during an outage and whatnot, but we still get the benefit of reducing our consumption because we're generating power and putting it into the grid. So that system up the hill will have a much faster payback - because it's really just the solar panels.” King: “I like to sit down with each individual customer and keep an eye on their bills, to better educate myself on exactly what the real time numbers areper each system.” Johnston: “It's really great to have somebody in our community that knows my panel system and can come and give me technical advice and help me out versus hiring someone from afar that comes in and does your installation, disappears and it's really hard to reach them.” “I call him once every few months with a question. Wondering what this light means, or can you come over and look at something or there's a noise or whatever. It makes a really big difference to be able to know that if I need him within an hour, he's over taking a look at something and he's not sending me a bill every time. He's a neighbour and he feels pride in his work. He wants to make sure that I understand things and can maintain it properly ourselves.” King: “It's a big selling feature for me, even on Hernando per se, that I am local. Word of mouth is an enormous part of how my business expands and I get new jobs.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their May 22 Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional Distrct (SRD) passed 3 important monetary decisions for Cortes Island.Firstly, the SRD will be increasing the annual fee for waste collection by $10 a year. This will be paid through our property taxes.Regional Director Mark Vonesch explained, “we're basically being forced to do this because Recycling BC changed their support for the solid waste collection fees so that we're having to make up that loss through increasing our fees, which we're going to be doing over the next couple of years.”Secondly, the Cortes Island Firefighters Association’s contract with the SRD expired more than a year ago. Since that time, the fire departent has been hired on a monthly basis. Now the SRD is once again offering a 5 year contract. SRD Chief Administrative Officer (CAO David Leitch) stated, “I just want to acknowledge the Cortes Island Firefighting Association and Sadhu Johnston for their participation and great patience. I think it's been a nice team-building exercise throughout but, as I understand it from Sadhu, the board has endorsed this contract, which is really great. This is a great step forward for both of us.” Mark Vonesch: “If I could add to that. It has been a year and a half and I'm just really grateful to staff, the Cortes Island Firefighters Association and this board for getting us here. This is a big win for Cortes. It's a big win for the SRD. It's a big win for Cortes Fire Department. I'm just really excited to get this five year deal passed. Now we can all move forward.” Lastly, the SRD is entering into an agreement with the Cortes Community Housing Society to provide up to $140,000 of the funding available through the Provincial Gas Tax on a road leading into Rainbow Ridge. We’ve actually been hearing about this project since November, but it was approved Wednesday. The Board passed all of these measures with no opposing votes.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island author Carrie Saxifrage made a climate mitigation presentation at the May 22 SRD Board meeting. This is an abridged version of that talk. She began with a simple admission, “This is my first time. Thank you so much for having me. If I were to do it again, I'd do it a little differently, but here we are. We're going to whisk through some slides, and I'm going to emphasize what I think is most important.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -There were questions about what can be accomplished, but the SRD will be asking Transport Canada about the safety requirements, noise levels and frequency of planes using the Cortes Island Airstrip. At their May 22 meeting, Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch told the SRD Board: “There is an airstrip on Cortes Island that's been there for a long time. A new buyer bought the land and has been upgrading the runway significantly. I've heard numbers: allegedly a thousand gravel trucks. They're paving it and there's a big concern from the community regarding: safety issues, what kind of planes can now land, frequency of planes that can now land, whether they need permission from the owner to be able to land. And also further gentrification of Cortes Island as it becomes more accessible.” “There's a lot of questions that are coming to me from the community around this. I don't have the answers and would really love staff support to engage with Transport Canada and inform the board on what the rules are around safety, frequency and plane size. I have a motion as well.” Campbell River Director Doug Chapman questioned whether this would be a waste of staff’s time: “If it's a private runway, then the safety requirements are going to be based on the length of the runway. The length of the runway is going to dictate the size of the aircraft - and it's not landing, it's takeoff.” “To make it simple, if you had a two engine aircraft to take off, you have to reach a rotation for one engine, then take off. That's why the length of the runway is important for takeoffs, not landing. If it's a private runway, as long as they meet Transport Canada requirements for the aircraft operation and the operator of the aircraft has insurance I don't think we have a lot of input into it. The Aeronautics Act and the regulations related to it dictate what happens.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday, May 17, Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by the Simon Fraser University field school that visited Cortes in the week of May 13-17 to chat about how ecosystem approaches to health can help us understand the implications and impact of climate change through the perspective of rural and remote island communities.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new exhibition in the Cortes Island Museum looks at the island’s housing from pre-colonial times up until the present. ‘From the Ground Up: Cortes Island Dwellings And Their Histories’ combines photographs and artifacts from the museum’s collections, stories and images from the community and a display from the Cortes Housing Society. Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Museum, took Cortes Currents on a tour of the exhibit. “Welcome to the Cortes Museum and Archives. We are standing just inside the museum store, but as you know, the museum once was the Cortes Lodge store, down at Manson's Lagoon. We have a new exhibition which just opened on May 5th and runs throughout the year. I curated the show with Monica Hoffman,” she began. “This exhibition looks at dwellings and communities from a historic perspective, not only just the dwellings, but the process behind a lot of them. On Cortes we face a lot of challenges, whether economic, terrain, or just accessing material. Our idea was to look at dwellings from that perspective: how people overcome the challenges; elusive solutions they find, and the connections they make to the land, to one another and the way they build community.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 25 people turned out for the ‘Polycrisis Townhall-Party’ in the Klahoose Multi-purpose building on Friday, May 17. Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco FIrst Nation, his wife, MP Rachel Blaney, and Cortes Island Regional Director Mark Vonesch were among them. The event was put together by Cortes Island’s Alternate Director, Max Thaysen. Norm Harry, of the Klahoose FIrst Nation, welcomed everyone to the building. The most newsworthy portion was Chief Blaney’s declaration that First Nations need to take back stewardship of their traditional territories. An abridged version of his talk follows. Chief Blaney began by speaking in ayʔaǰuθɛm, which you can hear in the podcast. Then, in English, he acknowledged the close relationship of the Klahoose and Homalco First Nations, “It’s good to be in the home of our relatives. I’m happy to be here.” “When you were speaking, you made me think about listening to an elder, and the elder talked about a sacred alliance with us and all of Mother Earth, all the animals. We look after them, and they look after us.” “I think when First Nations were connected to the land, it was the same. We were part of that cycle and I think it's important that we follow those teachings.” He spoke of ceremonies from his grandmother’s day. “Go to the first salmon ceremony, they were giving thanks and respect to that salmon, making sure it's there for future generations. The first berries and stuff, you give a prayer for that. You give thanks, respect, and appreciation.” “For us, in this time when we have all kinds of climate change issues, with the fires going on up north, I think that our Aboriginal rights are the best protection for the environment.”He referred to the struggle with fish farms. “That fight is about saving wild salmon and Homalco has spent about $700,000. I keep telling the fisheries minister, we've spent $700,000 defending your decision to remove the farms because we're protecting our salmon. And it's not just our salmon, it's all our clam gardens, all the rock cod, all the ring cod, snappers, herring. All these things that are part of our ecosystem.” “I remember early in 2000 we were talking about the coming pandemic. And we were thinking, ‘what are we going to do when everybody's dying?’ And we thought, ‘We'll go back up to Bute Inlet, but the way DFO has managed our fisheries: our herring stocks have disappeared, our cod stocks have disappeared, lingcod disappeared so we don't have any cod eggs anymore. The salmon have just about disappeared because of the fish farms and climate change.” “So our voice becomes even more important today as First Nations. What we're doing is we're working to rebuild the stocks, but at some point I'm looking to remove DFO from my territory because they're no help to the wild stocks.They're no help to the salmon.” “They're pretty much pro-fish farmers in my mind because every time we talk to them, I feel like I'm talking to a fish farmer. For us to rebuild our salmon stocks, we have to get DFO out of the way, and that's been a big struggle for us.” “Because of that, we have to build up our revenues. We have to get to the place where our people will be able to defend our rights in court and one of the biggest obstacles of going to court is what's called legal mischief. Where these corporate bodies keep throwing all kinds of motions at you. Mostly, when they do that to First Nations, they're trying to empty out our bank accounts so we can't fight in court anymore.” “So we're working on building up a legal trust fund, so we'll be able to look after our land. The stewardship trust fund, so we'll be able to look after our land. The language, our trust fund for our culture, so that we'll be still connected to that land. All these things are important for us and it does go in a circle.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The official count isn’t in yet, but more than 300 people turned out for this year’s Seafest. This is the annual celebration and fund raiser of the Cortes Island Seafood Association, which was held in Squirrel Cove again this year. “We come back every year. This is our 10th time. We love it every year. It's awesome. There's amazing food and amazing people and weather's gorgeous,” exclaimed Jason Thompson. “One thing that stuck out for us was there was only a lineup on one side this year. In the past, it's been both sides, and there was always a little bit of confusion, and, 'oh, I didn't get that'. So people would come in and get their food, and you'd look at them going, 'get out of my way,' but no, it's beautiful. It's run really nice, and the music's perfect.”Thaddeus Conrad from Med Man Brand believes markets like this are ‘extremely important for the community. It's an opportunity for me to meet people from around the world, and show everyone from around the world the island love.’”As the line-up extended almost back to the Squirrel Cove Store parking lot, it seemed like a good idea to start out by circulating among the vendors.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Fire Department is preparing for what could be the driest summer on record. They have purchased more equipment, a new pumper truck, and are about to start recruiting for a much larger wildfire brigade. After a year and a half as the interim Fire Chief, Eli McKenty may be staying on. This was not the story Cortes Currents expected to cover. An open fire prohibition came into effect at noon on Friday, May 17.They were flushing water through one of the trucks in the front yard, when I arrived. Chief McKenty took me up to the office where it was quieter. There are two other desks there. BC Emergency Health Services Unit Chief Kim Robertson was away, but Office Manager Tammy Allwork was working on her computer. Their work spaces were meticulously laid out, with everything in its place. A few books and papers were sprawled across McKenty’s desk.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Bronwyn Claire Asha is bringing her one woman theatre, Celtic folk music and storytelling show to Cortes and Quadra Islands this weekend. She’ll be playing in Mansons Hall at 7 PM on Friday, and 7:30 in the Quadra Community Centre on Saturday. “I am very excited to come to Cortes. I feel like Cortes and Quadra are both small communities that have a real heart to them and a real community connection,” she explained.Cortes Currents: You’ve also brought some songs for us today. Tell us about the first one. Bronwyn Claire Asha: “So the first one is ‘Bridget O’Malley,' which is a song of lamentation from the 16 hundreds. It's a Scottish folk song. It's originally sung in Scots' Gallic. I talk a lot about longing in the show: longing for connection; longing for belonging; longing for love; longing for adventure. And it's a really beautiful song that I think encapsulates that even just through the melody, but it's also a lot about imagery and nature that connects you with the beauty of the world. It's a very sad love song as well.” (Bridget O’Malley inserted 1:28-4:53 in the podcast)Bronwyn Claire Asha: “My music and my performance is about connecting people, community building. And it's not that the audience is not involved. They are very much a participant in the experience. I call upon them to do things. I call upon them to sing with me, to interact with each other so that by the end, we're not separate and we are not individuals sitting in that audience.” “We're actually a community that have co created this experience together. So I really believe that what has been missing and What we yearn for in this modern age where we're disconnected from each other where we're experiencing The energy of each other through a screen as opposed to in real life when we capitalize on being in the same space together beautiful things can happen and that can happen through listening to really ancient Music and listening to stories that we would have listened to sitting around the campfire thousands of years ago that can help us return to that place where we worked as a community together.” “We existed very much together, and we helped each other to survive through joining our voices together in song through sharing stories together and my mission With this performance, with the work that I do, with this character, the bardess, who's the narrator and the guide along the way.” “It's all about helping us remember what was important and experiencing it again in our own bodies, embodying that feeling to remember that part of us is still there and we're still yearning for connection with each other. And if there's A place we can do that, that's safe, that's a container for us to be together, to go on a journey.” “We don't know what the destination is, but we know that we're safe and we know that we have each other. The possibilities are endless and really beautiful. And so far, with this show, I'm experiencing that with my audiences every time. It's like we're, by the end, it's just like I want to give back. Give everyone a big hug and we're all in it together. It feels very heartwarming at the very end, we sing this final song together that I wrote, but everyone picks up on it so quickly.” “It's really beautiful to have these experiences where we remember that we're actually all the same, wherever we came from, our ancestors are the same far enough back. We yearn for the connection with each other and also with the earth. The earth is a big character in this performance as well.” Cortes Currents: What’s your second song?
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Over the past few years there have been increasing reports of wolves preying on black bears. There have been no reports of this on Cortes Island, and a lot of residents first heard about it at the 2024 Wildlife Coexistence Gathering, at Linnaea Farm. Todd Windle of Wild About Wolves explained that the evidences of wolves preying upon bears in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve go back to the reappearance of wolf population in the area. “We were finding bear claws in scat. So that was like, ‘well, maybe they're just scavenging in them, or maybe they're finding a bear that got hit by a car,’” he explained. “Then we started accumulating observations of wolves hunting bears. Bob Hansen actually captured a whole scene of two wolves killing a bear, ripping it apart and eating it. Dennis Hetu has documented multiple bear kills by wolves. So we did the analysis and sat down over MS Teams with a professor from UC Davis, our monitoring ecologist.” “He went through all the results, and we had a list of questions beforehand.” The professor did not report any evidence of bear meat in their diet. “We said, ‘This doesn't make sense. We were expecting to find bear remains. We're actually hoping to finally quantify how much bear meat is in their diet, but there's no bears here. Why do you think that might be?’” “And he said, ‘Oh, I just thought that was an error. I thought it was cross contamination that the wolves and the bears were preying on the same carcasses or something on the beach. So I took all the bear and I threw it out. (Woman laughs) Let me rerun the data and I'll get back to you.’” “So he reran the data, and bears are actually the number four item in the wolf diet, at least currently. So, there's four species that make up 60%, 64% or 65% of a wolf's diet. Raccoon is still number one, then black tailed deer, river otters, and black bears.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In January, the Cortes Community Economic Development Association, or CCEDA, hired a Business Mentorship Coordinator. In the four months since then Tamlyn Collingwood has worked with a number of Cortes Island’s small businesses, developed procedures to help them and is about to unveil a series of new market opportunities in conjunction with Hollyhock. “I was contracted to support small businesses in any areas needed. There’s so many different aspects to business and, for many folks, they might be good at a few things and they might have a few challenges in some of those areas,” she explained.“My job is to help them in the areas I can, either providing one on one direct support or helping connect folks with resources that can help them or with other mentors in the community who can help them.” “So far I've been working with over a dozen businesses, mostly artists and product based businesses. A lot of times folks just need someone to bounce ideas off of or help connect them with resources. I've done a lot of sort of one on one creating labels, creating logos, strategizing and business planning.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Seafest will be returning to Squirrel Cove this Saturday, May 18, with delicious platefuls of locally grown and prepared seafood. with live music. “ I think the first one was back in 1990 or 92. It was down in Smelt Bay with Redonda Sea Farms and the rest of the community and it was a huge event. I think they had walk-on overloads on the ferry. That was really when the Seafood Association was formed. Its primary mandate being water quality and it was formed in response to new technology that could assess dioxin pollution from the pulp mills,” explained Dave Nikleva.Julia Rendall added, “I think in the late eighties, it was to fight the pulp mills. ‘Water quality’ was our mandate. Then there was a time when some people were a little bit reluctant about us oyster farmers. They thought maybe we were getting in the way of their pristine scenery. We decided to show them that we did have a good product for everybody to enjoy and that it is a viable industry on the island and it is necessary.” Dave Nikleva: “It’s continued in subsequent variations over the years in various places from Squirrel Cove to the Gorge and Manson's parking lot on a windy day. I think we've had a great show of support from the industry, and also from the community.” They have both been involved since the beginning of Seafest. Julia is a former President of the Bee Islets Growers Corporation, which has their rafts close to the entrance of Gorge Harbour. Dave and his wife are independents. Dave Nikleva: “Since 1987, when I moved to the island, I moved to grow shellfish. We've got a few farms in the Gorge Harbour. We've got some beach leases and deep water leases.” Cortes Currents: What’s your target audience for Seafest? Who do you want to come? Dave Nikleva: “It has changed over the years and there have been changes in the location. Last year was the first time we’ve been back in Squirrel Cove for a decade or more. A different crowd of perhaps younger people and younger families were there. That was good to see, some different people showing up for it.” Cortes Currents: Was last year a success? How do you define success? Dave Nikleva: “I’d say it was maybe half the size of what it had been previously at the Gorge Harbour Marina, before COVID, but it was a nice size. A good feeling there.” “We're looking at hopefully about the same number of people, maybe about 300 plates. It's always interesting to see who comes out, but we do have some new things happening. We do have scallops on the menu for the first time and a little change in the lineup of cooks. So if you've been there before, this will be something new for you to come again.” “Clams and oysters umpteen different ways, prawns, salads, and bread. There's also going to be a cookout with First Nations doing some salmon, that'd be a separate tent for them.” Cortes Currents: Tell me about the music this year. Julia Rendall: “The music is going to be in the same place on the deck in front of the restaurant, which worked really well last year. Scotty's putting on the music, and so far we're still actually looking for more musicians. If there's anyone out there who'd like to sing or play or dance, they could phone me or Dave or Scotty. Scotty's actually arranging the whole music. venue. You can send an email to jrendall182@gmail.com and I can forward their Information to Scotty.” Dave Nikleva: “The thing always seems to come together at the last minute. Glad to have them and they're right beside the food tent lineup, so people are entertained as they wait for the next course to come along.” Julia Rendall: “The vendor lineup is really strong this year, and we're going to have them lined along the road towards the store, so it'll be a little market there. We've got the radio station, we've got Turkish towels, body lotions, candles and t-shirts. So there'll be good shopping in between the eating.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Manda Aufochs Gillespie announced two new grant offerings, the new shared workplace in the Village Commons and much more, in a Cortes Island Community Foundation update yesterday. “It has been a really busy year, and I am so excited about where we are, and this community that we get to serve. I'd love to tell you about some of the things that maybe you've been hearing about that are happening right now and some of the things that you and everyone can look forward to hearing more about this summer and as the year progresses,” she began. “We are very excited to again have some funds that we're getting to grant into the community.” “As a community foundation, we are still finding our way as to what that means and how we are most relevant to this community. The longer we're doing this, the more that we realize that we're a pretty different community foundation than most of those community foundations that are out there.” “For instance, the Vancouver Foundation has I'm not sure how much money, but I think in the matter of billions in their endowment. They're able to use that endowment to support the good works of many, many different community organizations, particularly those based in and around Vancouver, but also throughout the province.” “The Cortes Island Community Foundation does not have an endowment of any size. We don't have money that is sitting in a bank, or that is invested, that earns a bit of principle that then we grant from. From the beginning we decided we can wait or follow a model of a community foundation that is about earning money, saving it up, investing it well, and then spending it out. When we look around us, it's clear that the organizations in our community need resources now. They need human resources, financial resources and social resources today.” “Since our founding just a few years ago, we have managed to leverage over three and a half million dollars directly into the community without needing to have an endowment. This has been in no small part because of luck. I would like to say it's because of the genius of all those involved, which I'm sure has something to do with it, but mostly it's been luck. We've come into existence at a time when the government of Canada has made available, pretty much for the first time ever, a series of funds aimed at helping smaller community foundations immediately have impact in their communities.”
Sadhu Johnston/ Cortes Community Housing - Tune in on May 10th for the second collaborative monthly housing forum hosted by the Cortes Housing Society and Folk University. Themed “Water Quality and Quantity”, this forum featured guest panelists Darren Bond, Nick Sargent, and David Bethune and a following community discussion. This is a recording of the second monthly housing forum in April, hosted over Zoom, with 24 people in attendance. Hear us chat about water, it’s relation to housing, and about how these ideas could be applicable to Cortes.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Community Housing purchased a property with two houses at 671 Sutil Point Road. This will be the first property to go into the island's new land trust, formed in response to Cortes Island's housing forum last December. The housing society has been active on Cortes for 6 or 7 years and made a lot of progress in buying Rainbow Ridge. Having that acreage for housing and community needs is a really great opportunity and sets us apart in many ways from some of our other island neighbors like Quadra, for instance, where they're working to acquire land, explained Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of Cortes Community Housing. We've been struggling to get BC Housing funding to build on that land and we recently heard we weren't successful. That's the 3rd time we had applied. We did get $100,000 from BC Housing to continue to get the project shovel ready. So they're not abandoning us, they're just not ready to fund it. They're really prioritizing cities. I think 80% to 90% of the funding from the last round of BC Housing funding that was designated for the Vancouver Island region went to Victoria. We cannot rely on provincial support to solve this problem here. We need it, but it's been years of trying to get it. We really are needing to diversify our approach, both on Rainbow Ridge land, but also across the community. We are continuing to progress the 24 townhome development on Rainbow Ridge and we just received funding from the SRD to build the road into the development site. We're looking at creative ways that we can still bring housing to the Rainbow Ridge land even if it's not subsidized housing, if it's more of a rental housing option.We are purchasing our first home, thanks to the generous donation of 1 of our Cortes neighbors. That property is about 3 acres and it has 2 houses on it. It has a well, it has septic, it has power backup systems. It has beautiful gardens, and a big shop. I'm personally really excited by this opportunity because we get to provide rental housing immediately, but there's also the opportunity for other community uses with the shop and the agricultural land. It's a very centrally located. It's a walkable site. People can walk straight into Manson's, to the school, or to Smelt Bay and Manson's Lagoon. We have over 200 people on our wait list. So we're going to put a call out and then, if we don't get interest from that, we'll go more broadly to the community Having secure rental housing Is really important for people that often have to move over and over and over again. That's the basic objective. We get to provide housing for people that need it. We get to maintain community ownership in the land. This land will be owned by all of us as a community and over time, we could even add additional cabins to the land to provide more housing. That would be something that we'll be looking to do. The objective is also to ensure that as houses come up for sale, they aren't just sold to off-Islanders for summer housing, that we maintain existing homes for community use and for housing people on the Island, not just bringing new people to the Island or converting those family homes to summer houses for off Islanders.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new passenger transportation solutions project was launched for Cortes, Quadra and some of the Outer Islands. Kate Maddigan, of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), obtained a grant to fund the project and will oversee developments on Cortes. Quadra Island facilitator Jennifer Banks-Doll will be overseeing the project on Quadra and the Outer Islands. Their first step is fact gathering but unlike past initiatives, they intend to implement some of these ideas. A survey being launched this Monday, May 13, and an online forum on May 21.
De Ckarke/ COrtes Currents - BC Ferries intends to upgrade their Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals to accommodate new, higher-capacity “Island Class” ferries with the potential for all-electric operation. The construction project, scheduled for 2026, will necessitate closure of these docks and ramps — a serious logistical problem for BCF and for island residents.On April 27th, 2024, BC Ferries hosted a two-hour open house at Mansons Hall from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, asking for community feedback and suggestions on their early draft plan for this disruptive project. The event was attended by more than 50 Cortes residents over the two-hour period; for those who were unable to attend, the online comment period remains open until May 6th.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - It has now been four and a half years since the 2019 referendum in which a solid majority of Cortes Islanders voted in favour of bylaw 341. This bylaw established a property tax service that would provide basic operational support for the islands two community halls.What’s Happening Now? — what events and programmes are being offered as of 2024, and how much community engagement is there?
Sadhu Johnston/ Folk U - Tune in on April 19th for the first collaborative monthly housing forum hosted by the Cortes Housing Society and Folk University. Themed “Homesharing”, this forum featured guest panelists Janey Rowland (HousingNOW) and Noelle Marcus (Nesterly), and a following community discussion. This is a recording of the first monthly housing forum in March, hosted over Zoom, with 19 people in attendance. Hear us chat about creative housing ideas related to homesharing and about how they could be applicable to Cortes. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Local filmmaker Jennifer Pickford found more than the spiritual paradise of her expectations, when she first visited India in 2008. She subsequently embarked upon the personal pilgrimage, 2,500 kilometres down the Ganges River, chronicled in the documentary ‘Sacred India: Plastic Revolution,’ which comes to Mansons Hall on Monday, April 22nd, 2024. Jennifer Pickford: “I was involved in yoga studies and meditation, and I really had a longing in my heart to go there. It's not quite the spiritual paradise that my idealistic mind imagined it to be. I was particularly troubled to see a group of people who were burning plastic in a bonfire and actually standing around it to keep warm. I just felt they could have no real clear awareness of what plastic is, neither its toxic composition nor the fact that plastic is not biodegradable. I found myself wondering how this country, which for centuries sustained itself with its grassroots cottage industry style commerce, became such a mass consumer of commercial plastic? What, if any, recycling programs were in place? Particularly, as a Westerner, I started wondering what is my involvement in this? How did the colonization of India contribute to this plastic nightmare?”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - It has now been four and a half years since the 2019 referendum in which a solid majority of Cortes Islanders voted in favour of bylaw 341. This bylaw established a property tax service that would provide basic operational support for the islands two community hallsPart 3: What’s Been Fixed? — what maintenance and improvement has been made possible by the hall tax funding?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Community Foundation is running a second round of the Giving Well program that provides one-time tax free cash “gifts” of between $5,000 to $10,000 to individuals. Isabella McKnight, Executive Administrator of the Cortes Foundation explained, “The first round was extremely successful. We were able to give over $180,000 to 30 different individuals and families in need. So far, the feedback from that has been really great, it was just the right amount at just the right time. The money went out right before Christmas, so that felt extra good as well.”“We've got about $25,000 (each) for five categories to give out to families and individuals who are in acute financial need.” “We've noticed through the granting cycles that we've run, that there's a lot of people that fall between the cracks. They're not quite 65, so they don't fall into that senior category or they own property, so people think of them as wealthy.” Cortes Currents: What specific groups are you targeting? Isabella McKnight: it’s really open for anybody, but we've selected five groups just to simplify it a bit:Youth/single-parentElderly/seniorsIndigenousIndividuals or families adversely impacted by a health crisisEnterprising potential that can seed larger impact for the individual and/or communityCortes Currents: How do you apply? Isabella McKNight: Visit our website and fill out an application. It's not too long, just giving us the information that we need from you, how much you're looking for, or what you're hoping to use it for. Then we'll put you in. Applications are open until May 5th.It doesn't matter if you've applied before and even if you receive funds before. please apply again because we know that we might not necessarily have given you what you asked for. We're happy to keep supporting anybody who's applied or who hasn't applied and we really encourage people to apply because it's essentially free money. So why not apply? The application should only take you about 10 minutes. We're happy to help you through. That's why we also have community cultivators. It's because they can help people through the applications. If you don't have access to a computer, you can do it over the phone with not only your community cultivator, but you can do it with me as well. I can send you an email version, I can talk to you over the phone, I can give you a paper version, whatever you need to make it as accessible as possible. Cortes Currents: Applicants must have an ‘acute financial need.’ Don't get tripped up too much over that language because that's a really broad spectrum, ‘acute financial need.’ I was talking to one of the community cultivators and she works in a specific field and was talking to somebody and they said, 'well, I'm not literally starving. So I don't need to use the food bank.' Like, they do go to bed hungry some nights and just because they have rice and beans, they're not starving. That's not what we mean. If you aren't feeling like you can get access to everything because of where you stand financially you have the right to apply. This is a trust based philanthropy. When we give you this money, there is nothing in return that we need. We don't need receipts on how you spent it.We don't even need you to tell us your story, but the best way to support this program is for you to give us feedback, especially since this is a pilot program. This is only the second time we've run it and we're not 100 percent educated on all these topics.
Sadhu Johnston/ Folk U - On April 12th, guest host Sadhu Johnston was joined by the folk band Awakeneers for a full-length live concert. Kicking off an April tour on Cortes, the Awakeneers delighted listeners with their fiddle and harmony-centric tunes and sweet stories to boot! The live-streamed radio concert on Friday afternoon was a teaser for the community contra dance they led on Saturday night at Manson’s Hall. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - It has now been four and a half years since the 2019 referendum in which a solid majority of Cortes Islanders voted in favour of bylaw 341. This bylaw established a property tax service that would provide basic operational support for the islands two community halls.Part 2: What Changed? -- why were the halls in such dire financial straits by about 2015? why could Gorge Hall not just go on as it had since it was founded?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Noah Davidson traces his gardening itch back to the family plot in Ontario but prior to his arrival on Cortes Island, he worked in restaurants. He started out behind the cash register of his father's restaurant in Toronto and went on to work in a number of fast food establishments. This continued after his move to British Columbia. Noah worked at the Floathouse Restaurant, in Gorge Harbour Marina, during his first two years on Cortes Island. “A couple of seasons after working with them, I decided to experiment with the possibility of starting a business on my own property. I remember asking the Gorge, ‘if this doesn't work out, would you mind hiring me back, because I don't know whether this is going to be a grand success or a grand failure.’ They said, 'you know, you've given us two good years and we'd certainly take you back,” he explained. Cortes Currents: have you ever gone back to work for the Float House? Noah Davidson:”No, that was the beginning of entrepreneurship for me. I really haven't had to branch out too far from there since then.” Cortes Currents: One of the first things you notice upon entering the Whaletown Garden Center, is two garden chairs with the sign ‘registered psychiatrist’ slung between them. Noah Davidson: “The Garden Centre can be a place of helping people find garden supplies, but sometimes maybe turns into some deep conversations. A friend delivered me a sign that says ‘registered psychologist,’ even though I'm definitely not a registered psychologist. I proudly display it on my Adirondack chairs where two people can pull up a seat and have a chat. It brought in a lot of good laughs.” He emailed, “My passion comes from helping people find success in their garden, whether they're growing one pot on the deck or they have five acres of land. If someone's issue can be solved with a 20 minute conversation, with or without making a sale, my aim is that people will leave Whaletown Garden Centre happy and informed. Customers have told me it's one of the many things that keep them coming back to Whaletown Garden Centre.” “I established Whaletown Garden Centre in 2008 with the goal of bringing a comprehensive garden supply centre to Cortes Island. Over the last 15 years of operation, I've tried to hone in on the items that gardeners on Cortes are looking for. As of today, Whaletown Garden Centre has over 500 different products available. Even with our small island population, Cortes has a great community of passionate gardeners, and it was my hope that Whaletown Garden Centre would meet their needs and save them a trip off island. Competitive pricing is something I take very seriously. I am constantly looking for the best products I can source at fair and affordable prices for my customers.” Noah Davidson: “I carry everything from different fertilizer products, to help with funguses, pathogens and issues with bugs. I have lots of tools, everything from forks and rakes and shovels, axes, pruning tools, Reemay, hoses, even some obscure tools like the old dutch hoe, or pick mattock. The list goes on and on. I've tried to put out various different advertisements that cover a lot of the products that I carry, but I don't think people can really get the idea unless they actually come in and see what's available.” “I also bring in manure from a poultry farm in Black Creek. I carry peat moss, coco coir, potting soil, worm castings, perlite, vermiculite, mushroom manure and plenty of other soil products. One of the other things that I focus on is a decent West Coast seed selection. Every year I bring in this year's fresh seeds and try to cover all the bases as far as what people would need for their veggie garden, a little bit of a mix of flowers and that kind of thing.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - It has now been four and a half years since the 2019 referendum in which a solid majority of Cortes Islanders voted in favour of bylaw 341. This bylaw established a property tax service that would provide basic operational support for the islands two community halls. An interview with WCC President Izabelle Perry.Part I of 4 - Before & After — the Hall’s financial situation pre-2019 vs todayImage credit: A Christmas Market In Gorge Hall - Roy L Hales photo
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents: The Cortes Housing Society’s Virtual Forum will be returning to the airwaves at 10 AM on Saturday, April 20, with a program on water Quality and Quantity. Host Sadhu Johnstone will be joined by three expert panelists: Darren Bond from Hornby Water Stewardship, Nick Sargent from the Quadra Island Climate Action Network and David Bethune of Groundwater Solutions. There will also be breakout sessions to discuss how these issues apply to Cortes Island. “In December 2023, we hosted a housing forum to talk about housing challenges in the community and concerns that people had. In environmental systems in particular, water systems really came up loud and clear as something that we needed to really be thinking about as a community. It was a very, very important discussion for me, as the new executive director of the housing society. (I now) recognize that we are really quite behind some of our neighboring islands in our work as a community, looking at our water supplies,” explained Sadhu Johnstone. “We haven't really mapped our aquifers on the island and don't really have a sense of the aquifer health. With climate change, we're likely to face more droughts and more demand for water from aquifers as a community. If we're going to add additional housing to support people that are here and needing housing, that could cause a strain on systems. So this is critically important for the folks living on Cortes and for future people that are looking to live on Cortes.” “I've spoken to folks on Quadra, Hornby, Pender and other islands. They've done a lot of this work already. This forum is a chance to have them in the room with us, on Zoom, and to learn what they've done, and what they would recommend we do or don't do. We're also going to have an expert from Groundwater Solutions, which has supported a number of rural communities and island communities in their work to map their aquifers and assess the aquifer health." "There are things that we can do to recharge our aquifers. If there are aquifers that are overused or aren't being recharged, there are ways that you can do that. It's just very interesting to understand what those are and how we can utilize those approaches." “I'm very interested to make the connection to ways that we can develop using less water. How do we do more with composting toilets and low water solutions? Capturing rainwater and utilizing that instead of needing to pull all of the water that we need from out of the ground.” “We're hearing more and more that people with surface wells are seeing lower water levels in the summers. There's obviously a tie in with climate change.” “This form is the first step for us, as the housing society, to really be thinking about this island wide and to be learning from other places and charting a course forward.” “We have applied for a grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC to help to commission a study to assess the aquifer health, map the aquifers and assess the aquifer health, and to be thinking about things that we could be doing in the future. This forum is a way to learn from what other places have done that are ahead of us, but also to help shape our work.”Podcast View from Hornby Island office window by Glissmedia via Flickr (CC BY SA 2.0 Deed)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery is trying out some new initiatives this year. Their season is starting earlier, there are more classes and special events than ever, and some of them will be in new locations. The gallery has reversed the order of its exhibitions, expanded its social media reach and now has a website at schoolhouseertgallery.ca “The website is big news, and we really hope people will check it out. David Ellingson has helped put it together. There's a lot of different aspects to it. You can look at old shows, and see what's coming up. There'll be a place where current events are being announced, which is very important because there's more current events this year than there have been. We're trying to expand the borders of the art gallery, push out the walls and make it accessible and approachable for everybody in the community,” explained Gerri Davis, who joined the board this year. Christann Kennedy, another new Director and also the gallery's education coordinator, added, “Classes will run from the end of April and through May, and the exhibition season will run June, July, August into the beginning of September. Then we'll have another six week session of classes from mid September until probably the end of October, at which point the building gets a little bit too chilly.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On April 1, BC Emergency Health Services improved the staffing models for 60 rural and remote ambulance stations. Cortes and Quadra Islands are among the 6 communities within the Strathcona Regional District that will benefit. “We recognize that one staffing model doesn’t work for all parts of the province, and these three models will help us improve our services to better meet the needs of the community and patients and enable more of our paramedics to live and work in their home communities,” explained Leanne Heppell, BCEHS’ Chief Ambulance Officer, in a press release.The Quadra Island and Gold River ambulances are among the 21 rural stations upgraded to a 24/7 full-time “Alpha” model. Whereas under the previous Scheduled On-Call (SOC) model paramedics were at the station 8 hours a day, there will now be 8 full-time positions, with paramedics in the station 24 hours a day.Cortes Island previously had 4 SOC positions filled, and 3 on call staff. SOC shifts are 24-hour shifts, in which paramedics are at the station from 8am to 4pm, and carry a pager outside those hoursUnder the new ‘Mix Shift’ system Cortes Island, Sayward and Tahsis are among the 25 stations that will have a total of 8 regular part time positions providing 24 hours coverage. Paramedics will serve in the station for 16 hours and be on-call for 8 hours. This means staff on-duty in the station twice as often as they were in the past.An unconfirmed source stated the Cortes Island station is now recruiting. Unit Chief KIm Robertson declined to comment, stating Cortes Currents would have to contact EHS media. They have yet to reply. The on-call rate has also been increased from $2 per hour to $12 per hour. The last of the SRD stations to benefit under the new system is Zeballos, whih Zeballos is among the 14 ‘Kilo’ stations that will have a full time unit chief supported by on call staff.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was an increasing number of wolf sightings and encounters on Cortes Island during the closing months of 2008. A number of posts in the Tideline over the course of the next two years mention 'an awful lot of them on the island, in an awfully short time.' There were mixed reactions. A Squirrel Cove resident wrote that 15 ran through one of their neighbours yards at 4 AM. Someone had a 'magical encounter' with a large black wolf, standing on the foot bridge over the channel connecting Gunflint and Hague Lakes, as she paddled through with her canoe. Another resident reported that three wolves killed her dog, only 70 feet from her house. More than 150 people gathered in the Linnaea School, on January 17, 2009, when local biologist Sabina Leader Mense brought in two experts to share their experiences with wolves. Conservation Officer Ben York thanked the audience for bringing him in to discuss the situation, rather than put an animal down. He also stated that some of the wolves on Cortes ‘are very habituated’ and ‘˜there is a level of tolerance for these animals that is endangering them.’ The other expert was Bob Hansen, a wildlife/human conflict specialist in the Pacific Rim National Reserve. Hanson was also one of the principle speakers at the recent Wildlife Coexistence Gathering on Cortes Island. He explained that prior to receiving Sabina’s invitation, his attention was primarily focused on the Pacific Rim community. "I was approached by another champion, Sabina, because she'd heard about the Wild Coast Project." "So now we're taking a step away from the West Coast. We were really laser focused. I was hesitant, and the management team was really hesitant, like - 'you want to leave the park and go over to the other side of the island?' They did agree, and the only stipulation they made was that the CO service had to be here as well." "It turned out our other champion, Ben York, was the CO. We'd worked together on Bear Aware in our area and he'd taken a new posting. By this time Ben had married Crystal.” (Laughter) (In the first article of this series, Hansen described Crystal McMillan as a force of nature in the Ucluelet area. Her Bear Aware group was so effective that she received a Premier’s Award. She insisted that all of her partners and collaborators also be recognized. So Premier Gordon Campbell presented the award to a group of people that included Crystal, Bob Hansen and Ben York.) "So Ben and Crystal came to our first Cortes get-together in 2009. That was a huge learning experience, and out of that came the Wolf Primer. You were working on the whole idea of identifying and getting to know individual wolves and understanding which wolves were behaving in which ways." Some of the wolves were drawn by the sheep carcasses at the back of Blue Jay Lake Farm. During his slideshow presentation, Hanson praised the farmer for his innovative solution. Ben Hansen: "Under that blue tarp is a giant hill of moldering hay, and he started disposing of his carcasses with that. It's super hot, they break down really quickly, no more issues with the wolves patrolling for dead sheep." "That led to the more in depth workshop in two years, where Grace SoftDeer, ourselves and Ben York came, along with some of the researchers from the Wild Coast Project. We stayed at Christine Robinson's place. That was the storytelling workshop, another really rich experience."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the first of a series of articles from Cortes Islands recent Wildlife Coexistence Gathering, Cortes Currents looked at Vancouver Island’s first wildlife coexistence program in the Pacific Rim National Park. The problem at that time was human/bear conflicts. By the time Sabina Leader Mense reached out from Cortes Island, about 2010, WildSafeBC had been dealing with wolves and cougars for more than a decade. Bob Hansen, Pacific Rim Coordinator for WildSafeBC, described the wolves' sudden appearance. “Up until this point in time, it was bears and nothing but bears. In 1998/99, the wolves showed up after being missing from our area for decades. Their presence was very dramatically felt. I remember getting a phone call from the local paper in January of 1999, ‘have you been getting wolf reports?’ I checked our database, and we'd had six wolf reports since 1972. I said, 'nope.' Within two weeks it started, the wolves were back.” Cortes Currents: Hansen suspects that modern forestry methods may be at least partially responsible for the influx of wolves and cougars into his area. Bob Hansen: "Behind the West Coast Trail, and definitely behind Long Beach, there's very extensive areas of large scale clear cuts. Major portions of watersheds were completely cut during the heyday of clear cut logging. What we learned through the research project was that the newly cut areas are exceptional deer habitat and support predators for 10 to 15 years, but when that second growth plantation grows up to a certain age, the canopy closes in. So it goes from being an exceptional deer habitat to the opposite end of the scale. It's been referred to in the literature as 'ungulate barrens.' We looked at satellite imagery of Vancouver Island with GIS. We colour coded the second growth plantations that were in that state. We had the cut dates and could see really large areas of Vancouver Island are now locked up in that 'ungulate barrens' condition. That condition persists till the stand is about 80 to a hundred years old."Cortes Currents: Aren’t some of the forest plantations now being cut after 40 to 50 years? Bob Hansen: "They have a calculation about where the best cost benefit point is on a plantation. It used to be 80 to a hundred years, but the math has changed. Right now those plantation lands are being cut around 60 years or even as early as 45 years. So there's just no potential for them to become 'old growth' again." "The predators had to adapt to that reality and were coming into the national park, coming out to the shoreline. There's old growth there. It supports a low, but consistent, density of deer. It has all of these other prey animals at that interface between the ocean and the forest: deer, raccoon, river otter and seal pups." "It's food that they find at that interface between the ocean and the forest. That was the big missing piece. Something had happened on the larger landscape, and it's still happening." "If you apply a different forestry technique to those plantations, you don't have to let it close off. Wait until they get 80 to 100 years old. You can actually keep sunlight filtering through the canopy as that plantation is growing, by doing commercial thinning and other things. Also, there's other silviculture prescriptions that you can use to help promote medicinal plants and other values that are important for First Nations." "There's a lot that could be done with those second growth areas, but it will take investment and a different vision. It's not just cubic meters of wood, you have to manage it from a different perspective." Cortes Currents: With the arrival of the wolves, Hansen and his colleagues were suddenly faced with a whole new set of problems.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On April 5th, Max Thaysen, Sara Stewart, and Filipe Figueira joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for a FolkU Friday group discussion on food security and food systems. They chat about successes and challenges in food systems, both locally and globally, from the perspective of farmers, food thinkers, and one of the main coordinators of the Cortes Food Bank.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 40 people turned out for the Wildlife Coexistence Gathering on Cortes Island. This was an opportunity for Cortesians to meet some of the extended community of advisors to the local program and learn more about our three top predators: grey wolf, black bear and cougar. The gathering was organized and hosted by Sabina Leader Mense and Georgina Silby from the Cortes Community Wolf Project. It began with a welcoming ceremony in the Klahoose All Purpose Building on Friday, April 5. There was an all day teaching series in the Linnaea Education Centre the following day. The gathering ended with a nature walk in Hank’s Beach Forest Conservation Park on Sunday, April 7. Sabina Leader Mense emailed, “We celebrated our cultural relationships to our wild kin with the Klahoose First Nations singers & drummers and our guests Grace SoftDeer from the Chickasaw First Nation and Dennis Hetu from the Toquaht First Nation. We then explored our social and ecological relationships with our wild kin in formal and informal presentations by our invited guests, Bob Hansen, Pacific Rim Coordinator for WildSafeBC and Todd Windle, Coordinator for the Wild About Wolves Project.Cortes Currents recorded most of the sessions at Linnaea and has arranged the material in a series of articles. This is an abridged version of the segment in which Bob Hansen talked about the origins of Vancouver Island’s first wildlife coexistence program. Years later it became the model for Cortes Island’s program and Hansen was one of Sabina Leader Mense’s mentors.Bob Hansen: ”What I'm going to talk about in this presentation is through a personal lens and it's going to focus on my personal learning journey in time from Tofino in 1997 to here today, and a lot of points in between. The basic theme is a story of going from one person, feeling like they're working on things by themselves, to today, we are part of many communities that are working towards the same objectives."In 1997, the Pacific Rim National Park hired Hanson for a new program. His title is Human Wildlife Conflict Specialist and he was expected to find a solution to the park's ongoing bear problem. Bob Hansen: "Our track record at that time was, we tended to be killing one to three bears every year. At times we would have trails closed and occasionally even the Green Point Campground closed during bear season due to conflicts." "How can we break this cycle of responding to bear calls and putting down bears?"
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - How should we live on a planet where the rate of extreme weather events seem to be increasing, and humanity is the cause? “We're not doing well in terms of global temperatures at all. We're on a dangerous trajectory. We are not going to keep below the 1.5°C on average limit, that seems really clear. We're actually over 1.5°C in terms of individual years already, but the target was stated in terms of multi-year averages. It's clear, with the inertia and the climate system, that we're going to exceed that. It also seems quite clear that we're going to exceed the 2.0°C limit the way things are going. We just don't have the kind of policy action that we need internationally,” explained Dr Kai Chan, a professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at University of British Columbia, Lead Editor of the new British Ecological Society journal 'People and Nature' and co-founder of CoSphere for a community of small planet heroes. “That all said, I personally am concerned more broadly than just with climate. I'm an ecological scientist, and we think about a wide range of different stressors to the natural world, including to the benefits that we receive from that natural world.” “In that context, we’re also doing poorly. We're not taking the kind of action that we need on the land use change that undermines ecosystems, threatened species, as well as crucial processes like water purification and flood mitigation, drought control. Unfortunately, these are hard times to be on the planet Earth.” Some suggest we need to curtail our personal carbon footprints. According to Statistica, the average Canadian emitted 15.22 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022. That’s more than three times the global average. A number of people on Cortes Island, and some other rural communities, have carbon footprints that are closer to those of the developing world. We have few electronic devices, do not use our cars often and our principal heating source is a heat pump. Lacking any other data, I (the author) used the carbon calculator at climate hero.org and calculated my personal carbon footprint. The answer was 3.4 metric tons. There are most likely people in rural areas like Cortes whose footprint is less than half of this.* Yet I am also going on a trip abroad this year. This will add another 7.25 metric tons to my tally, which I am going to divide by 10 as I have not flown since 2015 and do not expect to take another flight in the near future. That would bring my personal carbon footprint to a bit more than 4.12 metric tons, which is still less than the global average of 4.66 metric tones and far below that of most of my fellow Canadians. Kai Chan: “It’s an amazing effort and what you're doing is showing how far we can go as individuals. It also reveals that we can't go all the way to a sustainable society through those individual level efforts. I live in Vancouver because I am employed at the University of British Columbia, it's not feasible for me to do all of the things that you're doing, and I'm not the only one.” “What we try to do is to pivot the conversation so that those folks who can't emulate that at this point in their lives can still feel like they're contributing meaningfully towards making this planet a more sustainable place.” He also pointed out that we really can't measure our carbon footprint without taking into account the contribution of the society around us.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After close to a decade as the Member of Parliament for North Island-Powell River, Rachel Blaney announced that she will not run in the next Federal Election. “It was a very hard decision to make but, sadly, I have family issues that have come to the forefront. I recognize that time is precious and this is a long commute back and forth, so I'm happy to be able to continue until 2025 and stay till the next election . Going past that would have meant missing precious time with someone I love greatly, so I had to make a very hard and bittersweet decision,” she explained. “I'm not gone yet. I know that I've had to make this announcement, but I'm still here and I'm going to still keep working as hard as I can. I stepped down as the whip in Ottawa, because I really wanted to make sure that for the remaining time that I have in parliament, I have more time for my loved ones. I also need to make sure I finish some of the things I really want to get done, both in my critic roles and in the riding.” “If you need help, I'm still the office to call and I'm so grateful. People come to our office all the time for help, and we're able to help most of the time. That has been an amazing feeling for me, to hear people give us such positive feedback about helping them navigate the federal systems that are sometimes very difficult to navigate.” Cortes Currents: I don't know who's going to be the next NDP candidate but they're not going to be as popular as you are right now. Do you have any thoughts on that? Rachel Blaney: “Well, thank-you for saying that I'm popular and I want to thank the constituency. Everywhere I go, people are so positive. What I prided myself on being able to do is be clear on the partisan issues that I believe in, but try to be practical about how those things roll out in our communities.” “Understand that we do have a unique riding, and it's been my pleasure to make sure that that voice is heard. I will see what happens during the next election. I believe that a lot of people, and I hear this a lot, are feeling connected to the NDP in a new way. They see that we actually were able to deliver on the things we campaigned on. People have talked to me about how amazing it feels to finally be able to get dental care. I knew it would have a big impact, but it had more of an impact than I thought. I've just had a lot of people stopping me in every place that you can imagine, talking about how good it feels to see the beginning of a national pharmacare program, and that their diabetes medication and devices are being covered.” “I hope that constituents understand that I worked very hard to make those things a reality and I'll continue to work hard until 2025, because I believe in our region. I hope that they put trust in the NDP as a brand and the amazing person that I know will come from this riding to step forward in the NDP position for the next campaign.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 2,600 people went to the North Island Outdoor Adventure Show last year. “Most of them were from Courtney and Campbell River. A good portion from Parksville, Nanaimo and then it got pretty slim, but Quadra, Gold River, Victoria, Qualicum. There was one that really blew my mind: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,” explained Joel Wheeldon, Program Coordinator with the Strathcona Regional District. Google ‘what is the #1 outdoor recreation show in North Vancouver Island,” and the first result will most likely be the North Island Outdoor Adventure Show. It is held in the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex, in Campbell River, a function of the Strathcona Regional District.This year it will be held on the weekend of April 20 & 21. Admission is FREE! The show is open 9:30 am – 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday. The sponsors are Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours, Qaya Way West Transportation, All-in One-Party Shop, and 97.3 FM the Eagle.Cortes Currents: What are you trying to accomplish through this event? Joel Wheeldon: “The vision is to provide a community event that showcases all the great outdoor activities that North Vancouver Island has to offer, also giving a chance for the outdoor adventure companies an opportunity to promote and sell all their great products all in one place. There's a lot of stuff that some locals and even tourists probably don't know that we offer here.” Cortes Currents: What kind of things are you showcasing that people don't already know about? Joel Wheeldon: “We’re trying to showcase anything from boating, fishing, hunting, camping, recreational vehicles, paddle sports, mountain biking, adventure tours. We've got a couple of vendors that are doing outdoor and marine education courses, some photography stuff, survival gear. I'm probably missing a few, but that's the gist of it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Vancouver Island Regional Library increased its operating budget for 2024 to $38 million. That is 15% more money than last year. Executive Director Brent Hyman explained that this increase is necessary because the library’s previous management did not budget properly and more money is needed for wages, benefits and leases. He has been giving presentations to the library’s funding partners. He has already spoken in Victoria, Nanaimo, and some of the other regional districts. Six of the library’s 39 branches are in the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and he gave a presentation at the SRD Board’s March 27th meeting. “For the SRD, the total levy breaks down to about $67 per capita. Much like the school act, that doesn't necessarily mean everybody's using the service. Unlike schools in the region, that serve about 5 % of the population, we're serving about 33% for significantly less funding than schools,” he explained. Cortes Currents: True, but there is also a significant difference in usage between a student attending school for more than 9 months of the year and someone who drops-in to the library a few times. Hyman pointed out, “We do benchmarking, in preparation for this type of presentation and we look at comparator populations.” He said there is a library in Campbell River, which is contributing about $700,000 below the average funding amount. It also serves Electoral Area D, which is paying $30,000 less than norm. The library on Quadra Island serves Area C, which also provides about $30,000 less. There are libraries in Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis and Cortes Island, all of which pay about $16,000 below the average amount. Heyman claims Electoral Area A and the village of Zeballos, which do not have library branches, should also be providing another $16,000. The Regional District’s rural inhabitants use the library more than their urban counterparts. Close to ¾ of the SRD’s population lives in Campbell River, but only 54% of the circulation goes through that library. Less than 6% of the SRD’s population is in Area C, but 22% of the region's circulation is through the Quadra Island branch. Another 6% goes through the Cortes Island branch. Similar statistics are reported from the Sayward, Gold River and Tahsis branches. However one of the biggest funding shortfalls comes from the federal and provincial governments. Brent Hyman: “Local government levies are about 94% of our budget. That's been true since the 1980s. The province is down to 4%, but has a lot to say about what it thinks it should get out for 4%.” “Why is it in Canada that the level of funding from both the provinces and the feds lag below the G8 averages? And so there are a number of recommendations in the report, primarily to federal and provincial governments about seeing critical infrastructure and treating it as such and funding it as such.”Image credit Open book - Photo by Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - At the March 27th meeting of the Strathcona Regional District Board, a couple of items affecting Cortes were on the agenda. Decisions were taken with regard to funding for our community halls, and equipment for our volunteer fire department.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - he West Connect Infrastructure (WCI) crew had just finished laying CityWest’s main cable in Whaletown, when one of the workers noticed that a line had been cut. They immediately informed the RCMP, whose press release states they were initially informed of three cuts to the cable. Scott Simpson, Senior Marketing Manager at CityWest explained:“On the evening or night of Thursday, March 21st, there was some vandalism done to the fibre optic network that was being constructed for the service to the community of Whaletown. Crews noticed some damage to the network. Upon further investigation, we found that 17 different sites have been damaged along about a 1.5 kilometre stretch on Whaletown Road. So, 17 different sites that had been cut with multiple cuts at each site, quite a bit of restoration work. We're looking at an estimate of about $40,000 worth of damage overall. That would include materials and the labour to fix everything.”
Cortes Island Academy at Folk U - On the March 29th replay episode of The Wild Island, created by the 2022-2023 Cortes Island Academy cohort, young journalists cover Cortes from different angles; Ro explores the island’s history with forestry, Finley unpacks the mystery of the abandoned cars in Carrington Bay, Sophie looks at the realities of coexisting with wild animals, and Seren and Sonia profile the Children’s Forest.What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - part 4 of 5 of the interview with Doug Brown of Good Libations
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Area C ‘opted-in’ to the Short Term Rental Accommodation Act at the SRD Board meeting yesterday. There was a spirited discussion in which the Director from Area D and two of his Campbell River colleagues discussed their reservations. Regional Director Mark Vonesch showed everyone an exception that would allow some absentee landlords to continue operating their short term rentals. When the final vote was taken Area C’s motion to opt-in was approved with only two dissenting Directors.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The SRD Board will be meeting again today and three items about BC’s Short Term Rental Act are on the agenda. The Ministry of Housing responded to Cortes Island’s decision to opt in. 58% of the respondents of Area C’s survey on whether to opt in replied ‘Yes’ and Area D will not opt in. On February 28, the SRD approved Cortes Island’s decision to opt in to BC’s Short Term Rental Act. The Ministry of Housing responded to this in an email last week. “The request to opt-in to the principal residence requirement will take effect November 1, 2024, to give hosts notice to comply. In the meantime, this spring the Province will be standing up a new STR Compliance and Enforcement unit to investigate, take enforcement action related to short-term rentals, and direct platforms to remove non-compliant listings.”Vonesch was informed that the Ministry needs to receive a copy of the SRD resolution approving Cortes Island’s action by March 31, 2024. Cortes Island and ‘other interested local governments’ will be removed from the exempt land list this spring. “If the Province grants a change to exempt land status, that change remains in effect indefinitely unless a subsequent request to reverse the exemption is made by March 31 of a future year.”In related news, on March 5 Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C launched a survey to see if her constituents also want to opt in. 58% of the people who 405 repondants stated 'Yes' and 41% stated 'No.'Area C has not announced a final decision and this matter will be discussed at today’s meeting. In the same staff report it states John Rice, Regional Director of Area D, the Director has chosen to not opt-in to the principal residence requirement but is looking for public input regarding the regulatory aspects of STRs within the zoning bylaw. This will be discussed at a later date in a separate report.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - part 3 of 5 of the interview with Doug Brown of Good Libations
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A citizen scientist project to photograph pacific herring spawn along the West Coast, from Alaska down to California, has been underway for two months. It is based in the Comox Courtenay area, and one of its many partners is the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI).According to project lead Jacqueline Huard, a scientist with Project Watershed, “I work with the Coastal Forage Fish Network. We are very community scientist based and so working on a herring project in iNaturalist just was a natural fit for us. The network that I work with already has quite a bit of outreach. I wanted to encourage the folks that we work with to put their data somewhere where they could also access it. The goal is two fold, both to collect some data and address a gap, but also to get it out to the public and have a publicly available data set for the public and created by community scientists.”
CIA on Folk U - On the March 22nd replay episode of Cosmic Confidential, created by the 2022-2023 Cortes Island Academy cohort, journalists Rose and Zella dig deep into Cortes Island’s infamous coffeehouse drugging incident with their piece Psychedelic Soup. Kiana and Igor explore the possibilities and pitfalls of using psychedelics as medicine in their piece, The Psychedelics Journey.What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.Jemma Hicken (she/her)Literacy Coordinatorjemma@folku.caGratefully living on the unceded traditional and ancestral territories of the toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose), ɬəʔamɛn qaymɩxʷ (Tla’amin), and ʔop qaymɩxʷ (Homalco) peoples.
De Clarke/ Good Libations - One of Cortes Island's best loved businesses is a U-Brew tucked away in an old seafood plant, off the beaten track on Hansen Road. Founder and sole proprietor Doug Brown started the business 25 years ago after moving to Cortes from the Fraser Valley.Currents interviewed Doug in mid-March 2024. Our extensive interview covers many topics including: how Doug got started in wine-making, what inspired him to start a U-Brew on Cortes, how wine is made, why wine is now a more practical product for him to offer than beer, what challenges he has met along the way, what he loves about his work, his feelings about community and customer service, and his thoughts about the future of this iconic Cortes Island business.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Food Bank has met the rapidly expanding need for its services, but says it is time the local, provincial and federal governments stepped up to the plate. Only 110 food hampers were given out in 2022, but since August they have seen at least a threefold increase of demand every month. There were 86 clients in January and 70 in February. Prior to this, the highs for both months was 12. “We really knew that the numbers that we were seeing in previous years were not reflecting the level of poverty that exists here. So we were doing some strategic things to try to increase people's awareness of the food bank. That was a major reason why our numbers went up so significantly. People felt that they could come to us. They knew it was a safe place to come for support. I think our clients are already dealing with so many challenges in their lives. I encourage anybody listening, if you could use some help, just come to us and we'll get you some food,” explained Beatrix Baxter, one of the Foodbank’s Directors. Food Bank Coordinator and Director Filipe Figueira, added, “These are all people in our community who historically could get by and these days they just can’t." “We'll keep applying for grants and we feel a bit reluctant asking people for more money on the island because there's a lot of people who are also struggling, also donating. If people have the ability to give more money it's always welcome, but we do face this national issue and it is something that I think the SRD, provincial government, federal government needs to look into funding more directly.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Linnaea Farm's Homegrown Series kicks off at 10:00 AM this Saturday. This is a monthly series, which will be offered on March 23rd, April 20th, May 11th and June 8th, 2024. “I want to teach. I've had a lot of seasons under my belt now. 1995 was my first growing season, I was in Pemberton. Then I did a garden program at Linnaea Farm in 1998. I just really like sharing what I have spent a lifetime doing. I can share all these secrets. I've run a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) garden. I've done pure market gardening. I've done contract growing. I've grown food for sale in all the ways one can do it. So I can share this with anyone,” explained to Adam Schick, a resident steward at Linnaea farm on Cortes Island.“I feel like a really rare bird. Since I was a young man, I have managed to have a career as an organic grower and farmer. I've managed to do it, making my living mostly growing food. It's been a real struggle, but a real joy. Part of an evolution of myself is I've become more and more of a plant breeder and seed saver. That is where my true passion now lies. If you give a man a carrot, you feed him for one day. If you teach a person to grow a carrot and how to save those carrot seeds, then you're ensuring that people are fed forever.”“I'm sure there's new people out there who want this information. I would just love to share what I know. There's classes and I'll have a PowerPoint, but people can come with their own ideas. What do you want to learn? I have a formula, but I don't have to stick to it. I'd rather share what I know and answer questions. This will be two hours per session at the maximum. Spend a little bit of time in the classroom here in our beautiful Education Centre at Linnea farm then, if it's really nice, we might go wander around and look at some of the gardens. If it's a really brutal day, I'll probably bring a few things inside. In an ideal world we’ll spend some time talking, and some time observing.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new subpopulation of Orcas has been identified in the open ocean off the coasts of Oregon and California. UBC researchers have identified 49 individual killer whales in photographs taken between 1997 and 2021. According to Josh McInnes, a masters student in the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and lead author of a new paper in Aquatic Animals, they may also be off the coast of British Columbia. “I would not be surprised. Transient killer whales can have distributions that are quite large, over 2000 kilometres. For instance, the transient type of killer whales that we do know about, that eats marine mammals in British Columbia, can be seen anywhere between Glacier Bay (in southeast Alaska), all the way down to San Diego, California. They have large distributions and they move widely,” he explained. “Killer whales in the Antarctic have been seen moving straight up into the South Atlantic, into the South Pacific, and even up to Australia.” Cortes Currents: Why are scientists only just beginning to realize that there is a new subpopulation? Josh McInnes: "A lot of the issue that we're facing, with understanding killer whale movements in the open ocean, is the effort that is involved. Surveys are super expensive, the weather out there is complete garbage half the time, and it's very difficult to get out there." "The reason why we believe we're seeing killer whales more off California than British Columbia is the continental shelf. This is the big stretch of underwater landmass that extends out from our continent towards what we call the continental shelf break. The break is where we separate the continental shelf from the open ocean. It's actually quite thick. It's quite wide off of Vancouver Island. It can go, on average, about 40 kilometers off the coast of Vancouver Island, which is a long way to get to the open ocean. Whereas in California, it's quite narrow. The open ocean comes really close to the coast. It's sometimes within 12 kilometers. So getting out to the open ocean is a lot easier off California and Oregon than it is off of British Columbia."
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recently concluded that some farmed salmon die from depression. This may not be too surprising, given the conditions in which they are kept. In other recent research, a team of US and Canadian scientists has charted an ominous trend: mass die-offs of farmed salmon are increasing in both frequency and scale. Some observers question whether the industry, after decades of growth, may be past its peak and about to decline.Meanwhile, DFO suggests that salmon farming licenses should be renewed this summer for six years rather than the current standard term of two years — only five years after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a campaign promise to shut down net-pen salmon farming in BC altogether by 2025.The Swedish team made the most extensive study to date of what the industry calls “drop out” fish — salmon which fail to thrive and then die early. Their research found high levels of cortisol and other serotonergic symptoms in the dead fish, markers typical of high anxiety and stress.Humans facing poverty and other socioeconomic hardships are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and mental illness. It appears unnatural and stressful environments can have a similar influence on farm-raised fish.Farm-raised salmon and other fish live in crowded tanks where they must tolerate the presence of aggressive fish and battle for food. They must also endure sporadic changes in lighting, water depth, currents and more.“Farmed fish live in a very stressful environment, since the conditions in aquaculture farms are extremely different from what they have evolved to cope with in the wild,” Vindas said.—- Farm-raised salmon suffer from depression, UPI — May 2016CAFO conditions are stressful for any organism; salmon, though they are fish rather than poultry, pigs, or cattle, apparently suffer comparable levels of misery and disease from their unnatural confinement.What is CAFO? The acronym stands for “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation,” or what is commonly called a “feedlot” in the beef industry. It’s any animal husbandry operation at factory scale, in which animals are kept in densely concentrated confinement and fed a tailored diet with a view to (a) maximising meat production per facility square foot and (b) minimising time to market. What the industry calls “salmon farms” far more resemble “salmon feedlots.” While “farm” suggests bucolic imagery of happy cattle in green fields, a feedlot is quite another matter — or in our case, quite another kettle of unhappy fish.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Early in the week of March 11th, during the annual herring run, a combination of weather and tides swept an unusual quantity of herring roe ashore at Smelt Bay.On Tuesday the 12th of March, the roe in some places was piled 6-8 inches deep on the beach. From a distance it resembled lighter coloured sand piled on top of the familiar gray sand and shingle of Smelt Bay.
CIA on Folk U Radio - What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters.This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds. Friday March 15 will feature:Niamh – Set To PlaySophie – The Masked WorldJonas – Technology TeenWe hope you will tune in!You can listen to the CIA youth podcast series, Desolation Sounds, anytime at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/podcasts/Watch the breathtaking and moving CIA/ReelYouth Elder Films at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/films/Get your own pocket Biodiversity Field Guide for Cortes (e.g. edible berries, local fungi, marine species, seaweeds, mosses, and more!) at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/biodiversity-project/
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Food Bank has released their annual report for 2023 over the weekend, which shows that it was a very successful year for the Cortes Island Food Bank, but also a highly challenging one.Over the final months of 2023, the Cortes Food Bank served an average of 80 clients per month, which is almost as many clients as in the whole of 2022: a 616 per cent increase year over year, according to the report.“We really ramped up promoting the food bank, and immediately we got a response of so many more people. And it was quite scary because we weren’t expecting that big of a rise,” says Filipe Figueira, coordinator and treasurer of the Cortes Food Bank.“The number of new clients needing help is increasing every single week – from every demographic,”Figueira added.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Housing Society’s Virtual Forum kicks off this Saturday with a program on home sharing. This is a monthly event, co-sponsored by Folk-U. At 10 AM this Saturday host Sadhu Johnston will be joined by Noelle Marcus, from the US homeshare program Nesterly, and Janey Rowland, from the SGI (Southern Gulf Island) Housing Now Project. “We all know that there are a lot of homes that are underutilized or empty, and there are also a lot of homes that are just under-occupied. Maybe the kids have moved away, or for whatever reason there is an extra bedroom. We know there are a good number of people on Cortes who are single and would be happy with a bedroom in a house,” explained Sadhu Johnston, executive director of the Cortes Housing Society. “The idea of home sharing really came out pretty vividly for me during the housing forum last December. When we were having conversations in the breakout sessions, I just heard a number of times that people have space in their house but would need some support to rent out a room. That's where the home sharing idea really came up as a possible solution. Home sharing providers really help to vet potential tenants, take a look at the house, make sure it's good and help to make those connections work.”
Quadra Island considering opting-in to Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act by Cortes Currents (https://cortescurrents.ca/)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first community-based medical detox north of Nanaimo will be opening in Campbell River this fall. Island Health secured a location at 731 Nicholas Road near the North Island Hospital – Campbell River campus. “This is a really exciting addition to Campbell River. When people living with addiction reach out and make that brave choice of getting the services that they need, we'd need to be able to meet them where they are and with the services that they need right away. This is a new six bed medical detox that the community has been asking for quite a while,” explained Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island and a resident of Campbell River. “This is part of the Road to Recovery initiative that is a made in BC initiative through our government, that we're looking to come to full implementation in March of 2025.” The province allocated $23.7 million to the Road to Recovery program in the 2023 budget and provided treatment for 4,167 people. This news comes in the midst of British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis. According to a 5 year study from the BC Coroners Service, unregulated drug toxicity is the #1 cause of unnatural death among youth in the province. It is worse than suicide or automotive accidents. However the highest rate of deaths is among adults between the ages of 30 and 59. There were 198 suspected drug related deaths in January, which works out to just under 61/2 a day. Vancouver, Surrey and Nanaimo were the most affected cities in the province, but North Vancouver Island has one of the worst death rates in the province, when measured proportionately. One of the five most afflicted Local Health Areas was Greater Campbell River. This is the part of eastern Vancouver Island between the Oyster River and Sayward, and also includes islands like Quadra and Cortes.
Jemma Hicken/ Folk U - What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters (the one here is by artist Zella Aufochs). This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds. Friday March 8 will feature: Jack – Serpent StoriesAlora – Why Colour? We hope you will tune in!You can listen to the CIA youth podcast series, Desolation Sounds, anytime at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/podcasts/Watch the breathtaking and moving CIA/ReelYouth Elder Films at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/films/Get your own pocket Biodiversity Field Guide for Cortes (e.g. edible berries, local fungi, marine species, seaweeds, mosses, and more!) at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/biodiversity-project/
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 60 people turned out for the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD( zoning bylaw meeting in Mansons Hall at 1 PM on Wednesday, March 6. The meeting went very differently from how the SRD planned it. There was to have been a short presentation, after which participants were to have gathered around two maps and put sticky dots on the properties where the bylaws should be changed to allow for greater densification. Instead, this was a community conversation.There was undoubtedly some confusion as to whether it should be a meeting where the community asked questions, or a forum for them to express opinions. A variety of perspectives were given: some pointed to the need for more housing; others suggested the first step should be determining what the island’s carrying capacity in terms of water and other resources.SRD staff members Annie Girdler and Meredith Starkey added their expertise.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - Cortes Island has a new volunteer production company. According to their recent press release, Moon Dance Productions will pay travelling expenses, accommodation etc for bands coming to Cortes Island. They have already booked the Awakeneers for an Earth Day Contra Dance in Mansons Hall on Saturday, April 13th. A dance troupe will be coming on Tuesday, April 16th, and Elise LeBlanc with Sahara Jane on Saturday, April 27th. “Music is soul food. Music is like air, we need it. Live music is a great experience. It's a different kind of soul food, to get moving and to be present with these great artists. I think it's really great for us to hang out together and have fun together. It's bonding as a community and I care about the people who live here. I like seeing them, I like going out and I like the opportunity to do this. I think it is important for the overall health of everyone. You gotta get out and shake your thing every now and then,” explained Cora Moret. “I want to see regular live music in perpetuity. I want to see Cortes Island be on that list of venues when bands are touring. When someone's invited to come up to Quadra, I want them to know that Cortes is on that list too and to take that extra hop over and experience Cortes. Come join us too.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Effective May 1, 2024, all BC communities with a population over 10,000 have to limit short term rentals to the host’s principle residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit. Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay and Powell River are all on the list of 64 communities where this applies. Cortes Island is too small to be on that list, but has chosen to opt in, and Quadra Island is considering the idea. “With that legislation came the option for smaller communities like Cortes Island, or electoral areas within the SRD, to be able to opt in. We can say, ‘yes, we want that legislation as well.’ So in December, I worked with the Cortes Housing Society and we put on a housing forum, and we put out a housing survey,” explained Regional Director Mark Vonesch of Cortes Island. “What are people's thoughts on solutions? Polling some people on some specific questions like ‘should Cortes opt into BC legislation that says you can only run an Airbnb on your primary residence property? The results came in overwhelmingly in support of the government legislation, a ratio of 3 to 1.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been 9 months since 106 Cortes Island residents petitioned the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to set up a Dog control service bylaw. At their February 28th meeting, the SRD Board passed a motion to seek electoral consent through the alternate approval process. According to Regional Director Mark Vonesch, if the service is apporved the average homeowner would probably see an increase of somewhere between $4 and $20 to their property taxes, depending on the final form of the bylaw. If 97 of the island’s 961 electors notify the SRD they are opposed by April 15, 2024, the bylaw will be considered defeated. “I realize this is a very divisive issue on Cortez. I'm personally not a dog owner, but I’ve talked to lots of people about this issue. Emotions run high. It seems like there's lots of people who want to control dogs on the island. There's also people who don’t. We'll see if there's enough to stop this,” explained Regional Director Mark Vonesh. If there is no serious opposition, the SRD Board could pass Cortes Island’s new Dog Service bylaw at its May 22 board meeting. “It's a tricky situation and, no matter what I do, there are going to be people upset, but I do want to move forward with what the community has asked me for in terms of the potential dog bylaws. I think there are some common sense things that we could do quite cheaply, as far as making sure dogs have to be under control or on leash in public areas.” Vonesch said if the proposed bylaw is defeated, he may revisit the issue to see what people think in another year or so. “When I create new services at the SRD, I have three options. If it's a really non controversial service, maybe there's no tax requisition for it, or very little, or there's just no controversy, I can just do it by director's assent. or I can say we're doing it. My other option is to do an alternative approval process where it comes back to the community and if 10 percent of the electorate write in against it, it stops it from happening for a year.” “The other option is to do a referendum, and the referendum costs about $60,000m of course everybody gets to vote.” “In this case, because I had a hundred names on a petition, I've asked to come back to the community and see if there's strong opposition against it.”“We're never going to get consensus on issues like this. I think that's just the reality that we have to live in. When I first thought about running for this position. I really wanted to run on the idea that we can talk to each other, regardless of what side of issues we were on. I hope that people have empathy for people who are on the other side of this issue and that conversations can happen that are curious and are working to create understanding rather than blame and anger, because it is really easy to go that way.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters. This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds.What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters. This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sandra Milligan has been teaching biology at North Island College, in Campbell River, for more than 20 years. She is an avid birder with deep roots in her local community. Someone from Sierra Quadra came to lecture she gave on bird intelligence, at ElderCollege in Campbell River, last fall. This led to Sierra Quadra inviting Milligan to speak at the Quadra Community Centre at 7:30 PM in Saturday, March 2. “Birds are incredibly intelligent, contrary to what science has believed in the past. They understand what each other is thinking. One of my favourite topics, because I'm a bird watcher, (aka a bird listener) is to talk about bird communication and language. They can have hundreds (and thousands even) of different vocalizations and they really communicate in much more depth than science previously believed to be happening,” she explained.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Academy’s school year is over. Graduation was on January 25. Executive Director, Manda Aufochs Gillespie, just gave Cortes Currents an overview of the 2023/24 semester and a peek into the year that just about to begin. “This year, the Cortes Island Academy was a lot of fun. We learned a lot from our first year. So this year we really got to just revel in the model, the awesome kids and local knowledge holders that came out to make this year happen. It felt to me like a lot more fun, and a lot less trailblazing,” she began. “Some of the highlights included the students got to a week at the incredible science laboratories of the HACI Institute with some of the HACI Institute's incredible research and science staff. It's a once in a lifetime experience that these students had, every single one of them. They also got to work with people from the mother tree network and work alongside Dr. Briony Penn, who's well known for her work with all sorts of things that relate to understanding the stories, flora, the fauna of our particular area. They got to be part of this mycoblitz that the Children's Forest put on, that had different mycologists from all around the region - including our local Paul Stamets. It was a really beautiful year too with Klahoose participants. We had a number of different Ayajuthem (Éy7á7juuthem) language opportunities. Students got to participate in our first language trail that the Children's Forest helped curate. They identified different plant species all along this Sea to School Trail, drew the plants and wrote the names.” “Really, really fun, neat projects and this doesn't even get into the culminating projects that the students did. If anybody has not yet seen them, I recommend enough going to the Cortesislandacademy.ca website and looking there at their videos. They did five videos this year with different Cortes elders.” (Jessie Louie, Duane Hansen, Nori Fletcher, Elizabeth Anderson and Christine Robinson.) “These are incredible short documentaries about the people in our community and some of the little known stories of what brought them here, who they are, et cetera. They are really, really beautiful. You will not regret watching them.” “They also participated in creating podcasts this year again. They're playing right now on Cortes Radio, CKTZ 89. 5 FM, but you can also listen to them all on the Cortes Island Academy website. Incredible pieces, everything from the wolf issue on Cortes and what we can do to live alongside wolves to what it means to live with dyslexia, or to question gender identity, et cetera. I really hope people will check it out.” “Other projects that they participated in this year, with many of the scientists previously mentioned and, some of the local knowledge holders and local naturalists like our field guides Kai Harvey and Tosh Harvey who grew up on the island. The students each made their own Cortes field guides.”Manda Aufochs Gillespie: You can see all the edible berries an Cortes: what they look like, what they're called, what you can do with them. Many of the mushrooms that could be found here and what you can do with them et cetera. These are pieces that you would spend a great deal of money to buy and they're just there, for free, on our website.” “I would also actually throw out that this year the Cortes Island Academy did a really cool thing that I was very excited about, which was to host the fall ‘Folk U’ radio series. Many of them were hosted at the Cortes Island School building. I heard a lot from members of the community how much they deeply appreciated being able to spend a little bit of time with teenagers, hearing what's on their minds and being part of learning together.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Representatives from at least 56 Quadra Island organizations came together at the Quadra Community Centre on Saturday, February 24. Close to 30 more were invited. Jennifer Banks-Doll, who facilitated the meeting, estimates there were about 80 attendees. They were asked two questions: “What are some ways Quadra groups and organizations could work together to combine our strengths and address our challenges?”And “What would help create or build stronger community connections?” Jody Rogers, Chair of the Board for Quadra Island Foundation, would later remark, “I was pleased beyond all expectation. The participation was enthusiastic and the positive feedback that we got afterwards was unexpectedly terrific. One of the most beautiful conversations I had was with Jack Maher, who said, He's been living on Quadra for a very long time, and the event made him very, very proud to be from Quadra Island. It was a lovely, lovely phone call, and it really made my day.” The Quadra Island Foundation hosted the meeting, which was one of the first steps towards its becoming a central hub for nonprofits and charities on Quadra Island and Surge Narrows-Read Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Canada is expected to have another Federal election in October 2025. Green party leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault launched their national campaign almost two weeks ago. Cortes Currents interviewed them in Ottawa (via ZOOM) yesterday morning. They will be coming to the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River on Saturday, March 2. “We're less than 18 months away from a general election. It's crucial that voters get a chance to engage and ask questions to Elizabeth and I about where the party's key priorities are. It's crucial for us to also get a pulse of what the key issues are for voters from coast to coast,” explained Jonathan Pedneault. “We've been traveling extensively since the leadership race ended (on Nov 19, 2022). It's a great opportunity for the party to test a number of messages on housing, on affordability, and on the climate. Last year we saw some of the most dramatic impacts of climate change ever to have been seen in Canada - with the wildfire season, the storms in the Atlantic and with a continuation of an extremely dry summer in British Columbia. I think it's top of mind for a lot of small communities across Canada.” “The key objectives of the tour are for us to get to know what's on people's minds and to share where we're at as a party. We are really kickstarting our electoral readiness process ahead of what is going to be an extremely important general election.” Cortes Currents: The Green party often does surprisingly well in polls taken prior to elections. A Nanos poll taken during the 2015 election showed that when the second choices of respondents were factored in, the Green party could potentially reach 27.7% of the electorate. During the 2019 election, 338Canada’s projections showed them leading in four Vancouver Island ridings throughout most of the campaign. In both cases, the Green party was not able to transform this potential into seats on election day. What could make the next election different? Elizabeth May: “Voter turnout, and voter turnout means citizens feeling engaged and empowered. That is the strategy, and we will win more seats on Vancouver Island and certainly that will encourage people who are dispirited.”She went on to illustrate her point with statistics from ridings where the Greens have won, adding that if 75% of the electorate turns out this election, they will take North Island-Powell River from the NDP.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - From March through July of this year, Cortes Housing Society — in partnership with FolkU — is presenting a series of monthly forums featuring guest speakers and community discussion. These forums will address the vexed issue of housing — both price and availability — which remains a serious problem for the island.The invited speakers have expertise in various aspects of this problem, and some will be sharing results from successful projects in other communities. Cortes Currents interviewed Sadhu Aufochs Johnston, executive director of the Housing Society, to find out more about this event series.CC: Sadhu, can you explain the vision behind this event series — what is it you’re trying to achieve here?SJ: Well last December we hosted a housing forum, the report for which is posted online. And one of the things I heard from a number of people was the value that we would get here on Cortes, to learn about innovative housing initiatives happening elsewhere. So there was a strong push to continue the dialogue around housing and to be learning from other places, to continue to learn as a community. And FolkU does that on a regular basis so it seemed like a good partnership.CC: What will the series look like in practise? What’s the schedule, the format, and what topics are you planning to discuss?SJ: They’re going to be hosted virtually [Zoom]; there’s lots of people travelling right now, and most of our guest speakers are off-island. So they will be virtual meetings, at least at first. We might start to do some in person as well, but at first it will be all Zoom, and monthly. And it will be Saturday mornings, so people who are working can participate.We’re trying to hit on topics that were a priority for people coming out of the housing forum. So our first topic will be on March 16th, and that will be Home Sharing. We chose that topic because we know there are a lot of homes on Cortes that are unoccupied [most of the year], and there are also homes that are occupied but underutilised. So maybe the kids have moved away, or for whatever reason, you have 1 or 2 bedrooms that may be available, or a small cabin.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A Federal Court ruled that Canada’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, failed to protect habitats of at-risk migratory birds in old growth logging areas. Chief Justice Paul Crampton stated the Minister’s decision to limit protection to areas where nests were found ‘was neither reasonable or tenable.’ “This is specifically about the Minister's duty under the Species At-risk Act to take action to protect areas of critical habitat for at-risk migratory birds. Despite the Species At-Risk act being about 20 years old, we had never seen the Minister actually take any action under this section of the act to protect critical habitat of at-risk migratory birds. At least about 25 species of birds are affected by this section,” explained Andhra Azevedo of Ecojustice, the lead counsel representing Sierra Club BC and the Wilderness Committee.“The federal government had taken the view, through a document called the {, that the duty of the Minister to take action to protect critical habitat only applied to protecting the nests of these birds and not the rest of the habitat that these birds needed to survive and recover. That was what we challenged.”Lawyers for the Canadian government also argued that federal jurisdiction was limited by the division of powers with the provinces, but Justice Crampton found the federal government’s actions ‘inconsistent’ with the Species At-Risk Act.“This is particularly so where the relevant province has failed to avail itself of opportunities to take protective action in an area of joint responsibility.” Andhra Azevedo: “On February 1st we received the decision of Chief Justice Crampton, of the Federal Court, agreeing with our clients Sierra Club BC and Wilderness Committee, that the Minister's interpretation was not justified. The Species At-Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Protection Laws require the Minister to take action to protect something more than this.” In his Judgement and Reasons, Justice Crampton wrote, “The Applicants state that the Minister did not consider evidence indicating that habitat loss and degradation is a key threat to the survival and recovery of most at-risk migratory birds affected by the Protection Statement. I agree.” Judge Crampton pointed out that in September 2021, the Sierra Club and WIlderness Committee informed the Minister that ‘Marbeled Murrelet populations have continued to decline, despite being listed under the Species At-Risk Act for many years.’ The two conservation groups pointed out that, “The majority of the Marbled Murrelet’s critical habitat is on provincial lands and that the province of British Columbia had failed to adequately protect that habitat from industrial logging and other activities.”
CIA/Folk U - What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters.February 16 on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca, cortescurents.ca, cortesradio.ca) featured youth journalists interviewing neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds.February 16 featured:Samara Gibbs Reid - Finding BelongingLuis Dietz - Ant VenturesSonia Schmidt - The Benefits of PetsJasmine Harvey - Why Cortes?Fergus Walker - A Tale of Two MarketsLee Nagle - Living Authentically: Stories of Gender ExpressionWe hope you will tune in!You can listen to the CIA youth podcast series, Desolation Sounds, anytime at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/podcasts/Watch the breathtaking and moving CIA/ReelYouth Elder Films at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/films/Get your own pocket Biodiversity Field Guide for Cortes (e.g. edible berries, local fungi, marine species, seaweeds, mosses, and more!) at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/biodiversity-project/
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Foundation hopes to strengthen their island's community connections. They invited the island's charities and non-profits to a meeting at the Quadra Community Centre from 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 24. ”We have perceived there has been significant redundancy of projects between organizations. With collaboration between the groups, we will gain some strength, not only in people power, but also in the strength of 'asks' when applying for grants,” explained Jody A Rodgers, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Quadra Island Foundation.“We have nearly 30 Quadra organizations that include charities, nonprofits, clubs and groups. Of those organizations who have RSVP'd ‘yes,’ we requested that the organization send three individuals. They can be staff, board members or other designated individuals. There is a lot of overlap with people in multiple groups. Sometimes an individual may be representing two or more organizations, and that's perfectly fine.”"In addition to the usual sort of practices of being a community foundation, Quadra Island Foundation, is hoping to be the steward of data for Quadra Island and Surge Narrows-Reed Island.""We would have all of the indicators that reflect the health of a society. Not just economic and other demographic details, but things related to transportation, to housing, obviously access to health care, education, the arts, secure access to water and other infrastructures that we need to support expanding communities if necessary.""In other words: if we want to build an affordable housing unit, do we have the water supply? Can we deal with the septic situation? - those sorts of demographics. If we can gather all of that data together, by pooling the information that a lot of these groups have gathered with respect to their own facet of society, then Quadra Island Foundation itself would be able to utilize all of that information to help strengthen 'asks' in the future to different organizations, whether they be public or private, when trying to support a particular project.”"That's the intended goal, how we're doing it is really going to be under the art and magic of our facilitator Jennifer Banks-Doll. I'll be welcoming everyone and then turning the baton over to her.”“She will be doing various exercises where we'll come together in little breakout groups, or slightly larger breakout groups, and talk with each other. We're going to have some posted notes where people will have some data. They'll contribute, both pragmatic and wishful thinking information." "Obviously we're going to gather all of that together and write a report and try to glean what we have learned that we don't know, and we need to fill out. We'll also have a stronger network so that we'll be able to know who to ask.""People like to describe a charitable foundation as a three legged stool, where it has community engagement and endowment and fundraising. I'm hoping that Quadra Island Foundation will be more like the hub of a wagon wheel and that all of these different organizations will be the spokes of that wheel. The rim of the wheel is the community, so that in the center is Quadra Island Foundation to assist and support those entities that truly reach out to the community. It seems to be a better analogy for how we would view ourselves.""We're hoping this particular event is the start of many. We're essentially doing a 'who's who in the zoo' at this time, so that we can all meet and network with each other and realize we need to come back together again and thereby strengthen those connections and come up with some more tangible outcomes."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Anyone visiting Squirrel Cove right now can see a series of freshly constructed rafts anchored close to the government dock. There were four of them when Cortes Currents first noticed, and another two being built on the beach. Now they are all in the Cove. There are piles of lumber and floats nearby, and a huge pile of hoop-like ‘lantern nets’ waiting on the Squirrel Cove Dock. “We're leasing the spot off of the store this month to do the building because it's the most practical place,” explained Paul Muskee, Operations Manager for Klahoose Aquaculture. A well known member of the local aquacultural community, Erik Lyon of Rising Tide Shellfish, has been on the job site. Paul Muskee: “The rafts are being built by our partner Rising Tide, a bunch of folks from the island and Kenny Hanuse from the village. 100 They will be holding lantern nets, that will hold the scallops.” “One of the cool things is between the Klahoose Sawmill and Blue Jay Lake sawmill, all the word was milled on island. That's a good news story. Originally, when we had planned for these rafts, the Klahoose Mill wasn't operating, so we budgeted to bring wood on island from somewhere else.” CC: How long do you expect this project to take? Paul Muskee: “Just a couple of weeks. I think they'll be done pretty soon. There's I think they're building 10 or 12 rafts. So our original design was for larger rafts, eight rafts, but we've abridged the design, so we're going to get a few more rafts out of it. CC: Where are they going to be deployed? Paul Muskee: “We’re going to try a few different spots: Teakerne Arm, at our Klahoose tenure up there, we'll probably try some in Gorge Harbor. Those will be the two main places. The thinking is to spread the risk in case there's a health issue in one area, the other area will still be hopefully covered.” “These are all going to expand Klahoose's scallop program. We're pretty excited about scallops. It's been going really well. I know different scallop programs have ran into health problems, but we haven't had any. They're growing robustly.We’re especially targeting the Asian live market.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA) has been offering Youth Programs for more than 15 years. Serene Williams’ association goes back to 2009 when, shortly after moving to Cortes Island, she became the Teen Szene Co-ordinator. She married after that and now has two children of her own. They were initially homeschooled but when both of her children registered for the Cortes Island School, in September 2022, Williams became the Youth Programs Manager for the Cortes Community Health Association. “I love it when I am filling in for one of the facilitators for these programs, and I get to go and actually be interacting with groups of kids. I’ve known most of them since they were toddlers, or babies. I have watched them grow up on Cortes. It is so sweet to watch them interact with each other and watch their creativity and their energy. It's part of why I enjoy my job,” she explained. “What I'm really proud of right now is that this year, the 2023/2024 school year, we have 77 kids in total attending our programs, including 20 from the Cortes Island Academy and 56 from the elementary school. I think that is a phenomenal number for Cortes. We have a large number of the population of Cortes kids attending our programs, which includes home learners also.” “At this point in time, we have 6 program facilitators: Kelly, Lydia, Claudia, Katrina, Steph, and Jasmine. A few of them do more than 1 program. Without great facilitators, we really can't have great programming. So I am so pleased to be able to have our staff going strong and continuing on from year to year.” “Right now, we offer programs for all school age kids from kindergarten to grade 12. All of our programs are drop in, so we never know from week to week who's going to show up, or how many kids they will have. Sometimes the numbers are smaller, sometimes it's bigger, and that creates some challenges just to be able to manage the group of kids and their particular dynamics.” “We have five programs at this point.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On February 12th at the Mansons Fire Hall, Sandra Wood and Kate Maddigan hosted a grant writing workshop for social profit organisations on Cortes Island. Kate and Sandra have considerable experience in grant writing; they offered guidelines, tips, and advice for those seeking funding. The event was sponsored by the Social Profit Forum, and attended by representatives from the Art Gallery, DCC, BetterAtHome/SOS, Cortes Currents, CIFA, CICF, FOCI, CCEDA, CHS, and SCCA.Here are a few examples of advice shared at this workshop by the seasoned grant writers:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) received a $147,700 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities to prepare a region-wide poverty reduction plan. They will be holding meetings in Campbell River, Tahsis, Gold River, Cortes Island, Quadra Island and Zeballos at the end of the month. “Our plans are only as good as the information we receive and we really, really want to be able to address poverty in a holistic, honest and earnest way. We can't do that without the community. So we really need you guys to come out and to talk to us. Give us your thoughts, all of your ideas, your criticisms, your comments, your questions. Whatever you need us to know, because all of that feeds into the plan, and it makes it more robust, and just everything we do is going to help alleviate poverty in the region as a whole,” explained Meredith Starkey, Manager of Parks and Planning at the SRD.” “Are you struggling to have your basic needs met? Then how can we help alleviate that pressure? What are the barriers that you're experiencing, and how can we mitigate that experience?” The SRD will be in our area on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. “We are coming to Quadra and Cortes on the same day. We'll be at Manson's Hall at 11am to 1pm. Then we head off to the Quadra Island Community Centre. We'll be there from 3 to 6 and then back to Campbell River.” “We’re developing an action plan and strategies that can actually be applied to minimize poverty in our communities. It's focused on 8 priority areas: Housing, Education and training, Employment,Safe and affordable transportation, Families, children and youth, Income supports, Social support, And discrimination and stigma.” “We have a whole bunch of data. We did the housing needs reports. We've done transportation studies. We have lots of data and statistics about poverty, and we understand the intersections of what contributes to poverty in different areas of the region.” “We know that it's different in rural areas and urban areas. We also know that the experience of poverty on Cortes is going to be different from the experience of poverty in Campbell River. What we're looking for from the community to do is to flush that data out and make it real and to let us know more specifically what that experience of poverty might mean for a person on Cortes.” “We often hear that we're trying to bring Campbell River solutions into Cortes or something. That's not really our intent. It never is, but if we don't hear from people what is really needed, then it's hard for us to implement those things. When we hear from you, that helps us deliver things that you need.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The ‘What We Heard Report,’ from Cortes Island’s Housing Forum and the subsequent Housing Survey, has been released. “We already had a pretty good idea from previous reports and information, but this really gave us a good sense of what the challenges are and then what do people want us to move forward with?” explained Mark Vonesh, Regional Director for Cortes Island.“It really gives us a framework and direction for taking action following the political will of the people. Which is really exciting because it's really easy to be like, ‘I think this is a good idea,’ but this really gives us the information to move forward in a way that we know we're following the will of what Cortes wants.” “I think it puts Cortes in a really exciting place. Not many communities have such a strong roadmap for making change. I'm really excited to work with the Cortes Housing Society and the Strathcona Regional District and, various levels of government, to move forward with the action items that have been outlined in the survey and all of the discussions that happened in the breakout groups during the housing forum in December.” Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society, agreed, “ It feels like a good step forward and it's a good culmination of lots of feedback from people through the survey and in person and online, but there's lots of work to be done.” CC: What are the highlights of this report? Sadhu Johnston: “I guess the highlight for me is just the extent to which people participated in the survey and in the in-person consultation and online. This is clearly an issue that's near and dear to a lot of people on Cortes Island.” “At the forum, I was a little bit surprised that there were so many people that own property, and aren't at risk of losing housing, but are very concerned about the challenges on Cortes. It really feels to me like there's a pretty broad recognition of people that are living on the island, or spending time on the island, that the housing crisis is a threat to the community diversity and the very fabric of the community that we all love so much. That was really made clear to me in the type of comments that I heard and the way that people were showing up.” Looking back to his years as the City Manager, and prior to that the Deputy City Manager. of Vancouver (2009-2021), Johnston observed, “I worked a lot on affordable housing in Vancouver. In Vancouver, if the housing in the community isn't affordable, people drive further away or take the train further or the bus in order to live. There's this old saying, "drive until you qualify,' which is really driving further and further out into the suburbs until you can qualify for a mortgage that you can make work.” “In a community like Vancouver - the businesses that we rely on, the community of teachers and others - can still function because people are driving further and further out, which is not good for the environment or for their quality of life or for the health of a community, but the community could still work.” “On Cortes, there's no ‘driving till you qualify,’ there's leaving. If you can't find housing, it's not like you can just drive to the neighbouring community and find housing. As people that can't afford to be there or can't find housing leave, many of those houses are being sold to people that are not on Cortes as much so there's more and more empty homes and under-utilized homes. That combination really is resulting in a fundamental risk to the community that we love so much. That was just really brought home to me in talking to people over the last couple of months, in the housing forum, and in the survey.” “People want us to do something about it, which is really good to see. There's maybe not 100 percent alignment on what to do, but there's a lot of alignment on a number of the things to do.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When Quadra ICAN held a community consultation last September, the central question was ‘what are the challenges the island will face as global temperatures warm up.’There were different questions when ICAN held another community meeting at the Quadra Community Centre on Sunday, February 11, 2024. “We're moving to solutions and planning. So today, the questions we're going to be working on are: ‘What can we do as a community to become more resilient and self-sufficient in the face of ecological challenges? And then what is important for us to be working on right now?’” said Jennifer Doll, facilitator of the event.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) summer programs have long been popular with tourists and summer. This year FOCI wanted to offer something for the year round community. “ The inspiration is partly wanting to make sure that more members of the community know about FOCI. We do a lot of projects, but they’re not really shiny and we don’t really advertise them. They're on our website, but if people don't go there and read about them, they don't know that they're happening,” explained Soma Feldmar, the society’s Administrative Assistant. Executive Director Helen Hall came up with the idea for the ‘Create, Connect and Conserve’ series. :Yes, we need to” responded Feldmar. “We take so much for granted from the natural world. Especially working at Foci the last couple of years, it's really much more in my face how in trouble the natural world, and therefore us, really is.” She used a simile to complete that thought, “This is our home. This is like housekeeping, but our house is falling into pieces.” Soma Feldmar became the project coordinator of ‘Create, Connect and Conserve.’ “I spent most of January planning the series and getting the events set up. There's still one that I have to do a lot of work on, which won't be happening until June, so there's time. Once I had the first three events set, I started advertising.” CC: Where did you advertise them? Soma Feldmar: On social media, in terms of the two Facebook Cortes groups, as well as on Tideline. Then I put the poster with the three events in Whaletown, at the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, at Bertha’s Cortes Market, in the Squirrel Cove General Store and the Klahoose Multipurpose Building. Now I'm talking to you about it, so it's going to get up on Cortes Currents.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - FOCI launched their new ‘Create, Connect Conserve’ series on February 3rd at Linnaea Farm, with workshops on coexisting peacefully with wildlife. Bob Hansen of WildSafeBC explained the effectiveness and correct use of bear spray.In the course of the presentation, he shared several interesting statistics and exploded a few common misconceptions. Bob showed a WildsafeBC video, and also gave a live demonstration; attendees learned the mechanics of ‘laying down a wall’ of spray to keep wildlife at a distance, or directly targeting the animal’s face. In a brief lecture on bear behaviour, he explained why bears attack, how often this happens, ways to avoid attacks, and what to do if a bear does attack you.Fortunately, bear attacks are uncommon — the average North American is more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than by a bear. In North America there are fewer than three fatalities due to bears each year (versus 20 due to lightning strikes).In BC over the last 40 years, there has been one fatality every three years for black bears, and one every five years for grizzlies. Given the number of people out exploring and adventuring in the bush every year, bear attacks are quite rare; our culturally-reinforced fear of bears is somewhat exaggerated.Nevertheless, a close encounter with a bear can be dangerous — and it’s best to be prepared if you spend time in the bush. Bob explained the benefits and proper use of bear spray.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island's wildlife coexistence programs can be traced back to human/wolf conflicts in 2009. Local biologist Sabina Leader Mense reached out to Bob Hansen, then wildlife-human conflict specialist with Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The Cortes Community Wolf Project is modelled on the Wild Coast program that Hansen had been running in the Pacific Rim for more than a decade. Hansen and Conservation Officer Ben York helped Sabina write 'Learning to Live with Wolves on Cortes Island,' a five-point primer which FOCI endorses and posts throughout the community.Hansen returned to Cortes at Sabina’s invitation, for the first time since 2011, on February 3. He gave a workshop on electric fences and a demonstration on using bear spray at Linnaea Farm. There were also a lot of ‘wolf stories’ and new information. Hansen talked about the dynamic lives that wolves lead; lives influenced by prey abundance, distribution, seasonality and where in their breeding cycle they are: mating, denning, rearing pups. There is no predicting when/ where wolves will be at any given time; i.e. no management of wild wolves. We can only manage ourselves!Bob Hansen: “They're (the wolves) studying us way more than we're studying them. If they're around a lot, they're going to know exactly where you are and exactly where the dogs are at all times that they're anywhere close to you. They spend every day of their lives trying to figure us out and file away our reactions when we encounter them. They've created their own culture of coexistence, they behave the way we teach them to behave. They'll be teaching their pups how to coexist.” Sabina Leader Mense: “My real takeaway from what Bob has said just over the last couple of days that he's been here, is the onus is really on us to behave in ways that do not put wolves at risk.” Bob said “the wolves take their cues from us.” So no interactions with wolves; no gawking to look or take a photograph; keep wolves wary of humans at all times. The Cortes Wolf Primer states, “when you encounter them (wolves) in a residential area i.e. near your home, your neighbour's, the community halls, stores, schools etc, wave your arms to make yourself look bigger, shout loudly and use noisemakers. Let the wolves know, in no uncertain terms, that they need to respect you and you will not tolerate their presence in this place!! Use your most aggressive body language; take on the alpha role.”Bob Hansen: “That’s what we call hazing. You're teaching them to stay wary. If they stay wary, they're going to stay alive. If they lose their wariness, then anything could happen.” Cortes Currents: Do you have any idea how many wolves there are on Cortes right now.Sabina Leader Mense: “We have identified 7 adults with their pups of the year. They won't all stick together with the pups anymore. The pups are old enough, they're hunting with groups of adults. There will be four wolves here, two there, three here. Maybe that's what we're seeing with single day sightings coming in from Squirrel Cove, Whaletown, and the south end.” Bob Hansen: “What we've seen over the years is that when the prey (even a good sized black tailed deer) tends to be smaller, two wolves can clean it up in a couple of days. Even a single wolf can take down a deer given the right situation. So they don't need to travel as a large pack.” "If it wasn't for the cameras, we wouldn't realize that there's a large pack, but they now have cameras in some of the spots where they socialize and rendezvous. They'll go off and hunt and then they'll howl and come back together at a rendezvous site. They'll get reacquainted and then they'll go off in their separate directions again. If they aren't socializing and aren't sleeping, they're traveling and hunting."
Cortes Island Academy/Folk U - What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters (the one here is by artist Zella Aufochs).This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds.Friday February 2nd features:The Way of the Wolves by Dylan HarveyUnderstanding Dyslexia by Zella AufochsOne Thousand Nine Hundred and Four by Rowan JoinerAnd the Cortes Forestry General Partnership by Salix WebbWe hope you will tune in!You can listen to the CIA youth podcast series, Desolation Sounds, anytime at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/podcasts/Watch the breathtaking and moving CIA/ReelYouth Elder Films at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/films/Get your own pocket Biodiversity Field Guide for Cortes (e.g. edible berries, local fungi, marine species, seaweeds, mosses, and more!) at https://cortesislandacademy.ca/biodiversity-project/
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Bob Hansen’s Electric Fencing Workshop was delightful. The ‘talk’ he gave at LInnaea Farm, on February 3, was permeated by stories of animal behaviour as well as visual aids.“I've been involved in 50 plus electric fencing projects in our region over the last six years. Everywhere that electric fences have gone in, that resolved the conflicts that were occurring,” Hansen explained. His environmental career started out in Jasper National Park 40 years ago. He is a specialist when it comes to human wildlife encounters. He has worked for Environment Canada, Adventure Canada, and has just completed his sixth as the WildSafeBC Community Coordinator for the Pacific Rim. While that is on the other side of Vancouver Island, Bob Hansen has a long relationship with Cortes. “It is a real pleasure for me to be back on Cortes after so many years. 2009 was the first time Sabina got ahold of me and said, 'you have to come over here.’” (Laughter) Aside from the words ‘I do’ and ‘help’ it’s difficult to understand what local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense replied, but Hansen understood. “I really appreciate having had that connection. It's so cool, all the work that Cortes has done over the years to co-exist and it's clear that that the commitment's there. I use Cortes all the time as an example in the education that I do. Check out Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) and their primers. Check out what's happened here.”“WildSafeBC used to be called BearAware, but in 2014 it was abundantly clear that there was a lot more wildlife that people were living with than bears. So they reimagined the whole program to include all wildlife. There's around 30 community coordinators working in over 100 communities. It really is fascinating how various communities have different sets of challenges in terms of coexistence, and the organization is really remarkable in the services it provides across the province. For the most part, all of those services and resources are free.” “The real true solution for conflict is preventing the conflict from happening by managing the attractants. Being aware of how attractive things like bird feeders are. That little block of suet there has about 6,000 calories. For a bear to get an equivalent amount of calories from salal berries, it would have to eat 15 kilograms of salal berries. Just before hibernation, they're trying to eat 20,000 calories a day. That's why you need to take down your bird feeders during bear season.” The remainder of Hansen’s talk was about electric fencing.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Museum and Archives is collaborating with Folk U to offer two events in honour of Valentine's Day, on the theme of Love Letters. On February 11th (Sunday) from 1-4pm, Jane Newman will host a "love letter writing workshop" featuring both writing and collage art. On February 14th from 7 to 8:30pm, Oriane Lee will host an evening of love letter readings, including some from the Museum archives. Both events are free, though donations are always welcome. People interested in participating in the readings on the 14th should contact jemma@folku.ca.Roy Hales interviewed Melanie Boyle (the Museum's Director) and Jemma Hicken (the event organiser) about their collaboration to offer the community a new Valentine's Day event.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose Wilderness Resort’s 2023 tourist season ended in October. This is the time for refurbishments in preparation for the reopening next May. The need to provide a back-up for the resort’s micro-hydro system became obvious during last summer’s drought, and a propane generator has been installed. Additional storage space has been added. Gorge Harbour Marina has been upgrading for the past year, and hopes to have a grand reopening this coming spring. These are some of QXMC’s physical improvements but, in a recent interview with Cortes Currents, the conversation quickly turned to an overview of the Klahoose development company’s personnel goals for 2024. “ Like in every business, we want to generate revenue and we want to keep our costs low, so that at the end of the day we can generate a profit. That profit is obviously used to extend our businesses and to make sure that they last in the long run,” explained Marco Bedetti, General Manager of QXMC. “On the other hand, a very important focus is to generate employment. We are trying to prioritize Klahoose First Nation members, to give them the possibility to work here. But we would also like to extend this and be able to provide as much training as possible so that they can grow in these companies and they can start to manage, say the Gorge Harbor Marina or the sawmill or any other LP that we're running nowadays.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has been helping BC Parks maintain Mansons Landing Provincial Park since 2016. “ We've been doing various improvements over time. That included removing broom from the Spit, signage to help interpret what's down there and also fencing to prevent erosion. We've just finished two new sections of fencing,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI. "One is at the end of the Spit to stop further erosion. The banks are very fragile and the existing fencing wasn't enough to stop people climbing down the banks. There has been a long history of First Nations usage of what is now the park, and my understanding is that a large part of the Spit is actually midden. It has archaeological interest. You can see all the shells in the sand on the banks very clearly when you walk along the beach. We want to keep the Spit intact. I'd say a significant portion of the erosion is caused by people climbing down onto the banks." "The other piece was some fencing next to the parking lot. That's been put in largely to try and protect what's called coastal sand ecosystem. If you go onto the beach, you'll notice this grassy looking plant community, which is actually quite rare in BC and it's also very fragile. The plant you see all year round, which looks very grassy, is called Dune Wild Rye. There's also Beech Pea, Silver Burr Weed, and Gumweed. We're just hoping that people stay out of that area and stick to the trails." "Around 2017 or 2018, we put up a sign explaining about the coastal sand ecosystems. In the summer BC Parks will be putting up a little bit more signage about the plants , to try and encourage people to stay out of those areas." "We've been working with BC parks to protect that area now for six years." "When we started in 2016, it was heavily shaded by Scotch Broom. Our very first task was to remove the Broom, and we go back every winter. We've got one coming up now in March. We do a Broom Bash with the community to cut back any regrowth.”"I should just add all of the work we're doing there is funded by a grant we get from BC Parks."
Roy L Hale/ Cortes Currents - After a year of extensive renovations, QXMC hopes to fully reopen Gorge Harbour Marina Resort this Spring. “We are getting closer to hopefully a grand opening on May 31st, where we can provide a resort that is worthy of its name,” explained Marco Bedetti, General Manager of the Klahoose First Nation management corporation. “The majority of septic issues have been dealt with. We're still working on the AX100 system, which separates the treatment of the laundry facility and the guest toilets versus the rest of the property.” “Regarding the water systems: We are very close to receiving a GARP assessment from VIHA, which will then allow us to set up the new well to our main distribution and allow us to use the new well. The reason for this big project was just due to high salinity in the old wells, which were overused over the years.”“The pool and hot tub are going to be open as soon as we can. When I say ‘can,’ it really involves our homework, which is now to provide a pool safety data sheet that is comprehensive, but also for Island Health to come by and finally give us the operating permits to run it.”“The store is running as always. We are actually going to be hiring more people, not only because of the summer months, but because we are opening a new store in Squirrel Cove. What better than to train them here at the Gorge and have them ready to go when the doors open over there.”“Up at the main roads, where Trude’s Cafe used to be, we had to clean up. The buildings were very old, the area fairly swampy, so in the first phase of the project we made sure that we could see the land and make decisions upon that.”“We are putting in 21 RV sites down below, but we still want to guarantee staff to have a place to stay. We decided to move the staff trailers on that upper part of the property. We flattened the land out. We're putting in electric, water and sewer services. We will have 8 RVs that are available for staff.” “The domes are a new feature. The geodesic domes are where we will allow guests to have a glamping experience. They have arrived. We have them in storage. The pads are poured. We're just waiting for a little bit of drier weather to be able to pull the cables and then the water lines to the domes themselves. Then we're going to start setting them up and furnishing them. So we'll have them ready to go by May.”“There's a lot of things to make sure that are complete by the season start, but I'm very positive that we'll get there.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On January 26, Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by artists and organizers Bianca (art gallery), Melanie (museum), Rex (love fest + coffeehouses), and Meinsje (art gallery). This was a lovely conversation about personal practice, the role of arts and culture in remote communities, the importance of everyday art, and upcoming events + opportunities for greater collaboration.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - [00:00:00] DE: And this is the fourth and final installment of our special feature on the recent decision of the appellate court of BC in the matter of Anderson versus SRD. That court vindicated Noba Anderson in her five-year struggle with Strathcona regional district over two issues: the right of elected representatives to independent legal counsel, and the obligation to indemnify board members for their legal expenses.[00:01:02] DE: Previously in this series, we've talked a little bit about how this finding by the panel of judges at the appellate court is… is wonderful. And at the same time, it's not really perfect closure. It feels a little bit unsatisfying. There's still so much secrecy at SRD; we’ll probably never know the details. We'll never really understand the process that led to this epic struggle in the courts… all of these impacts on our community… this very large amount of taxpayer money that's been wasted as a result. And regional districts remain largely unaccountable to their constituents, as Cortes Islanders discovered.[00:01:42] DE: So. Noba to what extent did this whole experienceaffect your opinion of the regional district system? How good a fit is it really, for a rural island, such as ours?
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - : In this third episode of our special feature we're talking to Noba Anderson about the decision recently handed down by the appellate court of BC. The panel of three judges ruled decisively in Anderson's favour in her dispute with the Strathcona regional district. The district had refused to honour their indemnity bylaw and cover her defence costs during a very poorly founded litigation to remove her from office — and subsequently, had censured her for revealing in-camera information to her legal counsel.[00:01:05] DE: So Noba, we were talking last time about how SRDmay have to blow a lot of taxpayer money on paying the legal costs of this… attempt to get rid of you, back in 2018, 2019. But apart from those costs, there are a few consequences for them — and absolutely none for the anonymous instigators of this entire drama. So I have this sense that while, as you said so eloquently, kindness and truth may have triumphed in the end… justice hasn't exactly triumphed here. There's no requirement for SRD even to apologize. And you can hardly be reinstated — because you've already left office.[00:01:52] Noba: Yeah, I was censured and removed from my ability to sit on external committees, and well, okay, so that censure is repealed. Well, I'm not going to go sit on a bunch of committees now. [laughs] I'm done with that. So, no, materially, there isn't much difference, now that I'm not in office anymore.[00:02:10] DE: So this decision, you know, satisfying though it maybe, doesn't deliver much benefit to you personally.[00:02:18] DE: Do you think that this judgment is beneficial to theCortes community?[00:02:23] Noba: Well, I hope that it will relieve some of the rightly-induced fear of running for elected office. I mean, I would not have run for elected office if this was still hanging! Why, why would I put myself in such a vulnerable position without the backing of the organization that I've been elected to serve? So I think just at that fundamental level of… making sure that potentially elected politicians on Cortes are supported financially, legally. But beyond that, no — there's no sweetness in this justice. It's a… it's a very bitter pill.[00:03:14] DE: I guess, as we were saying earlier… it might bringmore closure, it might be more beneficial to the community, if thesecrecy of it all could somehow be overcome. If we even knew forsure how all of this craziness came about.[00:03:30] Noba: I can't go so far as to speak publicly about whosaid what and what really happened and in camera and out ofcamera — and not because I'm not legally in the right to at this point, but because that would bring about defamation suits against me probably, from people who are litigiously minded.[00:03:51] Noba: But what I will say generally is that the spirit at the Regional District Board in those days was absolutely toxic. And they wanted me gone. And that speaks to, you know, a number of things. It speaks to a regional district system that is so far from understanding the constituents in various portions of the district; just by its very nature, the people at that board don't understand the constituents on Cortes.[00:04:27] Noba: And I don't understand the constituents in Sayward, and don't know the nuances. So it speaks to a fundamental flaw in the governance system that we have. And it also speaks to the ability of a small group of people to — over time, with concerted effort — really poison the pot. And it speaks to a young, female, progressive, non-simpering person in a very patriarchal, Jurassic environment — being a hard row to hoe.[00:05:05] Noba: And it wasn't fun. I was there for 14 years and a lot of it was really, really Not Fun.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - And today we continue with part two of our four-part special feature — on a decision rendered last week by the appellate court of BC, which amounted to a vindication of one time Area B regional director Noba Anderson after five years of conflict and litigation with the Strathcona regional district.[00:00:53] DE: In this episode, we'll go into a little more detail about this whole question of the censure, and the right to informed counsel, and why this is so important. Why was it so outrageous that SRD voted to censure a sitting board member for talking to her lawyer about in-camera information?[00:01:16] Noba: I didn't think that sharing information with my lawyer was a breach of confidence. And in fact, I thought that it was absolutely foundational to the whole legal system.[00:01:27] Noba: It's quasi-constitutional. One needs to be able toshare everything with one's lawyer. The privilege — the client/solicitor privilege — that an individual has with their lawyer, is far stronger than any in camera confidence that the board has.[00:01:46] DE: Well, yeah. As, as I understand it, Attorney/client,client/solicitor confidenti
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - QXMC, the Klahoose First Nation Management Corporation, is currently on track to open a combined grocery store and gas station in Squirrel Cove later this year. “If all goes well, fingers crossed, we will be doing test runs in late 2024 and then a grand opening towards the end of 2024,” explained Marco Bedetti, General Manager of QXMC. He expressed the fact these are not firm dates, “We want to make sure that operationally everything is running right. We have to hire staff, we have to make sure that all our services in the store and outside of the store run smoothly. I don't know if we'll open for the public right away, or just try a couple of days or weeks operationally without opening to the public before we say, 'Hey, let's cut the ribbons.” This is part of a much larger development that will also include more than 30 camp sites, or RV sites, and some cabins along the beach. Marco Bedetti: “The priority is to build a grocery store/gas station for the Klahoose First Nation. The location that was decided is where we did the clear cuts, at the curve before the government dock. Obviously we had to do some work as far as digging wells, which now have been done. We're working through the GARP assessment to make sure that any water treatment that we have to do is up to code with Island Health, or in this case the First Nation Health Authority.” “The First Nation Health Authority is involved, furthermore we have Vision Quest creating the project for us.” “We're talking about the architectural design of the store, but before we get into any building, we need to make sure that the water that is flowing on the side of the road has the right flow, that the culverts are installed.” “We need to grade the property because it's on a slope and it would be hard to build that way. It has a lot to do with creating the right environment to put up the building and the services that we want.” CC: You’ve doubled the size of the clearing. Marco Bedetti: “Yes, in the summer there are a lot of vehicles parked next to the road. We're augmenting traffic on one hand, with the store, but also with the RV sites. We want to make sure that it's safe. So the decision was that on the lower part of the property we will create a parking lot so that we can safely have people park their vehicles in the right spots.” CC: Do you have any updates regarding the next phase of this project? Marco Bedetti: “The plan is definitely to go towards tourism in the form of RV sites, tent sites, possibly cabins. It's not a priority yet.We want to make sure there is a store available, there is gas service available, there is electrical vehicle charging available. Once that is complete, we'll go over to really defining how many RV sites we want. Or do we want to try geodesic domes? Or how many cabins are we building? It will be definitely in the direction of tourism, or camping.” You have been listening to an interview about QXMC’s Squirrel Cove site, with with General Manager Marco Bedetti,
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been a number of Cortes Island matters at the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) this month. Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director for Cortes Island, is now the Vice Chair of the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC). Cortes Island’s Dog Control Service Bylaw is on its way to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval. Linnaea Education Centre and Mansons Hall have both applied for Federal Gas Tax funding to purchase a heat pump and were denied. Director Vonsech is looking for ways to support them.
DE Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On January 24th the BC Court of Appeal made known its decision in docket CA47620, the case of Anderson vs SRD. The three-judge panel found unanimously against SRD and in favour of Anderson. They found that SRD was wrong in refusing to indemnify Anderson’s defence costs during a litigation against her in 2019, and wrong also in voting to censure her in that same year.In this four-part special radio feature we’ll be revisiting the five-year history of this legal decision, and interviewing Noba Anderson about its significance — not just for Cortes island, but for all of BC.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The audio version version of this story begins with a solitary male voice raised in a seemingly ageless First Nations chant. Then Doug Neasloss, elected chief counselor of the Kittisoo Xia Xias First Nation, states, “We’ve always had the responsibility to steward, that’s what we are doing.” The clip was taken from Deirdre Leowinata and Tavish Campbell’s documentary ‘Keepers of the Land.’ They spent two years working with the Kitasoo Xai Xais in Klemtu, more than 350 miles north of Cortes and Quadra Islands. Deidre explained, “It’s one of these really magical places where they still have some resources that they have historically used for a lot of their cultural practices and for the food that sustains their community. They're a remote community of 350 people right now, and they're pretty isolated from the rest of the world. They really heavily rely on the natural resources around them to survive and to continue their cultural traditions.” In another clip, Vern Brown, a Kitasoo Xia Xias youth leader, stated, “We really have to start advancing everything that we do. We need to do it better. We need to manage salmon better. We need to manage fisheries better. We need to manage the forest better. This is my home and this is my backyard. And we have a community full of KItasoo and Xia Xias people. Every one of those families within the community have particular chiefs and title all throughout the territory.” “There's a lot of things in the past that my grandparents couldn't have imagined today. There's a lot of steps that we've taken as far as being a small little First Nations community in Canada. There's a lot of things that we've achieved by working together. That's one great thing about this community is that we can work together.” ‘Keepers of the Land’ was a finalist at the Jackson Wild Media Awards and was given a Special Jury Mention at the 2023 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The Cortes Island Academy hosted a virtual screening on January 19, after which Manda Aufochs Gillespie emailed Cortes Currents:“‘Keepers of the Land’ was incredible. The videography was beautiful and prescient and seemed so close that it felt as if I could reach out and touch the Spirit Bear, or the salmon swimming upstream. To think that these incredible film makers are in our very own backyard makes the story of their triumph even more spectacular.”Deirdre Leowinata: “I've lived on Sonora Island since 2020, but my partner, Tavish, who is our cinematographer, has lived on Sonora almost his whole life. That's why I ended up here. “ Manda Aufochs Gilespie email: “They also shared how each of them got their start in film making. Tavish, like many small islanders, found his way into it very nontraditionally by starting as a commercial boat driver who got to know these lands and waters and people by living in and among them. Deirdre studied film/communications and ecology in university and it instilled in her a passion for story-telling. It was meaningful for the students to see different pathways into the career and to see the very skills they are learning put to work in such a powerful documentary.” This film is one of Sierra Quadra’s winter 2023/2024 offerings and will be shown at the Quadra Community Centre at 7:20 PM on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Deirdre Leowinata and Tavish Campbell will be there to talk about their experience working with the Kitasoo Xia Xias First Nation and answer questions. Cortes Currents: How did this film come into being?
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - In June 1999, James and Dianne Hansen built an air strip in the southern tip of Cortes Island. According to the deposition that John Woolley later made to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, “the majority of the neighbouring property owners, including himself, have strongly objected to the development and operation of the airstrip.” They were concerned about ‘excessive noise,’ potential accidents, ‘environmental hazards resulting from the storage of fuel and the impact of the operation of the airstrip on water quality and bird habitats.’ The most serious opposition came from the Comox-Strathcona Regional District, which stated the airstrip contravened its zoning laws. However Transport Canada approved the strip and after a long legal battle, in 2005 the courts decided that the Hansens ‘shall be entitled to maintain and operate their airport.’ That was 18 years ago, but a number of Cortes residents are concerned about the work currently underway on the airstrip. Mike Manson emailed Cortes Currents several pictures of a Deere excavator, a freshly plowed earth track and a pile of gravel. There are rumours that Vancouver real estate developer Mo Yeung (Michael) Ching, who acquired the property in 2013, intends to pave the airstrip so that it can service jets and/or helicopters. A Facebook post claims that emissions free electric jets are coming to Cortes Island. “They won’t need to pave the airstrip but they will put in a landing pad and an airplane hanger.” Neither of these stories has been confirmed. Cortes Currents attempted to reach Judy Kemchand, who allegedly manages the property, but she has not returned phone calls. The ‘Cortes Airport’ (CC19) is lot #1 of Strata 1269. There are 21 other properties. When John Woolley and David Geoffrey Nikleva deposed against the Hansen’s airport in 2003, they were acting on behalf of Strata 1269. On January 19. 2024, Carl Simpson, the current Chair of Strata 1269, told Cortes Currents that he is aware of the rumours that work is being done on the airport, but could not confirm or deny them. He stated the Board had granted Lot #1 permission to build a new access road, adding they had no reason to deny the request.Some of the pilots who previously used the ‘Cortes Airport’ left posts on the OurAirports website. One, dating back to the Hansen era, states:“I recently completed a water improvement contract for BC Parks at Smelt Bay adjacent to Hansen airfield, bought gravel from Jim and Diane, got to know them a bit, very nice folks, real salt-of-the-earth people. Watch out, 4 hours will pass and you'll still be drinking coffee, hearing great stories from Jim and Diane. The guy has a nice new little Hitachi excavator and an old Cat dozer, that airstrip is getting better and better. Have fun flying here.”When Michael Ching attempted to subdivide his 160 acre lot in 2015, it consisted of an airstrip, a gravel pit, a small lavender farm. An article in the Campbell River Mirror states, “Judy Khemchand, manager of Acre Lavender Farms, said Ching has planted 9,000 plus lavender trees, put in 30 fruit trees, a well, an automated irrigation system, has a lavender processing building under construction, and employs up to 14 workers during peak season. He wants to expand the operation, which could mean five to eight more jobs, but Khemchand said Ching needs the subdivision of the parcel property.” Carl Simpson informed the SRD that Strata 1269 was concerned about the use of a strata lot for exclusively non-residential purposes."On March 10th (2015), the Strata Corporation presented the owner of Lot #1 a list of questions to which it seeks answers, so that the owner-members have a clear understanding of the impacts of the proposed subdivision. To date, the owner of Lot # 1 has not responded to our enquiry," he wrote.That was 8 years ago, Mr Ching has not informed his neighbours about his current plans for Lot #1 either.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Island - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) received the go-ahead to establish a regional housing service and authorize loans of up to $10 million on an ‘as needed’ basis. While the SRD can raise funding for projects through property taxes, this money must be repaid once the projects start receiving rents. This matter was brought before the board at their January 24, 2024 meeting. At their November 8, 2023 Board Meeting, the SRD Board approved using the alternate approval process to seek the electorate's approval. If a minimum of 10% of the electorate - i.e. 3,456 people - had advised the SRD they were opposed, the motion would have been considered defeated, but the ‘no’ vote was only 392. When asked, Senior Manager Thomas Yates advised the board where the opposing votes came from: - there were 111 approximately from Campbell River, - 81 from Cortes Island, - 66 from Quadra Island, - and 133 from the Sayward area. Director Doug Chapman of Campbell River moved that No. 515, being Regional Housing Loan Authorization Bylaw 2023, be now reconsidered, finally passed and adopted.Regional Director John RIce, of Area D, provided the Sayward is in Area A, whose Regional Director, Gerald Whalley, cast the only opposing vote. “I, just fot the record, I’m going to vote against this. It’s the will of my constituents. The vast majority of them opposed it. So it's appropriate that I would oppose,” he explained. Chair Mark Baker called the vote, “ All in favour? Opposed? One opposed, Director Wally. The motion is carried.”
Roy L Hales. Cortes Currents - On the surface, one might ask how relevant an article about immigration is to people living in the Discovery Islands. The vast majority of us either came from more urban parts of British Columbia, and/or are the descendants of an earlier wave of immigrants. Many non-Indigenous Cortesians trace their roots back to the era when most immigrants were ‘British,’ European or from the United States. There are undoubtedly many reasons why this predominantly ‘white’ population is now found in more rural areas. Some of us are the descendants of the first settlers in this area, others sought a more rural lifestyle and many moved here because of real estate values. According to Statistics Canada, a new wave of immigration has become the principal driver of our nation’s population growth. “Over the past 50 years, the share of new immigrants from Europe has declined, with the share of new immigrants who were born in Asia (including the Middle East) increasing. Over time, Asia has become the top source region of new immigrants, and this trend continued in 2021. The share of new immigrants from Africa also increased.” 23% of the people listed in the 2021 census were born outside of Canada and more than half of them came here for economic reasons. A significant number ‘were selected through skilled worker programs.’ Only 15% of the immigrants who arrived between 1980 and 2021 were refugees. (This number may change as the climate crisis and global political tensions worsen.)British Columbia’s transformation to a more international population is largely occuring in the Lower Mainland. According to the 2021 census, 60.27% of the inhabitants of Richmond, 51.26% of Vancouver and 48.97% of Surrey are immigrants. A large proportion of them came from Asia, (as did the parents or grandparents of much of the Canadian born population). The next largest ethnic block of immigrants was Europeans, followed by people from the Americas (North, Central or South) and a significantly smaller number of Africans.The latest wave of immigration has reached Vancouver Island, but in much smaller numbers. According to the 2021 census, immigrants made up 26.02% of the population in Victoria and 16.2% in Nanaimo. As was the case in the Lower Mainland, the biggest ethnic group was Asian.There was a decided ethnic shift further north on the island. Only 13.64% of Courtenay, 12.65% in the Comox Valley and 10.49% of Campbell River residents were born outside Canada. More than half of them came from Europe. This is also true of Powell River, where 12.79% of the population are immigrants. There were smaller numbers of people from Asia, America (North, Central and South) and Africa in all of these cities. The percentage of people born in the United States increased in the Discovery Islands. 19.22% of the population of Area C (Quadra, Read and most of the other Discovery Islands) were immigrants. 175 came from the United States, 155 from the UK and 125 from other parts of Europe. There were also 20 Latin Americans, 20 Asians and 10 Africans.The majority of immigrants on Cortes Island came from the United States (100 out of 195). Other significant ethnic blocks were 40 from the UK, 30 other Europeans, 15 from Asia and 10 from South Africa. (These numbers are slightly out of sync because Statistics Canada rounds numbers off to the closest multiple of 5.) Overall, the 2021 census found that 18.48% of Cortes Island’s population was born outside of Canada. While the percentage of immigrants in the Discovery Islands is higher than the surrounding cities of Campbell River, Courtenay and Powell River, more of them come from the United States and the percentage of immigrants is still significantly lower than the Canadian average of 23%.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Carrie Saxifrage, Tianna Hope, and Kiera Tsakonas joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for the January 19th FolkU Friday session. An intergenerational conversation about the climate crisis, this episode touches on the importance of human connection, mitigation and adaptation, generational differences in needs and interpretations of environmental changes and response, and empowering environmental futures.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Over the last few months CCEDA has been working with a Canada-wide but Comox-based consulting company called Tourism Cafe, on proposals for the future of tourism on Cortes Island. The process is nearing its completion, but islanders have one more chance to participate and make their opinions and priorities known.On January 31st at 4pm, CCEDA will sponsor a “virtual public meeting” — the last in a series that started in Fall 2023 — at which some preliminary findings will be presented and one final round of community input gathered. The end product will be a formal report with an analysis of the local “visitor economy” and recommendations for the future.Currents interviewed Kate Maddigan from CCEDA, who has been coordinating this effort.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Community Foundation is inviting Cortes residents to an update on the Village Commons, 4-6 PM at Mansons Hall on Thursday, February 1st. “The goal for this Village Commons update is to have the Cortes Island Community Foundation present our design plan for the Village Commons Pavilion, which is going to start construction pretty soon. Then also hear from some other stakeholders like the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA), Cortes Housing Society and the Fire Hall to talk about any plans that they have upcoming for the downtown Manson's area,” explained Isabella McKnight, Executive Administrator of the Cortes Island Foundation. “It's important for the community because they can learn what the plans are and start to think about how they can utilize the new opportunities to their benefit. We also hope that it inspires small business owners, large business owners, and other community members to dream about what they would like to see for Manson's in the future.” CC: During the past year, what have been the challenges and what have been the successes as you've been rolling out towards this? Isabella McKnight: “Personally, I'm not extremely involved in the Village Commons land. We have Richard Andrews as our project manager for that specific program.” “I think one of the main challenges with any large project like this is fulfilling all the grant stipulations. That's a large process, making sure you're crossing all the T's and dotting all the I’s." "One of the really beautiful things and successes about the Village Commons, over the past year, has been all the community use that it's gotten. Such as The Friday Market Music and the Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA) using it for their after school care programs such as Adventures in Leadership and the Teen Szene. That's all been really awesome to see.” CC: What’s coming next over the next six months or year?Isabella McKnight: “Our next step is holding the event and showing the community kind of the sneak peek of what the Cortes Island Community Foundation has been working on behind the scenes in relation to the Village Commons project.” “This spring will be breaking ground to build the pavilion. If you come to the event, you will be seeing the preview of the design that's going on for that, as well as the road that's currently being built there.” “The thing that I'm most excited about is that Ernie Poglis designed and has crafted a traditional Welcome Pole for the space. So he's been working on that for the past I want to say eight months approximately. I think it's on some of the last stages of the painting. There will be an unveiling and a really beautiful ceremony for that, hopefully in the spring, or early summer.” “I would really like to encourage people to come to the Village Commons community update. Everybody is welcome. We will be providing light snacks and refreshments.” “It's just a really great opportunity to hear from not only the Cortes Island Community Foundation, but all of the partners in the Manson's area, such as the SCCA, Cortes Housing Society, and the Fire Hall, about any of their upcoming projects and updates that they'd like to share. There'll be time after the presentation to ask questions as well.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The We Wai Kai Nation wanted to find out more about their water resources on Quadra Island when the ICAN water security team approached them about a possible partnership. “I wanted to find out how much water we have? Where is it coming from? We want to know if the water's good on Quadra, and protect those watersheds. We want to map out where everything is and get educational pieces out there about our drinking water - 'don’t be polluting this area!'” explained Jason Price, Director of Lands for the We Wai Kai First Nation. “The ICAN Society was trying to do the same thing for a watershed study. I went over to Quadra to see what the group was about, and what they're trying to do.” ICAN had just applied for a $50,000 grant from the Real Estate Foundation and been denied. Jason Price: “So I was like, ‘I'll keep my eyes open and if something pops up maybe we could jointly submit an application under the Nation's name, because we'll have better chances using the Nation's name. There are millions of societies, but there's only X amount of First Nations.’” “We are open to partnerships with any groups that have a common interest with what we're trying to accomplish. If nobody's talking to each other, we're both fighting for the same money, but if we go in together it looks ten times better. They're funding two interest groups with one application, if you're looking at it from a funder's perspective.” "I got an email maybe a few months later about a new initiative through the Indigenous Watersheds. So I was like, 'that sounds exactly what we're wanting to do.' I worked with some of the ICAN Society to develop what they're actually going to be doing. Then I submitted it all and I ended up hearing back later that we got funded for I think it was $280,000 for the entire project.”Jason Price administers the grant.
Lynne Jordan/ Cortes Currents - At the beginning of the 1900s, Squirrel Cove on the east side of Cortes Island was a hub of activity for homesteaders, loggers, fishermen, miners and trappers. They came from all the surrounding islands for supplies, groceries, mail, repairs, radios and dances in the hall. There were two stores, a post office, church, hall, two machine shops, a boatworks, a marine ways, and a big dock where the Union Steamships stopped regularly. Jim Spilsbury also stopped frequently to install or repair his radios in boats and homes.The first school classes were overseen by parents and held in a little one-room tar-paper shack right behind the store that still exists today. The first registered Squirrel Cove School was located at the top of the hill going west towards Gorge Harbour. It was a one-room school built in 1916 by locals and was used until 1941. Back in those days, a school needed 9 students for the government to supply a teacher. Residents of Whaletown and Squirrel Cove disagreed over which school was closest to Barret’s Lake (now called Blue Jay Lake) in Green Valley where a number of children lived. Bill Barrett settled the debate by tying a rag to a wheel on his wagon and counting the revolutions on a trip from Green Valley to each school. Squirrel Cove won, so the Green Valley children walked there. The nearby Seaford community had a school that opened in 1921 for only ten years. When it closed in 1931, children from there joined the Squirrel Cove School. The school had just one small room with a tiny cloakroom at one end. There were no washrooms, just outhouses up on the hillside.No First Nation children attended school here. In centuries past the Salish Klahoose used Squirrel Cove traditionally for harvesting and fishing. Near the end of the 1800s, they moved permanently to Squirrel Cove. After 1915 Klahoose children were taken to Residential School in Sechelt by Union Steamships, returning home for Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. Fred Reedel remembers in the 1940s, “Even though we didn’t go to school together, we all played together.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A joint We Wai Kai/ ICAN Water Security team has been monitoring Quadra Island wells for the past month as part of a much larger project to calculate the island’s water budget. "At the moment 13 wells are being monitored, and another three or four will be added from Cape Mudge. So there will probably be 17 deeper wells and Eileen McKay, particularly, has been saying for a while that we need to add shallow wells. We'll be doing that hopefully this year," explained Nick Sargent, a former professional hydrologist who is overseeing the well monitoring. Red Williams Well Drilling Ltd was involved in this part of the project. "Just before Christmas, Red Williams offered to help. So we went around and installed what we call drop pipes, so plastic tubes down in the wells. Then we drop down, on basically a fishing line, these little monitoring devices. They've been running since mid-December, and we hope to do the first reading in the next couple of weeks or so. Once we've read them and we're okay that they're working and they're set at a reasonable depth, we'll probably read them every four to six months." This project was made possible thanks to a Indigenous Watershed Grant which is being administered by Jason Price of the We Wai Kai. Some of the other components are monitoring the island’s rainfall and streamflow, as well as mapping wetlands. "The water security team was started a few years back, before I joined. I think with the realization that issues that had arisen with water supply where there were too many people and too little supply. We're not at that stage on Quadra and probably not on Cortes either, but it's good to get a handle on the ground water supply before problems arise."
Anastasia Avvakumova/ Cortes Currents - BC Ferries (BCF) is expanding its number of Island Class hybrid-electric vessels, with four more contracted to Damen Shipyards Group (Damen) as per their Jan. 16 press release.While the six Island Class ships currently operating on various routes across the province use both electric and diesel power, the future ships are designed to run solely on battery, with the diesel engine as a fail-safe.Two routes are slated to receive a pair of the future ships to operate the respective connections in tandem: Nanaimo-Gabriola and Campbell River-Quadra (Quathiaski Cove). Currently older versions of Island Class vessels operate on these routes. In contrast, the newest ships will be built to run powered solely by rapid-charging technology that will be constructed at the terminals to coincide with the 2027 deployment. The Island Class electrification project is estimated to reduce emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.BCF President and CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, explained that careful consideration went into choosing the communities that will be the first to support fully-electric ferries. “The nature of the route, the distance, the type of current, the amount of power needed to run the engines through those currents – all of those factors combined can lead us to a decision to understand what route is best suited to run fully electric.” The deployment of the four new ships in 2027 will allow the vessels on those routes to shift elsewhere, in most cases upgrading the capacity of the route. The Cortes-Quadra connection will benefit from one of the four reassigned Island Class ships, increasing the vehicle load from 26 to 47. The other ships will increase service on the Denman-Hornby and Crofton-Vesuvius routes.The Dutch company Damen was selected from several international proposals, while no domestic bids came. Damen was the builder of the six Island Class ferries already acquired by BCF. “We have teamed up with the technical staff of BC Ferries now for seven years and together we developed a very efficient series of 10 ferries in total that meet all of the future requirements of safe, reliable and sustainable waterborne public transport,” said Leo Postma, Damen’s Area Director for Americas.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Seniors Helping Seniors, in collaboration with the Cortes Museum and Archives, is once again presenting a series of monthly Literary Afternoons this winter. These events, at which local authors read their work, will be held on the last Sunday of each month at 2pm in the Lakeview Room at Linnaea Farm. The last two Literary Afternoons for this winter will be on January 28th and February 25th.I spoke with Carina Verhoeve from Whaletown, who has been organising these events since 2011.In the Fall of 2011 I started them, especially in the fall and winter because that’s the dark season, and we want to have some fun in the dark season, right? So on these afternoons it is approximately five writers, people who live on Cortes or spend their summers here, and they each read for usually ten minutes, a piece from their own work.Carina emphasises the wide variety of material presented: nonfiction, fiction, poetry, journal entries, published books…. anything and everything.It’s fun, the variety between the writers. There’s variety also in the tone, the mood, the energy of the writings. Some are funny, some serious, some very deep… We almost always have a full house, and it’s a treat.As kids hopefully you were read to, right? by parents or other people, and that was lovely. So I find the treat of the Literary Afternoons is that you can be read to as an adult. It’s just a treat to be transported into a different world, another person’s experience, a world not your own.She explains that the concept of literary afternoons grew out of the mission of Seniors Helping Seniors: “to prevent isolation.”So Seniors Helping Seniors has a social part; and it has a practical part, like matching people who could use some help with people — seniors too, usually — who want to give some help.But the social part is to prevent isolation. Because when you have fun together, or listen to something interesting together, and you see each other — then you’re out, there’s other people you can talk to, you get to know each other. So by the time you need help, you might know the other person who’s coming [to assist you]Although the Literary Afternoons started as a programme for seniors, Carina says it’s not limited to the over-50 crowd. It’s open to any “adult” who wishes to attend.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The ICAN water security team and We Wai Kai Guardians are getting prepared to map Quadra Island’s wetlands. It is part of a much larger project which also involves monitoring the island's rainfall, streamflow and wells. As you will hear in the interview that follows, this project is also relevant to surrounding islands like Cortes. Bernie Amell, a recognized authority in the design of constructed wetlands for water treatment, and in the restoration of streams and riparian habitats, is in charge of mapping the wetlands. “Three or four years ago, we started being concerned about climate change as it would affect the water cycle. This is a temperate rainforest country and we're already seeing with the cedars, a change in their range and healthiness. So there's environmental reasons for being concerned, but there's also the human use factors. At what point do you say, we basically can't have more human use? The sponge doesn't have more water in it,” he explained. “We hear all kinds of horror stories about Pender Island, Salt Spring, Hornby. They're actually in much more serious immediate trouble as the climate changes because they don't have as good an aquifer development. I'm not saying that's the point that Cortes or Quadra are at, it's just not knowing is an uncomfortable place to be. So four years ago, we started looking at that in the big picture: climate change, wetlands, the aquifers.” CC: How far have you got in the wetland project? Bernie Amell: “Right now we're developing a field guide for citizen science teams to go out and use mainly plants, but also other ways of looking at the terrain for clues as to where the permanent wetlands are, where the seasonal ones are, where there are impermanent streams.” “The team has separate project teams. Eileen Mckay is very strongly involved in this and there's a couple of other people who are knowledgeable in native plants and they're providing their expertise in developing this guidebook. Then we'll just hit the ground and go out and recruit people to come and bushwhack with us.” CC: Should people in the surrounding islands, like Cortes, be interested in this mapping project? Bernie Amell: “It’ll actually be quite relevant. The more settled areas of Cortes are in the same kind of terrain that I'm talking about. The land that's farmable, where there's some soil and you can actually grow things, is glacial silt deposited stuff. You're probably very very similar to what we've got here and also the plant community is similar. I've been bushwhacking a little bit there, and the terrain and parts of Cortes is very similar to what we see here.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - ICAN’s water security team and the We Wai Kai First Nation have embarked upon an exploration of Quadra Island’s water systems. While this is a Quadra study, everything they are doing is applicable to Cortes and every other British Columbian island where there is a sizeable population. They are offering a model of how we can prepare for the future. “The project started a number of years ago, really centered on the concerns of local people on Quadra about the nature of their water supply. People were really worried about what was going to happen with both climate change, whether it's going to be getting hotter (particularly in the summers) and with development. Every new person that moves on to the island usually sinks a well. If they sink a well, they're pulling quite a bit of water out of the aquifer. We wanted to know, would the aquifer actually meet our needs? Also, what needs does the environment have? And what will happen when things like climate change influences the availability of water,” explained Colin Chapman, who, together with his partner Claire Hemingway, is a key leader in this project. "We were the grant writers behind the project. Both of us have PhDs in biology. I was at McGill University for a number of years, and the University of Florida. Claire was working for the National Science Foundation in the U. S. I'm a tropical biologist, so I have a lot to learn about BC and BC systems, but I'm learning fast." "Every time you brush your teeth, take a glass of water, or go to the bathroom, you're using water out of the aquifer. Just imagine an island where water became scarce. We'd all have to not water our gardens. We'd be rationing how we would actually use water, and it just wouldn't be as pleasant as it is now." "We use water a lot. The average household uses over 300 gallons a day. So we really have to be concerned about having enough water to meet our needs.” "Claire and I just moved here a couple of years ago. We bring some scientific knowledge about aquatic systems and we bring abilities to write grants." "We heard the concerns of local people. We looked for grants that we could write and we teamed up with Wei Wai Kai, particularly Jason Price." "It's a concern, of course, of the band. So we teamed up with them, and wrote a series of grants."There are three components to the grant. Cortes Currents will be looking at mapping wetlands and well monitoring in subsequent broadcasts. Colin and Claire are involved with monitoring the rainfall and streams. Colin Chapman: "We're trying to figure out a water budget for the island.
Sadhu Johnston/ Folk U - On January 12th, FolkU Friday was guest-hosted by Sadhu Johnston, who facilitated a discussion about rural resilience and emergency response. Joined in the station by Kate Maddigan, Eli McKenty, and Rex Weyler, this is a fascinating conversation about the confluence of emergency management and ecological protection, natural disasters and climate change, and the ways government, community, neighbourhood, and individual all play significant roles in rural resilience.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Conservation Officer Jillian Bjarnason came to Cortes on Saturday, January 13, 2024. “I was invited over by the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) to do some public outreach, mostly pertaining to human wildlife conflict. There's a population of wolves on the island and sometimes there's some encounters with people. I'm just really excited to be able to get to meet folks that live here, chat with them and provide education and how to co-exist,” she explained. Cortes Currents sat down with her shortly before a meeting in the Lakeside Room at the Linnaea Education Centre. CC: Tell us a little about yourself, where do you come from? Jillian Bjarnason: "I grew up in Creston, in the Kootenays, and I moved to Vancouver Island for school. Then I worked in Squamish and Whistler. I’m back on the island now since 2021. I love it over here." CC: Where was your first posting on the island? Jillian Bjarnason: "It was in Campbell River for a year, and now I work primarily out of Port McNeil." CC: How did you end up there? Jillian Bjarnason: "They put out a certain number of spots where there's vacancies, and sometimes we get a choice. In my case, I had four different spots that I could go to and Port McNeil was the top of my list anyway. It was an easy choice." CC: Why was it at the top of your list? Jillian Bjarnason: "One of my brothers worked out of the North Island for a number of years. My family got to visit the North Island quite a few times to see him, and I just fell in love with the communities up there. The people are wonderful, it's a wild place, and just the right choice for me personally." CC: What's special about working for the Conservation Office? Jillian Bjarnason: "Our primary mandate is to ensure that the public is safe. A lot of that pertains to human wildlife conflict, but we're also out on the land base doing proactive work, and ensuring that our resources are being respected. So checking folks that are hunting and fishing and making sure that they're doing that activity within laws and regulations. That's why I love my job. I get to be out on the land base chatting with people and providing a service." "We deal with all kinds of human wildlife conflict. It will range from anything from bears accessing garbage to cougars, bears or wolves accessing livestock or killing livestock. We often get calls of deer that are stuck in fences, or there was one time we had a deer that was swimming in a manure pit. Anytime we were able to rescue wildlife from a situation like that is very rewarding.” “We very rarely have reports of predator attacks on people." "We do investigations into hunting issues as well. Anytime where we are able to successfully charge somebody, it goes through the courts and there's a very good outcome can also be a really good feeling, because there's lots of work that goes into those investigations. We're able to hold people accountable for their actions." "My other favourite part of the job is being able to interact with people, and provide education to try and make a difference, especially with the human wildlife conflict side."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum has been sponsoring two birding events every year for the past two decades. 2,873 birds were seen during the 2023 Christmas Bird Count, but this number would have been much higher if there were more participants. “With only 6 people, you miss things. We can only go to a certain number of places where we know there will be birds, and that's mostly along the coastline,” explained Laurel Bohart, a keen birder as well as co-curator of Wild Cortes. “There were children as well looking around the school, so they would have added their count. I think Gina Trzesickia (from the Museum) may have been involved in the bird count too, down at her place. We rely on people phoning in if they have bird feeders. They phone in and we gather that data. It's just easier than going to everybody's bird feeder and counting, because they keep changing every few minutes. So it wasn't just six people, there were a few others.” Most of the counting was done by six people between 9:00 AM and sometime after 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 13th. CC: How can so few people count close to 3,000 birds in a little over six hours? Laurel Bohart: “I don't know how I managed to count that many birds, we just ran. That's the only way we could do it. I was very, very aware of the time and so you move fast. We were going around Blue Jay Lake, here, here, here, very quickly, scanning to see if there was anything out there. You develop a technique. You scan the tops of trees, is anything moving? If it's moving, stop and identify it. If it's not, on to the next tree. It's the same with the water. If you see little things bobbing around out there, you get your binoculars on them. You identify as fast as you can. If you're not sure, mark it as that and on to the next bird because you don't have time. You're trying to get to too many places.” CC: Which was the most numerous of the 70 species of birds counted? Laurel Bohart: “1,411 Surf scoters.” The Surf scoter is a sea duck, which was given the nickname ‘old skunk-head.’ The Cortes Island Museum keeps records of the Christmas counts going back to 2001, and Surf scoters are often the most numerous species. Last year there were only 395, so they dropped to #2. CC: What about Juncos, which were the #1 bird in last year’s count? Laurel Bohart: “Dark Eyed Juncos, 129, which is a stark contrast to last year where there were 717 Juncos.”The second most most numerous species in this count were the small sea duck called Buffleheads (133), which winter in bays, estuaries and lakes. One of Bohart's personal highlights occurred just as the count was coming to an end. Laurel Bohart: “Tom and I counted at Squirrel Cove, Blue Jay Lake, the Klahoose Area, Seaford, and then Linnaea. We finished around 3:30. The others weren't at the museum yet, so we went down to Smelt Bay to see if there was anything interesting. I spotted the blackbirds right away. I didn't know they were Brewer's Blackbirds until they landed on the ground and were walking instead of hopping. Blackbird species all walk. The last time I saw Brewers Blackbirds was in Nanaimo a number of years ago at one of the malls in the parking lot, picking up scraps. I had never seen them on Cortes before, but to see them here at Linnaea and then another, I think, 7 down at Smelt Bay was quite extraordinary.`` “It was also extraordinary, only 1 Canada Goose was counted down in Smelt Bay. Normally there's dozens."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Food security is a major concern in the Discovery Islands. 98.4% of the 245 respondents to a ‘Quadra Island Eating and Growing Local survery’ stated they wanted more access to locally grown food. Most participants at the recent Conversation Cafe, on Cortes Island, shared a rough consensus that the existing food system (industrial farming, long-haul transport, and large scale grocery chains) was likely to falter or fail under the pressures of climate change and rising energy costs. The Cortes Community Economic Development Association [CCEDA] will soon be releasing a report of the findings at that event. A Garden Club/ICAN Food Security Team project is increasing that island’s protien supply. 229 blight resistant nut trees were most likely planted on Quadra Island during the past 12 months, and that number should soon increase. There are Hazelnuts, Sweet Chestnuts, Black Walnuts, Persian/English Walnuts and a Heartnut. Most of these trees have been sold to private residents, but the Quadra Nut Tree Project’s third planting was on January 4, 2024. “We really wanted a source of plant protein as well as oil, and so nut trees that are going to do well on our island as the climate changes was something that we thought would be a good idea, in terms of our overall food security strategy,” explained Jen Banks-Doll, one of the principal organizers.“So far we've planted 76 nut trees and we're hoping to get to 85, in terms of commercial or government owned land. In addition, we sold trees to help fund the project and also to meet our goal of getting as many nut trees planted on Quadra as possible. So we ended up selling 153 trees. Overall by the end of this month, we hope to have added 238 nut trees to Quadra Island. ” “These are all the new varieties. There are a lot of hazelnuts on Quadra already, but they're the older varieties that are not blight resistant. All of our trees are eastern blight resistant varieties, so they hopefully will last for a very long,”“It started with a conversation with a few members of ICANN, the Island Climate Action Network. Food security was one of the very hot topics in terms of preparing for climate change and increasing the resiliency of our island. We've had many different projects on the go. We were looking at the United Way food security grants and thinking of a project we could use, apply for a grant. My partner, Mark Doll, came up with the idea for the nut tree project. His idea was to plant as many nut trees as possible on Quadra Island. I've been involved since then.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mark Vonesch is very passionate about Cortes Island and his activities as Regional Director. If this were a video, rather than a radio broadcast, you would see it in his facial expressions. There is a hint of this passion in the words he chose and the tone of his voice. Cortes Currents asked him for a recap of this past year and what to expect going forward into 2024. "It's been a big year. It's been my first year in office and obviously a lot of learning. I managed to get quite a few things done. One of the things with the government is that they usually don't move as fast as people would like, certainly not as fast as I would like, so lots of things are in progress as well," he replied."I've been really proud to represent this community.""There's a lot of people in Cortes that make this island work and I'm a small part of it. Everything from: the healthcare providers; the fire department; educators; people leading and working and volunteering and nonprofits; all the different businesses that employ people and provide economic activity on Cortes, waste management collection and the waste management center.""Being the Regional Director for Cortes, I was assigned to the Comox Strathcona regional Hospital Board, the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board, the First Nations Relations Committee, the School District 72 Liaison Committee, Electoral Area Services Committee, which is a committee of all the rural electoral areas and of course the Strathcona Regional District Board. So sitting on five committees and boards, and each of those committees has a slightly different mandate, focus and powers.""Some people think that being the regional director of Cortes, I get to decide what happens on Cortes. That's a misconception because the reality is I'm one of 14 people on the Strathcona Regional District Board. So if there's something that we want to see happen on Cortes, my job is to convince at least seven other people, so there's eight of us voting in favor of moving that forward. No matter how good the idea is, if I can't convince eight of us to vote for it, then it doesn't happen. I think that's one of the biggest learnings and realizations. My job isn't just to come up with good ideas, listen to the community and try to move things forward.""It's really about bringing things to the board in a way that gets them passed, having those conversations with fellow directors, aligning myself with fellow directors and working as a team because my job is to represent Cortes, is also to represent the Strathcona Regional District as a whole and make good decisions for the Strathcona Regional District."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Robyn Mawhinney has learned a lot since she was elected Regional Director almost 14 months ago. As we enter into yet another new year, she gave her reflections 2023 and what is ahead for Area C in the coming months.“I’m really pleased that there are new avenues for having community voices heard and included in decision making,” she began.“Area C now has an Advisory Planning Commission, with nine members. They represent diverse geographies across Area C, from Read Island to Granite Bay and across Quadra Island, and demographics, and as well different business interests. I really appreciate that folks were willing to step up and volunteer for a role like this.” “There is an Outer Islands Fire Brigade steering committee, with three members each from Sonora Island and Read Island.” “The Surge Narrows Revitalization Project Committee had a meeting with SRD staff and myself.” “Having local residents directly involved in providing input on these projects and communicating with SRD staff will support better outcomes, outcomes which will benefit the residents. So I'm really pleased that there are new and improved avenues for community consultation and inclusion.” “One of my goals has been relationship building through clear communication. Every two weeks, I write a director's report which is published locally and also shared with email subscribers. I've had a fair amount of positive feedback on it, and I feel like my consistent reporting could go in the achievement column if you're making columns for these kinds of things.” CC: What have been the challenges this past year? Robyn Mawhinney: “Something I have definitely learned, and been learning in the last year is what some staff have referred to as the speed of government. Many of the projects that I've been working on are still in progress.” “You asked me about the challenges, and I think sometimes that challenges are opportunities in disguise. There's been a lot of learning, stepping into the role of director, learning the details of how all the processes work, and building relationships with colleagues, staff, other electeds, and constituents.” “I think it's interesting when I talk to staff who have been in their roles for decades and they say they are still consistently learning because there are so many situations that are unique and require novel considerations.” “There's lots of things in progress.” “I'm not sure 2024 is going to resolve housing, but it's definitely a key issue for Area C, the regional district and our country.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday, January 5, Linda Solomon Wood joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie on Folk U Radio to talk about the state of the media today.Solomon has been a professional journalist since the 1970s and founded the Vancouver Observer in 2009. As the bio on her website explains, this grew into a national publication:“Linda Solomon Wood founded Canada’s National Observer in 2015 with the mission of putting climate change front and centre in Canada. CNO’s team of climate experts and journalists have done just that, highlighting the economic, human rights and public health impacts of global warming. With an audience of more than 7 million people over the last year, CNO covers issues and challenges associated with climate such as public health, disinformation, corporate overreach and environmental justice. Our podcast, Race Against Climate Change, was a finalist for the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s ‘Best Climate Solution Reporting’ award. In earlier years, our reporting has received more than 50 honours and awards, primarily for investigative work. Our subscribers include The Government of Canada, universities, libraries and civil society organizations as well as thousands of individuals and foundations who make our journalism possible. In 2020, Linda kicked off CNO’s podcasts with “Conversations”, interviews with leaders tackling global warming Linda served for seven years as editor-in-chief of Canada’s National Observer, before stepping into the role of publisher in the fall of 2022.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, “heat pumps globally have the potential to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by at least 500 million tonnes in 2030 – equal to the annual CO2 emissions of all cars in Europe today.” However the coolants used in many heat pumps available in our area may not be as environmentally friendly as believed. This problem was brought to Cortes Currents' attention by Cortes Island resident Ralph Garrison, who explained, “We actually own a house in Victoria because we took our daughter to high school there, bought a ‘junk house,’ fixed it up and put in a heat pump. A year or so later, all the refrigerant disappeared for reasons unknown. The people that installed it came back to put more refrigerant in it and now it has worked for a few years, just fine.’ “I don't know many people with heat pumps, but I have two friends that have lost all the refrigerant from Daikin heat pumps.” Cortes Currents reached out to a company distributing Daikin heat pumps on Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as Campbell River, but this is the weekend and the call was merely forwarded by their answering service. Most of the of heat pumps, refrigerators and air conditioners sold locally use R-410A, a refrigerant whose global warming potentrial (GWP) is 2,088 times worse than C02. “It sounds like they maintain their refrigerant for many years. So that's great as long as this refrigerant doesn't leak, but my guess, and this is just my guess, is that at some point in the life of the equipment, there'll be a failure,” said Garrrison. According to the Green Building Advisor, “If the 3 to 4 pounds of R-410A in a small ductless heat pump system were to escape into the atmosphere, it would cause as much warming as a gasoline car’s annual emissions.” After studying 528 heat pump installations made by 6 different companies, the British firm Eunomia concluded that about 10% of domestic heat pumps leak every year. For the most part these are minor leaks, but they did find 34 ‘catastrophic leaks’ in which 46-50% of the fluid was lost. There were either no problems, or only relatively minor leaks, with roughly 93.5% of the units they examined. Eunomia’s report was published close to a decade ago, but they were aware that R-410A has a GWP of 2,088 and advised the UK to adopt this technology. “The levels of emissions from leakage, however, are small relative to the total emissions reductions which might be delivered by heat pump technologies via the displacement of fossil fuelled heating alternatives.” One home service company listed the possible causes of leaks and ways to fix them: a faulty installationa clogged drain line (which needs to be cleaned).the evaporator coil may be dirty and unable to handle the condensation (which could have been prevented by scheduling routine HVAC maintenance).a crack in the overflow pan (buy a new one a.s.a.p.) a frozen evaporator coil (needs immediate repair). On January 1, 2020, the European Union baned its use of R-410A in new heat pumps. Further restrictions are coming in 2025. This includes a prohibition of all refrigerant gasses with a global warming potential (GWP) higher than 750. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency states that no residential and commercial air conditioning equipment using R-410A can be built after January 1, 2025 or sold after January 1, 2026.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - CityWest has finally delivered on its promise to bring high speed fibre-optic internet to Cortes Island. It has been five years since Victoria Smith, then the Strathcona Regional District’s Special Projects and Sustainability Manager, confirmed that Cortes Island is a proposed recipient for the Connected Coast Project.The SRD was teaming up with CityWest, a telecommunications company owned by the city of Prince Rupert, to bring this service.On December 19, 2023, CityWest and the SRD sent out a joint press release stating, “A few weeks ago, we began testing services on island with a select group of beta testers. This was done using the fibre-optic network we constructed on Cortes Island and the Connected Coast subsea backbone.”Around that time, a CityWest employee informed Cortes Currents they would soon go live in Mansons Landing. Internet service is being delivered house by house, as CityWest employees make their final service call. The written version of this story includes a screenshot from a Squirrel Cove resident who is now enjoying connection speeds of between 106 to 107 mbps down and over 99.5 mbps up. Prior to this, they were receiving 16 mbps down and 6 mbps up from Twincomm - with periodic dropouts during the day. CityWest is offering Cortes Island customers plans for 100, 500 and 1,000 mbps packages for pices starting at $88 a month. They are also advertising stream TV and home phones, for $27.00 and $26.01 respectively, and bundles of two or more services at lower prices The SRD’s press release states that residential customers who signed up proir to December 31st, 2023, are receiving 50% off their first 3 months of Internet services!”Cortes residents who wish to remain with their current internet provider are free to do so. Twincomm was founded in 2001 and currently serves over 800 customers on Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Lund and Texada Island. At one point it looked like CityWest was going to purchase Twincomm, but the deal fell apart in July 2021. Dino Tsakonas, who had been Twincomm’s manager up until that point, became a manager for CityWest. On June 30, 2022, TELUS acquired Twincomm as part of its Mascon by TELUS brand.On December 6, Twincomm informed customers using their email service that it will be inaccessible after February 15, 2024.The transition to Mascon by TELUS will be completed on March 1, 2024. at which point Mascon by TELUS will be offering Cortes residents internet for as little as $44 for 8 mbps down, 3 mbps up. The fastest connection advertised is 20 mbps down, 5 mbps up for $129,00 a month.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the National Debt is now close to $1.21 trillion dollars, which amounts to $30,602 per Canadian. The government expects to pay more than $46.5 billion to service the debt for 2023/24. This exceeds 10% of the federal revenue threshold, recommended by David Dodge, former Bank of Canada Governor. A report from the Fraser Institute states: “In 2021, the average Canadian family (in which two partners are working) earned an income of $99,030 and paid total taxes equaling $42,547 (43.0%).” What does this mean on Cortes Island?According to the 2021 census, only 255 residents reported a personal income of more than $50,000. (30 people earned $100,000 or more.) That’s a little more than a quarter of the population for whom high taxes are a reality. The median individual income was $29,400, of which approximately $1,600 went to income tax. There were also 250 residents whose income was less than $20,000, which means they probably did not pay any income tax. This does not mean that Cortesians aren’t working. We had a workforce of 490, of which 220 were ‘full time employees’ and most of the others were ‘self employed.’ (Many are allegedly juggling two or more jobs.) 65 people reported they had seasonal employment and 70 collected employment insurance. Another 375 residents were over the age of 65 and presumably collecting pensions. For most Cortesians, the real concern is the government’s financial stability rather than increased taxes. (I.E.- are we heading for a financial collapse?)
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - In 2020, logging company Teal Jones was engaged in cutting irreplaceable, old-growth, temperate rainforest in the Fairy Creek area of their lease on Vancouver island. In response, substantial numbers of "forest defenders" gathered to protest and obstruct the old growth cut... and local history was made. Protestors blocked the access road to Teal Cedar's cut blocks from 2020 through early 2021. The number of people arrested exceeded 1100 -- which, according to CBC, made it "the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history."Cortes Currents has followed the story of the Fairy Creek protest as it developed; many Cortes residents spent time at the protest encampment, or are closely connected to people who participated. We continue that coverage now, with an update on the highly litigious aftermath of the blockade action.As well as the unprecedented head count of people arrested, the duration and persistence of the blockade (despite harsh winter conditions) were newsworthy. So were the many allegations of unprofessional, and even brutal, conduct by RCMP on the scene -- particularly the notorious "Green Guys," the CIRG.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Writer, journalist, ecologist, and Cortesian Rex Weyler joined us on December 15th to chat about truth and bias. We discussed media literacy, checking our own biases, and the intersection of media and global politics. Listen to this fascinating presentation and discussion on reading between the headlines. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Tuesday, December 19, The Government of Canada announced a gradual phasing out of gas powered light vehicle sales until 2035, after which all new vehicles must be 100% emissions free. “Transportation is the most polluting sector in Canada after oil and gas, a lot of that comes from road transportation. So from the vehicles we drive that are on the road, from sitting in traffic. This regulation is aiming to ensure that we're putting forward technologies like zero emission vehicles, that includes electric vehicles, that will drastically reduce emissions within that sector and this regulation says that it will have emissions reductions of 360 million tons. That's the equivalent of 62,000 Olympic swimming pools full of gas that have been burned,” explained Meena Bibra, Senior Policy Analyst with Clean Energy Canada. “To put that into perspective, around 15,000 premature deaths happen in Canada because of air pollutants from exhaust fumes, essentially. Moving to zero emission technologies is going to ensure that there's going to be $90 billion of net benefits coming from just air pollution. That's less visits to the hospital, to their emergency room. If you have an asthma attack or if you have lung disease, impacting children less than an elderly folk less or those who already have other diseases that are related to respiratory illnesses.” Cortes Currents: You’re quoting the same statistics I saw in the government press release and their backup material. Where did they come from? Meena Bibra: “The air pollution analysis essentially came from the atmospheric fund, but they used data from Health Canada and from Environment Canada to make this analysis. The ’62,000 million tons’ illustration was actually done by Environment Canada themselves, as a part of the regulatory process. It's required that they quantify what those emissions reductions are going to be looking like.” To put a local spin on this story, Cortes Currents recently interviewed Forrest Berman-Hatch, lead author of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) report ‘The Carbon Footprint of Traveling to or from Cortes Island.’ He identified the ferry as the biggest polluter for any vehicle travelling to Vancouver, but if you are driving an EV that is almost the only source of pollution. By 2026, 20% of Canada’s new car sales must be emissions free, which can be fuel cell or plug-in electric. According to a recent report from Clean Energy Canada, British Columbia has already crossed that threshold, but the rest of the nation is lagging behind. We have a number of EVs on Cortes, including at least two Teslas, a Chevy Bolt and a number of e-bikes, but the only charging port is at Hollyhock. Cortes Currents: What can you tell us about Canada’s charging infrastructure? Meena Bibra: “The most accurate update that we found for charging infrastructure in Canada is about 25,000 charging ports. The Auditor General recently released a report saying that the federal government is on track to meet its targets of 33,500 chargers by 2026. The federal government has also spent 2 billion on charging infrastructure investments. So we are moving in the right direction.” “The Federal Government can't do everything by themselves. This is where it's going to be really important to bring in other partners like provinces, utilities, municipalities, car makers as well to build infrastructure where it's needed.”
MIck Sweetman/ CHLY 101.7FM - Transit workers in Comox and Campbell River went on strike Friday morning citing wages as the key reason for the job action.While this shuts down public transportation for tens of thousands of people, the union and employer agreed to keep operating the HandyDART buses for people with disabilities.Unifor national representative Gavin Davies says the three major stumbling blocks are the rate of pay for current employees, a proposal by the employer to pay new hires less, which he says will make it harder to recruit and retain drivers and lead to drivers working more overtime, and funding issues.A statement by Pacific Western Transit says that the company offered wage increases that were higher percentages than those in recent BC Public Sector Union agreements, with an 18 per cent increase in overall compensation and a 15 and a half per cent increase to wages over three years.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 100 people turned up at Mansons Hall on Friday, December 15, for Cortes Island’s first firefighters dinner. "It was wonderful to be able to thank the firefighters and their families and their close friends for all the time and effort that they put in. I think we have an amazing crew and it's really something as chief, and the board, we need to be mindful of and make sure it's an amazing place for them to participate. A lot of small fire departments are really struggling with staff these days. We have a really strong crew," explained Fire Chief Eli McKenty. “We invited all the firefighters, the board, the paramedic crew and everyone's families to a dinner. The turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and all that good stuff were catered by Carie Taylor from the Sunflower Food Truck. Kirsten Vitelich, and I don't know Amy's last name, (she’s relatively new at Linnaea Farm), did the on scene catering. All the firefighters and everybody brought a mountain of sides and desserts. It went super well, and was a tremendous amount of fun for everyone.” CC: How many people came? Eli McKenty: “I think we were 105-110, including well over half of our membership and their families.” “It was a little bit stressful leading up to it, since we haven't had one before. The week before, we had ended up with a lot of late RSVPs and we jumped from expecting about 80 people to expecting over 100 and weren't sure we were going to have enough food. I made a panic buying trip to Costco and ended up getting a mountain of food that we prepared. We also were able to increase the amount that Carie was bringing. We still weren't totally sure, but then people delivered like I've never seen in the potluck department!” “All my worrying was unnecessary as usual. Every time we've had a barbecue or potluck, I've been concerned about whether there was going to be enough food to go around and it always turns out to be way more than we need.” “It went super well, and was a tremendous amount of fun for everyone.”“I could never have pulled this off without Tammy Allwork, our Office Manager. I basically was like, 'hey, let's do this. Ahhhhh, now what?' She was instrumental, as were several other volunteers from the fire fighting community who stepped up. Tammy took care of a huge amount of organizing around the food. Jeramie Ellingson organized the music, Lucy Robinson organized photography and Robert Carrington set up a hilarious selfie booth in the hallway. Mike Datura, the new principal from the school, DJ'd for us, which was well appreciated by everyone. As was the background music that Michael Keith played during the dinner.” CC: Did your President, Sadhu Johnston, make a speech? Eli McKenty: “Sadhu gave quite a nice speech. The speeches were thanking the firefighters and their families for supporting us and the board and the community. They detailed some of our achievements for the year, thanking Mac for taking the training officer role. There were a few statistics. I think we've done 82 calls this year.” “We had awards for firefighters, and gave away some door prizes. Then we had a couple of hilarious competitions.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - In late 2023, Klahoose First Nation completed a “landmark deal” to purchase a total tenure of 181,036 cubic metres of allowable annual cut (AAC), on forest lands located on the Sunshine Coast in the Nation’s traditional territory. This makes KFN the largest logging tenure holder within the Nation’s traditional landbase.Klahoose already owned tenure of 115,000 cubic metres AAC, so this purchase brings their total allowable cut to 296 thousand cubic metres per year, or over 140 million board feet. Chief Steven Brown told reporters that “Klahoose Nation is a forestry nation. We see a bright future for forestry, and it is time for us to manage the resources in our territory so the benefits come to our members,”Although tenure rights do not confer title to Crown land, they do enable the First Nation to set its own rules for management of the logging operation.Logging companies in the past have notoriously clearcut right across riparian zones. These zones help protect water quality by regulating the flow of water and nutrients between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Logging near fish-bearing streams, for example, has been shown to increase water temperatures and raise the risk of algal growth and eutrophication. Chief Brown, who studied Environmental Science at the University of Victoria, expressed his intention to improve existing conventional practise.“If we want to increase the distance of harvest from the fish-bearing streams or [improve] old growth management, we dictate that on all of our tenure, and it means that contractors we hire to do the work have to follow those standards,” Brown said. “We can also plan for old growth management to ensure it’s done sustainably and that we’re promoting an increase in old growth in the territory.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first time many Cortes Island residents heard of Doug McCaffrey was when he and his wife, Melanie, took over Becca's beans. Prior to that they were living in central Saanich."We came for a vacation. It was a beautiful August, and I'd always wanted to come to Cortes. I thought, 'hey, just for fun, let's look at some real estate.' The place we're at now had just come up for sale and came with the optional coffee roastery. I thought, 'well, I love coffee, let's learn coffee roasting.' It all happened so fast. Two of the things I love most in life, coffee and film, and I'm in heaven," he explained."So many things have been captured on film over the past 120 years. There's millions of cans of film around the world. If these films aren't looked after, they're just going to disappear. I think it's very important that we archive, catalog and keep this window from the past with us. Digitizing and restoring, that's probably the bulk of what I do. Each project seems to be a little bit different. I work with archives and I'm learning more and more about the archives end of it."The 2022 film festival at Mansons Hall was McCaffrey’s idea. "That was an interesting project, working with George Sirk, and having the Cortes Cinema film night. It seemed to be quite a success, and everybody enjoyed themselves. A lot of people regret missing it. I think we're going to have an encore. This March, maybe, we're going to team up with the Museum and Archives and do another film night of vintage Cortes Cinema." CC: How did you get into this business?Doug Caffrey: "I got into graphic arts shortly after I finished school. At that time there was a real labour shortage for skilled people, so I could pretty much pick and choose where I wanted to work. I loved travelling back in those days, and so I could basically do working holidays almost wherever I went. I lived in New Zealand, Britain, Southeast Asia Britain, and all around Europe.""I would take the images, put them on a large plexiglass drum, and they'd spin at about 600 RPM, (go through) a fibre optic light and the images would come out the other end digitized. Then we could build whatever it is, a newspaper, a book, a magazine, a catalog, that sort of thing.""It seemed like a natural progression moving on to motion picture film. I've always loved movies, especially foreign films and I started collecting Italian films on 16 mm. I'd find them on eBay and I ended up with a collection. I thought, 'hey, well, I'm in the graphic arts, restoring images, working on images and artwork. It can't be that much different from restoring motion picture film.' So I looked into it. I took some courses. I got a lot of help from a company in Austria whose developed some amazing film restoration software and started doing that." "I thought, 'Why don't I look into buying a motion picture film scanner?' So I bit the bullet and basically took out another mortgage to get some of this equipment."Top image credit:Old movie projector - Photo by emma.kate via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Former Regional Director Jim Abram may have been confusing the proposed SRD Housing Service with a Federal grant program when he criticized it during an interview with CKTZ News. Abram claimed that building permits are required under the new housing initiative, and the islands are ‘going to get nothing, most likely, other than, you know, a little less money in your pocketbook because it's going to go into your taxes.’ He also spoke against the ‘affordable housing bandwagon’: ‘There's only so many people that you can accommodate with your existing infrastructure.’ Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Isand, responded, “The points that he's making that have alarmed a lot of people, in my opinion very unnecessarily, and are not based on the facts. The housing service is about developing a way for us to requisition a small amount of tax from people. The average property on Cortes is going to pay $31.80 maximum per year. For 2024, right now it's at zero. We have nothing planned. It's going to be used for us to collectively pool our money to make housing happen.” So let's look at some of Abram's facts. CC: Is there any requirement for building permits under the proposed SRD housing service? Mark Vonesch: “The short answer is no, the Regional District Housing Service has nothing in it that says we have to have building permits.” “What Jim's referring to as far as building permits, is the Housing Accelerator Fund. So this is one grant that the Regional District has applied for. Part of the requirement of the grant is having a way to measure new housing builds and the internal measurement for that is traditionally housing permits.” Regional Director Robin McWhinney of Area C mentioned the confusion between the Accelerator fund and proposed SRD housing service, in her December 12th Directors Newsletter. Even if the SRD application is approved. Cortes island, Area C and Area A will not be able to obtain Accelerator funding because we do not use building permits.” (This is a grant and unrelated to the SRD housing service, which is seeking to raise startup capital through our property taxes.) CC: So why don't we use building permits? Mark Vonesch: “My sense is Cortes does not want a building permit. We have some of the best builders around on our island, and they are building to the code, whether we have building permits or not.” Robyn Mawhinney: “I haven't heard from any residents on Quadra Island who are in favour of adding another level of local government oversight and fees that would be associated with building service and building permits and building inspections. Creating a new bylaw or service is a lot of work for staff and for me and for the community to attend community meetings and weigh in on things like that. It's not something that I'm pursuing unless I hear a reason why we should be, and I haven't heard one yet.” Abram also claims that Cortes and Quadra islands have reached their capacity in terms of population. Mark Vonesch: “That’s a fine statement to say. Somebody else could say we haven't reached our capacity, but what data are you actually looking at to make that statement?” “One of the things that I'm moving forward on, together with the Cortes Housing Society, is looking quite seriously at 'what is our capacity?' First of all, starting with the base, what is the health of our aquifer? What is the health of our watershed? Where can we have more development that's going to be sustainable in the long term? And how can we do development in a way that is ecologically sensitive, that recognizes our imprint on the land but also produces housing.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Daniel Lindenberger, of Thaumazo and UBC’s Emerging Media Lab, joined us over Zoom on the December 1st FolkU Friday session to lead a fascinating presentation and discussion on artificial intelligence. Listen to Daniel’s explanation of how AI works, different types of AI, and the benefits and challenges of an AI-informed future.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Awakeneers are still living in Willow Point and have just released a new single. Cortes Currents interviewed them over ZOOM and we had our cameras turned off to preserve bandwidth. Isa McKenty explained how he came to write ‘December in the North’: “It was the day before one of our concerts in the Acoustic Matinee Series. I was supposed to be practicing for that, but it started snowing and I looked out my window. It was so pretty that I wrote ‘December in the North’ instead of practicing. It was actually a year to the day between when I started writing the song and when we recorded most of the tracks that you'll hear on the recording,”Cortes Currents: What is the story behind this song?Isa McKenty: “It was many snowy winters in the interior of BC, in Chilcotin and on Cortes. Things like skating on Jack's Pond and with the campfire to warm up your hands afterward; having a wood cook stove and no electricity; coming in from playing. I am the youngest so I remember the fun parts of the snowy winters, not hauling firewood or trying to fix the frozen water pipes or those kinds of things. I remember jumping off the switchback trail to our house into the snow drifts and basically being taken care of by the other people who were doing the hard stuff.” Cortes Currents: Are these Cortes memories? Isa McKenty: “Some of them are from Cortes, although there's not really enough snow on Cortes to jump in and not hit the ground. (Laughter) The snow-jumping was in the Kootenays.” Cortes Currents: How old were you when you came to Cortes? Isa McKenty: “I think I was six.” His father, Robert McKenty, added, “We've heard a lot of original songs for the first time and when this one arrived, just before the Christmas season, it was immediately recognized by all of us that the lyrical line and the whole way that the song came together was really choice. It covers such a range of simplicity as well as experience that all ages remember and can relate to it, at least if they're from the North and they remember the first snow.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has some serious concerns about BC’s new Emergency and Disaster Management Act, which came into effect on November 8. According to a provincial government video, “We know people are worried about the climate driven challenges across British Columbia that are significantly affecting our families, communities, economy, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Modern realities like frequent floods, wildfires, drought, and extreme heat, as well as the COVID 19 pandemic have a lasting impact on people and communIties. A significant step in our response to these challenges involves modernizing BC’s emergency management legislation to include the requirement that the emergency management plans of provincial ministries, local authorities, and critical infrastructure operators are informed by risk assessments.” At their Wednesday Dec 13 meeting. Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman told the SRD Board his concerns with the way the government was implementing these ideas:“ I would really want to see from the province a compilation of the data, statistics, and answers that they receive from all local authorities that are providing feedback to this regulation discussion paper that’s available to the public because I can guarantee you we’re all telling the province to put their cuckoo back in the clock.”“I think the public needs to see that as well. It’s not entirely out of the box. When the province first started talking about updating the act back in 2020, they asked for feedback from our Regional Board. I brought a report to the board that we (recently) sent to the provincial government.”Koopman outlined some of his objections:Q/How long are we going to need to implement these regulations? “At the very best, I feel that’s a question that’s being asked in bad faith because they aren’t telling us what these regulations are. I have no clue how long we’re going to need to implement these regulations until they tell us the details. You’ll see a lot of ‘nos’ in the answers to the questions in that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Emmanuel Cappellin’s award winning documentary "ONCE YOU KNOW" is showing at the Quadra Community Centre on Saturday December 16 at 7 pm. This film is the winner of at least seven awards including Earth’s Choice Award from the Earth Day Film Festival, Best Documentary from the Festival International du film d'éducation, and Grand Prize from the International Festival of Science Documentary Films at Prague.To quote a couple of the reviews: "A triumph. With rare aesthetic taste, it delivers the facts about our accelerating climate chaos with an almost tender respect for those of us confronting the crisis. Unforgettable portraits of climate leaders in Bangladesh, France, and the US, help make our own choices clear. They leave me feeling inspired to lead a life that is relevant to this global movement.”“A poetic journey into the teeth of collapse that leaves us with one question: how will I comport myself during this time?"“We decided to present this film because it talks about what's going to happen to humanity aNd it interviews experts who all point In the same direction, which is that we're on a runaway train, and we really can't stop it at this point. We need to start really thinking about civilization coming apart because . We need to help people get through in the next few decades as much as possible,” explained. Bonnie Bronstein of Sierra Quadro.Brownstein said Frank Cornelson brought this film to the attention of the other Sierra quarter leaders. “There are similar films out there, but our feeling was that this one is particularly powerful and it really sticks with you.”Cortes Currents: What is it about this film that makes it special? Bonnie Brownstein: “The juxtaposition of the personal story of Emmanuel Capelin, a number of the people he interviews in the film are associated in one way or another with the IPCC and they come from various parts of the world.”These quotes are pulled from the film's trailer. “Forty years ago, I presented a question. How can global society organize itself to provide a just, peaceful, equitable, decent living for its people? Forty years ago, it was still theoretically possible to slow things down, and now that's no longer possible. It means that we are coming into a period of uncontrolled decline.”“The result is going to be an immense human tragedy.” “We failed the now; we are now talking about tomorrow.” Bonnie Brownstein: “The filmmaker, Emmanuel Capela is a young French man who lives in a small village in a mountainous area of France and there's a lot about the community. It ends up saying that community, community action and community democracy is super important. That is why Sierra Quadra invited ICANN, the Island Climate Action Network, to join us in this evening.”“It's at the Quadra Community Centre on Saturday, December 16th, doors open at 7, and the film starts at 7. 30, and as usual in Quadra events, there is a concession, and we're hoping there will be time for That people won't all leave immediately afterwards, and there will be time for discussion, and we're hoping that it will encourage people to get involved in ICAN projects because they're always looking for more people.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - BC Ferries announced a series of changes coming in 2027, including new vessels for the Campbell River and Cortes Island routes and the next steps towards electrifying the fleet. “We've received approval from the ferries commissioner to procure four new vessels, hybrid electric and they will bring new capacity into the system, which is great news. In addition to that, as part of this capital investment that will be electrifying or putting a lot more power into 2 routes that are going to eventually be able to run these hybrid battery electric vessels in the way that they're built. For the purposes of the investment being announced today, it's just two routes , Nanaimo to Gabriola and Campbell River to Quadra that will be serviced with this capacity to actually run these vessels in their electric form," explained Nicholas Jimenez, CEO of BC Ferries."Currently we have 6 hybrid electric vessels in play in the island class series, but we don't have the terminal infrastructure yet to support the charging to take advantage of the capabilities of these vessels. We had hoped for that to be true, but we didn't have the funding needed in order to be able to electrify or put more power into the terminal." "So we're building new capacity and the expectation is that when funding is available for this whole program, we'll be able to electrify every terminal where these vessels are in service." Cortes Currents: Are we talking fully electric? Nicholas Jimenez: "They will be fully electric when the terminals , the electrification component of the project, is in place. Yes, that is the expectation.”"You need a lot of power in order to generate a charge on a quick turnaround, so the vessels can run all day long on their batteries." "It's really the beginning of the future, which is great news. I think both for the people who live in that part of the world, but also for our commitment to helping BC meet its climate goals." Cortes Currents: When is the electrification expected to be ready? Nicholas Jimenez: "I'm going to have to follow up on that because we're in the process right now of negotiating with the shipyard. 1 of the items for negotiation is the undertaking of the power supply into those two routes that I mentioned.”"It's hard for me to give firm delivery timeframes when we're still in the process. Literally: this week we are meeting with one of the shipyards that we're in the procurement process with, to talk about how this work is all going to get done. We'll have a little bit more to say specifically when these negotiations are concluded.”"I hope it's going to be successful. Yes, we expect the vessels - because we know what it takes to build a vessel. This vessel is already in service. We have the design. It's well established. We believe that 2027 is a reasonable timeframe for these vessels to be built by any yard.” Cortes Currents: What about the electrification of the Campbell River and Gabriola routes? Nicholas Jimenez: "The expectation is we're going to electrify Campbell River, Quadra and then Nanaimo and Gabriola.”Cortes Currents: Another expectation is that one of the existing hybrid electric vessels will be going over to Cortes. Can you talk about that? Nicholas Jimenez: "I can. We are getting four new cleaner vessels and remember these are 40 to 50 year investments. So when we're looking at this, we're really looking at the latter part of the century that we expect these vessels would still be in service." "That's a great thing to be able to bring in hybrid electric and at the same time, we're going to be able to redeploy the vessels that are currently servicing those routes and put them onto other routes. There'll be vessels deployed to Crofton and Vesuvius, to Quadra and Cortes, to Denman and Hornby. All to increase the capacity in those particular routes."
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On Monday December 11th, four SRD staff came to Cortes to hold a local zoning hearing at noon, followed by a three hour open house starting at 1pm. Cortes residents were invited to provide input to assist SRD in revising and updating the zoning bylaw for Area B.SRD was represented by Senior Manager Aniko Nelson, along with Planning and Parks Manager Meredith Starkey and Planners Annie Girdley and John Neill. They brought with them several large signboards, and placed them at tables in the hall. The first table explained what a Zoning Bylaw is; subsequent tables were focussed on four main topics: Water Zones (foreshore, waterfront, harbours), Cannabis Production and Sale, Housing Density, and Short Term Rentals.There was no formal presentation. On each table, a large sheet of paper presented various options for zoning law revision, and attendees were invited to vote for their favourite options by applying coloured stickers, as well as writing comments directly on the sheet. SRD staff also provided official forms for written feedback, which were gathered in a large “ballot box”.
KIm Paulley/ CKTZ News - Cortes Island’s first community meal took place at Mansons Hall on Dec. 7, an event which hopefully will be the first of many in the coming year.Ester Strijbos, coordinator of Better at Home for Cortes, says the meal is not just about food. The community meals are envisioned as all ages events that bring people together, she told CKTZ. “We know that food in a social setting is a super big component of building connections.”She said that they're hoping to host a meal on a weekly basis and rotate thru the three community centres, Mansons Hall, the Gorge and Klahoose.The community meal program, funded through the Better at Home Food Security Initiative, takes inspiration from the weekly community meal on neighbouring Quadra Island.“They have this on Quadra Island, a weekly community meal, and it’s very popular there,” stated Strijbos.A second community meal will take place at Mansons Hall on Thursday, Dec. 14 at noon.
Anastasia Avvakumova/CKTZ News - Becca’s Beans, a local coffee business started by Becky and Scott Knutson in 2008, is now in the enthusiastic care of Doug and Melanie McCaffry.The couple moved to Cortes Island from Central Saanich at the end of October, and their very first days on the island coincided with a marathon power outage. Undeterred, they consider it "an initiation," and are overwhelmingly pleased with the warm welcome they've received as well as the pace of life and wild beauty.Although they are in no hurry to make big changes to the business, they are considering expanding their distribution area off the island, as well as working on a few new roasting profiles. But the McCaffrys said they will likely keep the name, Becca's Beans, because of the shop's local history. Both also have a wealth of other skills, such as herbology and aromatherapy for Melanie, and restoring old film for Doug.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Two hundred and sixty-five people (265) filled out responses to the Cortes Island Housing survey which was carried out by the Cortes Community Housing Society and Regional Director Mark Vonesch. While this is only about 30% of the adult population, their answers provide a clear picture of the current housing situation, as well as specific areas where the majority of the population appear to support change. “Other housing surveys they've done in the past have just broken over 100, so people are really engaged around this issue,” explained Vonesch. “40% of the people who responded to the survey have been here for over 20 years, which is significant. The people that have been here for a long time and seen a lot of changes over the years and seen the way that Cortes is going and where it's at now and where it has been.” According to the press release accompanying the Housing survey, 175 of the respondents were property owners. 56% of them own their property outright, but half of those with mortgages have higher payments than they can reasonably afford. 82 of the respondents were renters, 42% of whom are paying more than 33% of their income on housing. This is more than what CMHC states is affordable and they're regarded as ‘at risk.’ The remaining 8 respondents were ‘unhoused.’ Mark Vonesch: “Probably two thirds of the people that filled out the survey also wrote a paragraph or five in the comment section saying ‘here's my answer, but here's the specifics of why I said that.’ We thought about releasing all these comments right now, but I think it's really important to protect people's privacy and we want to do it in a sort of thoughtful way that captures the essence of what most people are saying, but doesn't make people feel vulnerable as they're sharing the vulnerable things.” Cortes Currents: What were the key points that the majority of the population already appears to agree we should act on? Mark Vonesch: “67% of the people said that they would support an empty homes tax on Cortes. Only 18% said ‘no.’ What would that tax look like? Is it even possible? How is it done? Can we do it in a Regional District way? Do we have to lobby the government? There's lots of details to work out, but this is showing that a large proportion of people think the idea is a good thing.” “We asked, ’Do you support Cortes opting into BC government legislation so people can only operate short term rentals on land that includes their primary residence?’ This would mean that if you live in Victoria and you buy a property on Cortes, you can't just Airbnb it out. Either rent it out long term, or not at all. 21% of people said ‘no’ to that, almost 16% were ‘unsure’ and 63% said ‘yes.’” “‘Do you support Cortes opting into BC government legislation allowing greater density on lots currently zoned for single family homes?’ 261 people answered this question; 72% of them said yes.”
Mick Sweetman / CHLY 101.7FM - Nanaimo’s Jewish community marked the first night of Chanukah with the lighting of a giant Menorah at Maffeo Sutton Park.Organized by Chabad of Nanaimo the event attracted hundreds of people to mark the start of the holiday celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.Rabbi Bentzi Shemtov says that the public celebration of Chanukah is important for the community.“The holiday is all about light, freedom,” he said. “That's what we celebrate on this holiday, the holiday of freedom over light over darkness, and to be able to come out into the streets in the open and light those candles the first night knowing that tomorrow night's going to be two nights, two candles. It's really good.”The Chabad of Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island will hold another Menorah lighting at Courtenay City Hall on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents -CCEDA continued its series of Conversation Cafés on Thursday December 7th at the Gorge Hall, to discuss the issue of "food security on Cortes Island." Facilitated by Colin Funk and organised by Kate Maddigan, the event attracted over 20 participants.CCEDA will be releasing a detailed report on the results of this guided discussion; in the meantime, Currents can offer our readers an overview and a few highlights.
Kim Paulley/ CKTZ News - The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society (FTCCIS) had its "best year ever” on Giving Tuesday last week, according to chair Chris Dragseth, with $20,000 fundraised.FTCCIS was formed to "purchase Island Timberland forest land holdings immediately adjacent to Carrington Bay Park on Cortes Island," and that those lands will be "held in trust for all the children of Cortes Island, in perpetuity," according to its website. The organization adds that the lands will offer "educational, recreational, cultural and spiritual value for all our children."CKTZ spoke to Dragseth about the $20,000 raised and what they hope to do with the funds.“We are really quite hopeful that this ends up being a year that we can close some kind of a deal with Mosaic," stated Dragseth.Dragseth stated that "the whole acquisition of the properties is going to require legal work - surveys, covenant creation...legalise type documents and work, and so we have the need for that to be supported and that's predominately where this year's funds are going to go towards."On Cortes' Tideline website, https://www.cortesisland.com/cgi-bin/tideline/show_home.cgi Dragseth described the funds as providing "the necessary resources to complete the final groundwork in support of negotiations on purchase."Dragseth talked about setting the fundraising target at $20,000 after a very generous donor came forward with the offer to match $10,000 of donations. They raised the initial $10,000 through the help of a fundraising email drive organized by Maureen Williams, coordinator of the fundraiser, and FTCCIS managed to meet the $20,000 goal on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Monday, Dec 11, the Strathcona Regional District will be holding an open house on updating Cortes Island’s zoning bylaws at Manson’s Hall. This is the first of a series of steps that will also include a revision of the island’s Official Community Plan. The Friends of Cortes Island has prepared a 22 page study of suggested recommendations for revisions to Cortes Island’s plan for the future. “It's really critically important at this moment in history that we make sure that every decision made in the community plan is made taking climate change and climate adaptation into account,” said Forrest Berman-Hatch, author of the report.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This Saturday, December 9th, between 11 AM until 4 PM, the Cortes Island Museum will be holding Vintage Christmas.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Laurel Bohart and Donna Collins were the recipients of this year’s Jo Ann Green Award. "We thought they encapsulated what the Joanne Green Award is about. We had a number of nominations, but we considered their’s to be the best because of all the work that they've done for Wild Cortes. They put in a lot of unseen work in the background to make the Wild Cortes exhibit the success it's been, and they're doing that as volunteers," explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Every year at their AGM, FOCI gives the Jo Ann Green award to a worthy Cortes Island resident in recognition of their contribution to the environmental wellbeing of the community. Helen Hall: "They are both putting countless hours into displays and staffing of the World Cortes exhibit, the one satellite exhibit of the Cortes Museum and Archives. Laurel is entirely responsible for all the taxidermy mounts in the exhibit and is the sole curator of the Raven’s Relations exhibit. Donna took over the much needed lead management of the Wild Cortes exhibit after Lynne Jordan moved off island. She offers administrative and creative energy into the new exhibits and the weekly operations of Wild Cortes, and jokes about this space being her home away from home." Cortes Currents: What do you think about receiving the Joanne Green Award? Donna Collins replied, "It was a real shock, but it was a real feather in our caps for all the work. More so for Laurel, because she's just done so much work. This is her life. All I've done is helped her showcase it a little bit better and get people out to see it.” "A big thank you to FOCI for even thinking of us. Helen told me that it was a unanimous decision by the FOCI board that we would be the winners. She said there were other nominees, but it just went straight to us and that tells me something. It means a lot to us." Collins mentioned local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense, whose work is well respected in the wider scientific community. Donna Collins: "I think Sabina got the honour before and I'm figuring: if we're up there with Sabina, we're doing well." Cortes Currents: You're also on the board of the Cortes Island Museum. How did they react to the news that you and Laurel had been chosen for the Jo Ann Green ward? Donna Collins: "The board was absolutely blown away. It's just such a big surprise to see Wild Cortes doing really well, it had stumbled along for quite a few years." “Wild Cortes is important because of our ability to put out information like: What's happening with our wildlife? How our little island is doing as far as global warming? And the science behind things.“So that people can make good decisions about what to do and what not to do." Helen Hall: "We hope that people are not only learning about natural history, but also caring more about it and wanting to do something more about it too. So, Laurel and Donna were a really good fit for this award and we were delighted to give it to them." Laurel Bohart added, "We have choices to make, and we're trying to show people what the choices are. Maybe that's one reason we got the award." "If we can trigger a few people to understand and to start working with, say, putting in gardens instead of lawns, all the basic things we can do to help mitigate the issues we've got. If everybody does a little bit, and there's a lot of people on this planet, then I think we can turn it around."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - About 100 people came together for Cortes Island’s first Housing Forum on Saturday, December 2, in Mansons Hall. There were break-out sessions devoted to tiny homes, rental housing, short term rentals, worker housing, empty homes, landlord-tenant relations, home upgrades and making land and home ownership more affordable. A session devoted to environmental issues was added at the last minute. The Forum began with opening addresses by Regional Director Mark Vonesch and Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Thirteen projects applied to Cortes Island’s MicroGrants for Neighbours Program this year and received a total of $6,000 in funding. “This was the first year we ran it in partnership with Neighborhood Small Grants, which is actually part of the Vancouver Foundation,” explained Isabella McKnight, Executive Administrator of the Cortes Island Community Foundation, which runs the local microgrants program.”' "I believe that having this seed money and the ability to then rent a space, or buy supplies, or hire facilitators really helped to kickstart these events. Without even just a couple hundred dollars to pay for somebody's time to run these events, I don't think all of them would have happened. I'm really hoping that after seeing the success of the programs and the events that ran this year, we'll have even more applications next year.” “We're hoping to do more fundraising for the 'Microgrants for Neighbors’ as well because as little as $50 could run an entire project. It's about getting money into the hands of people who are doing important things in our community. People can apply from anywhere from $50 to $500. It's non taxable and it's for running a cool project. So if somebody needed $50 to buy some pencils and some paper, and then wanted to do an outside poetry class, they could do that."
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Michael Datura joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie on November 17th to give a reading and lesson on existentialism, climate change, and bees. Michael is the new principal of the Cortes School and this episode was recorded live off-the-floor in the Cortes School portable. Join us for a conversation about bad faith, truth, goodness, and philosophy.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Kim Paulley/ CKTZ News - The 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) for the Friends of Cortes Island fell on Giving Tuesday which prompted the organization's plan to launch a fundraiser for $10,000.The non-profit is hoping that the $10,000 can support core FOCI programs and the environmental work they do on the island.At the AGM on Nov. 28, a video featured five FOCI Projects in action, out in the field, with a project overview by project leaders to contextualize the project.CKTZ spoke with Helen Hall, executive director of FOCI, at the AGM and she described how in the past project leaders spoke about their project at the business meeting, but this year they wanted to do things differently, keep the meeting to an hour and serve up a meal along with a video showing the projects rather than just telling about them. “Often we are out in the wilds and people aren’t seeing what we’re doing. We thought doing something visual would be a really good thing to do,” stated Hall.This was part of several new ideas at this year’s AGM, including a first ever annual report.“I wanted to put things in numbers and step back a bit and look at what we do," Hall said. For example, every month of the year we are maintaining 19 kms of trails. We also have 150 people involved in our volunteer projects, from beach clean-ups to counting fish. And we have a 147 different monitoring activities!”After Hall delivered the Financial Report, discussion ensued regarding Climate Action being under FOCI’s umbrella. Christine Robinson, one of the Streamkeeping project leaders, described climate action as being essential to FOCI’s work. Hunt responded that it all comes down to resources.“I work four days a week but we could easily employ four more people. We are asking for $10,000 but we actually need another 50 or 60,000 dollars a year.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new study found that a species of Sea Snails found on the beaches of Cortes, Quadra and neighbouring Discovery Islands is already experiencing ocean temperatures beyond their comfort zone. According to the associated UBC press release, oysters will survive as the oceans warm up, but the Nucella lamellosa might not. “I conducted a research study using a combination of field and lab experimental methods to answer the big question: are marine ecosystems going to be able to keep up with the rate of environmental change that they're experiencing? We know that species can respond to ocean warming by moving, by genetically adapting, or by acclimatizing within generations. Every species is going to have a different ability to employ those strategies based on its traits,” explained Lead author Dr Fiona Beaty, from the University of British Columbia. “A snail, which is the species I looked at, can't move very far quickly. So we're going to expect that as snails are experiencing ocean warming, they're going to have to genetically adapt or acclimatize to cope with warming conditions. We know that populations have different abilities to do that.” “I specifically chose this species of marine snail, Nucella lamellosa, because I anticipated that it would be vulnerable to ocean warming due to its life history traits. It lays egg capsules and the babies crawl away from the eggs, and it's a snail. It's highly likely that the species' genetics are quite localized within the Salish Sea. This is one of the warmest parts of that species range. So we can expect that populations here are already among the most warm adapted out of the species.” “I wanted to see how two populations along BC's coast are going to respond to future warming. I found that one population looks like it's going to probably be okay as its seawater warms because the temperatures that it's experiencing right now are quite far away from the upper maximum temperatures that it can tolerate and grow. Whereas another population in our beautiful Salish Sea is a lot more vulnerable because it's already experiencing seawater temperatures that are quite stressful, and the seawater here is warming at twice the global average rate of warming, so it's quite a different picture, even though these two populations are only 400 kilometres apart.” Cortes Currents: “Where was your study area?”Fiona Beaty: “My field sites were just south of Departure Bay. Two sites, one at Cedar Boat Launch and one at Blue Heron Park, south of Nanaimo. And then my other field sites were up on the central coast of BC. My research was in partnership with the Hakai Institute and I worked at their research station on Calvert Island.” “I didn't do any sampling around Cortes or Quadra, but Cortes and Quadra fall in the middle between my sites. They are at the northern extent of the Salish Sea, so we can anticipate that species that live around those shorelines might very well have similar vulnerability to climate change, although I will note that there is a higher current around the Discovery Islands.” Beaty directed Cortes Currents to a video depicting the expansion of warmer than normal ocean waters into our area, as well as the rest of the Salish Sea, every summer between 2016 and 2022. (Look under ‘Supporting Information’ at the bottom of the linked page.) Fiona Beaty: “Even though snails in the Salish Sea can't just up and go to the central coast very easily, unlike a bird or a fish species, they can move around in the intertidal, and they do.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - CCEDA continues its series of Cortes Conversation Cafés on Thursday December 7th from 4 to 6 pm, at Gorge Hall in Whaletown. The topic of discussion will be "Enhancing Food Security," and childcare will be provided on-site.How can we support a vibrant local food system while allowing local growers and food processors to earn sufficient livelihoods?"Currents interviewed organiser Kate Maddigan on November
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island resident Bruce Ellingsen was both a delegate to the recent NDP Convention in Victoria, and the original author of resolution #42 written for the segment called ‘Building a Sustainable Economy for All and Fighting the Climate Crisis.’ Unfortunately, he didn’t get to read it that afternoon. “We ended up only getting through 10 of the 69 resolutions, with the presentation to the floor and the debate pros and cons to any of them,” he told Cortes Currents. Bruce does have a suggestion that would increase the number of resolutions that can be heard, and the delegates enthusiasm for citizen democracy.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At the November 22nd meeting, the SRD board approved a report to explore the possibility of using Cortes Island's gas tax reserve to help build the access road into the Rainbow Ridge Affordable Housing project."It's really great to see the SRD jumping in to work on housing using all the different tools that they have access to. This was led by our Regional Director, Mark Vonesch, who brought this to the SRD board. What was approved at this point is the request to have staff work on a report," explained Sadhu Johnson, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society. "We've applied to the SRD to use the Gas Tax Funds for the first phase of that road. That won't get us to the full construction level that's required by the Ministry of Transportation, but it does get us to a point that we can use it for construction, and so we can fully access that site.”The SRD Board passed the necessary resolutions in a little over a minute.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board approved all but one of Cortes Island’s 2023 Grant-in Aid applications. It was a long, often confusing, debate. The SRD Board denied the Cortes Island Academy’s application because, as Chief Administration Officer (CAO) David Leitch explained “this Grant in Aid is in contradiction to our policy in terms of awarding money to other senior levels of government.” The Board initially granted the other Cortes applications, then seemed on the verge of rescinding them. Their decision to pass most of the applications was followed by a motion to change the manner in which Grants-in-Aid are processed.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - With the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) AGM is coming up next Tuesday, November 28, it seemed like an ideal time to ask Executive Director Helen Hall what the society achieved in 2023. “As Friends of Cortes Island, we're actually doing 14 different projects which involve everything from habitat restoration and conservation through to environmental monitoring and community education. I just wanted to highlight some of those projects,” she explained.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a truck accident in the 1400 block of Whaletown Road, just outside of Squirrel Cove, yesterday. Jane Campbell From BC Emergency Health Services informed Cortes Currents that the ambulance received a call at 9:56 AM and quickly responded. A local source, who did not wish to be identified, believes the problem was black ice. They mentioned two other drivers who slid, but did not lose control. The couple in the truck were not as fortuate. Their vehicle allegedly flipped onto its side and a female passenger was trapped inside. She is said to have been extracted.Campbell reported, “ Paramedics cared for one patient, who was transported to hospital in stable condition.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - With the COP 28 only a little more than a week away, the University of British Columbia held a press conference about key issues. In the breakout session, Cortes Currents asked Dr Simon Donner a former COP delegate and professor from the Department of Geography and Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, two questions.1. Many people on Cortes and Quadra Islands believe in the Overshoot theory. What do you say to people who believe that Climate Change is a symptom of a much larger problem: there are too many of us living on a planet with rapidly diminishing resources?2. What should we look for at COP 28?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At 10 am on Dec 2, Regional Director Mark Vonesch will be joining the Cortes Housing Society to host a community forum in Mansons Hall. In today’s interview, he gave a sampling of how a little government could help make housing more affordable “We are in a housing crisis. Housing is expensive to build and we don't have enough of it. What can we do as a community in Cortes to get more affordable housing done? Like a lot of issues, we have to approach this from multiple angles. There's not one thing that's going to solve the problem. It's basically three things.”
KIm Paulley/CKTZ News -The latest salmon returns are in for 2023 and two streamkeepers from the region have made observations about the different populations. A great year for Pink Salmon was the good news. Poor returns for Chum were noted by both streamkeepers.Janet Gemmell, a streamkeeper, president of Courtenays Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, and a former resident of Carrington Bay on Cortes island, spoke with CKTZ about the Comox Valley.Gemmell highlighted why Morrison Creek is a very important salmon habitat and also spoke about her recent visit to Carrington Bay this past summer where she spotted Coho fry.CKTZ also caught up with Christine Robinson, Streamkeeper for Friends of Cortes Island. Robinson provided data for this year's Cortes Chum Run and reflected on Gemmell's Coho-spotting in Carrington Bay.For more information on the state of salmon, go to the Pacific Salmon Foundation's website for further information.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Housing Society and Regional Director Mark Vonesch will be teaming up to hold a Housing Forum at Mansons Hall from 10 AM to 12:30 on December 2. "Cortes is a very innovative community. We have an incredible 'can do' resilient spirit on this island and have done amazing things. I do think that Cortes could be a real leader for the province, and the country, around rural housing solutions. With the resources and the ingenuity, the land, the partnerships, I think we can do some amazing things here on Cortes," explained Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society. "Even buying Rainbow Ridge: 50 acres and having it owned by the community in our central population hub on the island is a really significant step forward. Now we want to put more housing there and we want to create opportunities for community members to build housing elsewhere on the island." "We can solve this, and I think we need to do it quickly because many more people are discovering Cortes and are moving here. We need to work as a community quickly to ensure that the people that are here that are inadequately housed, that we find solutions to support them to stay here, or the very fabric of our community is at risk."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - BC Ferries and the BC Ferry Authority have launched a joint visioning initiative called ‘Charting the Course,’ which may help shape the future of this service for years to come. In today’s story, Deborah Marshall, Executive Director for Public Affairs and Marketing for BC Ferries, describes the survey and also answered some specific questions about the Cortes and Quadra Island routes. “People rely on BC first for different needs, but certainly in some of the smaller communities we service, like Cortes and Quadra, people are relying on our service to get to work, to school and important medical appointments, as well as get their groceries and goods shipped to the island. So we think it's really important for people to have their say,” she explained.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) wants to set up its own housing service. They hope to raise up to $10,000,000 for applicable projects and non-profits. This is to be administered through loans, which developers must pay back, but would initially be funded through property taxes. The SRD will be seeking your approval through an Alternate Approval Process. If 10% of the electorate (i.e.- 3,456 people) notify the SRD that they are opposed to this new service before 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, it will be considered defeated and the SRD will have to consider other ways of raising the money.A recent report from the CMHC estimates that in order to restore affordability, Canada will have to build 3.5 million housing units by 2030. Meanwhile in the SRD, 45% of the renters who responded to last year’s Housing Needs Report stated they were paying more than they could afford for shelter. They were said to be ‘at risk’ of homelessness. This was brought home by Campbell River’s recent Point In Time count, in which 33% of the city’s unhoused population reported they lost their homes because they did not have a sufficient income. Last August, Senior Manager Aniko Nelson told the Board that if they set up the proposed housing service, “We will enable ourselves to champion housing related projects throughout the region, as opposed to being that local government which is unable to assist those that are working so hard to provide affordable housing and below market housing throughout the region.”Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney, of Area C, subsequently told Cortes Currents, “The Regional Housing Service and borrowing bylaws would afford opportunities for the Strathcona Regional District to partner with local housing societies across the Regional District. The SRD can work to address specific challenges, such as workforce, housing and social housing issues. Each project would be individually examined and measured by the board.” Aniko Nelson: “It would enable partnerships with First Nations, which are looking to provide housing throughout the region right now. There's First Nations that are currently purchasing land. It would enable us to work together with those First Nations to provide that housing. It would allow us to work with other not-for-profit agencies that are providing housing and working towards applications to support funding for those initiatives and it would also enable us to provide opportunities for provincial lobbying.”Robyn Mawhinney: “In a Regional District, everything is siloed in services. If there isn't a service, there isn't a way for the regional district to approach a subject or work on a specific item. One of the benefits of having a Regional Housing Service would be that the Regional District is able to access Federal funds such as the Housing Accelerator Fund. The SRD was able to apply for a Housing Accelerator grant because it could show it was working towards setting up a housing service. That decision was made at the August 16, 2023 Board meeting. Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch said, “I support the creation of a Regional Housing Service. Looking at our campaigns eight months ago, a lot of us ran on the fact there's a lot of need for housing in all of our communities, including Cortes.” At that time, the proposed loan limit was $6 million. Director Vonesch suggested that be raised to $10 million:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The next Conversation Cafe asks ‘what does quality and accessible education look like and how do we support it? Colin Funk, President of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), will be the facilitator of this public meeting in the Pioneer Room of Mansons Hall from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 16. Kate Maddigan, CCEDA’s Economic Development Officer, explained, “Colin is a skilled facilitator and what he usually starts with is, 'what is your idea of success for whatever it is that we're talking about?' In this case, it's education. 'Give us your visions for success.' And then we usually do a little bit of a review of previous efforts around the topic and the 2018 LEAP report.” “Education wasn't a focus area in the 2018 LEAP report, but this time it will be.” “For every focus area, we have maybe four strategic directions. That could be opportunities for skilled work training, continuing education for adults, strong and varied educational options for children, and retention of families with school aged children. Things like that, but maybe some people will come up with much better ones.” “Then we get into prioritized actions, like what do we need to do to advance those directions. A lot of people usually have really good ideas about what we need to do to get those things off the ground.” “Manda Aufochs Gillespie will be there as well. She's a really great educational advocate on the island.” “So that's it in a nutshell. It's only two hours and it's amazing what you can do . I was really impressed with how much we actually accomplished with the small business Conversation Cafe in September.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, November 8. Provincial legislation requires regional districts to annually elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair for a one-year term at the first meeting of the Board after November 1.Campbell River is the biggest city in the SRD and elects 5 of the 14 Directors serving on the Board. One of the Campbell River Directors has served as Chairman or Vice Chair since 2016. Prior to that Director Jim Abram of Quadra Island served as either Chair or Vice Chair from 2012 to 2015,as well as 2010. He is the only Director from the four rural areas to hold either of these offices since 2008.Last term Mark Baker, Mayor of Campbell River, and Councillor Ron Kerr of Campbell River were elected.Senior Manager Thomas Yates called the Novermber 8 meeting to order: “Welcome directors. We'll call the November 8, 2023 inaugural meeting of the board to order. And we'll mention that Director Davis is participating remotely. And we do have a quorum. And moving into the agenda. We do see that the first item of business is the election of the chair. And in accordance with your procedure bylaw, we will take nominations from the floor for the position of Chair.”Campbell River Director Doug Chapman, said, “I nominate Director Mark Baker for Chair.”Campbell River Director Ron Kerr, responded, “Second.” (One of the things that Chair Baker brought to the board was a strong sense of humor.) Yates: “Director Baker, would you accept that nomination?” Director Baker: “Pause for effect. Yes, please. Thank you.”Yates: “Are there further nominations for the position of Chair?”After a brief interval he added, “For the third and final time. are there nominations for the position of chair? Hearing none? I will declare that director Baker has been elected chair for 2024. Thank you.”(Clapping) Yates: “And before Director Baker assumes the chair's position …” (It is difficult to make out what Baker said, but the board erupted in laughter.) Yates: “ … We’ll ask for nominations for the position of Vice Chair for the board?” Director Kerr: “I'd like to nominate Director Sinnott for Vice Chair.” Director Chapman: “Second.”Yates: “Director Sinnot, would you accept that nomination?” Campbell River Director Susan Sinnot: “Yes, I will. Thank you very much.”Yates: “ Are there further nominations for the position of Vice Chair?” “For the third and last time, any nominations for vice chair position? Hearing none, I will declare Director Sennett elected as Vice Chair. (Clapping) Thank you very much. I will now relinquish the chair to your recently elected chair, Director Baker.”Chair Baker: “Thank you very much. I want to say thank you very much to the board for giving me this second opportunity.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Food Bank needs more funding to meet a dramatic increase in the number of people it is serving. They had 5 clients at the end of October 2022. This October there were 70. Food Bank Treasurer Filipe Figueira said the need for food banks has been increaseing throughout Canada. He estimates the Cortes Island Food Bank will need $25,000 to meet the need.“One of my worries is that we're publicizing that we're serving so many clients and some clients are actually very reluctant to use the food bank.It's taken a while to convince people that we have enough food. The common comment I get, particularly from some seniors, ‘is I don't want to be taking this food from other people, and I'm not literally starving.’ We always say that you don't have to be literally starving. From our perspective, nobody should be going hungry for one or two days,” he explained. “I want to reassure all those people out there that we really do have the resources to help that many people.”According to Food Banks Canada, “In March 2023, there were over 1.9 million visits to food banks in Canada, far surpassing last year’s usage, which set a record at the time.” There was a 32% increase in one year. Filipe Figuera: “it's actually nearly an 80% increase since March 2019. This is across the country. When you get to Cortes, you can multiply all those economic stressors by three or four because we have clients who have been suffering for years with precarious employment, precarious housing, and higher food costs than mainland food costs.”He said the Food Bank used to serve about 5 clients a month. “When we started really promoting the food bank in August, it jumped up to 12. In September, it jumped up to 39 and then in October, it jumped up to 70. Part of that huge jump for the 70 was that we're working with Better at Home. We have a really good alliance with them. They're helping and introducing the food back to some of those seniors, which has been fantastic. We hope to do more projects with them in the future.”Cortes Currents: So you've gone from 5 to 70? Filipe Figuera: ‘Yes, it's remarkable, but I'm not super surprised by it. We always knew that if we started scratching the surface, we'd get an idea of the real need on the island. I think the need that we've typically been serving over the last few years is an undercount.”“When we compare it to Quadra Island, I think they're serving 30 to 40 a month and they've got a very established food bank with better resources than us and have had for a few years.”“Now that we're actually up and running as a more effective food bank, I think those are the numbers we're going to be hitting - 30 to 40. It's seasonal because in the winter months, people are suffering more. They have energy bills. They don't have employment, but it's not as though we're unusual. We're just reflecting what's happening in the rest of the country.” The Cortes Food Bank used to offer food pick-up once a month. Now it is every week, alternating between Mansons and Gorge Halls. Filipe Figuera: “We’re doing a fundraiser right now, which is going very, very well. People can donate to that by going to our website, which is cortesfoodbank.ca.There's a link there to a portal run by Foodbanks BC. People can donate and then they'll get a tax receipt immediately.”“We appreciate any donation. Actually, I feel bad that we're asking the community to support this because we understand that the vast majority of the community is also feeling the pinch financially. So their generosity, even if it's $20, is super welcome.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On September 29, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by Briony Penn and Hannah Carpendale for a live FolkU Friday discussion about forest carbon. Recorded live off-the-floor and edited for the radio, join us for a conversation on climate change, the ways misinformation shapes our policy and discourse, and carbon sequestration.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose Wilderness Resort’s second full season is over. “We're only open from May to the middle of October,” explained Chris Tait, the Tourism Manager. As he reflected on this past season, one word that kept coming up is reconciliation. "It's 100 percent owned by the Klahoose First Nation. From the beginning, as we built the resort, that was front and center. We wanted all of our experiences at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort to reflect the traditions, reflect the culture. Part of that is a reconciliation piece, bringing people into the Klahoose territory. Making sure we have Klahoose First Nation guides leading those guests, whether they're going on a boat tour through Toba Inlet - which is my background - sharing their culture at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort." "We have specific cultural sharing that we do in the evenings around a fire in the main lodge. That often starts getting into discussions about reconciliation, sometimes into subjects like residential schools and those kinds of things. We try to keep it light, but it's part of sharing." "When the guests arrive, there's drumming and singing reflecting the traditional protocol of arriving on shore and being welcomed into the land and the territory. It's not by me, it's by our Klahoose cultural interpreters." "This whole experience is part of what visitors are looking for. They're looking to have that really unique special experience with the people that live there. Of course, we're going to see whales and bears and they're going to enjoy an all inclusive kind of wilderness experience with all their meals included. There's lots to do at the resort, but it's being led by an Indigenous person." "We're working within a capitalist environment, but we're trying to do that in a way that we can not only make money as a business, but also help support the community. Which means hiring, training, and trying to do our best to make sure we're honouring those traditions and the culture of the people." "Within a tourism environment, It’s not easy. We've still got a lot of work to do. This is our second full season. The Klahoose First Nations doesn't currently have a cultural department, so we work with our culture ambassadors as a connection to their community. They'll go back to their knowledge keepers, or elders or family, and work on what cultural sharing they can do and what they can't." "In turn, they're actually learning about their own culture which is really an exciting part of it. Then they come back to the resort. We have the space there for them to do that sharing. That happens with the visitors in a very organic fun and meaningful way." "Usually, when guests leave they know everyone's names, have seen their artwork and often have a bit of a tear in their eye as they head out."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Monday, November 6, Max Thaysen and Travis Powiak posted a notice on the Tideline. They would be hunting Canada geese at Smelt Bay and Hollyhock Beach, between 12 and 3 PM, on Thursday. "I like eating goose for a variety of reasons, including wanting to have the most ethical and environmentally responsible diet that I possibly can," Max explained.However, there was a problem. Max Thaysen: "Geese like to spend time in many of the same places that humans like to spend time. There can be some issues around getting access to the geese, and working around the humans.""So, me and a friend of mine, Travis, have come up with a plan where we could let the community know that there's some hunting planned in a restricted time period. People can choose to go elsewhere if they don't want to see or hear that kind of thing, or if they have dogs who are sensitive to loud noises. We plan to put up some signs to also help people know what's going on.""The world is a very complicated place and probably anytime we operate by simple rules like ‘eating meat is bad for the environment,’ we might lose some nuance and some details. I think in this case, that's very much true.""There is pretty much no way of eating that has zero impact.""So to the extent that you can, make the best decisions based on where you are and what you have access to. I think that it quite often includes eating meat. In this case it's an invasive species. It's having an impact. So any amount of invasive species meat consumption that offsets any other food, even vegetarian food, has actually, in my opinion, a much lower impact than the alternatives."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It's been a month since hundreds of Campbell River residents were shocked to learn that their city council appeared to be punishing the local art gallery for not confronting the homeless people camped outside its doors. As city councilor Ron Kerr put it, :We certainly don't need to give them tax deferrals if they're not working with us."Local MP Rachel Blaney referred to the incident in the House of Commons when speaking about the housing and homelessness crisis:"My region has seen the largest increase of unhoused people on record. There was a 106% jump in the Comox Valley and almost 70% percent in Campbell River. This is a catastrophe. The Prime Minister says housing is not a federal responsibility, as people and communities move beyond a crisis point. This while Conservative council members in Campbell River have begun targeting non-profits who provide essential services to the unhoused. When are the Liberals going to be an actual federal partner and build people homes? " Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, responded, "This federal government has been a partner to, namely, not for profit organizations that are doing outstanding work on the ground."Rachel Blaney is my guest on Cortes Currents this morning. Her statistics on homelessness in her riding are correct. According to the most recent Point In Time count, the unhoused populations of the Comox Valley and Campbell River have grown to 272 and 197 respectively. Even more alarming, a significant number of them appear to have had homes last year and said they can no longer afford to pay the rent. The homeless crisis is also found in rural areas. On Cortes Island for example, at least 46 people are known to have couch-surfed or found some other temporary shelter last year, and another 11 lived outdoors. Cortes Currents: "So Rachel, why are you holding the Liberal government responsible?"Rachel Blaney: "If you think back before 1997, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) used to have a particular branch of that department that built between 15,000 to 20,000 units across the country every year. If we had seen that continue, I think we would still be in a bit of a housing crisis, but it would not be anywhere to the extent that it is today." "Neither the Conservative or Liberal governments have really replaced that. A lot of the money that's going out for so-called 'social housing' is based on the market value. That means investors are getting money to build what they call 'social housing,' but right now we know the market is really high. I think at this point it's $2,500 to $3,000 a month, just for a one bedroom apartment. It's really not making sure that we're seeing housing that's affordable.""We've also seen a lot of corporations buying up what used to be social housing or low income housing. They're renovating it, evicting everyone and then renting out at a much higher rate. This has been happening since 1997 and I think the cumulative effect has really left us across this country in a significant housing crisis."
Kim Paulley/CKTZ News - This fall, Mansons Hall opened its doors to Sew Much More, a place to sew and learn, according to organizers.The idea for Sew Much More had its beginnings at the Cortes Island Free Store, where Marnie Andrews offered up her sewing skills this past summer. The fair weather allowed her to set up in the area just outside the front doors. It was there that she repaired items for the store that were just too good to throw away. She also taught interested patrons DIY sewing skills.The success of those activities set the stage for the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) board to approve the use of the sewing room at the Mansons Community Hall.Sew Much More is run by a team of volunteers, including Andrews and SCCA Board Chair Cora Moret. Volunteers are on hand to guide sewers as much or as little as needed. It is an all ages offering with the proviso that children nine and under will generally need an adult to attend with them. Participants are encouraged to bring their sewing projects, mending and repairs. Unwanted, revamped items are donated to the Mansons Hall thrift store.“Why throw it away, if you don’t have to! The jump in skill needed to get that repair done is not huge,” Moret says.Sew Much More runs on Tuesday afternoons from 2-5 pm at Mansons Hall. There is no cost to participants.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose Wilderness Resort has partnered with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to support the newly launched Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund. “There's 800 new Indigenous tourism businesses that this strategy is going to support. Those are new ones. I think there's 300 now that are like Klahoose Wilderness Resort across the country. Most of them are small businesses like ours,” explained Chris Tait, Tourism manager for the Klahoose Wilderness Resort.“We're part of the original accreditation program with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, where they recognize Indigenous tourism businesses. There's three levels. You have to meet a whole bunch of criteria, like: have a business plan; a marketing plan; work with international visitors; be an Indigenous owned business; and have an Indigenous experience.” “The other businesses in the program are much larger non-Indigenous businesses. WestJet, Rocky Mountaineer, Airbnb are three big examples. They're going to contribute quite a bit of money.” “Klahoose Wilderness Resort is going to contribute a small amount. We're a very little Indigenous resort, we only have seven rooms and cabins, but for us, supporting the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is really important. The whole purpose of that fund is Indigenous reconciliation and making sure that it's Indigenous first as a business.” The immediate goal is to raise $2.6 billion for Indigenous tourism over the next seven years. They hope to build it into a $6 billion a year industry by 2030. Chris Tait: “That fund will go back to help those original tourism businesses, which are some of the best businesses across Canada. It'll help support them in their marketing and their training, but it'll also help support bringing up a lot of those newer businesses, or just businesses that aren't 100 percent market ready. Maybe they need more training, whether it's Indigenous specific training or tourism and hospitality training. Those are just examples, but it would help support business development.“It’s an ‘opt in’, customers can choose to do it or not and it's only $10. So it's not a big fee.” “The Klahoose Wilderness Resort will collect the funds from our guests and then it will go towards this larger pot.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to 70 people of all ages took part in Cortes Island’s community fungal forest walk on November 1, 2023. The students of the Cortes Island Academy were among them. We were greeted outside the Linnaea Education Centre by one of the islands better known scientists, who declared:“Good afternoon. Good afternoon. ‘Truncocolumella citrina‘ you can call me, the Latin name for Lemon truffle. On any day other than MYCOblitz, my name is Sabina Leader Mense. I’m a founding director and an educational research associate with the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortez Island Society and it’s my pleasure on their behalf to be hosting MYCOblitz 2023.” (Cheers)“‘Myco’ is the Greek word for fungus. So MYCOblitz 2023 is a celebration of the kingdom fungi. And to add to our myco-merriment this very special day, we have invited three outstanding mycophiles, lovers of mushroom, and mycologists who do professional studies with mushrooms.” Andy MacKinnon is the lead author of Mushrooms of BC, Paul Stamets founded Fungi Perfecti and Paul Kroeger is President of the Vancouver Mycological Society.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a marked decrease in the number of BC Ferries cancellations on the Campbell River run this past quarter, but little change on the Cortes Island Ferry. According to the corporations newly released report of cancellations statistics from July to September 2023, the new hybrid e-ferries only missed 24 sailings as opposed to 161 the previous quarter. There were no cancellations due to weather or mechanical failures. However 22 sailings had to be cancelled because of crew shortages and another 2 for unspecified reasons. There were 343 cancellations in BC Ferries last fiscal year, which ended in March 2023. 26 sailings were missed on the Heriot Bay to Cortes Island run. This is only one more than the previous quarter. The principal differences are fewer weather related cancellations, but an increase in mechancial and staffing problems.The picture Fleet wide is not pretty. There were 1,172 cancellations in the past six months. More than 80% of these occured in minor routes, such as ours and the leading causes were crew shortages, mechanical failures and weather.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation Development Corporation, QXMC, has a new General Manager. “In mid August I was approached by a member of the board I work closely with, who asked me if I was interested in applying for the position as General Manager. I gave it some thought and went ahead. It was a long process including several interviews, skill assessments and psychological evaluations. Thereafter the board took time to review all candidates, reflect and just at the end of last week they came to the decision of hiring me,” explained Marco Bedetti. Prior to that he was the Gorge Harbour Marina’s Guest Manager. Marco Bedetti: “I began my journey at the Gorge Harbour in May of 2017. I was hired to work at the reservation desk. This nice lady Pat trained me on how to use the reservation tool and how to book guests.” “In the following years I kept on taking reservations, but also slowly learning about all aspects of the Resort. I worked in the store as a clerk, I would stock items, be more involved with the inventory, and I worked on grounds to prepare for the season. I fulfilled many of the tasks that have helped me to learn how to become a Guest Service Manager.” “As a Guest Service Manager, one needs to see the big picture. It’s not only about booking guests into the right spots, but it also involves understanding the synergies between all other departments. Housekeeping needs to be ready for when people check in. The grounds team needs to have all sites cleaned and prepared for the arrival of the RV’s. The dock staff needs to know how many boats are arriving, and which customers might also have a room booked. All these single components need to work together to provide for a smooth service, but also for an amazing guest experience. Learning this has given me a great advantage into understanding how the entire resort functions, and therefore being able to take on the brief, yet hectic role as Resort Manager.” “I effectively managed the resort since July of this year, and we made it through “let’s call it an interesting” season. We did remained open, but due to many factors many of our services remained partially unavailable. I would like to thank every single team member who helped get us through this particular season. So many staff members wore so many different hats! I actually remain amazed at how willing everyone was to make it work!”Cortes Currents: What do you hope to accomplish as General Manager of QXMC? Marco Bedetti: “I’m very committed to run QXMC in a very professional manner. That means to ensure that all the business ventures are profitable and I want to provide returns for the shareholders. I also want to see everyone involved succeed and have fun with what they do. I think we need to build teams that are successful, that can work together well, and that enjoy the journey towards the positive outcomes that will follow.” “A lot of planning has been put towards the resorts and I'm definitely looking forward to a successful season in 2024, both for the Gorge Harbour Marina and Klahoose Wilderness Resort. The sawmill is now run by Kevin, who is doing an absolutely amazing job with his team. QXMC has invested heavily in making this happen, and we are on the market. I want to see this business thrive. The sawmill is already producing high quality lumber, and it's absolutely available to the public. Please, to anyone out there, come visit us, Mondays to Thursdays. Feel free to see for yourself what product we have and what projects we're working on.” “I will also deep dive into aquaculture and the coastal adventure businesses and see them from an operational perspective. I want to listen to the needs of the people involved and figure out with them how to grow these ventures.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday, October 27, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined in the studio by gardener extraordinaire - Billie Taylor. Billie shares about her experience gardening on Cortes, the ways her garden has changed in the past few years, and her love of composting. Join in for a spontaneous conversation on adaptive gardening, climate crisis, and resilience.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After five years at the helm of the Cortes Community Housing Society, Sandra Wood has stepped down. She continues to be involved with the society as a grant writer, a service which she has provided Cortes Island for more than a decade. "The exciting news is We have a wonderful replacement who's going to be stepping in to take over the leadership of the housing society and that person is Sadhu Johnston. I couldn't have found a better qualified person than Sadhu on Cortes Island. I'd really like Sadhu to speak to some of his past experience and credentials," she said. "He has a long history working with BC Housing in the city of Vancouver to bring Affordable housing to the table and because of that, he's got contacts. He's got a lot of financial savvy and creative ideas. He also has a lot more experience in policy and politics than I have. So I think he's the right man for the time that we're in now. I also believe that beyond building the next 24 townhomes in Rainbow Ridge, there's a legacy of another 45 acres, the remainder of Rainbow Ridge, which is a fantastic opportunity for Sadhu to look at other creative housing models, other solutions for this community that I haven't had time to look at." Sadhu Johnston: "Thanks Sandra, those were very nice things to say about me. The first thing I would say is how grateful we all should be to Sandra for her Incredible commitment and the accomplishments that she's achieved supporting this work on Cortes. It's really amazing that we have 50 acres downtown and a strong organization. It's just a real testament to your leadership and your can-do attitude. So, very excited to be picking up and taking the reins from Sandra and really appreciate the opportunity to be able to focus on housing in my own community." "For me, Cortes is home and it will be for the rest of my life. Hopefully my kids will be able to live here in the future. I feel like the Cortes that many of us love is at risk. That diversity of community and the range of people that call Cortes home is threatened by the challenges that we're facing for supporting housing and people's various housing needs on this island. So I'm really grateful to be able to pick up where Sandra is leaving off and work on housing here on Cortes and to hopefully get Rainbow Ridge phase 1 fully funded and built.”“Sandra has agreed to stay on in a fundraising support capacity. So we'll be working together throughout November on getting the BC Housing grant and hopefully on other fundraising endeavours in the months and years to come. She's not leaving or sailing off into the sunset." Sandra Wood: "For me, the fun has always been in the fundraising and the grant writing. I feel like I'm completing that in November, and I'm ready to hand it off to you, hopefully to start the construction next year in 2024." Sadhu Johnston provided a glimpse into his previous experiences as Chief Environmental Officer of Chicago (2005-2009), Deputy City Manager (2009-16) and then City Manager of Vancouver (2016-21). "I'm thrilled to be able to work in my own community. Much of my work since leaving government is elsewhere. I've served on lots of boards on Cortes as my way to contribute here, but the idea that I could be a halftime focused on housing in a community that I love is really thrilling to me and that I'd be able to contribute some of the experience from elsewhere to support the housing needs on Cortes is, is something I'm really looking forward to."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new music venue is coming to Cortes Island. The Blues Barn will open its doors, beside the store in Squirrel Cove, on Tuesday, October 31. "We notice there's a lack of opportunity for community involvement on Cortes. We figured that since the last event we hosted, volleyball, is starting to die down, we need something new to bring to the community and to bring entertainment back to this side of the island. We figured that for the colder season, the Blues Barn would be a great opportunity to bring the community together and to have some fun," explained Chase Cunningham, from the Squirrel Cove General Store. CC: Who is 'we?' Chase: "'We' is currently the Squirrel Cove Store, Scotty Martin and the Cortes Rebels, but we are looking to branch out and get other influences - maybe from band members on Quadra - in the future.” CC: Cortes Rebels is a band? Scotty Martin replied, ”Yes we are. The Cortes Rebels featuring Drivin’ on drums, Michael Keith on guitar, and myself on bass, but we're interchangeable.” "Michael Keith grew up in Toronto. He's been playing as a full time musician his whole life and just moved to Cortes ten years ago. Michael Keith is a blues man extraordinaire. This man is known Canada wide, an incredible musician. Michael’s not a walk behinder, he’s a new note finder. He likes to advance his musical skills daily. There hasn't been a day that Michael and I played together that he's played the same. He's always improving." “Drivin' on the drums, this guy was playing in bands like from 1963. This guy was there when it was happening and both these men are full time musicians." ”I, myself, toured for 24 years before I got my first day job, so between us we have centuries of experience. We can play up to 500 songs easily, kid stuff. You want to see some guys play some good music, you just shout out a song and we'll play it for you." "I'm going to be the host, the front man. Chase is the band manager. Sandy Hoffman is going to work the door. We also want Wolfman Jake to be involved in this." "This is Rock and Roll edginess that a lot of people don't get or understand. So if you want to really come and have fun, this is where you're going to come. "Every Thursday night there will be 'Thursday Night Jam.' Anyone who wants to come and jam, they're allowed to come in and play. It's a $10 cover charge to get in. There are tons of great musicians on this island that will come and jam. Sit in that old barn, and just be entertained like no other place on the planet."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - British Columbia’s health care crisis has reached Cortes Island. A number of complex factors led to the resignation of all three doctors working out of the Cortes Island Medical Clinic. Their contract ends on Sunday, March 31, 2024. “The physicians that we've had in our physicians group are moving on to do things in their own lives. They're starting practices elsewhere and it no longer fits for them to come here,” explained Bernice McGowan, on behalf of the Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA) board. “We will not be shutting the doors of the clinic on April 1st. That's not in the foreseeable future. If our physicians leave, the worst case scenario is that we have a whole bunch of locums coming and we've been in this position before, where the only people that we had covering the practice were locums.” She was referring to the situation prior to the beginning of the current group practice in 2016. “I was only involved with the Health Centre because I was the home care nurse, so I was aware that there were different doctors every week. I would phone up with a concern about a client and this doctor didn't have a clue who I was. Even though I said, ‘I'm the home care nurse,’ they didn't know how much to trust me and my judgment. It's like going to a walk in clinic and that's not the model we've had for several years. It's not good patient care and Island Health is very aware of that.” “I don't know how long it lasted for, I think probably a year or so, then Dr. Mary Jo Woolgar got together with some of the locums who had been coming here regularly, to put together a group practice proposal, which is what we've had since then.” On Friday October 13 the CCHA met with Island Health to discuss the situation. CC: Who was at that meeting? BM: “Three board members, including myself. Rose Fitcyk, who's our admin person, was also there.” “The people from Island Health were Michelle Crosby, Director of Primary Care for Courtney Comox and Campbell River area, Erin Harrison, head of the primary care network which we are part of, Dr Louis DeBruin, who is the Medical Director for Courtney Comox, Campbell River, I believe and Dr Janet Conrad, who's the Primary Care Medical Director for Campbell River. These are not the people who necessarily negotiate the contracts, but they are the people who know what's going on.” “They are committed to making sure that there's some kind of primary care on Cortes. They don't all want us to suddenly need to go to Campbell River for health care. We're being told that there's a shortage of physicians and given the extra complexities of getting people here, they floated the idea of a nurse practitioner continuing the practice.” McGowan explained that the health centre is much busier and there are more demands on the physicians, than when she started working there five years ago.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to 40 residents turned out to the first two Tourism Cafes on Cortes Island. The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) brought in Lesley Anderson and Nancy Arsenault to facilitate meetings at Mansons and Gorge Halls last week. The pair will host a virtual Tourism Cafe on Wednesday, November 1st from 10 am to 12 pm, and return in January to present their findings. “ People came out of the meeting feeling a lot more informed about this planning process and how it can be a force for better tourism outcomes on the island in the future. A process like this can be really useful and it doesn’t have to result in greater tourism. It’s how we can nuance that tourism and make it better for the island and just attract the right visitors,” explained Kate Madigan, Economic Development Officer of CCEDA.“We had quite a range of feedback. A lot of people are kind of like, ‘ Why are we doing this? We’ve got enough tourism on Cortes, we don’t need any more’ – And that’s true.”“Lesley and Nancy of Tourism Cafe explained we don’t want tourism to happen haphazardly. We want to be able to plan it and manage it in a way that is good for the community. If you don’t get involved in how tourism is evolving on your island, it might evolve in a way that is not good for the community. This is why we’re doing this exercise.”“There’s a lot of tourists out there. We don’t want to be everything to everybody. We want to attract the kind of tourists that respect our island way of life, that respect how we want tourism to evolve. We did spend a lot of time discussing that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Hollyhock brought Ann Mortifee to Cortes Island. She was one of Vancouver’s leading singers, but had no previous teaching experience when they invited her to do a workshop. That was 40 years ago. “Martha Abelson convinced me to give it a go. I remember the first workshop I did. I went into a wild panic because I'm not a teacher, I'm a singer. I went to the library to find out how I could teach,” she explained. “At the end of the first session in the morning, I told Shivon Robinsong (a co-founder and Director of Hollyhock), 'I can't do this. I've used everything that I was going to use in the five days in the first morning. I have no idea what I'm doing for the rest of the week. I have to give them the option to leave. I'll pay for everything that Hollyhock would lose.'" "They agreed to give the guests back their money if need be and that I would cover it, or they could switch to another workshop." "So I went back to the class and told everyone, 'I've got to be honest, I don't know what I'm doing here. I just love to sing, and I don't know how to teach you to sing. I don't know how to run a workshop. I've never even done a workshop with anyone else. I've arranged for you to get your money back, or you can change to another workshop. If you choose to stay, then you have to know that you're going to teach me how to do this by helping me. That's all. I'm going to leave the room for five minutes. If you want to leave, take your stuff and go. Thank you so much for coming. I'm very touched that you have, but this is what the truth is.'" "So I left the room going, 'Oh my God, I'll come back. It'll be an empty room and it'll cost me a fortune.' I went back. Everyone just stood up, cheered and laughed. That was it, they stayed." "From then on, I did a workshop at Cortes for many years, but never in a million years thought I'd live here. My life was definitely in the city and I was doing what I had to do." "What happened is that when my son Devon turned 10, I felt I had to get him out of the city. He'd got into some trouble at one of the schools and I just felt, 'no, this isn't working.' I had no idea where to take him and was looking for a really good school." She found the answer at one of her Hollyhock workshops. AM: "Denise Wolda was there. We got chatting and she told me about the school that her son went to. Paul was Devon's age, and so I said, 'I'd be interested in seeing this school.'" So Mortifee spoke with Donna Bracewell, principal of the Linnaea school on Cortes island. AM: "I told her what was happening and she said, ‘bring him, we'd love to have him.’" "Devon was having none of it. He was not coming to an island. He was not leaving Vancouver. I was a single mother, totally overwhelmed and I just couldn't have one more fight. I just couldn't do it, so I just said, 'okay.'" "That night he went to stay with a friend. It was on a Saturday night. The parents dropped them at a movie and said they'd pick them up. They were a little bit late and an older set of guys started fighting. Devon ended up hiding In a garbage dumpster and the police found him. The first thing out of his mouth is, 'we should have moved to that island.'" "We had a conversation with the policeman. He asked, 'what island's that Devon?' I told him about Cortes Island. He said, 'oh my God, I was brought up on Quadra. I loved it. You should go.' And Devon said, 'okay, okay, if I'm supposed to go, okay, Mr. Policeman.' He was only 10 and it was fairly dramatic." "So I said, 'okay, we're going.' "
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Ann Mortifee was born in Zululand. While she's been in Canada most of her life, the first 10 years were spent on a sugarcane farm where she was surrounded by the Zulu and Xhosa peoples. "My grandfather had been in Africa during the Boer War. He had stayed on and had become a farmer. It was in KwaZulu, then called Zululand and I felt I owed a debt on behalf of our family," she explained. "Apartheid was a terrible thing. In fact that’s why my father left South Africa." The family moved to Vancouver, but Ann still felt connected to the land of her birth.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - (An opinion)“Scapegoating: the act of blaming a person or group for something bad that has happened or that someone else has done. Example: the scapegoating of immigrants for the country’s economic problems.” – Cambridge DictionaryWhile it is easy to blame the unhoused population for their predicament, ‘Point In Time’ (PIT) counts, throughout the surrounding area, all point to low wages. When asked why they were homeless, the #1 response in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Parksville/Qualicum, Powell River, Port Alberni and Sechelt/Gibsons was insufficient Income. None of these PIT counts identified a greater cause.If you believe the oft-touted 30% rule, the surpising thing is that these numbers are not larger. According to the 2021 census, 3,450 Campbell River residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing. The PIT count only found 197 homeless people.The disturbing thing is close to a third of them have been unhoused for less than a year. Prior to that, they were presumably either renting or owned homes.While the numbers vary, this essential pattern is repeated in every one of the communities named above.What could have caused so many people to lose their homes?In September the BC Government reported that during the past year the cost of renting a house had risen 6.1% and the overall cosumer price index was 3.3% higher.This slight raise may have been too much for families already teetering on the brink. The second biggest cause of homelessness in many, but not all, of the communities mentioned above is ‘substance abuse.’ In Campbell River, a quarter of respondents reported this, but 34% said they were homeless because of conflicts with either their landlord or spouse. Sue Moen, who worked with the unhoused sector when she was with the Salvation Army, once told Cortes Currents that most of the addicts she encountered did not have an addiction before they lost their homes.Another disturbing finding, for those who like to portray the unhoused population as recent arrivals seeking handouts, is that more than two thiirds of their number in Parksville/Qualicum, Powell River, Port Alberni and Sechelt/Gibsons have been in their communities for more than five years. In Campbell River and the Comox Valley that statistic fell to 65% and 66%, respectively. Many unhoused people were also born in the communities where they live.One would think their city councils would feel a responsibility for them, rather than treat the as a problem to (hopefully) be removed from sight.There are fewer statistics for remote areas like Cortes Island, but 75% of the respondents to last years “Collecting Stories Of Where We Live” survey spent more than 30% of their income on shelter. Many were not aware that this meant they are classified as ‘at risk.’ The 2016 census was more precise: 85 renter families and 50 house owning families pay higher shelter costs than they could afford. This explains why 11 Cortes Island residents lived outdoors and another 45 ‘couch surfed’ last year.Statistics are even harder to find for Quadra Island, where the 2016 Census identified 20% of the population as at risk. It seems the homeless problem will be with us until we solve the housing crisis and everyone has a liveable wage.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Saturday Robert Bringhurst (RB) brings his own brand of literature, local history, science and humour to the stage of the Quadra Community Centre. He just gave Cortes Currents a taste in a rambling conversation that at one point went off topic to include remarks about Cortes Island, Campbell River and Whistler. Bringhurst started out by describing his intentions in the epic description of ‘the Ridge’ on Quadra Island where he lives. RB: “I wanted to make good poetry out of, among other things, good science. I wanted to walk the ridge and relish it as one does without any thought of scientific measurement or accuracy, but I also wanted to think about it as a real place in historical time and to look at the species in relation to other species on the planet, and at the rocks in relation to other rocks. I began to wonder how much biology, geology, astronomy and climatology I could put in this poem without sinking it. The answer turned out to be quite a bit.” “So unlike most poems, there could be a corrected second edition. There could be mistakes. It's like a research paper. An interesting thing about science is that it purports to have the real answers to things, but the answers are always changing. The facts are changing. There could be numbers in the poem that need to be changed or updated, that's a curious thought.” “Anyway, I worked on this thing for probably eight years, this one poem, and in that time I learned a great deal, and some of what I learned kept changing. The climatological facts change rapidly it seems, the geological facts change more slowly.” “It sort of restored my childhood faith in the possibility of science and the arts, science and literature coexisting happily. I hope other people might find some pleasure in that as well.” “It's also a meditation on the end of the world, and there's very little pleasure to be found in that except the pleasure of admitting that things are as they are, not hiding from it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There've been reports of Wolf sightings on Cortes island, which actually isn't too surprising. “We're incredibly lucky to have wolves on Cortes. They've disappeared on a lot of the other islands. This is one of the last islands in the Salish Sea with wolves on it. Obviously we want to do everything we can to make sure that they can carry on living here, and that we can coexist alongside them,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Christine Robinson added, "In an increasingly busy technological world, the beauty of wild spaces and wild creatures that are not impacted by human development is increasingly rare and it's a beautiful thing, just a beautiful experience." CC: How long have wolves and humans been peacefully coexisting on Cortes Island? Christine: "There are stories of some of the early white settlers who were farmers having issues with wolf predation, but really, truly, if we're talking about current times, for the last 40 years. I'm just pulling that number out of the air, but I would say most of us living on Cortes, as a community, highly value the wild spaces and the wild creatures. That means working in whatever way we can to coexist. FOCI has done an excellent job of educating the public how to secure animals so that they aren't an attractant to wolves and then potentially create that conflict." CC: Tell me about some of the recent sightings Christine: "I live in Whaletown, and have a keen interest in both wild spaces and wild critters. I'm grateful that we live in a place where we cohabit with wild creatures and so I'm always 'ear to the ground' when I hear stories." "Most people don't talk about cougar encounters, because cougars are more secretive and they're single animals. We had very few reports of bears this fall, given all the apples. So the stories trickle down to me are about wolf observations, people who are hiking here and there. I actually started to record the observations that people were telling me, so that could be passed on to FOCI and we have a sense of where the wolves are moving on the island. It's helpful for them and it's helpful for humans." "We live very close to the Whaletown Commons, and have a highly energetic dog. We walk the Commons every day with her. As I started hearing more about people observing the odd wolf off in the distance, through the forest, we started thinking, 'well, maybe we should actually have her on a leash.' So for the last three and a half weeks, either my husband or I are walking daily through the Commons with our dog on a leash, and we have yet to see a wolf." "I would say judging from our dog's behaviour, they are present because she changes. She's more alert. She's just looking around and sniffing more. We have not personally seen wolves in the Commons, but I know other people have within the same space of time that we were there." "I always find that interesting. People often think that wolves may present themselves. If you're one of the fortunate people to actually observe a wolf doing what naturally wild wolves will do, then I'd say you're very, very lucky." "We all learned, through the coexistence with wildlife program that FOCI sponsored, that dogs are a real magnet for wolves. They have a longstanding historical, genetic maybe, dislike of dogs. They may see them as a competitor for food and territory and basically will not tolerate dogs running freely through an area that they consider part of their wildlife corridor." "Because of the recent activity in the general Whaletown area, last week I very quickly put up extra notices in all the entrances to the Commons, advising people to not walk through the Commons with their dogs for the time being. That was in response to several sightings where people felt wolves were close enough that it made them feel uncomfortable. In those cases, there were dogs that were the draw for the wolves."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Campbell River’s latest ‘Point in Time’ (PIT) Count found 197 homeless people within the city limits. 65% of them have been in Campbell River for at least five years, and 22% were born there. They are sleeping outside, in vehicles, or in someone else’s home. When asked, a third of them reported not earning enough money to pay rent. "If they're not in public places, if they are shuffled along back into alleys or nooks and crannies, they are targets. That is one of the reasons they congregate in public together. It's safe. I can't tell you how many people I’ve run into over the last year that have got a cast, or their heads wrapped up or they're on crutches or whatever,” explained Sue Moen, who worked for the Salvation Army prior to her retirement.“It’s like, ‘Bylaw Enforcement pushed us along. We hung out in this alley. Four guys showed up (not members of the unhoused community), beat us all up and stole all our stuff.’” Cortes Currents asked Moen for her impressions of a series of motions the City of Campbell River passed at their October 10 meeting.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was an enormous public response to the city of Campbell River’s proposed Permissive Tax Exemption (PTE) cuts, made at the September 28 Council Meeting. Hundreds of people wrote letters and emails protesting this action and Campbell River was criticized by BC’s MInistry of Housing. Consequently, the cuts were rescinded on Friday October 12. One of the most controversial pieces was removal of the Campbell River Art Gallery’s PTE for their ‘bad behaviour’ in not confronting homeless people camped outside their doors. Sara Lopez Assu, Executive Director of the CRAG, informed Cortes Currents they are tenants in the Centennial Buildings with no authority over what happens outside. She and her staff persuaded the homeless people to leave during the hours the gallery is open. Council was informed of this in 2021 and again in 2022. BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon referred to the Campbell River Council’s actions at a press conference in Kelowna. “This is not easy work, to go in and support people who are very vulnerable, who are struggling, and to have a city attack people because they’re trying to do their best to make sure people are housed is not the way you address this.”There was a decidedly different mood at Campbell River City council on the evening of October 12.Councillor Susan Sinnot referred to a conversation with the art gallery just prior to the meeting. “I think the conversation was incredibly productive in the entryway. And then I think also our city manager reflected that that happened. There was basically a commitment to have great dialogue and work together. What I think everyone really wants is to resolve our issues cooperatively and move together. So, having that message from your chair is wonderful for us. I don't know whether that means you need to do any more presentations. What do you say?” “No, I feel confident in my chair,” replied Sara Lopez Assu, from the public area.Councillor Sinnot: “Excellent. Thank you and thank you everybody for showing up tonight and showing your support for the art gallery. And I'm really pleased that the conversation's happened. Thank you for listening to us and letting us listen to you. At the last meeting, Councillor Ron Kerr labelled the gallery and safe injection site ‘bad neighbours.’ His eyes were averted when he read out a series of motions including: “I move that permissive tax exemption 2023 be amended so that all 90 percent tax exemptions are adjusted back to 100%, and those less than that be adjusted back up equally in a prorated manner.” “I move that Council direct staff to review and make recommendations to the city policy on the current PTE limit of 1.7 percent and the allocation amounts to individual organizations.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Leslie Anderson and Nancy Arsenault are bringing a new vision of tourism to Mansons Hall on Monday, October 23rd and Gorge Hall the following day. “The old model of tourism where you just focused on the visitors doesn't work. How do you uild tourism for the benefit of all and not just the visitors? How can tourism, the dollars that it brings, the amenities and infrastructure that can be brought benefit residents first, along with the visitors. How do you build it based on what residents are looking for? It's a new lens and it's called regenerative tourism,” explained Anderson. She and Arsenault belong to Tourism Cafe, a Vancouver Island based business, which offers clients across Canada anything from short e-courses courses to lengthy in-person programs. "We're a dispersed team. We have one employee who lives in Toronto, two who live in the Williams Lake -108 mile area, myself in Nanaimo, and then Paul and Nancy are in Comox. We all work from home, and meet on Zoom.” “ Tourism Café has been contracted by the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) and our goal in coming to the island is to gather input and Feedback from the community that will help to inform a new community tourism plan for the island. We want to have an opportunity to chat with the residents, and businesses who have an interest in the future of tourism on the island, to hear what they have to say, so that can be incorporated and taken into consideration as the plan is put together.” “We invite everyone to come and be part of the process. Take part in the engagement sessions that are happening on October the 23rd and the 24th. So that we can hear the input, hear the perspectives and take all of that into consideration as we put that plan together.” CC: Why do we need a plan? LA: “I think that residents and businesses gain from the implementation of a well thought out tourism plan because it looks at the opportunities for growth while taking into consideration all of the environmental, social, cultural impacts of tourism on the island and its residents. It's better to think about what we want, and how we plan for it, rather than to just let it happen haphazardly.” “Going through the process of creating a plan provides an opportunity for input on what are the current challenges. What are the priorities for the future investment of the time and resources that represent this economic opportunity for the island again.” CC: What about people who don't want to see more tourism? LA: “In all the communities we’ve been in, there is always some contentiousness around tourism. There are always varying opinions about how much tourism residents and communities want to have, because some folks rely on tourism for their livelihood and other people don't. Those who rely on tourism often would like to see more. Others may not wish to see it.” “It’s important to hear all perspectives from residents and businesses because we know, particularly in small communities, that tourism can be both a blessing and it comes with its challenges. So we want to hear what are some of the challenges that the residents feel exist with tourism at the current time.” “Visitors are going to come to the island regardless. How might you create areas where visitors are welcome to go? And areas where visitors aren't welcome to go? We know that residents want to save areas for themselves and we know that maintaining the way of life Is really important. We hear that in many communities.” CC: How would you gauge whether at the end of this process, the community has more of a collective vision or not? Is there a way to gauge it? LA: “The more people who come and engage in the process, the better that vision is reflective of the islanders and the community itself. So hopefully, we'll get a lot of people out and who want to take part in the process and have their say.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - QXMC, the Klahoose development corporation, recently acquired a new operation. Kevin Peacey, who started the Klahoose mill and ran it until he became Chief in 2017, will now be overseeing operations. "As of September 1st, QXMC has taken over the mill and has leased the land here from the band. We have three employees right now, (myself), J. R. Harry and Tim. In the near future, which is coming up pretty quick, we're going to probably employ three or four more people. Phase three power is coming into the mill, here in Squirrel Cove, and we've got four more machines coming in: an edger, a kiln, a TNG machine, and a big chop saw machine. Everything will be run off phase three, as much as we can get here," he explained.“We have a lot of good plans that are going to happen: building cabins for the Gorge; up at our coastal adventure resort in Humphrey; cabins going to be built on our new campsite over by the Squirrel Cove store; cabins up the hill by the fish hatchery and some cabins here in the village because of the housing shortage.” As Peacey was giving me a tour of the mill, he pointed to some of the neatly stacked piles of lumber."There's a gazebo being built down at our dock and this is part of the order for the gazebo. This here will be decks for the cabins that are being built for the Gorge.""We have a lot going on in the next year to year and a half, and we're all excited. That's why QXMC took over.""We've still got a little bit of hiccups here and there, but we're getting it all sorted out, and hopefully by next year we're going to have everything all in place and ready to go.""We're not in competition with the other mills. We have our own thing that we're doing, and we're not trying to take jobs away or put other mills down. I just want to make that clear, we have no intention of that."CC: you will be selling to the public?KP: "Yes, we'll be selling to the public, but not in a big way like the other mills because we have so much work to do for all of our businesses on the island and up the coast."We were sitting in the sawmill and the distinct aroma of cedar hung in the air, but this is not the only tree speicies that grows on the island. CC: In your ad, you specifically mentioned cedar, which is what I'm seeing in front of me. Do you want to talk to me a little bit about the cedar and also about the fir and hemlock and anything else that you happen to be cutting?KP: "Hemlock hasn't been a big thing for us. There's another mill on the other side of the island that cuts hemlock. When I was running the mill, it was almost 90% cedar that people bought and about 10% fir. We have to mill a lot of cedar because it goes very fast. We do have a lot of fir coming in the next few weeks, once we get our permit signed over at the campsite.""The cedar is also from the island. We have our own woodlot and also the partnership with the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative. We'd like to keep it on the island as much as possible. That gives us a bonus and we don't have to pay a higher price than any other place you buy logs from, which is a good advantage."He pointed at the driveway, "We have a barge of a blue chip coming in to compact, so we don't have any mud in this area and in the back area. It makes it easier on the machine running around instead of sinking in the mud."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sierra Quadra has been educating Quadra Islanders about the unfolding environmental crisis for close to 25 years, but they have been relatively quiet since COVID. This is changing. On September 28 they joined with the Council of Canadians, in Campbell River, to protest the provincial governments failure to implement its strategy to preserve old growth forests. On October 21 they will be sponsoring the world premiere of Robert Bringhurst’s poem ‘The Ridge‘ at the Quadra Community Centre. They will be bringing two widely recognized films to Quadra this winter and plan to host a forum on environmental issues in March 2024. Cortes Currents recently asked Ray Grigg, one Sierra Quadra’s principle Directors, for an update on their vision for the future. “We got disoriented and stopped by COVID, like everybody. In the time that's transpired, we've been evaluating who we are, what we're trying to do, how successful it's been, and exactly how we should proceed.” “We're not quite sure what to do and that has partly been the explanation for the quietude that's been us on Quadra for the last three years, actually.” “We know we have an environmental problem on the planet. We know we produce too much CO2. We know we have too many children. We know we're consuming too much. We know we're in overshoot, but It's not registering deep enough for us to actually change.” “I remember An Inconvenient Truth, which we showed, that should have awakened some people. Things haven't changed very much in any regard with respect to environmental emissions. With respect to forestry practices, Mosaic still is busy on the island.” “How much information do you need before it's actually internalized into you and you change your behavior? It's almost as if we're confronted with a Zen koan and we have to reflect and think and wrestle with that koan for sometimes years and a whole lifetime until it actually changes us. It almost seems like that's the state in which we're in. We have this koan that we're confronting. We know what the koan is.”“This leaves us Sierra Quadra in a bit of a bind. Do we keep plodding forward with more information? We're not perfectly clear what we're going to do and what we should do. I'm not sure we know as a society, as a civilization, what we're going to do and what we should do. It almost feels like we've stepped over the precipice and we're losing control of the environmental agenda.” “I think there is a great deal of angst out there.” “There's hope in the sense that we're shifting to green energies. There's potential there. My concern is that we've waited too long. As we start losing control, that loss of control impairs our ability to function preemptively.” “The more money we spend dealing with forest fires, repairing from floods, typhoons and hurricanes, the less money we have and the less energy we have and the less attention we can give to actually preventing those things from happening. It works in both ways against us. We get the disasters, but the disasters impair our ability to prevent further disasters.” “If you think of the number of homes that are destroyed by a hurricane in Florida, for example, those homes have to be rebuilt. This means more wood for houses, it means, there's now more demand, which creates more of the problem, which caused the problem.”
Odette Auger/ CKTZ News - The sun was shining on Cortes Island school Friday Sept 29, as the Parent Advisory Committee shared orange T-shirts with all the children. With a new principal, the team and students were busy all month preparing to observe the day of memorial by raising a Residential School Survivors’ flag. Klahoose Elders visited to share their lived experiences and share song, drumming, and hope. Sisters Rose Hanson and Jessie Louie, joined with singer Brenda Hanson.The day was explained in advance, in age appropriate ways from kindergarten to Cortes Island Academy. For high school students, a week of online lunch and learns with the NCTR– shared the full history, along with exploring unconscious bias and debunking stereotypes. Michael Datura is the new principal, and he shared why this day was important to observe, and communicate. “As a principal, obviously the day I feel like needs to be observed, especially given the role that the education system has played in colonization,” Datura says. “I think it's important for students to see the Canadian flag come down and be replaced if only for a moment, if just to acknowledge the role of the nation state in colonization and the continued oppression of indigenous peoples.”Erica Kohn, president of the school’s PAC, explained Datura had made connections months before he was on the clock as new principal, and how to do TRC day in a good way was at the top of his list. The Survivors’ flag was conceived during the summer of 2021, when discoveries of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools sparked mourning explains the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. It was designed by a group of survivors, and the meaning of the symbolism was explained to students before the flag was raised. Along with adults and children, seeds are visible on the lower part of the flag. “The seeds below the ground represent the children who did not come home. They were always there, but are now seen and searched for,” explains the NCTR website. The Elders led the drumming, with school children joining as the orange flag rose. Elder Jessie Louie shared the emotions running through her, and the impact of families feeling like strangers. “I never thought I'd see this day that I'd be speaking to all these children,” says Jessie. “Wearing the Every Child Matters [t-shirts] to tell a bit of my story. It's part of healing. Every time you speak of it, you kind of let a little bit of yourself go, the hurt that you feel, and that's what I felt today. I kind of feel a bit of relief because the healing journey of the residential school is a long journey.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sierra Quadra is bringing Robert Bringhurst’s poem The Ridge to the Quadra Community Centre, at 7:30 on Saturday October 21st.In an interview with Cortes Currents, Ray Grigg said he believes thisis the 80 minute long poem’s world premiere. It is also the first of four performances Sierra Quadra is putting on this year. They also have two films lined up. On Dec 16 they will be showing ‘Once You Know’ and on Feb 3 ‘Keepers of the Land.’ A fourth event is being planned.In regards to Bringhurts poem, Grigg explained, “There is a ridge on Quadra Island called the Heriot Ridge and Robert Bringhurst lives just below it. He hikes it often. It's a rocky outcropping that separates the west from the east part of the island. It's rich in history, botany, zoology and all sorts of things. Robert has written this long poem about it involving the geography, the history, the First Nations, the arrival of people. it's a symbol of what's happening on the island specifically and on the planet generally,” explained Grigg.“The ridge has fortunately stayed fairly pristine, but it's a symbol of a larger concern. It's a reminder that our time on this planet as humanity is pretty brief. We. I've only been here as a species for 350,000 years approximately, maybe actually less, about 250,000. Civilization is barely 5,000 years old. The ridge has been here a lot longer, and the trees have been here a lot longer. This is some of the feeling that I think that Robert is trying to give to us in this poem. We are an ephemeral species and our influence is ephemeral. We may just have to back away from the immediate traumas we're experiencing and place ourselves in the larger historical natural context to understand what is happening and how we deal with the climate crisis.”The poetry Foundation describes Bringhurst as one of Canada’s most revered poets, who draws his inspiration from Native American myths and storytelling, the Bible and ancient Greek poets.According to the Sierra Quadra press release, ‘Bringhurst is a winner of the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence, and a former Guggenheim Fellow in poetry. Trained initially in the sciences at MIT, he has made his career in the humanities. Widely celebrated for his work not only in poetry, but also in typography and Native American linguistics, he is an Officer of the Order of Canada and the author of many books.’
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The city of Campbell River intends to remove the Campbell River Art Gallery’s (CRAG) tax exemption, and will not allow the gallery to make a presentation at the October 12 council meeting where the final decision will be made. At the September 28 meeting, Councillor Ron Kerr moved to have the CRAG’s exemption and that of the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society removed because of their ‘bad behaviour.’There was no one available to comment when Cortes Currents phoned the Vancouver Island Mental Health SocietyIn an interview with Cortes Currents, Sara Lopez Assu, Executive Director of the CRAG states the city demanded the gallery tell the homeless people sleeping outside of their doors to leave. “I have no vested interest in allowing people to sleep in our entrances,” she explained. Assu does not intend to confront the homeless people. The RCMP advised her that it would be dangerous for gallery’s staff, who are all women, to do so. The gallery’s board of Directors told city council they are tennants of the Centennial Building, whose responsibility ends at the door.Instead of hostility, the gallery developed relationships with the people sleeping at their door. This includes telling them, “We need to open at 10 AM, please make sure that you’re packed up. Please don’t leave any messes for us.” While the city will not allow the gallery to make a presentgtion, 142 of the hundreds of letters defending it are in the correspondeance section of the October 12 meeting. The first letter is from a woman expressed her astonishment that council is granting a 50% exemption to a golf course, while ‘stripping all of the exemptions for the two organizations that are actually being proactive in providing services and addressing solutions to help mitigate the ‘downtown issues.’That is followed by someone writing, “I was very disappointed to read that the Campbell River Art Gallery may have their entire tax exemption removed. To deem such an important part of our community ‘a bad neighbour’ and ‘having an extreme detrimental effect on businesses and visitations downtown’ is outrageous.”The third correspondent states, “There is a large community of artists and art supporters who are shocked at this decision. The Gallery will suffer and its existence will be jeopardized by the impact of a large tax bill. The CRAG is an incredible asset to the art and culture scene in Campbell River and surrounding area. Its importance cannot be overstated as it encourages and educates local artists, local and surrounding populations, and visitors through art exhibits, art lectures, and special events.”In a post thanking the community for its support, the gallery alludes to coverage by the CBC, Times Colonist, and CHEK News.It also states, “For those interested in learning more about the CRAG’s Permissive Tax Exemption loss, in the caption is a link to an interview with our Executive Director.The link leads to her interview with Cortes Currents. https://cortescurrents.ca/campbell-river-moves-to-remove-tax-exemptions-from-the-art-gallery-and-mental-health/
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their September 28 Council meeting, the city of Campbell River took the first steps towards removing the tax exemptions from the Campbell River Art Gallery (CRAG) and Vancouver Island Mental Health. Councillor Ron Kerr made the motions, which were approved, with only Councillor Tanille Johnston voting in opposition. City staff informed council this was a change of direction which affected the budget and there would need to be a second meeting before the exemptions can be removed. This has been scheduled for October 12. “It looked like it was going to be a pretty standard third reading on September 28th. Maybe an hour and a half into the meeting, my phone exploded with messages from folks that were watching the meeting saying, 'Sara, you need to watch this. They're coming after the CRAG,’”Sara Lopez Assu, Executive Director of the CRAG, subsequently informed Cortes Currents.“It completely surprised us. It felt a bit like an ambush because at this point we have no recourse. We submitted a request to present to the City Council at the October 12th meeting, where the final vote will occur. That request has been denied. So there seems to be no interest in engaging in any kind of dialogue with us.” It was already after 4 PM and there was no one available to comment, when Cortes Currents phoned Vancouver Island Mental Health. Kerr explained the rationale for his actions against the Art Gallery and Mental Health at the September 28 council meeting: “Their behaviour has been very poor neighbourly to the surrounding businesses and is having an extreme detrimental effect to our downtown businesses and visitations in our downtown area.” “We've got limited ways of letting these organizations know and changing their behaviour, but we certainly don't need to give them tax deferrals if they're not working with us.” Assu claims, “Council is obviously misguided in both their perceptions of us and of whether or not this is a solution to anything other than punish an organization which they may not align with in terms of personal values.” She has received hundreds of supportive letters and emails since the meeting, “We’ve received them from private businesses down Shoppers Row, the Library, the Tidemark, museums and art galleries across the country and professional artists that we've worked with from across the country. They see the work that we do and see value in the contributions that we bring to this community.” At the council meeting, Councillor Tanille Johnston said she had not been privy to the city’s ‘in camera’ (i.e. - private) meetings on this issue, but, “There are roles and responsibilities for our bylaw officers and it's not necessarily the role and responsibility of a business owner or a not-for-profit society owner to be doing bylaw role and responsibilities. I would love to understand better where you're coming from Councillor Kerr, in regards to some of the comments you made.” “Our gallery has been getting some pretty awesome recognition in some pretty big spaces for the work that they're doing. I think their engagement with certain populations is actually keeping people off of the street and putting them into spaces and places where they can and do meaningful work that is helping them with their journey and trying to get to a better place.” Councillor Ben Lanyon supported Kerr’s motion, “I'm aware of some bylaw enforcement and correspondence that pertains to this issue. There was a lot of pushback against our own city staff, after they requested the Art Gallery Executive Director take certain actions on the property downtown next to Spirit Square. I'm aware of a general attitude in favour of allowing camping in the awnings on city owned property, that is provided at zero cost to the art gallery, despite the city's requests to the contrary.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) just released a report about the carbon footprint made by long distance trips to and from Cortes Island. Many of their findings are to be expected. Taking a plane off the island creates a great deal more emissions than driving a car, and people who carpool or take a bus are responsible for only a fraction of that vehicle’s pollution. One of the biggest contributors to our local footprint is the Cortes-Quadra ferry, which creates approximately 1 kg of carbon emissions for every walk-on and 12 kg for every car. This is where the effects of carrying more than one person is really evident, because the vehicle emissions are divided between the number of occupants. While a car makes 12 kg of CO2, if there are four people in that vehicle their personal share of these emissions are only 3 kg each. Of course, you need to include the emissions from three ferries when calculating the impact of a one way trip to Vancouver. “If you take up a space on the ferry with a car, then you get a certain share of the ferry's greenhouse gas emissions. It's actually quite a lot. Roughly half of a car’s emissions if you're driving to Vancouver, which surprised me a little bit. It helps to make decisions about how much effort to put into leaving the car on Cortes, finding another way to get across Quadra and catching a ride with somebody else or taking the bus,” explained Max Thaysen, President of FOCI He added that this is not the typical carbon footprint study, which tends to shift the blame for carbon emissions away from corporations and governments and onto individuals. MT: “A lot of people get turned away from climate change and climate action because it doesn't feel very good to be the recipient of guilt or shame for just trying to live our lives and do the best we can.” “I'm really sensitive to that dynamic. We tried to make it explicit in the report that this is for information purposes. This isn't to make anybody feel bad about what they decide.”“This is to support people who would like to know what choices they can make to reduce their personal impact.” “With that comes a strong message that the average or certainly lower income Canadian impact on climate change is not the game changer. It is a bit of a distraction at times.” “I still want to know about it, and I think other people do too, but we shouldn't let it hold us back from focusing on some more important things, which includes collective action and creating the political will to make systemic changes.” “It can be supportive and helpful to reduce our personal carbon emissions because it makes us feel more aligned when we make demands of the government. We can stand in a healthier place when we've picked off the low hanging fruit of our personal contributions to this problem, but we shouldn't let a few hundred kilograms of carbon one way or the other hold us back from joining together to save our planet, save ourselves, save people who are least responsible and most affected.” “The flip side of that is the unsurprising revelation from this study that if you're a person who has a lot of financial resources and you're using those resources to do a lot of flying and a lot of traveling in some of the least efficient ways, then you're having an outsized contribution to this problem. This is an opportunity to think about that a little bit.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Her singing career appeared to be a thing of the past, when Kim Paulley came to Cortes Island in 1992. The release of ‘Straight From The Heart’ had been promising, but she turned to Classical music. While there had been ‘fantastic’ moments between 1985-90, there was also the toil of auditions (and sometimes not getting the part). Her career was on hold when a friend recommended the retreats at Hollyhock, where George Sirk was a naturalist guide.“He was ever engaging, charming and I went out on his outings. We became friends. There was an attraction there for sure, too, but I was still married at the time,” Pauley explained.Then she asked, “George, I want to go swimming at the lake. Can you tell me a good place on the lake to swim where you don't need a swimsuit?” “And he said,' you want to go to the nudie rock? So, great, okay, and he gave me the directions and everything.” “Next day, I see him on the deck, and I'm all covered with red spots. ‘The lake itch,’ we used to call it. You don't hear about it much anymore, but he looked at me and said, 'Oh no, I sent you to the wrong place and you've got the lake itch. Did you dry off really quickly afterwards? That's what you're supposed to do.’" “I said, well, 'I didn't know that part.’" “He felt really badly.” “I was only there for about four or five days,and only saw him a few more times. We went out on that morning row with a little picnic of muffins and tea, and sat out on Long Tom.”“The day I was leaving, I just said goodbye to him, and he said, 'Well, I owe you dinner. I gave you the lake itch, so when I'm in Vancouver sometime maybe we could go for dinner. My mom lives there.’" “I said, 'yeah, but I am married.’" “He said, 'oh, okay, we'll see you around.’" “A year later, David, my husband at the time, had gone off to Arizona to be a production manager there with the opera company there. That was a trial separation. We did try things one more time in Vancouver, but we ended up ultimately splitting up.”“So by the next summer, I was on my own and I looked George up again. The call of Cortes was very strong. I absolutely fell in love with the place, as many of us do after we've been here the first time, but I also really liked George, too. So I got in touch with him, and he said, ‘well, this is a perfect time to come visit, it's my birthday.’ It was July 25th, and he said, ‘I'm having a huge party,’ which indeed it was. It was a barbecue. Everybody was all over the ten acres of his property.” “That's when our romance got started. We spent about a week hanging out together. He'd already told me I do have a girlfriend here on Cortes but she's away and decided that we can see other people. So I fell in between the cracks there during that. So when I was leaving, he said, you know, I've got my girlfriend here. So I was like, Yeah, great, but I had gone into it eyes wide open.”“He stayed in touch and by Christmas, he said, ‘I split up with my girlfriend. It didn't really work out for us, so I'm wondering if you'd like to come for lunch with my mom and I?’” “Okay, we've gone quickly from us not being a couple to me meeting his mother, But I was interested enough that I said, 'Yeah okay, let's go for lunch.’" “We really became a couple from there on. We officially say our anniversary is Valentine's Day because that's when we were really committed.” “I was still working, we were having a long distance relationship, but by the following summer, so that would have been summer of 94, I decided to do a trial move to Cortes. Took a leave from my job, and I stayed.” “George was very encouraging for me to sing again and it was great, because I don't know if I would have started again otherwise."“I started singing again with Singing for the Queen. We had our big moment there that ended up on the national news across Canada because Bill Weaver filmed it.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Currents was mistaken in the original version of this story. The Chum run did not come into Basil Creek early this year – these are Pinks.According to Cortes Island Streamkeeper Christine Robinson there have not been any Pink runs on Cortes since 2015, but there was a huge surplus this year. Pinks are known to stray and find creeks other than their natal streams, and this may be an explanation for their presence on Cortes Island. They started to turn up in Squirrel Cove Creek two to three weeks ago, and Basil Creek and Chris’ Lagoon around Sept 28, but there does not appear to be enough water in the creeks for them.Cortes Currents examined Basil Creek on Oct 2. A cloud of Turkey Vultures, gulls and crows fled at our approach. Judging from the condition of the dead fish, their feast had only recently begun. Many settled on the nearby ancient wreck to wait until we leave. The crows are voicing their outrage at our intrusion. Four, or more, sea lions are feasting in the deeper waters of Squirrel Cove. While the rains appear to have started, the water has still not risen much and the trail of dead and stranded Pink salmon does not go far up Basil Creek.Dozens of fish have attempted to swim upstream, but were not able to penetrate much further than the trees. Robinson said a couple of fish may have beyond this point and it is too early to know if any spawned.Far more are circling just beyond the mouth of the creek, waiting for an opportunity to swim upstream, but the tide is receding and there is so little water in the creek bed that it is a barrier. Further down the beach, a solitary Pink salmon is circling in a tidal pool. Baby crabs are feasting on one of his mates who was trapped by the last receding tide. We decided to rescue the salmon. After several attempts to grasp its slimy wriggling body, I gave up on the attempt. My daughter, Amy Forest, was more persistent. The Pink squirmed out of her clutches several times then grounded itself. This provided her with the opportunity to pick it up. From there it is only a few steps to the ocean and freedom. The Chum run is expected to arrive around the middle of this month and should continue into November. If there is an abundance of Chum, it could last longer.The long range weather forecast shows some rain in the next two weeks. How long will it take for the level of Basil Creek to rise? Will it be on time for this year’s Chum run? Is there anything Cortes residents can do that will enable the salmon population’s survival? While she is not a hydrologist, Robinson says one thing people could do to help is watch their water consumption and the effect it has on the water table. We are entering into a period of drier summers, when there is less water available. This will have a direct impact upon the water table, creek levels and the survival of salmon.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s Ferry Advisory committee met (via Webex, a Zoom-like conferencing app) on the afternoon of Wednesday September 27th at 12:30pm. The meeting had originally been scheduled as a “town hall” style event at Mansons Hall; however, at the last minute BC Ferries announced that their FAC meetings would be held online, due to threats of violence from the public.Though such threatening behaviour seemed unlikely on Cortes Island, BCF’s policy apparently applies across the board. The last-minute change of venue caused some confusion, but approximately thirty people joined the videoconference call on Wednesday (including BC Ferries staff and FAC members).FAC Chair Michael Lynch chaired the meeting, moving briskly through a fairly crowded agenda:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The audio version of this story opens with a clip of Cortes Island’s own Kim Paulley singing in what may be the first music video release of Bryan Adams' ‘Straight from the Heart.’ That was in 1979. Adams originally thought it should be sung by a woman and did not make the song famous for another 3 years. Paulley has been entertaining Cortes Islanders for the past three decades and in 1994 gave a special unscheduled performance for Queen Elizabeth on Twin Islands. In the first broadcast of a two part series, she talks about the beginnings of her career.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At a time of rising lumber costs and diminishing quality, a little Cortes Island business has been demonstrating how the materials from existing houses can be reused in a variety of ways. “We call our business Creative Deconstruction. We take apart buildings by hand and sell the building materials that are still in good condition to people who are building. We also try to process whatever can't be reused in ways that are also healthy,” explained Max Thaysen. On their website there are photos of beams and other lumber, particle board, sheet roofing, a metal railing, and hardware, as well as building a garage, chairs and a table. “We make a little bit of firewood from wood that is clean and can't be reused in various ways. A little bit of stuff still ends up going to the landfill.” “Me and Travis Pollack run this business together and we've been operating for five or six years. We've probably taken apart 10 house sized buildings over that time, and some smaller stuff.” “We have a little storage yard here and something like three quarters of the stuff that we get doesn't even come back here. It goes straight to somebody's building site, which is really convenient because it reduces the shipping and handling and so reduces costs for us and costs for the customer.” “It's mostly been going to our friends building houses for themselves. This is also how I've built my house and I think that we've contributed to the construction of probably 10 houses around Cortes.” “Its always been a really special part of our business that we’ve provided really great Really great quality materials to people who are building houses, and they saved a bunch of money by shopping with us. And so we contributed to affordable housing on Cortes Island as one of the sort of goals of our work. it's super gratifying to have a quadruple bottom line.” “We have a small inventory remaining. And we found that it's a profitable business. We save people money on building materials while paying ourselves a decent wage.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery just celebrated its 26th anniversary. Some of its early posters and reproductions of artwork were put up on the walls for the society’s recent AGM. During conversation with some of the earlier members, Cortes Currents learned the gallery was in operation prior to the beginning of written records in 1997. Brigid Wieler explained, “I was here from the beginning, not terribly involved right away, but interested. Evelyn Mielke actually opened the gallery, but that's disappeared out of history, and I can't find Evelyn.” Meinsje Vlaming agreed, “I think that was in the mid 90s.” To which Wieler added, “That is correct. It was two years before Noberto, then they worked together for a bit and then she left the island.” Mielke’s name appears in a list of the pioneers who displayed their artwork in 1998 and 1999. The stream of records starts the year before, which is why this is officially the 26th anniversary of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery.CC:What part did Noberto de la Vega play in the gallery? Meinsje: "He was our leader. He came from Mexico, he went to art school in Mexico City. His art is very dramatic and very socially oriented. He took on a lot, I just can't even start to imagine how his art would be right now." "The gallery was filled with works from various artists that would stay for the whole season. It would be open daily, from 11:30 to 4:30." CC: 5 days a week? Meinsje: "Through the whole season with one show. We just got a little taste of everything. Of course, there were not too many people. I don't even know if there was an opening then, because later on we came up with the openings." "I was the host sometimes also, and Noberto and I got talking, ‘wouldn't it be a great idea to have some more shows so we could pull in more people into the gallery and have every artist on Cortes show more of their work. Let's just see what everybody can do and grow the art community.’ So this is what we did." "We had our meetings, I think in May because we would sit outside with all the chairs. Norberto was there with a big sign, and it was 'OK, who wants to have a show?' People would go, 'yeah me, me, me, I'll have a show the first week in June.' Every week there was another show."An interview with Lynne Barker, Janet Turpin, Meinsje Vlaming and Brigid Weiler about the origins of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - After more than a decade of service, the Oyster Bay schoolhouse was barged over to Whaletown in 1950. There it opened its doors to the children of a new community. Brigid Weiler started attending the Whaletown School in 1959. Her earliest memories are in that area. “My dad Ottie Weiler was the postmaster in Whaletown for many, many years. My mom, Mary Weiler, was from New Westminster. My dad was from Victoria. They were essentially urban visionaries, if you will.” “They met during the war. My mom was a nurse, and nursed through the London Blitz. My dad was an officer. When the officers would come up to London, they'd hire a hall, and requisition a busload of nurses to come down and dance with them. That's how my mom and dad met. They were married there. Things happened after that, and then they finally got to come home and be together. They chartered a boat, and came up the coast looking for a place where they could live a happy, romantic, bohemian life.” “They didn't know anything about living in the wilderness at all. They saw the house half built on Whaletown Bay and bought it. It's still there. It's a blue house, you see it when you go out on the ferry. Five acres of waterfront for $1,500. They were so happy. They had just a wonderful romantic, bohemian life and four daughters.” Thanks to Mary Weiler, the schoolhouse was a community arts centre more than 50 years before its rebirth as the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery.BW: “My mother taught art classes here, from the late 40s until she left. There's a photo there of her students squished into the little kid's desk. This is Mr. McDevitt, who was our teacher and his wife Lottie, Bernard Woodward, Edie Huck, with all the easels. She did that for many, many years, so it was always an art teaching place.”Mary Weiler painted one of the pieces currently hanging in the gallery after she moved here in 1947. BW: “This is an early piece of hers, after that she was a watercolorist.She was an art teacher and an artist. She also taught first aid classes here.”“The community club used the building in those days as well. They had the Santa Claus parties here sometimes, and other things. When they opened the road to Mansons around 1960, there was a big party. There was actually quite a bit that went on in the field. It was the place where people would celebrate. We'd had community picnics.” Brigid was living just a short walk away when she started school. BW: “I came here from grade one to grade six.” “My teacher was Don McDevitt. He and his wife lived on the corner of Cemetery Road and he would catch the school bus over here every morning to go to school.”CC: Can I get you to name some of the students? BW: “David Robertson still lives here and he had several siblings who were also in attendance - Alan, Alice and Bernie - and then that family moved away. There was Jeannie, Cheryl, and Rick Matthews. The Matthews family still own property, and come here for holidays. There were the Riddell kids, Marilyn and Noreen and Louise. There were two Waring families and the Bergman kids, Gail, Lynn, and Phillip. I'm still in touch with one of that family, Lynn. They ran the Whaletown store for 30 odd years, so they were a very well known presence here in Cortes. My best friends were in those families.” “We had an oil stove for heat at the very back of the building. We also had Vic the dog, who lay by the oil stove and steamed away and made the whole place smell like wet dog in the wintertime. There were gas lights, propane, which were almost never used. On the very darkest mornings when it was blowing a heavy southeaster, pretty much pitch dark, Mr. McDevitt would climb up a tall step ladder and light the lights. Other than that, we didn't have that, just the windows. By nine o'clock you could see. it was probably pretty dark in here, but I came from a house with no electricity. We were used to it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Three years have passed since the BC government promised to implement the Old Growth Strategic Review, but many feel very little has been done. On September 28 concerned citizens will be protesting in front of constituency offices across the province.The local protest will be in front of MLA Michele Babchuk’s office at 908 Island Highway, in Campbell River, from 11:30 to 12:30. “The Council of Canadians, Campbell River chapter and Sierra Club, Quadra Island chapter, decided to participate in a day of action for old growth forest that's happening around the province on September 28th. We're asking people to come down and bring signs. Hopefully we'll get a chance to talk to Michelle if she's in the office, if not certainly, impress upon her the need for the government to fully implement all 18 points of the Old Growth Strategic Review,” explained Richard Hagensen, from the Campbell River Chapter of the Council of Canadians.“We're hoping to bring this to the notice of the public and get public to also write letters and urge the provincial government to get on with it.”Bonnie Brownstein of Sierra Quadra added: “I'd like to invite everyone in the Discovery Islands - so that’s Quadra, Cortes, Read, Maurelle etc. - and also Campbell River to attend the Old Grove Rally at the office of our member of Local Assembly, Michelle Babchuk on September 28.” “We are all impacted by the excessive logging in the Discovery Islands. They all share characteristics in common, in that there is very little in the way of 250 year old trees and more left.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are 87 electoral district associations (EDAs) in BC, each one of which sends an MLA to the provincial Legislature. In July Max Thaysen was elected Vice President of the Executive Committee of the North Island NDP Electoral District Association.“It's been interesting and inspiring to get involved in this stuff, and I've been delighted to work on society's great challenges with other people, and it's been going really well,” he said.CC: How do you meet?MT: “Mostly on Zoom, which is quite interesting to notice how society shifted a little bit during the pandemic. Even people who live away from city centres can now participate in democracy a lot more. This technology is changing how democracy works. I think that a lot of our democratic processes are stuck in the 19th century, when they were built. I would not have been involved if my participation could not be facilitated by electronic commuting to meetings. It's pretty cool.”CC: How did you become involved?MT: “I was initially inspired to join by a friend of mine who had joined and was working within the party to achieve some of her goals that I also cared about. It just wasn't really on my radar as a way that I could be of service to the world. I'm pretty concerned about a bunch of things, but I spend most of my time thinking and worrying about climate change, and I think that the NDP has the best mix of values to address the climate crisis. I wanted to get involved and help other people think about these issues and make some good decisions for the benefit of all humans.”CC: What is the EDA’s relationship with Michelle Babchuk, our MLA?MT: “She comes to most of our meetings, participates in the conversations and discussions.” “I haven't been on this team during an election, but my understanding is that the executive committee, especially in the EDA In general, is on Michelle's team because we are participating in the campaign, doing door knocking, doing fundraising, doing outreach, holding events, getting signs put out into the world, those sorts of things. We are like the foot soldiers in a campaign.” CC: What else does an EDA do?MT: “The constitution of the BC NDP says that the party will be controlled by the membership. I don't know what exactly that means, or how that all gets interpreted and I'm sure it's variable depending on who's involved and what they're willing to do. In theory and on paper, all the members basically get to decide everything that the party does.” The EDA is currently gearing up for the BC NDP Convention in Victoria, November 17th to 19th.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Very little water is trickling through Basil Creek, where Cortes Island’s principal Chum run occurs in late October. There have been few days of rain on Cortes since May, and some of the area's shallow wells stopped producing in July. Only about 10 Chum were seen in Basil Creek during the 2022 drought. Unless water levels rise, this may be the second year in a row when there is not a creek for the Chum return. According to the Pacific Salmon Foundation, BC is going through ‘one of the most extreme periods of drought in recorded history.’ Jason Hwang explained, “Past droughts in B.C. were isolated to specific areas and watersheds. But this year, drought is an everywhere problem. Even the wettest areas in B.C. are seeing dry and hot conditions. We are seeing significant impacts on salmon-bearing rivers and streams. Salmon returning to their freshwater habitats are facing these extreme drought stressors. It’s the equivalent of trying to run a marathon in a sauna.” DFO Communications Advisor Alexandra Coutts emailed Cortes Currents that Area #13, which includes Cortes, Quadra and Sonora Islands as well as Campbell River, is one of the many areas still in the midst of a level 5 drought. Quadra based reporter Rochelle Baker observed this is the third year in a row. Anecdotal evidence suggests this year’s Pink Salmon runs in the Campbell River and Quinsam River are strong, as they were in 2022, but this may not be true of outlying areas. Coutts wrote, “It is too early to comment on returns at this time. However, early indications for systems where fish are able to get through are promising. Salmon runs will continue into the late fall. Data will be collected, validated and then published.” “In recent years extreme environmental conditions experienced in southern and central British Columbia during the summer have negatively affected Pacific salmon.” “Prolonged periods of heat and lack of precipitation have resulted in droughts and associated dewatering of important fish habitats, reduced oxygen levels and delayed or impeded migration to salmon spawning areas in freshwater systems and have resulted in pre-spawn mortality.” “In a growing number of watersheds, in-river water temperatures have exceeded upper thermal tolerances for salmon resulting in pre-spawn mortality.” “Lower than average snowpack in southern British Columbia and long-range forecasts indicate salmon survival is likely to be impacted by prolonged periods of heat and drought (June through October).” “It is common for fish habitat to dry up/disconnect during the dry, warm summer months. This can cause adult salmon or salmon fry to be trapped in isolated pools, with the potential for mortality due to loss of water, lack of oxygen, warm water temperatures, lack of food, and increased exposure to predation.” “DFO has been actively engaged and working with Indigenous, Community and NGO partners on local interventions where possible to address drought related issues for salmon. This work includes hands-on work such as addressing extreme drought related strandings and migration blockages as well as providing advice to partners. The wide geographic extent of drought impacts will mean that direct intervention is not possible in every case. DFO is also working with the Province of B.C. as the lead jurisdiction for water management during times of drought.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sixteen Cortes Island business people, plus board members from the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), came out to the Conversation Cafe in Mansons Hall on Thursday September 14. They came from Whaletown, Cortes Bay and Mansons Landing. There were representatives from the construction sector, value added wood products, food production and cottage industries like cosmetics and jewelry. Some had been in business for years, and others were just starting out. Colin Funk, President of CCEDA, was the facilitator. Kate Madigan, CCEDA’s Economic Development Officer (EDO), explained:“I think that's an excellent turnout. It really shows that small businesses do need these opportunities and the LEAP report is really a way to help create momentum in the various focus areas that it tries to address such a small business.” “The goal is to help us update our Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP) for Cortes Island, which is about six years out of date. This is also had an opportunity for CCEDA to answer the question around what small businesses need to succeed on Cortes Island." "It was a comfortable sit down place in the Pioneer Room. We were serving coffee, tea and cookies.You do get a lot more participation in online surveys as opposed to an in person meeting, but with an online survey you really lose opportunities to discuss complex ideas or facilitate group discussions. You just can't really get to the heart of things with an online survey." "Overwhelmingly, what came out was that people want the opportunity to get together and start a business network or a guild with quarterly meetings.” “The big shortcoming that would be addressed is that everyone is in the dark about what everyone is doing. Rather than competing with each other, they want to get together and support each other and find out how they can cooperate with each other so that everyone can succeed.” “An example of how people can help each other: one person said that they were the recipient of some grant money that helped their business during COVID. That came at the complete surprise of another business person, who thought that all of the business supports and grants and things were for startups." "We really want to start some kind of a network for all of the businesses so that they can get together and talk, like a chamber of commerce." CC: I understand there were also some Action Items from the old LEAP report. KM: “Number two was work with the SRD to provide incentives to support small business. People thought that it should be expanded. It's not just the SRD, there's a little bit of like, 'what does the SRD really do anyway?' If anything, we should restate that, but also expand it to other agencies that could help.” “Another action item from the old LEAP report was the need for a business directory for Cortes Island. If you look in the Cortes phone book, there's a business section, but it feels like it's been shrinking. That's not a really good source to find out how many businesses are operating on Cortes. I have accessed where you register your business with the province. They can't do geographic searches, so it's really hard to find out how many businesses are in operation on Cortes." "I think I'm just going to have to do an advertisement on the Tideline and on Facebook saying, ‘Let's start a business directory. Let me know what business you have and what your website is.’ I'm going to get people to list their businesses with a CCEDA business directory." "Another one was the need for business marketing support. Someone wanted off-island exports to be supported a bit more and then the circular economy came up. We don't want to just encourage people to shop locally, but to support local services as well."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At a time when the average Canadian spends more than $3,000 a year on clothing, many Cortes Island residents are satisying their personal needs and disposing of clothing through the local freestore. Similarly, Creative Deconstruction has suppiled materials used in ten new homes on Cortes Island. Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director for Cortes Island, suggests that centres like this may offer a model that needs to be promoted throughout the Comox and Strathcona Regional Districts. “I'm just getting back from the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board meeting. This is a board that I sit on as a director, and we provide guidance and leadership to the waste management services in the Comox Valley District and the Strathcona Regional Districts,” he explained. “One of the things on Cortes that I know a lot of people care about is the Free Store. It's great on a lot of levels. It's part of our culture and it's a way of sharing things. It's a way of reducing our waste and it's a way of reusing items that somebody doesn't want and is useful for somebody else.” “Thinking more regionally, what are the opportunities for us as a region to divert waste things that are going into the landfill that have value. The Free Store on Cortes is an obvious example of that and there are other Free Stores across the district.” “I've asked for a staff report on where we're at with reuse, Free Stores and those sort of facilities. What can we do to expand and grow it?” “One of the things on Cortes, there's room to potentially expand the Free Store. Is there a better location for it? Is there a way for us to bring in the reuse of building materials and some of the things that red tape is currently stopping us from being able to reuse.” “I think this is something that is regional. It's an issue because we have to deal with all our waste. How can we deal with it in a way that's good for the environment, that supports local people and promotes the culture of reuse and reducing our footprint on the planet.”“They're going to come back with a staff report and then I'm hoping that as a board, we can come together on moving forward on some of the lower hanging fruit to start diverting more waste from landfills.”
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - An anonymous donor has donated around $250,000 to create a one time, experimental grant program that gives directly to the Cortes community.The Cortes Island Community Foundation (CICF) was chosen to create the program and distribute the funds in the form of one time, cash "gifts" to individuals. The gifts never have to be paid back, and the CICF do not need receipts of how the cash was spent."We want people to apply for money for their specific needs instead of trying to fit their needs into a box like most other grants," says Isabelle McKnight, executive administrator for the CICF. "What the Cortes Foundation wants to do is just have people apply for what they actually need, whether that's a car to get their kids to school or dental work that they need to get to town for, whatever it is."The funds will be distributed in gifts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 and aren't taxable. The program is looking to focus on families and individuals that are in acute financial need."It's a very generous, one time thing that the donor has offered and they wish to remain anonymous," says McKnight."And it's a pilot program, so if we can figure out how to run this and it's really successful, we're hoping to attract other donors to do projects like this, because this is the core of what we want the foundation to be, is to provide whatever people in the community actually need."More information can be found at the CICF's website.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Regional Director Mark Vonesch brought two Cortes Island motions before the SRD Board on Wednesday, September 13. Both were passed with no opposing votes. The first was to draw up an Open Burning Bylaw in the parts of Cortes Island within the South Cortes Fire Protection Area. However the electorate needs to approve the second item, a proposed Dog Control Service. Vonesch was on the way home, waiting in the ferry line-up at Heriot Bay, when he spoke with Cortes Currents:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Academy kicked off its second year with a ‘meet and greet’ barbeque on Tuesday, September 5. Students and homestay parents met with some of the people working behind the scenes. School started the following day. “Right now, the students are just going back into the classroom after being in Carrington for the last four days on a camping trip that started on the weekend and went into the week. They are still in the outdoor education fundamentals getting to know each other part of the semester,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, the Academy’s principal Board member. “This semester we're trying a number of new things with the Cortes Island Academy. We learned a lot from last year, the successes and the things that we could improve upon. One of the things that we're doing this year is more consistent facilitation throughout the whole program.” “We are so, so excited to be welcoming Michael Detora as the new principal at the Cortes Island School,and also our new lead school teacher. All the students who come to the Cortes Island Academy now are registered as students in the school. It's his job to help keep us on track as far as getting the kids their high school credits and assessing the resources and skills available through School District 72. So, if they're getting an English new media credit, and they have to learn the skills of basic composition and being able to analyze text in a particular way, we have to figure out a way to do that, to prove that we've done it and he helps us make sure that we're doing that.” “He's a neat guy: young, vibrant, full of new ideas with a background in experiential education, particularly for rural and remote communities. He's written two books, and produced a hip hop album.” “Let me tell you a couple of things that are super, super exciting. We still are doing the block method as part of the Cortes Island Academy and in the block method, you deep dive into a particular subject. These are long days, a lot of project oriented material. We are also weaving through this year, more of the outdoor education and physical education parts, the leadership and the careers and helping us make sure that there's continuity. We have Kai Harvey leading us, coming in at least once and sometimes many times a week.” “Kai and Tosh Harvey are leading this first block, which is a deep dive into science. Before the science block, they're leading what they're calling fundamentals, which is really about team building, getting to know deeply the local place around them before they start with all the science tools and principles.” “After the science, they are doing a deep dive this year into a First People's block and they will be led by Michael Detora. They'll also have in the classroom with them a number of different local knowledge holders, everyone from Kai to Odette Auger and Rex Weyler, et cetera. Then Reel Youth will also be there as students learn the basics of documentary filmmaking and work with elders in the community to interview and bring out some of their stories.” “The third block is the English new media block, which the students also participated in last year, where they learned the basics of truth telling, or what we usually refer to as journalism, but how journalism has come about through time and our ideas of truth telling and our tools for truth telling have changed over time.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been nine years Transport Canada (TC) transferred administration of three wharves in Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets (Area C) to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD). The SRD was also given $2.9 Million for maintenance and upgrades that were to be completed before November 2024. The work was not done and now the cost of upgrading the wharves Owen Bay on Sonora Island, Surge Narrows on Read Island, and Port Neville on the northern shore of the Johnstone Strait, has risen. The SRD hoped to recover the shortfall through the area’s property value taxes, ‘the annual requisition not to exceed the greater of $137,187 or $O.0935 per $1,000 of net taxable assessments.’ On June 29, 2023, the SRD Board decided to gage the electorate’s support through an Alternative Approval Process. This would allow the District to proceed unless 10% of the voters state they are opposed. A minimum of 242 negative responses would suffice to defeat the motion. By the time the process ended, there were 418 elector responses, 385 of which were deemed to be valid. The motion was defeated. Transport Canada informed the SRD they will not take either the wharves or the funds back. Staff drew up a number of possible options, including:transferring the wharves to Area C’s parks service,divest the wharves to First Nations, community groups or private entities,or using the funds to demolish the wharves
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - The tenth and last concert in the Friday Live Music Series was an open mic afternoon. Welcoming in the fall on September 1st in the Village Commons tent, the event was a well-attended last hoorah. Performers featured were Louis Belcourt, Sun Rob, Tashi, and Jemma & the Good Thing. Manda Aufochs Gillespie hosted the concert live on Folk U Radio.
The series was sponsored by the Cortes Island Community Foundation.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday August 25th, Basil performed the ninth concert in the Friday Market Live Music Series. An island singer-songwriter, their music was beautiful and heartfelt. Manda Aufochs Gillespie hosted the concert live on Folk U Radio.
The series was sponsored by the Cortes Island Community Foundation.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Paul Muskee has been working for QXMC for close to 15 years and the last decade of that has been with Klahoose Aquaculture. “I feel like my life has led me this way. When I was younger, I did work in aquaculture and I did work in forestry. I was also a mining technologist for a bunch of years, but I grew up around Powell River, Lund and Desolation Sound. Running boats has always been part of what I've done. I've loved working for Klahoose. They've been a great employer and I really like the people I've gotten to work with,” he explained. “I started working in their forestry department. I was out in the bush, helping to engineer blocks, plan roads and timber cruising. When the Jimmy Creek project happened, the development corporation picked up a bunch of pieces of that, running the 220 man camp, fuel supply for the project, barging, and that's when I got pulled out of the bush and into the office.” “I've been helping to organize things ever since.” “I was also involved with our first tourism initiative, which was grizzly bear tours in Toba Inlet which is now grown into the Klahoose Wilderness Resort and Gorge Harbour.”
CC: When did QXMC come into being? PM: “It was before my time. I see the incorporation date, 2007. Cortes Cortes It was probably set up under Chief Ken Brown. The Development Corp, I believe, would have been Klahoose's initial engagement with the power companies in Toba Inlet.”
CC: How did you become involved in Klahoose Aquaculture?
PM: “Before my time, Klahoose had already embarked on acquiring aquaculture tenures and geoduck aquaculture, which was actually quite an innovative step because geoduck aquaculture is quite a new thing, still is. There's a lot of unknowns to it, and that was one of the things that I was asked to continue pursuing once I was working in administration.”
“Geoducks take about seven years to grow. A lot of things that can happen in that time. It's all underwater aquaculture, so you can't closely monitor your stock on a day to day basis.” “We tried to draw on the advice and the knowledge of others that have done it. We tried to improve that and we still don't know exactly how successful we'll be because those plantings are still on the bottom from six years ago. We tried to give the seed every chance at health, so we boosted their growth inside Squirrel Cove and baskets of sand before planting them out in the deep.” CC: Where is the principal market? PM: China: when we harvest geoducks, sometimes the divers will finish diving around two in the afternoon, and by that night those geoducks will already be on a plane to China. Everything has to move quickly. It takes a lot of coordination to meet boats, to meet trucks, to meet processing plants, and out to the airport. Ideally they can drop the geoducks in a live tank”
More about clams, oysters, seaweed and geoducks in podcast
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) is hosting an in-person community discussion with Cortes Island’s small businesses in the Pioneer Room at Mansons Hall on Thursday Sept 14, 2023. This is the first in a series of 6 ‘Conversation Cafes’ meant to update Cortes Island’s Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP) in an inexpensive way.
“Our Local Economic Action Plan is five years out of date,” said Kate Maddigan, CCEDA’s Economic Development Officer.
She explained how the LEAP report has already brought millions of dollars of funding into the Cortes Island economy and been behind many of the major community initiatives unfolding around us.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - (The second is a series of interviews with Ann Mortifee, click here to access part one.)
Ann Mortifee seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough few artists even dream of, when she left the music industry in 1975. EMI Records had just produced her second album and set up a world tour.
Yet Ann’s inner voice clearly stated, “if you go down this path, you will not fulfill your destiny.”
She resisted at first, but finally told her music director, “I'm leaving music, and I'm going on a pilgrimage.”
AM: “They could have sued me because I had this contract with them, a huge contract. And they let me out of it. Then I went into ( this) A depression. Like, what was that about? Am I afraid of BEING (getting) successful? Why did I do that?”
She would later refer to the next three years as one of the most incredible periods of her life.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sean Nightingale, from Wild Cortes, will be giving a presentation about insects, at the Cortes Island Regional Library from 5:30 to 7;00 tonight.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first in a series on interviews:
Ann Mortifee is probably the most famous musician on Cortes Island, which is more of a compliment than it sounds like because there are a lot of talented musicians on Cortes. However from the start of our interview, it was apparent this story was about a lot more than singing. I had this bizarre feeling to lead with the question, ‘When did you start becoming Ann Mortifee?’
Her answer came out of the memories of a 4-years-old girl. AM: “It happened maybe a hundred times in my childhood. I had the same dream. I'd be standing somewhere looking into a bedroom and there'd be someone lying in the bed. I'd go, ‘Oh no, I'm starting to dream of her again.’ Then I would get this anxious feeling, ‘I'm going to get stuck there in the dream and I'm going to believe it's real.’ This dream gets more and more upsetting to me. I can feel myself starting to fall asleep and that I'm in a dream.” “Then I fall asleep and I wake up in the body of a young girl who lives in Zululand. I looked down at my hands and I said, ‘these are not my hands, these are her hands.’ Then I couldn't remember who I was. I keep thinking, who am I when I'm not dreaming I'm Ann?” "That was the template for my life, who am I when I'm not dreaming I'm Ann?”
The podcast above deals with her childhood, and early career until leaving music on a 3 year pilgrimage
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - QXMC, the Klahoose First Nation development company, is looking for a new General Manager.
“We’ve retained a search company that has a great track record of looking for candidates of this type of size. In the past, we’ve used companies like Boyden that sort of do searches for Fortune 500 companies, and that’s not what we’re looking for,” explained Ron Buchhorn, Chairman of the QXMC Board.
“We’re looking for people who can run a diverse business. We’re probably talking about $140 million in revenue. It’s a big business mainly on the logging side, which is where most of the revenue comes from, but it’s diverse in terms of logging, aquaculture, resorts, ecotours, our bear touring operations, and having a sensitivity to our owners and understanding their goals and how they’d like the company operated.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been almost two years since a parcel of land the Klahoose acquired in Squirrel Cove was added to the reserve. Shortly after that, the Klahoose development corporation (QXMC) discussed plans to develop 30-40 campsites. Then there was talk of a gas station. All of these ideas became much more real about a month ago, when a contractor started falling trees. Now there is a cleared area and freshly drilled well on the part of the property west of Squirrel Cove Road. Across the road, to the east, the path of a future driveway is laid out as a u-shaped clearing. There is also a second well. QXMC Chair Ron Buchhorn explained, “We are currently under contract to a design builder by the name of VisionQuest, which will manage the engineering and construction of a Chevron station and a full service store that will be supplied by Co-op. Because of the Chevron branding on the service station, it won't be branded a Co-op store, it'll be branded the Klahoose Market or something like that.” “Across the road from the store and gas station is an RV site. The road has been cleared into that site. We'll be doing a really nice job of keeping whatever trees we can, keeping the RV paths nicely treed and forested. So it'll be a very park-like setting.”There will be RV spots. “Along the waterfront where we can, we'll be building some nice cottages. We're going to do a really nice design to see how many cottages we can actually put in because the elevation drop in some areas will not support a cottage on the waterfront. We'll have to look at the actual topography and decide how many cottages we can actually build along the waterfront. But I would say, from just my cursory look at the property, we should be able to get six to eight cottages along the waterfront there.” “We're going to do a really nice design to see how many cottages we can actually put in because the elevation drop in some areas will not support a cottage on the waterfront. We'll have to look at the actual topography and decide how many cottages we can actually build along the waterfront. But I would say, from just my cursory look at the property, we should be able to get six to eight cottages along the waterfront there.” CC: “When are any of the parts of this expected to open? RB: Well, the store and gas bar: we have been told the design will be about four months and the build will be around eight months. So we're hoping for a grand opening sometime next September or October for the Chevron gas station and the Co-op store.” “We will take our time on the RV Park. It probably would be for the following season, the 2025 season.” “This should be a first class facility. It'll obviously service the First Nation reserve with a decent store and gas facility, and then allow visitors to Cortes to experience a really nice RV park.” There may be an additional component once QXMC builds the new restaurant in Gorge Harbor. RB: “I’m told there's a market for the food truck down at Squirrel Cove, if we have the RV park down there. Kathy Francis tells me that there will be a market for a food truck in that area.”
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - Cortes Island's Manson's Hall will be host to a live production of "The Great Simplification" podcast this Monday evening for the first time."The Great Simplification" is the #1 earth science podcast on Apple podcasts in Canada, the United States and other countries. The podcast has been producing episodes since early 2021. Guests are from a wide range of scientists, leaders, activists and thinkers and conversation topics span "human behavior, monetary/economic systems, energy, ecology, geopolitics and the environment."Nate Hagens, the host of the podcast, is "trying to educate and inspire broader society to meet the future halfway on the situation of our economy, our environment, and our society in the next decade or so."He holds a masters degree in finance from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont, and uses his learnings to try and "explore the systems science underpinning the human predicament."Hagens will give an overview of his perspective on the global situation, and discuss with attendees "how special Cortes Island is" and the opportunity it has for change."In the face of what society is facing, and what an amazing opportunity you have with a small sized island with a 1,000 or so population, to change the initial conditions of your future. You're not like Los Angeles or Toronto in your constraints."The show will be at 7 p.m. on Monday evening, Sept. 4.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - t has been about seven months since operations at Klahoose Gorge Harbour were scaled back due to a need for extensive renovations. While much of it is not visible to the public, QXMC, the Klahoose First Nations development corporation, has been very busy since then. On Wednesday Ron Buchhorn, Chairman of the Board of QXMC, and Marco Bedetti, who has been Resort Manager since April, gave Cortes Currents an overview of what they are doing. Buchhorn explained, “We want this to be a resort that people are amazed at in terms of the service, the ambiance, and yet we want to keep it quaint in the sense that we want the islanders to feel welcome here and enjoy the facilities here.” “So it'll be an interesting path to walk, where we'll have boaters come in and half million dollar boats who have certain expectations and then people from the island who will want to enjoy the Gorge who have a set of expectations. I'm sure that Marco, having lived here and understanding the culture here, will thread that needle perfectly.”
Recorded by Bill Weaver - Erin Robinsong's reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Book
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - By 1979, Norm Gibbons wanted a change. He had been one of the partners in the Refuge Cove Store for the past eight years. He had not yet decided to move to Cortes Island, when he started looking into the oyster sector. “Oysters weren't cultured at that point in time. There were just oysters out there. Anybody involved in the industry picked oysters, shucked them, and sold the shuck to Vancouver.” “Then I found out about this operation down in Lasqueti Island that had its own packing plant. This place was the vanguard of the transition that was starting to happen in British Columbia, the transition into culture from wild harvesting.” “The reason for that was that oysters go through somewhere between a 7 and a 10 year cycle, where there's what's called a general spat fall. Oysters spat, they attach to all the intertidal walls in the whole southern gulf here, to all the rocks, to all the shells and so on. You end up with this huge volume of oysters.” “That's how this wild fishery reproduced itself all by itself, but the whole thing came apart about the time that I got into the business. The oysters just weren't doing their thing. That brought in a whole new group of oyster growers.” “We actually got ourselves a grant to go to Japan, and spent six weeks in Japan touring their entire seafood industry. We spent a lot of time looking at how they grew mussels, how they grew oysters and clams and so on. When we came back to Canada, we knew a hell of a lot more than we did when we left.” “I was still living at Refuge Cove. The B. C. government was very supportive of what we were doing and we got grants to do all kinds of things. We ended up doing what's called raft culture.” “You can hang the oysters from a raft. The column of water that has plankton in it, that the oysters can eat, goes down around 20 feet. So, there's a 20 foot column that the oysters can feed in. They can be strung. You can have an oyster shell, with oysters that have spatted onto it and then that shell grows out into a big cluster. You can put those shells on a string. Every foot, you can have 15 or so shells on one string and a lot of strings on a raft. Oysters don't sleep, they just eat. That's all they do. So they grow really fast that way.” “It took about ten years, from 1980 to maybe 1990, to really get some of this new technology, not necessarily perfected, but at least at a level that you could commercialize it.” “I started my first oyster lease at Refuge Cove: on the other side of Centre Island, that's in the middle of Refuge Cove. Then I applied for leases all around Redonda and up Lewis Channel.”“Our business was doing very well. We had a premier customer in New York City, the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar. I think it's the biggest oyster bar in the world. We patented the name Golden Mantle. The Golden Mantle oyster is sold in restaurants all around North America, it's sold all around the world.” By 1985. Norm's business had outgrown Refuge Cove. There is more in the podcast
Submission by Nancy Beach - The opinions that follow are those of the person expressing them and not necessarily shared by Cortes Currents, or Cortes Radio. The following submission was made by Nancy Beach.After dealing with BC assessment for 17 years or more, in regard to my small farm on Salt Spring Island, I have come to the conclusion that: Farm assessments should be administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, not the Ministry of Housing.The system for assessing farm status needs to be overhauled. It should not be lumped in with assessing the values of residential properties. Farmers should be given adequate time to present and debate their cases. More people who care about farms should sit on the board of the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB), and the panel of the Property Assessment Review Panel, (PARP).’PARP plan panel members making decisions concerning farms should be well educated about the farm regulations number. Pabst should not charge for their services. BC Farmers need an organization to represent them, represent themselves and help defend their interests before the B. C. Assessment when necessary.While my farm is on Salt Spring, I am a resident of Cortes Island and believe these matters are concerns of small farmers and all farmers throughout British Columbia.I also want to publish a transcript of my latest hearing before the property assessment review panel PARP on March 15th, 2023 which actually went partly in my favor. I was asking for them to provide farm status for the entire property. They decided to only provide farm status for a small part of the land.Audio of the hearing is in a separate podcacst
Recorded by Bill Weaver - Shaena Lambert's reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Book
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - years. He started coming after a family sailboat trip through Desolation Sound. “The last two days of that trip were spent at Manson's Landing and Gorge Harbour. And we just said, ‘holy cow, we got to check this island out!’ So the next summer we rented Cedar Moon for the first of many years and came up for one or two weeks, pretty much every summer since.” Antle is also the lead vocalist in a band that plays traditional Hawaiian music and this Thursday, August 31 at 6:30, he will be performing at the Cortes Island Museum.
Recorded by Bill Weaver - Shaena Lambert's reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Book
Recording by Bill Weaver - Rex Weyler's reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Book
Recording by Bill Weaver - Norm Gibbons reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Book
Recording by Bill Weaver - Priya Huffman reading at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Marnie's Books
Recording by Bill Weaver - On the evening of Friday August 20, 2023, in the Cortes Co-Op Courtyard, 155 people arrived with their folding chairs to attend a 25th Anniversary Celebration for Marnie’s Books. First Marnie gave a history of her book selling, and the origins of the Courtyard. Then Shaena Lambert, Rex Weyler, Priya Huffman, Norm Gibbons, Ruth Ozeki, and Erin Robinsong read from their writing. For two hours these wonderful presenters held this large crowd spellbound. This event was Co-Sponsored by the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society.The following transcript begins with an introduction by Melanie Boyle, from the Cortes Island Museum.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The #1 complaint the Cortes Island Fire Department received this summer was that some people continued to use chainsaws despite the drought and the possibility of sparking a wildfire. Interim Fire Chief Eli McKenty said this occurred in multiple locations across Cortes Island. He explained the current regulations are ‘too fuzzy’ to enforce and a possible solution may be adding chainsaw use to the proposed Cortes Island Open Burning Bylaw currently before the Strathcona Regional District Board.The topic came up during an interview with Cortes Currents last week. Chief McKenty was praising the community for the manner in which they were adapting to the threat of wildfires: “I think that people's awareness of wildfire risk and their efforts at mitigating that through FireSmart preparedness continues to grow. I think that's super important. Also, I think we've had fewer burning complaints this year than some years, which is good and indicates that people are being careful and aware of the dangers. So all of that's very encouraging.”This prompted Cortes Currents to ask, “What about people using chainsaws during the summer?” EM: “That’s a tricky one and I have had more phone calls on that topic than anything else this summer.” “It is regulated by the province under the B.C. Wildfire Act, we actually don't have any jurisdiction at this point over either open burning or chainsaw use. The regulations around it are fairly complex, and unfortunately, there's a certain amount of room for interpretation too. I have had quite different interpretations from two different people at BC Wildfire, because I've phoned for clarification on a number of occasions.”“Basically, there's a list on the BC wildfire website of high risk activities, which includes chainsaw use and clearing. The language around where the chainsaw can be used is a little bit fuzzy. In addition, where you can use it is based on the fire weather index at whatever you determine is the most relevant weather station for your area. We have weather stations. There's one on Maurelle Island, which I think is geographically the closest, but it's not very representative of the weather on Cortes. There's also Powell River, Quinsam and Theodosia Inlet.” “Then there's other complications around how many days the fire danger rating has been in its current state, and those determine how long of a fire watch you have to have. That's very complex, and it's primarily written for industry, although it does seem to apply to private property as well.” “I would like to have a lot more clarity about it.” “One of the things that's in discussion at the Regional District right now is the possibility of having our own Open Burning Bylaw. We had a situation, I think it was in July, where the province briefly lifted the campfire ban on Cortes because the bulk of the area that we're grouped in with had had enough rain that the danger was reduced, whereas we hadn't had any rain. People were quite legitimately concerned that we were allowing campfires when we really shouldn't have been.” “The solution to that is if we have our own local bylaw that supersedes the provincial regulation and we can regulate it ourselves if we choose. If the Regional District passes a bylaw enabling that, I believe that chainsaw use could also be included, but that's something that the community would have to consider, whether that was something that they would like to have locally regulated.”If the SRD adopts chainsaw regulations, they would most likely only apply to the part of Cortes Island within the Fire Protection Area. This does not include the northern part of the island, the southern shores of Gorge Harbour, Tiber Bay or Tla’amin First Nation land.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) are reporting a possible resurgence of the island’s Nighthawk and Barn Swallow populations, but found fewer than normal Great Blue Heron nests. “FOCI has been interested in Species at Risk here on Cortes since we started. We have a section on our website about Species at Risk. You can go look them up. We love to engage the community. Each year, we put a spotlight on some Species at Risk to highlight them and bring awareness to the community. said Manuel Perdisa, Summer Intern with FOCI.“This year, we've been gathering data about nesting barn swallows and herons from the 20th July until the 11th of August.”“This is citizen science. It's data that we're collecting from the community on Cortes. It's through-out weeks, so the same bird might be counted twice.”There were 19 Barn swallow nests in the chart FOCI sent and 14 of these were in the vicinity of Blue Jay Lake farm. “The local farms have been seeing notable increases. All of this is citizen science, so these aren’t hard numbers I can go into. When we get reports of large increases like that, that will really just mean there is something happening.” “I can tell you that we only had three reported heron nest sightings on the island. I was able to view the heron nests myself. They were still high up in some fir trees, but under the canopy where they were more protected and hidden away from predators. I'd really like to thank the community members who made me aware of the locations of these nests so that I was able to photograph them.”“Nighthawks are a whole separate deal. We were asking for bird counts, and, or just bird sightings. we've been recording data about the common Nighthawks from the end of July 31st until present. Some people would phone in and say they saw this many birds at this hour of this day, whereas others would phone in and just say they saw relatively many birds in this area this day.”“We haven't got a count on Nighthawks sightings, but based on Citizen Science reports, it seems we have had hundreds of Nighthawks sightings within this month.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Norm Gibbon’s novel ‘Sea Without Shores’ is set in the tiny village of Refuge Cove, on West Redonda Island, during some of the years he was a member of the community. Refuge Cove’s story goes back several decades before that, but in today’s broadcast Norm outlines some of the history surrounding the beginnings of the Refuge Cove Land and Housing Co-op.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - George Sirk explained some of the history and wildlife that he and Kim and their friend Janet Gemmel recently explored during a walk to Carrington Lagoon and Grandmother’s Grove. “Janet Gemmel came to visit us for a week. Her husband, Jim Palmer, died last December. He had a very rare lung cancer.” “Jim and Jan lived out in Carrington, at the Reversing Rapids, in the 80’s. So Jan wanted to take the ashes back and release them there, but she forgot to bring them from Courtenay.” “She brought me my little box, which I have. It's a very cute little box and it's just part of him that is in there. Jim is my oldest friend, 60 years I knew him. We did a lot of stuff together. We lived in the Charlottes (Haida Gwaii) together. We went to Panama together when we were 20 years old and then came to Cortes.” “Jan wanted to take the ashes back, but then she just wanted to go back anyway. So Kim, Jan and I went in July. Jan said she and her daughters will bring the ashes another time.” “People used to come to Carrington because Jim and Jan ran a boat repair shop. People would bring all kinds of equipment out there. Robbie Graham ran this welding operation while they were building the house for about 10 years. Jan wanted to see it.” “Now, of course, it's just got the rave stage. Jim and Jan cleaned it all up when they left about 30 years ago.” “They have been in Courtenay for 25 years. Jan and Jim were really involved with salmon enhancement and the creation of the Morrison Creek headwaters. They basically got the money and got all kinds of agencies involved in buying up the Morrison Creek Headwaters. Jan's a super salmon expert.” “Anyway, that's why we went for the walk and did the whole giant loop.” “When one goes out to Carrington, one either bicycles or you take your car or whatever, but there's no sign that says Carrington Bay.” “It's one of those great places where there are no signs. I love places where there's no signs. It makes it quite interesting. Like, is this the right place?” “It's just a little track going off to the right on the last bend before you drop down to Coulter Bay. You pass the turn off to the ferry and drive almost a couple of kilometres. The track is on your right.” “We leave cars at the road itself. In the winter, the ruts in that track are mud - 18 inches deep. People like to take their 4x4’s in. Everything in July, of course, was like cement, completely dry.” “We walked in and then passed some old cars. It's this old car graveyard. I want to do a calendar for Cortes, ‘the cars of Cortes’ - the ones that have been abandoned deep in the bush, trees growing through them and all that.” “You pass the cars and get to a clearing on your left after about 15 minutes. It's called the orchard. I'm trying to remember the name of that orchard, is it Cowan's Orchard? Anyways, a baby was born there in about 1983, to a young couple from Quebec, in a teepee tarp thing over an old log house. It's all collapsed because back in the 1920s people had homesteads out there. There are apple trees, a Transparent and everything. There were quite a few people living at the orchard. A lot of French Canadians came and it was actually quite a community.” “The closest human habitation would be Blue Jay Lake Farm, that's close to where Peter Police's place was. The chestnut tree grows there. I remember it was an orchard. He eventually moved to the western end of the Gorge. He was quite a famous character in his day. I think that was in the 1930s and 40s.” More in the podcast
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Michael Keith played a beautiful set in the Village Commons tent on the afternoon of August 18th. The eighth concert in the Friday Market Live Music Series was well-attended and full of laughter. Playing an entirely improvised set, Michael entranced the audience with a wide variety of musical textures – made entirely through his guitar and pedals.About halfway through the concert, he began to improvise an song about the Village Commons. He sang: “The Village Commons – not so common after all”.Michael’s humour endeared the audience almost as much as his transportive music. When asked for a short artist biography, Michael pondered for a few days and then jokingly responded:'Michael Keith was born in the winter of 1932 in Sleeping Bag Manitoba. Throughout the late 50s and 60s he perfected the art of time travel and is currently living as a baker during the Italian renaissance.'Manda Aufochs Gillespie hosted the concert live on Folk U Radio. August 25th will be the ninth and last concert in the Friday Market Music Series.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been large wildfires on Cortes Island, in the distant past. The largest shown in the 2011 Wildfire protection plan was more than 330 acres in extent, and there were two fires that burned close to 255 acres. Those were Those were in 1932, 1924 and 1923, respectively. There hasn’t been a fire larger than 10 hectares since at least 1950. This could change, as our summers become warmer and dryer. Last week Premier Ebby declared a state of emergency in face of the worst wildfire season in BC’s history. While there are no major fires in our immediate vicinity, the BC Wildfire service says, “We are in a drought condition. Our forest fire fuels are very dry and the ignition potential is extremely high.” So Cortes Currents asked interim Fire Chief Eli McKenty what the situation is like on Cortes Island. “Conditions on Cortes right now are slightly better than they have been, but most of the wildfire weather stations in our area are still ranked four, which is very high fire danger, so we're definitely not out of the woods yet,” he began.
Louis Belcourt/ Folk U - On August 11, Heather Wolf and the Wild Revival played the seventh concert in the Friday Market Live Music series under the Village Commons tent.
Performing an eclectic mix of music, they captured the attention of the audience with their sweet harmonies, contagious energy, and vulnerability. The Portland-based band tries to come to Cortes every summer and were originally brought by Heather Wolf. Heather has family ties to Channel Rock and has been a both a camper and a zilla (camp councillor) with the Power of Hope.
Playing instruments as diverse as Appalachian dulcimer, mandolin, synth, and electric guitar, Wild Revival describes itself as “a band of troubadours wielding magical realism on the chariot of psychedelic folk rock”. Louis Belcourt hosted the concert live on Folk U Radio.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the midst of the worst fire season in BC’s history, Premier Ebby declared a state of Emergency last Friday. However there are no major fires in the Discovery Islands. The Village Bay Lake Fire, on Quadra Island, seems to have been brought under control in a single day. Aside from that, the closest wildfires are in Phillips Arm and the Strathcona Provincial Park.
Cortes Currents asked BC Wildfire Information Officer Kimberly Kelly for an update on local conditions and insight into what they mean.
KK: “I can tell you about the Strathcona Park fires. These are five known lightning-caused fires. Three of the wildfires are listed as under control. Two of the wildfires have merged, producing smoke that is highly visible from a wide area. That includes Campbell River, Courtney, Comox, and Gold River. This fire is in a high elevation and steep terrain.”
“The fire is being monitored, together with our partners in BC Parks. When a fire is being monitored, this means that the BC Wildfire Service is observing and analyzing the fire, but it is not immediately suppressed. The BC Wildfire Service recognizes fire as an essential ecological process supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency.”
“It's been determined that natural fires that do not threaten safety or infrastructure should be allowed to burn as part of the natural process of the park until it is extinguished by rain or begins to threaten values. If that occurs, they will be actioned where it is safe to do so. Given the long term forecast and the drought conditions, some of these fires may continue to burn and produce smoke into the fall.”
CC: What’s happened with the Quadra Island fire?
KK: The Quadra Island fire is listed as under control at 1.5 hectares.
CC: That was pretty quick, at least it seemed pretty quick to me.
KK” We have a very good initial attack success rate. That is our priority, particularly in areas where there are high values. That is life and safety of the public and property and critical infrastructure.”
CC: The only other fire I'm aware of in our area is Philips Arm.
KK: “It is listed as 92 hectares and out of control, again, a naturally caused fire, lightning. This fire is located in very steep and dangerous terrain. No crews are currently assigned to this fire, as our field staff has determined that there's no workable objectives to assign to crews at this time. So access options are being evaluated.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - While there are Facebook groups on Cortes Island, they have largely been marginalized by a wiki style community bulletin board. The Tideline is not a place for personal webpages or a typical news website, but for the past 20 years most of island’s population have used it to post notices, community announcements, reports and advertisements. Someone suggested that this may be a model for the rest of the country to emulate, now that Facebook has barred Canadian news outlets from using its pages. This prompted me to ask a few people at Lovefest for their opinion. Only one expressed a preference for Facebook. Most repondents prefer the Tideline, often in conjunction with other sources, for local news.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Village Bay Lake Fire, on Quadra Island, is no longer considered out of controi. The size has shrank from 4 to 1,5 hectares in extent, and according to BC Wildfire Information Officer Sam Bellion, it is now ranked as being held.
“Last night, they did blanket it in retardent. Crews worked through the night to action the western side of the fire. This morning, when we saw that update to the size, they also observed just rank one low smoldering ground fire along the north and west flanks as they were patrolling this morning. They're going to be working some more on active pockets of that rank along the southern edge today and working towards that containment. So, it's looking really good,” she said.
Cortes Currents has an as yet unconfirmed report that ‘the fire was started by a tree falling onto a powerline very near the intersection of Bold Point Road and Surge Narrows Road. It burned uphill a short distance into a 20 year old woodlot. Forestry was on it with helicopters very quickly. No evacuation alerts or orders were issued.’
Bellion stated, “I've heard that rumor as well at this point in time. The only thing I can see on our reports is that it is suspected to be human caused, and that would certainly fall into that category. anytime there's an interaction with fire and interface - power lines, any type of machinery like power lines or electricity, chainsaws, industrial activity - any of those would be human starts. Right now, I don't have any confirmation that it was a tree or wind. So all I can see on my report it was the suspected human caused. ”
This fire was first reported to BC Wildfire Service at 3:36 PM Thursday August 17th.
CC: People are concerned because of the dryness of the islands. They're also concerned about the wind. Being as we're talking about a small fire, is there any reason to be overly concerned?
Bellion: “The province did see a dry cold front sweeping through yesterday and today, and it does bring increased winds. Those increased winds always have that potential for extreme fire behavior with this fire. Specifically, crews have worked hard to change that status to ‘being held’ and are working on that southern flank to mop up those little pockets of more active behavior. So we're feeling really great about that and we just remind everyone, especially when there's a wind event, and especially when we're coming off the back of a heat wave, to be cautious, to be careful, and to keep your eyes open.
So one of the ways folks can help us is to call us if they see smoke and report a wildfire using *5555 from a cell phone, or if they have the app downloaded on their phone, they can submit a photo directly from the app as well.
A news release from the SRD News service adds that “ at this time, there is no risk to critical infrastructure or homes and there are no evacuation orders or area restrictions. The roads are open and not currently impacted by the fire. However, residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid the area.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sunday, August 13, was Sandcastle Day at Smelt Bay on Cortes Island. There were about 20 entries, made by sculptors whose ages ranged anywhere from 18 months to 81 years. Some of participants live on Cortes, but others are visitors from as far away as Campbell River, Victoria, Vancouver, Langley, Quebec City or even England.
It was a hot, but very windy day and you can hear the breeze pushing against my mic throughout the broadcast. Three of the entries were actually castles, ranging from fairly basic to highly sculptured designs.
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Fire Department is creating a new Wildfire Brigade to serve the community.
It’s function will be to support the department during major wildfire events with Wildland firefighting, structural protection, and support tasks. In a deployment, Wildland members will work in teams supervised by existing department officers or team leaders.
"We had a fire on the island in late June, the largest wildfire event we've had in many years. And a lot of conversation came out of that around preparedness in general and how we notify the community of the status of a wildfire event and preparing in general for more serious wildfire seasons to come with changing climate and all of that.", said Eli McKenty, Interim Fire Chief of the Cortes Island Fire Department.
"And going over this, I realized that it's much easier to train people for wildfire than as full department members. It's a much smaller time commitment. Equipping them is not nearly as expensive. And there are a lot of people who would be a huge asset in a wildfire who don't have the time to be a full member of the department."
Cortes residents, including summer residents, who are able to attend the provincially mandated basic training sessions and meet minimum medical and fitness requirements are eligible to apply.
"Currently we have 26 members on the department. And I'd like to see double that number available for a major wildfire.", stated McKenty.
Canada is reporting its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, and the fire season isn't over yet.
Learn more about wildfire preparedness, safety and wildfires in B.C. here.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The course of Denise Larson’s life took a radical change in 1983, when she and two of her band members came to Merville. They were professional musicians promoting her third record. It was nice to get out of Vancouver, but Denise did not have any expectations of a small dance in the Merville Hall. Then Ron Wolda walked into her life. She had actually met him two years earlier in Courtenay, but at that time they both had other partners. Now they were single. Ron sat himself down beside her at the dinner being given for the musicians. The next morning, Ron took her out to see the home he built beside the ocean.
“We're married three months later and I haven't had to pay rent since. I'm very happy for many reasons, not just that one,” she said. “ He was a great fan right from day one. He has always supported me to keep it up. So I continued to write, and when I moved to Cortes, you can imagine how totally inspiring Cortes Island is to a singer, to a songwriter. I don't have to make my living at it anymore,. I have the luxury of playing for fundraisers , for the joy of it and hopefully for the appreciation of people, and without worrying about that.”
“Ron is a phenomenon really. I'm not the only one who would say that. He's just endless energy. I'm 76, he's 75: his energy is still just remarkable, as is his strength. That said, he agrees that it's time to slow down a little and think a little more about other things like sailboats, but we would not be on Cortes Island and we would not live in a nice big house that he's built were it not for Ron and his hard work ethic. He's from Holland. It's got something to do with it. He's a great fellow, and I certainly never regretted that he asked me to marry him, and I said yes.” “He has made a good life for us, and I've certainly done my part, but together we've made a good team.”
CC: How does music fit into your new life? Is Ron supportive?
“ He was a great fan right from day one. He has always supported me to keep it up. So I continued to write, and when I moved to Cortes, you can imagine how totally inspiring Cortes Island is to a singer, to a songwriter. I don't have to make my living at it anymore. I have the luxury of playing for fundraisers, for the joy of it and hopefully for the appreciation of people, and without worrying about that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Behind Lovefest’s ongoing success, and the success of so many festivals and community events around the province, is a dedicated corps of volunteers. According to Amy Robertson, who oversaw this part of the festival, “We had about 60 volunteers this year. They were doing everything from making sure that parking is safe out on the road and that the blue bus has a good place to park. Volunteers sell tickets, help the vendors and they're setting up. They do a lot of decoration for this event, help promote it, sell T- shirts, and just ensure that everybody has a good, safe time.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - I can’t take too much heat anymore and had to pack it in by 4:30, but it was already apparent that this year’s Lovefest was another success. How does a little music festival on a remote island consistently draw crowds larger than the entire adult population? Singer/songwriter Denise Wolda gave a partial answer to this during a totally unrelated interview a few days ago: “ I wanted to talk a little about the current musical scene on Cortes. This is a very different community than when I moved here 30 years ago. There were always musicians on the island, but the getting together and the sense of there actually being a Cortes Island musical scene did not exist, as far as I'm concerned, until Rex Weyler and Rick Bockner did the initial and maybe the bulk of the work to get this ball rolling. Lovefest has been so important and the beautiful Hollyhock Lodge coffeehouse that happens over the winter, which gives us a place to be musicians in the wintertime as well.” Cortes Island’s first Lovesfest, in 2017, was a celebration of the 50 years since the ‘Summer of Love’ in Haight Ashbury. Lovefest became an annual event. “It's one of the few events where the entire community comes and joins in one place. It's a really special thing for that,” said Radio Sean. Hugh Barton agreed, “It's just a great sense of community. So many people come out to set up and organize it all. We get these fabulous musicians from off Island as well.” David Rousseau elaborated, “Lovefest is Cortes Island distilled into a one day event, that's why. When I first came here 50 years ago, I admired the old timers, I respected the old timers, I learned a lot from the old timers. Now we're the old timers and the vintage is about, what, 1969, right? And here we are.”
David has been a prominent voice on the island for so long that it is hard to think of him as anything but a Cortes resident, but he now lives in Comox.
Namchi is another Cortes resident who has moved off island. She lives in the Comox Valley during the school year, but returns to Cortes every summer. Namchi was also one of the dancers in Meinje’s Dream Caravan during the first Lovefest and has come to every Lovefest since then.
“Lovefest seems like a fun melting pot of many generations and different types of people,” she said.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - If Cortes Island had an anthem, it would very likely be the chorus of 'Feel the Island.' The songwriter, Denise Larsen, was a professional musician for twenty years prior to her marriage to Ron Wolda. Her story goes back through the folk revolution to rural Saskatchewan.
In the first of a two part series about her work, Denise Wolda talks about her journey from being a farmer's daughter to the 20 years she was a 'professional' musician.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Four of Cortes Island’s women songwriters, and one man, got together for an afternoon of sharing stories and songs on August 6. More than fifty people gathered under the big top in the Village Commons to listen to Denise Wolda, Josie Simpson, Juli Nelson, Brenda and DJ Hanson.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Four days until Lovefest, at Linnaea Farm on Saturday August 12.
Rex Weyler has a couple of updates: “One thing that's new is Amber from Klahoose is going to sing us a couple of songs early on in the show. The other thing, that I just heard from our community action bus driver. is that people can actually flag the bus down anywhere on the route between Manson's Hall, Gorge Hall, and Squirrel Cove Store during the day. If you go out on the road in front of your house or whatever, or walk along the road, you can flag down the bus. The Lovefest bus will be making pick-ups at : - Gorge Hall - 10:30 AM, 11:45 AM & 1:30 PM. - The Squirrel Cove Store - 10:45 AM, 12:00 PM & 1:45 PM = Mansons Hall - 11:15 AM, 12:30 PM & 2:15 PM Rides leave Linnaea Farm that evening at 6:00, 8:00, and 9:45.
“Also, we've got secure bike lockups, so if you ride your bike, that's cool. Parking's limited at Linnaea. So we like people to carpool, ride bikes, or take the bus. You can drive and park , but parking is limited along the road,” said Weyler.
“Cora is going to do the kids' tent again. The kids tent was nice last year, because it's a place for kids to hang out if they want, play games, dress up, do art and so forth .Of course, our kids can run around. We'd love to have families at the Lovefest. It's a family island community event, kids are welcome. There are family tickets available. If you don't have your family ticket, they're still for sale at all the island stores, and tickets will be for sale at the Friday Market at Manson's this Friday and of course at the door.” “Family tickets are great. Two adults and just all the kids you can bring, so if neighbor kids want to tag along and stuff like that, that's okay. We don't quibble about that.” CC: Are there any other changes in the lineup?
RW: No, I think I've published the show: Adonis Puentes, the Cuban band, really looking forward to them. Pierre Schreier and Adam Dobres, the fiddle player and guitar player, were a big hit last year. They had everybody dancing and we love them so much we brought them back. Willow, the harmony singers from Quadra Island, are coming back. The Unfaithful Servants from Victoria, Josephine Simpson, who grew up here on Cortes. Wiley Ferguson, who played last year, and was a big hit. Heather Wolf's going to be here. Marianne Grittani, a Toronto singer who now lives on Salt Spring Island"
"There are a bunch of local favorites like: Michael Keith, Jesse Roy, Ali and his sitar playing friend, Jemma Hicken, Brenda Hanson, Sachika and Dave Blinzinger, Amber from Klahoose, and Hazel Lennox, who's a singer, songwriter, storyteller."
“It's going to be a great show, One thing I want to say is thanks to CKTZ Radio. CKTZ has just been so helpful to us and has supported us through the years and is supporting us again this year. “As well as Linnaea Farm, bless their hearts. They make this space available every year and we really appreciate the community at Linnaea Farm for doing that. Klahoose has always been very supportive and Tideline has been supportive.”
“Lovefest is really a full community event. It's quite amazing the number of people that come together to make this happen every year, but it's fun. It's one great summer day.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Richard Andrews compared his first month as Project Manager of the Village Commons, in downtown Mansons Landing, to the years he was the Executive Director of a non profit in Vancouver. “There's a lot of planning going on right now. We're in phase one of our build. We have the welcome pole to make, and a big pavilion. The funnest work is going to be making a playground. The vending zone and the playground are mysterious right now. I have an idea of what they might be. I have an idea of what people want because we have a lot of documentation from the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) about the community process they went through to determine what was to be done with this property,” he said. “Just today, in the midst of a staff meeting, we realized that maybe what we should be doing is thinking of the whole property as one big playground for people of all ages.” The Cortes Island Community Foundation hired Richard at the beginning of July. A lot of his first month has been spent in meetings RA: “I’ve been coordinating a lot with other people about things to do, making plans, having meetings and discussions, listening to other people's opinions about how things ought to go. That's like, reopening a part of my brain that's been fallow for a long time. So, it's probably good for an old brain to be engaged in that way again.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday Aug 4 Jemma Hicken joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie under the big tent in the village commons for another edition of Folk U’s coverage of the Friday Live Music series. Musician/reporter Louis Belcourt was a special guest.
Jemma played from her newest CD, ‘Get It Together’ and talked about the production process.
“It takes a lot to make a CD, mostly money,” she explained.
“I actually cold contacted this guy named Corwin Fox, whose style of music I have appreciated for a long time. that he plays, I really wanted to work with somebody to produce the album who could hear lyrics and felt the lyrics were really important because my songs are usually pretty lyric heavy.”
“It took him a really long time to get back to me. but then he finally did get back to me and he said he would love to work with me. So we got together over the course of probably all together about a week and I recorded all of my parts on the album. Then Corwin beefed up all the songs with some amazing instrumental parts that he added on. (It felt like I was playing with a band, it was really nice.)
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Google and Facebook took in $9.7 billion in advertising revenue during 2020, while the revenues of more traditional news outlets - who produce much of the actual news being posted on Facebook and Instagram - are failing. In response to Bill C-18, which requires them to pay Canadian media outlets a fraction of their advertisement revenues, the dynamic duo will no longer let Canadian news outlets post.
This was brought home to Cortes Currents on Wednesday, August 2, when Facebook served notice that as a news outlet, Cortes Currents Facebook posts will no longer be viewable inside Canada. As only about 10% of my web traffic actually comes through Facebook, my reactions were mixed, but the strongest was curiosity.
So I reached out to some local media outlets to find out: - What is their opinion of the situation? - How does being cut off from Facebook affect their publication? The first to respond was Delores Broten of the Watershed Sentinel. “It's essentially a line in the sand for Canadian identity, in my mind. I'm into that stuff these days because my mother's family's Ukrainian. We're focusing on identity destruction these days, but this is part of that Americanization of Canada that's been going on since the fifties. There were various political movements and attempts to resist it even before that. In about the 1880s, there was a movement saying ‘Canada first.’ It’s always been a constant pressure. You have a big rich neighbor and a little colonial racist country, and we've had some good points, but overall, we have very little to keep this country separate. So with the news media going down, all the news is just going to be Hollywood gossip and Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump,” she said.
CC: Why Should Facebook give Canadian media a portion of its revenues?
DB: “Why should radio stations pay the artists for their songs? When a radio station plays a song, they're using the artist and the producer and the whole company's work. They pay a royalty for that. ”
Speaking as a former President of the Cortes Community Radio Society, this statement elicits mixed responses. Most of the artists I (Roy Hales) know are receiving what amounts to the price of a cup of coffee per year, but volunteer run stations like CKTZ cannot afford to pay more. That said, I agree with the principle that she cites, artists should be paid for their work.
DB: “This is the same thing when Facebook and Instagram use News content that people like me and you and (God love us) Postmedia sometimes pay writers to create. They're using our work for free. In the meantime, while they're doing that and building their audience, they are taking 10 billion, with a B, 10 billion a year in advertising revenue out of Canada and not paying a single cent of tax.”
According to the Columbia Journalism Review, Google and Facebook are paying the media in Australia close to $150 million US a year. This has enabled the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to place 50 new journalists in underserved parts of the country. The United Kingdom, Indonesia and South Africa are considering similar legislation, as is the state of California.
CC: What was the remedy that the Canadian government came up with?
DB: “The government was asking them to put about $250 million towards compensating news organizations.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The next show in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery promises to be a treat. Vijen Vijendren is a retired art teacher, whose resume includes nine years at the Royal Palace in Brunei. He was also an elementary school teacher serving First Nations communities in Northern Alberta. ‘My Life in Three Chapters’ is his artistic autobiography, covering the period from his time abroad to settling on Cortes Island.
‘My Life in three chapters’ opens in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery at 6 PM this evening. The show can be seen Fridays, from 6 and 9 PM, and between 2 and 6 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, until August 13, 2023.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum is offering a full slate of special events this month They start at 1 PM this Saturday, Aug 5, with Jewellery Identification. People are being invited to bring their own pieces.
“I've got a small collection and I'm going to at least bring some things that I have that I think are interesting. We can go over the different types of materials, a little bit of the process of manufacturing and also go over the gems that are commonly found within pieces. We even talk about The time periods the pieces have come from as their stylistic choices in manufacturing basically,” explained Events Coordinator, Alex Woywitka.
At 7:30 on Thursday August 10. Kim Marks will be holding a Tattoo Art Show in the Museum Heritage Garden.
AW: “Kim Marks is the premier tattoo artist on Cortes. She really does amazing work and is a really great drawer. A lot of my friends have really gotten a lot of work done from her. Sun Rob is going to play some music for us and Kim is also going to have a table of pottery and other art that she's made.”
Lovesfest returns to Cortes Island on August 12, and the museum is hosting its own special event from 1 to 4 PM.
AW: “If you're at Lovefest, stop in at Wild Cortes and take a look at Trivia Jenga. It's a nice space that they have there, and cool because it's in the basement of the Agricultural Learning Center there at Linnea.”
There will be a Literary Reading Evening at the museum on Thursday Aug 17th.
AW: “We are inviting authors. I've got a list so far of five authors from Cortes who are going to come and read from their books. It's something that we do at the museum, maybe once a year.”
CC: Can you release the names of the ones you've already signed?
AW: “I’d rather not at this point. We don't have the poster made up quite yet for that one, but we've got some good people showing up.” The History of Modern Toys comes to the Museum from 1-4 PM, on Saturday Aug 19th 1-4
AW: “The vintage toy show is going to be something that I do personally. I've been buying and selling on the internet with that type of stuff since 2010. So I've really got quite a nice collection that it's pretty unheard of and a lot of people on the island probably have never seen a lot of this stuff before.”
“I'm going to bring in a lot of old stuff, maybe as late as the sixties and maybe as new as the nineties, but most of it is going to be from the seventies and then from the early eighties as well.”
“I'm going to bring in my 1966 Godzilla by Toho. It's not an original, but it's a replica of the one that they had used from the 1966 movie when they made it, versus Ebirah, which was another Godzilla monster. I'm going to bring in some of my 1970s Shogun Warrior Robots: Great Mazinger and Raiden, for example.”
“I will bring in my Diaclone Great Robot Base and Fortress X Robots, which are probably two of the most amazing elite engineered toys that have ever come out. Some of these things that I am bringing are worth several thousand dollars each.”
There will be a Wetlands Conservation Presentation in the Cortes Island Library, at Linnaea, from 6-7 PM on August 23
AW: “Later on in August and then in early September, we're going to be doing a few more music events.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a great deal of anger on Cortes Island when the province lifted the open campfire ban on June 21. As Nancy Kendel wrote in the Tideline, “We have had basically NO RAIN since beginning of May, and our forests are tinder dry!” The ban was reimposed days later, but the underlying problem persists today. Cortes Island is part of the Coastal Fire Centre, and the regulations governing it are drawn up in a wetter climate. Regional Director Mark Vonesch brought this matter up before Strathcona Regional District Board on June 28, “I got a lot of alarming emails and phone calls regarding the lift. I contacted the province and they said that they can’t change that decision, because it’s based on boundaries, unless we have a bylaw in place.”
The Board passed a resolution ‘that staff prepare an open burning bylaw for Electoral Area B for the Board's consideration.’
That was more than a month ago, but there has been little progress.
At the July 19 SRD Board meeting, Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained. “When Director Vonesch brought this forward, there was a real sense of urgency because there was no open burning ban, but that has been taken care of. I think it's highly unlikely during the summer that, and those burning bands will be lifted anywhere through the province. Which gives us a little time to draft our own burning bylaw.”
“I did promise director Vonesch I would bring a draft bylaw forward. However, in the time that we made this motion, The province had lifted the open burning regulation across the province and since then, they have downgraded that to eliminate any open burnings throughout the province. So I pivoted a bit and didn't bring a draft bylaw forward. As well, we had a couple other issues in terms of delegating the enforcement of that authority forward. That's why we have the report here with the recommendation we receive input and based on the input, look to bring forward a draft bylaw for the board's approval.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On July 28, the Awakeneers joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Folk U under the big tent at Mansons Landing as Folk U for another Friday Live Music. This is the fourth time they have performed on her show. As Robert McKenty pointed out, “We make Folk University Radio a priority anytime we're coming to Cortes Island.”
The Awakeneers just released a new CD, and brought the songs to Gorge Hall that evening and to Mansons Hall on Saturday.
You can listen to them at awakeneers. com, on spotify. com, or on the Awakeneers Music App
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The most recent addition to Wild Cortes may turn out to be a species that has not been seen on Cortes for close to 50 years. Or it could be a Horned grebe, which is said to be fairly common.
“It's a Black-necked grebe. It's possibly an adult molting, or it could be an immature. I believe it's an adult male,” said Laurel Bohart, taxidermist and co-curator of Wild Cortes.
CC: What’s exceptional about this bird?
LB: “Several things. First of all, this bird isn't supposed to be found anywhere near Cortes, and second, it washed up on the beach after being killed by an eagle, and happened to wash up where somebody could find it. Right away.”
CC: Where was that?
LB: “A young girl, Nieve Leveque, found it at Sandra Wood's place, and they brought it to me immediately, right from the beach.”
CC: Are we sure that it actually was on Cortes island?
LB: “Absolutely”
CC: it couldn't have just drifted here?
LB: “Nope, it was predated by an eagle and a raven was attacking it when it washed up. Or what looks to me, is possibly the eagle simply dropped it, pursued by another bird and then the raven found it.”
CC: Have you told any of our local birding experts, and what did they say?
LB: “They said it couldn't happen, I have evidence that it can.” She pointed to the black colouring at the nape of the bird’s neck, which you can see in the podcast picture for this story.
One of the skeptics emailed Cortes Currents that the bird photographed in this article ‘looks like a Horned grebe in winter plumage.’
Black-necked grebes (also known as Eared grebes), ‘have a thin upturned bill, which this individual doesn’t.’
“I would have to see the specimen in the hand and also forward pictures to other birders who are familiar with Eared Grebes for their opinion. The record needs to be collaborated, it's not just up to me to decide, that's how it works - a team effort. Again, in my opinion, from the pictures I've seen it's a Horned Grebe, further analysis is needed to prove the identity of the bird. It's great Laurel has taken the time to preserve the specimen.”
He stated there have been no documented sightings of Eared Grebes on Cortes for 50 years.
While they have been reported in some Christmas Bird Counts (most recently 2017, 2019 and 2020), ‘there are no corresponding pictures or detailed field notes that would be needed to accept the record(s).’
“But Horned grebes love Cortes, they are very common and can be seen everywhere just offshore.”
If Bohart’s identification turns out to be correct, it seems likely that this may not be the first Eared grebe to visit Cortes in the past two decades. There have been unsubstantiated sightings in Christmas Bird counts as far back as 2003.
My anonymous skeptic did not discount the idea that Eared grebes could have visited, but wrote this bird is not one of them.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Part of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) mandate is assisting people who need employment skills training. They were looking for ways to do this when the StrongerBC Skills Training Grants became available. While this is not a CCEDA program, it achieves their objectives and Kate Maddigan, CCEDA’s Economic Development Officer, has been promoting this program for the past month.
According to the provincial government website, the grant will pay for up to $3,500 in eligible short term skills training at public post secondary institutions.
“It has generated a bit of interest. People stop me on the street to say, ‘Oh, yeah, I saw your post about that grant and I really want to try to apply for this or that.’ People have been emailing me. There was someone interested in applying for bookkeeping. A couple of people were interested in the building design and architectural CAD course. There was someone interested in website management,” explained Maddigan.
“I'm working with the North Island Employment Foundations Society, in Campbell River, to try and make sure that people know about these and get some initiatives off the ground.”
“There are over 400 courses to choose from and this grant will cover the entire cost of the course. Most of them are online, which is great for people on Cortes.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Director of Cortes Island is considering the idea of having a dog control bylaw drawn up for his area, and the Director of Quadra Island has expressed some interest. The idea was discussed at the Wednesday July 19 Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) Meeting. Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Area B (Cortes Island), explained, “This request for a bylaw came out of a situation where a dog was out of control multiple times, scaring people and ultimately ended up killing another dog on the island. The dog owners approached the RCMP and said, ‘this dog killed our dog.’ The RCMP told them that they weren't able to do anything about it because there were no bylaws.”
Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, added, “On Quadra, I'm curious about this proposal.”
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) David Leitch responded, “If the Area Director wants a dog control service on Cortes, it can be quite simple. It's just creating a regulatory bylaw that states whatever the Director would like with the intention of just having the RCMP enforce that. If you look at anything else, the costs can become significant.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Kwiakah and Tla’amin First Nations are now recognized in Strathcona Regional District (SRD) territorial acknowledgements. The SRD added their names in response to strong requests from both nations. A series of motions to this effect were passed at the July 19 SRD Board meeting, in Campbell River.
Most of the Kwiakah’s 21 members now live in Campbell River, where their band office is located.
On June 2 Frank Voelker, Band Manager of the Kwiakah Firts Nation, wrote the SRD, “Together the Kwiakah, Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai form the Ligwilda’xw Nation. We are the smallest member Nation, and we are too often forgotten. Kwiakah’s core territory stretches from Phillips Arm (Matsayno Indian Reserve #5 and other former Kwiakah village sites in the Inlet) into parts of Bute Inlet and also includes treaty-selected lands on the southern part of Stuart Island.”
“In the spirit of fairness and accuracy, our community strongly recommends that Kwiakah be represented in the SRD First Nations Territiorial Acknowledgement (verbal and written form) and any other regional documents concerning Electorial Area C.”
At the SRD Board’s July 19th meeting, Regional Director’s Mark Vonesch of Cortes Island (Area B) Robyn Mawhinney of Area C moved that “the verbal territorial acknowledgements for Sonora Island, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet and Toba Inlet, in Electoral Area C, be amended to read as follows: ‘I would like to acknowledge that we are on the unceded traditional territories of the Homalco and Kwiakah First Nations.’”
The motion passed, with no opposition.
At their inaugural meeting, on January 25 of this year, the SRD’s First Nation’s Committee expressed hesitations about including the Tla’amin Nation in SRD territorial acknowledgements.
This elecited a strong response from Hegus (Chief) John Hackett, who wrote, “Electoral Areas B, C, and D of the Strathcona Regional District all encompass areas included in the Tla’amin Area, as outlined and recognized in Appendix A of the Tla’amin Treaty. The Tla’amin Treaty is a constitutionally protected agreement under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. The Treaty does not extinguish Tla’amin’s existence to these lands, it reinforces them. As you may know, there is a parcel of Tla’amin treaty land on Cortes Island, which Tla’amin has full jurisdiction over. This parcel is well within the boundaries of the SRD. Tla’amin has occupied our territory, which now includes boundaries of the SRD, since time immemorial.”
“Refusing to acknowledge Tla’amin’s millennia-long relationship to the land that SRD now represents in an example of colonial erasure of Indigenous peoples.”
The SRD Board responded on July 19.
Director Mawhinney moved “that the Tla’amin First Nation be added to the verbal and written territorial acknowledgement for Electoral Area B, and that the territorial acknowledgements for Electoral Area C and D be revisited following further consultation motion.”
Director Vonesch seconded the motion, which passed.
This led to a motion to include both the Kwiakah and Tla’amin First Nations in the SRD acknowledgement
Director Mawhinney: “That the written territorial acknowledgement for the regional district be amended to read as follows, ‘the Strathcona Regional District respectfully acknowledges that our corporate office and the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex are located on the traditional unceded territory of the Laichwiltach people.”
“We also recognize that we operate within the traditional, treaty and unceded territories of the Ehattesaht, Homalco, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k't1es7et'h', Klahoose, K'omoks, Kwiakah, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Nuchatlaht, Tlowitsis, Tla'amin We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations.”
Regional Director Gerald Whalley seconded the motion, which carried.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On July 21, Manda Aufochs Gillespie welcomed Cortes Island songwriter/guirtarist Rick Bockner for the fourth in a series of Friday Market Live Music shows under the big tent in the Village Commons.
Rick began playing guitar at age 7 and was fortunate to be given his first lessons by Pete Seeger, a family friend. Rick was part of the influential San Francisco band Mad River from 1967-69, before moving to B.C. and settling in the Kootenays. Rick toured as a solo act from 1992 to 2020 in Europe, the UK, and Canada. He has released 5 albums in that period under his Harby Dar Music label, and taught at music camps and festivals. In more recent years Rick was a co-founder (with Rex Weyler) of Love Fest- a music celebration on Cortes held every August. He continues to play and teach at a more leisurely pace these days.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie? Folk U - On Friday July 14, Manda Aufochs Gillespie welcomed Sun Rob for the third in a series of Live Music concerts under the big tent in the Village Commons.
Sun Rob is an introspective artist whose craft delves into illuminating the unspoken parts of the psyche through archetypical metaphors and channeled mantras. We are all made of stardust, and Sun Rob strives to remind us of our divine nature through his music. Just as the Sun shares its radiance with the world below, Rob aims to illuminate the inner landscape of the mind through shared experiences and insights.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board awarded Rewilding Water & Earth Inc. the contract to manage a Beaver Coexistence Project on Cortes and Quadra Islands. The first phase is purely informational. “Beavers are the ultimate wetland managers, and they're on it all the time. They're checking their dams every day. For us humans to be able to not only co exist, but partner with wildlife like beaver will be a huge benefit to us as we see the climate changing and as we're trying to adapt to and be more resilient to climate change,” explained Miranda Cross of Rewilding Water and Earth. There has been an ongoing human/beaver conflict at the beaver maintained wetland near the entrance to Kw’as Park, on Quais Bay Road, Cortes Island.
MC: “The beavers continue to block the culvert that goes under Quais Bay Road. It carries water from the wetland to the lake. When beavers block that culvert, the road ends up being flooded. That's a risk to the residents there, it blocks their egress and impacts their safety. Also, that road is one of the main water supplies for the fire department. If that road was to wash out or become flooded, the fire department wouldn't have one of their main supply intakes available in the event of an emergency. When that culvert gets blocked, the highways department comes with some equipment and removes the debris.”
“This is an ongoing cycle. Every time the beavers build a dam and they're blocking the culvert, they use what's available: sticks and deep, dark, rich, organic wetland soil, which we know is full of nutrients, including phosphorus, which contributes to algal blooms. Every time the culvert is unplugged, a flush of sediments is released toward the lake. There's nothing else in between the lake and that culvert. It just goes straight into the lake.”
“I'm interested in this site particularly because of my involvement in the Dillon Creek wetland project, which was implemented to mitigate nutrient inputs into the lake that were causing algal blooms.”
“We've identified this as a point source of nutrients, and there are some really low tech, low cost solutions available to us in terms of beaver coexistence. Pond levellers that can help regulate the height of the dams and exclusion fencing to keep the culverts from being blocked.”
“I was just at a 'Working with Beavers' symposium in Edmonton, where they're spearheading these kinds of projects in Canada. We had the opportunity to go visit Elk Island National Park where they have something like 400 active beaver lodges, a ton of beaver activity, and they have road networks and culverts. So we got to visit some of the culverts they're using these techniques on.”
"Nothing is 100% maintenance free, but there's a growing body of research and evidence to show that there's dramatic cost savings once these techniques are used. A few times a year, one person on foot can take pictures and make sure it's functioning. They might have to move a couple sticks, but it's a lot less maintenance and so savings for taxpayers, as well as increased safety and lower risk for flooding and for road washouts."
“I've never actually installed one of these structures, so part of the project is to bring a beaver coexistence specialist, who's an expert in these strategies, to Cortes to provide us with some guidance and recommendations.”
This project is one of the smaller components of a $1.1 million Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Adaptation grant awarded to the SRD.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This started out as a story about the incredible blueberry harvest in the midst of this year’s drought. One of the seniors picking at Sunnybrae Farm gave Cortes Currents the tip, which Mike Manson subsequently confirmed. “We are seeing what we think might be the biggest crop ever. In terms of pounds per bush, and the fruit is ripening differently. It's ripening in a more condensed manner, which is good for picking. The big crop is probably due to favourable conditions for pollination in the spring. Whether or not that had anything to do with dry weather, I'm not sure. Maybe the bees were glad it wasn't raining and cold and wet, but certainly pollination was key, without that you don't get a crop. For whatever reason, conditions were favourable for bees to be flying and doing their job,” he said. “We've never seen a dry year start so early. This year, the dryness started mid May. I remember May 13th was 30 degrees Celsius. I think the early heat this year has affected the way the fruit has ripened. I haven't seen it ripen in this fashion before.”
However, there are three blueberry farms on Cortes island and, as I was soon to learn, they are in different micro-climates. Linnaea Farm was also having a good year but, according to Tamarra McPhail, conditions there are not the same as in Mansons Landing. They were even more different a mere 10 kilometres to the west at ‘Nanagumps Berry Farm and Guest House’ in Whaletown, where the crop wasn’t especially good this year. Everyone agreed that there wasn't much money to be made growing berries. Their motivation was passion. Donna Behn said, “This is what gives us a reason to get up in the morning.” She and her husband Tom are supposedly ‘retired,’ and have been running the farm and a guesthouse for 13 years.
The name Nanagumps is a combination of what their grandchildren called them, ‘Nana’ and ‘Gumps.’
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s own Jemma Hicken just released her first major album, ‘Get it Together.’ Cortes Currents interviewed her shortly before that. “I love performing and I love playing music by myself too, but it does feel special to come back to Cortes and be able to perform on Cortes because it's really where it started for me,” she said. "Home is definitely Cortes. I was just telling somebody the other day, that there's a beach access down at the bottom of Hayes Road. I grew up on Potlatch, so that was the closest beach access to my house. There's this big rock at the bottom of the beach access. It's a rock that you can climb on, sit on, and I went down there alot. My parents also got married at that rock. I spent a lot of time at that one big rock, and if I was to pinpoint the centre of my universe, that would be it." CC: Tell us about the album. JH: “I’m so excited! It came out on July 21st and It's been a long time coming. I've had so many songs that have been backlogged. There's been a whole host of things in the way. I didn't have the time or space to do the recording, but finally I bit the bullet this year and contacted Corwin Fox in Cumberland. He has a studio called Hidden Well.” “We did all of the recordings in April. It was a pretty fast process, just a couple of months from start to finish. It was really amazing. I went in twice over the course of maybe six or seven days and recorded all of my parts.” “Corwin recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced the album. He's been adding instruments to the songs over the next couple of months after that. It's been really exciting to get to hear them with new textures and layers coming to life in the studio. So he's a huge part of it and I'm really excited to release it. It's gonna be fun.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) have not found any European Green Crabs in Manson's lagoon and so far there've been no sightings north of Nanaimo.
“We haven't found any, that’s really good news, but we've been very pleased to partner with DFO. Hopefully, if we ever find them, we'll be able to track them out and stop them from harming the valuable habitat here.” 34 explained Helen Hall, executive director of FOCI.
“We got contacted by the Department of Fisheries and Ocean last year. They wanted to come onto the island as part of a project they're doing with a lot of communities up and down the coast, to try and find out whether green crabs are spreading in this area. We set traps in Manson's Lagoon twice last year, and very luckily we didn't find any.”
“This year DFO came back and said this is a project they want to keep doing. They bring all the traps over, we trapped last month and we didn't find any.”
“It's a brilliant learning exercise for our summer student, 58 Manuel Perdisa and we have two volunteers, Penny and Claude, who have helped us on other projects.”
“This week the three of them went out with Patty Menning from DFO. They're setting two types of traps, a large prawn trap and smaller minnow traps. 12 traps were set in Manson's Lagoon on one day and the next day we go back . They get the traps out of the water, empty them into a plastic container which has water in them. We found lots and lots of graceful crabs. We're actually measuring those crabs as a recording exercise, but we also found some other interesting species, then we release everything back into the lagoon. We keep all those records and the data's going back to DFO..
“We haven't found any, that’s really good news, but we've been very pleased to partner with DFO. Hopefully, if we ever find them, we'll be able to track them out and stop them from harming the valuable habitat here.
According to Renny Talbot, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), there have not been any sightings north of Nanaimo in the Salish Sea area.
CC: Where are you looking for European Green Crabs in my broadcast area?
Renny Talbot: “We’re looking on Cortes Island and Quadra Island, as well as the Fanny Bay area and Comox. We've set up with local stewardship groups and with our First Nations partners, early detection monitoring programs in those locations.”
CC: Who is your partner on Quadra?
Renny Talbot: “We have a representative, Patty Menning, who's working with the We Wai Kai First Nation.”
CC: What about Campbell River?
Renny Talbot: “We don't have a site in Campbell River right now. We have done opportunistic trapping in that location, but we didn't have a really good site to set up long term monitoring.”
“Our early detection monitoring program: it's once a month and it runs from from April to to October. They do a 24 hour soak. We're looking for European Green Crab, but it's also creating a baseline of those intertidal crab, fish and things like that we're catching. So that if if there is an invasion, we can really understand the ecological impact that's occurring.”
“We are lucky that there's some quasi barriers, with the Juan de Fuca as well as with the Johnson Strait, which have limited the the entry of European green Creb larva into the Salish Sea.”
“The larvae need greater than 10 degrees Celsius to survive.”
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - On Wednesday, July 19, the Cortes Island Museum offered visitors a rare opportunity to see some of the clothing and accessories from its collections. The event was organized by Lily Allen, this summer’s intern, who was inspired by the dress that Margaret Smith wore when she married John Manson in the late 1890’s.
“I remember seeing the dress in the Pioneer Room when I was growing up. It was such a distinct memory in my childhood on the island, that I thought it'd be really interesting to bring it out and have people actually see it (and not just see the photo),” she explained.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to the BC Government, more than 18% of the light duty passenger vehicles sold in the province last year were EVS. There has been a sixfold increase in the number of annual registrations since 2016 and there are currently more than 100,000 EVS on the roads. Some of them are in remote communities like Cortes Island. As the prospect of a transition to electric vehicles becomes more likely, some are asking if this is really a viable option.
Last week Clean Energy Canada, a think tank based in Simon Fraser University, responded with media brief addressing common myths about electric vehicles. Rachel Doren, Director of Policy and Strategy at Clean Energy Canada, subsequently agreed to an Q & A interview.
Cortes Currents asked her: 1. Some people are claiming there isn’t enough lithium and other metals on the planet to support a transition to battery electric vehicles. Is this true?
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How long can we expect an electric vehicle to last?
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Is there any truth to the idea that, once you factor in where their electricity comes from, EV’s produce more emissions than gas cars?
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For years I have been hearing that EVs are just too expensive.
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What about the idea that EVs just don't have enough range?
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There’ve been concerns that the grid can not handle the extra demand that would come with a switch to EVs.
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There used to be a lot of talk about using parked EVs as a backup energy source for the grid. What's happening with this idea?
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Which is more of a fire risk, an EV or a gas car?
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Some people believe that EVs can not handle Canada's weather.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) estimate 500 people may have turned out for Cortes Day on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Mike Manson, whose great uncle and grandfather were among the island’s first known European settler, remembers there were once two festivals.
“I was pretty young, probably eight or nine. Historically, it was called ‘the barbecue’ and it was held in July. In August, at Manson’s Spit, they had what they called ‘the fiesta.’ My recollection is they were similar events, they both had food. I think there were games at the barbecue. I don’t remember games at the fiesta, it was more food.”
On July 1, 1954, the SCCA held a ‘picnic’ which cleared $78.50 after expenses. The club’s minutes state that a carton of cigarettes, 20ibs of sugar and 10ibs of coffee were given out as prizes.
The name ‘Cortes Day’ may have made its historical debut in connection to a picnic held the following year. One of the photographs in the Cortes Island Museum archives A shows a group of people watching the log bucking contest at ‘Cortes Island Day’ in July 1955.
Cortes Day used to be run by the SCCA and WCC, who shared costs and revenues. This was discontinued sometime prior to the WCC Board meeting of April 20, 1971, when the SCCA offered to reactivate the old arrangement. The two clubs appear to have joined forces that year because the remainder of the meeting was largely taken up by preparations, but this was not a lasting partnership.
The WCC continued to take part in later festivals, but not as organizers. The Cortes Day most of us know is organized by the SCCA, ‘with much collaboration from the community, vendors and other organizations.’
Cortes Currents asked a few of the older community members for their memories of Cortes Days past and was immediately directed to Bruce Ellingsen. He shared some memories from the 1950s.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Rex Weyler, one of the principle organizers, emailed Cortes Currents a list of the15 acts performing at this year’s Lovefest. A number of local favourites are in the line-up.
The festival will be opened by the Klahoose First Nation and Brenda Hanson is among the performers.
Singer/songwriters Jemma Hicken, Jessie Roy and Sachika will be onstage. So will Scotty & Shelly, and the innovative professional multi-instrumentalist Michael Keith.
Emerging poet/songwriter Josephine Simpson grew up on Cortes Island. As did Jack Weyler, from the Victoria band ‘And So Say All of Us.’
Heather Wolfe frequently visits Cortes and the popular folk-roots quartet Willow come from Quadra Island.
There’s also an impressive line-up of acts from off island: Adonis Puentes was one of the nominees for ‘World Music Album Of The Year’ at the 2014 Juno Awards
Pierre Schryer and Adam Dobres whose fiddle & guitar were such a hit at last year’s Love Fest
Wylie Ferguson from Nanaimo, who just had a composition accepted by the Vancouver Symphony
Marianne Grittani, whose musical roots go back to emerging folk music of the late 60s and the 70s.
BC musician and story-teller Hazel Lennox
the Unfaithful Servants’ from Victoria
The Festival runs from 11 AM to 9 or 9:30 PM at Linnaea Farm on Saturday August 12.
An adult ticket is $40 at one of the Cortes Island stores: - the Natural Food co-op, Cortes Market, Squirrel Cove General Store, Gorge Marina store, or Mansons Friday Market. It’s $45 at the gate. Youth under 18 get in for $30 and the family rate is $80.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Michael Keith was ‘blown away’ when he visited Hornby Island twenty years ago.
“I was like, ‘Wow, imagine living in a place like that.’ I remember going back to Toronto and telling my friends, ‘they don't even lock their doors there. It's incredible!’”
He was enamoured by the spectacular seascapes at Tofino, when he played there a few years later.
Keith went through a divorce, sold his house, and then hooked up with a professor at the University of Toronto.
“My new partner who I've been with for 10 years, introduced me to Cortes because she would come here for getaways from Toronto. I was gigging two or three times a week, and teaching in Toronto. She wanted to move here. I came, checked it out and just fell in love with the land. We were fortunate enough to get a tiny little place.”
“I felt kind of quasi-retired when I came here because of a few health problems. Part of the reason coming here was it would just be good for me, physically and mentally. Same with my partner. I feel blessed that I was able to do that.” “It's a big change, as you can imagine, but I’ve done quite well. In the six years I've been here, I have really felt welcomed by the community. I'm sure it's added years to my life being here and I feel reinvigorated.” “Some of the summers in the past six years, I've made more money than I did in Toronto for some entire years. I was playing six or seven times every summer at the Gorge and it was a really good paying thing. I miss that.”
He both teaches and sells music online.
“I also will go play for people that hire me. There's not a lot of people like myself that have done it professionally. There's a few like Rick Bockner. There's some of what I call the weekend warrior types here that get together and play the Eagles. I'll play a wedding doing Van Morrison or some stuff that really isn't me, but I can do that. I don't say no too much.”
“Just before the pandemic, I was set to relaunch my career. Then the pandemic happened. Both my parents passed away. I had a cancer diagnosis and it was one thing after another, but I'm doing well now, with a pretty good bill of health, just monitoring stuff. I had a kidney removed last year, probably not the stuff that people want to read about, but these are just things of life.”
“I’m just starting to get reestablished again.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Nur Michael Keith has been living on Cortes Island for the past 6 years, but has been a professional musician for most of his 56 years.
In the beginning of a two part series, he talks a little about his earlier life, inspirations and we listen to three of his songs.
At one point during our interview I asked about his first name, ‘Nur.’ Michael explained, “It was something I gave myself. 'Michael' is from my birth parents, 'Keith' is from my adoptive parents and 'Nur' I gave myself. I sometimes go by Nur Michael Keith.”
“‘Nur’ is an Arabic name that means ‘light’ and one of my biggest inspirations on my journey musically and spiritually was from a man named Nur Ali Elahi.”
“He is mostly known as Ostad Elahi, and he passed away in the early 70s. He was a spiritual figure, but he played an instrument that I've studied from Iran called the tambour, it's a lute with two or three strings. He never performed publically. He just played at home. He was a judge, but his family recorded him without his knowledge. Fifty years after his passing, they started to slowly release some of these recordings.”
“I was so moved by the brilliance of just a man and a three stringed lute. It was really life changing for me. A few years ago, as I started to feel a transformation of myself spiritually after a lot of difficult things, I decided, as a tribute to him and to inspire myself - someone who's struggled with a lot of anxiety and self doubt for decades - I gave myself the name Nur.’”
“It’s confused a lot of people here. They have asked me, 'What the heck is it all about?' I debated for so long if I should use that, but, it felt like an important thing for me jnot to attract attention, but more to inspire myself to explore and move in and allow myself to grow and change.”
“Some people asked if I was Muslim. I'm not a Muslim, but I'm a big fan of Sufism and also of Advaita Vedanta, a non dualist thought from India. So many words and things, but they all go to the same thing.” Michael said he comes from a ‘total unmusical family, being an adopted guy. It was the hobby that everyone wished would go away, and it still hasn’t.”
MK: “I was very much into heavy rock when I was younger. I probably started playing because of Kiss, which is odd to me, but not long after I started listening to Johnny Winter, John McLaughlin, jazz and blues people.”
“In my early twenties, I knew I wanted to do it full time. I was really into the blues and then realized I needed to try to start singing because that was the only way I was going to be able to be independent and not have to worry about a band. In Toronto, where I'm from, I had a bit of a name and a following as a blues rock guitar player for a while in my late twenties.”
“Carlos Del Junco is a pretty famous harmonica player, a virtuoso, jazz and blues, and I toured with him, as his guitarist, for many years in the 90s.”
“Then I spent a period playing free jazz in the early 2000s and toured in Europe and Asia with people doing very avant garde stuff, but there is a scene for it worldwide. It's usually just other practitioners of that music going to see it. I was very, very fortunate and I even played in Venice, which was still one of my favorite experiences. Going to a gig in the little boat with my amp and going through the canals. I played in Taiwan because I composed some music for a pretty famous Buddhist master Hsing Yun from the Fo Guang Shan temple. I studied traditional Chinese music for a while, Persian, Iranian music and in the last two years, I've studied some Carnatic music online, with a Indian music Divina. So I've all kinds of exciting stuff and managed to make a meager living through it all, just scraping by.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Nick Kiss was involved in Metro Vancouver’s waste industry for 14 years prior to starting Bokashi Living in 2013. “I was part of the change and the effort that Metro Vancouver was implementing in trying to create diversion strategies for the waste stream,” he explained. He and his wife have been visiting Cortes Island every summer for years and now hope to find a home here. In this morning’s interview NIck explains why he believes in the Bokashi method of composting. NK: “What always bothered me when I was in the waste management industry, was the amount of food waste that was being produced and nothing was being done with it. It was going to the landfill mostly, which is a terrible thing to do with food waste because when they rot they turn into methane which is a terrible greenhouse gas contributor.” “Any homeowner who does have a garden that they care about can stand to receive a great benefit if they deal with their food waste properly, and have a simple way to get it back into the soil.” “I met up with two other individuals who were in a similar position, both with lots of experience and a little bit of time on their hands and a keen desire to try to affect change on a larger level than our own personal lifestyles. We collectively decided to make it our mission to try to educate North America on a new way of dealing with their food waste.” CC: How is the B,okashi method different from the way that millions of people are already composting? NK: “When we're composting, any kind of composting really, we're just trying to be a steward of microbes. We're trying to create a home that's as attractive as possible so that the correct microbes that we want to encourage will come to it, thrive and do the work of composting. Composting is really just microbes at work.” “When we're dealing with traditional composting, it's the outdoor pile or bin or cone that most gardeners have in their garden. They're feeding that pile with organic material. The microbes in that pile are aerobic, meaning that they want oxygen.” "Our composting with Bokashi is anaerobic, meaning we want no air. It's a fundamental difference in the set of bacteria and the microbes that are involved doing the process. Anaerobic is also known as fermentation, which many people are keenly aware of nowadays, and its inherent benefit of generating probiotics, fermented foods and such. What we're doing with Bokashi composting is fermenting all our food waste." "There's a number of advantages that come with that versus traditional composting."
"The number one advantage in my mind is that you can ferment all of your food waste. No longer are we sorting or separating or high grading our food waste into just the vegetable waste, which most people are familiar with composting. When you're fermenting, if it's food waste coming from your kitchen it can go into your Bokashi bin: whether it's meat, dairy, bread or cooked food. If you can eat it, if it comes from your plate: then you can put it into your Bokashi bin and ferment it." "The fermentation process is really just microbes doing their thing, which is inoculating that food waste thoroughly multiplying, taking it over even though we don't see them. That's what's happening." "When we ferment our food waste with these microbes, that food waste becomes very attractive to the soil ecology. The biota that exists in our healthy soil, we dig it down into our gardens and the organisms that are in the garden will thrive off it and very quickly assimilate into the soil structure."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) is launching a new transportation initiative.
“We're really excited to be launching this new Room for Rider Initiative. It's a mirror tag that people can hang in their rear view mirror to let people know that they're willing to give people a ride across Quadra,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.
BC Ferries used to dedicate lane 7, in their Campbell River terminal, to Cortes traffic. Now that this has been discontinued, It is difficult for hitchhikers to know which vehicles could take them across Quadra Island to the Heriot Bay terminal.
CC: Do you know how many people would be affected by this?
HH: “It's hard to give numbers, but I think pretty much everyone on Cortes at some point has tried to get a hitch across Quadra.”
“I've done that myself. I was on my way to England. I had a very large suitcase with me and I was very nervous about getting a ride because it then tied into me getting a couple of flights and I just walked up to some people and got offered a ride. It was actually Valerie and Doug and they gave me a ride and ever afterwards we always used to say hello to each other and chat . So it was a lovely way to get to know them and they really helped me out on that day and I'm sure everyone's got really great stories about how they've shared rides across Quadra.”
“We think it will really help people on Cortes get home in particular, but also we know there's visitors coming onto the island and struggling to get across Quadra, so hopefully it'll help them too.”
CC: Is this coordinated with the rideshare initiative as well?
HH: “No it's not, but we did some research from other rideshare initiatives to inform this project.”
“One of the things we were conscious of, as an organization, is the liability issue. We are taking no liability for people sharing rides. The drivers can choose who they allow into their cars and whether they want to charge people. That's entirely up to the people offering rides. Hitchhikers can choose which cars they want to get rides from.”
CC: How do you get these tags?
HH: “On Monday they'll be available from the post office counters at Manson's and Whaletown. They're also available from the Klahoose multi-purpose building and from the FOCI office, which is open 9 to 5, five days of the week. We're also going to be at the summer markets through July and August, so people can pick them up from there as well”.
“There's informational posters up already on the ferries and in both the waiting rooms to let people know that they can look for these mirror tags in the cars and we'll be posting posters up all around the island too.”
CC: How many tags have you got?
HH: “We've printed 500 tags and we're really grateful to Hollyhock, the Cortes Co-op and Cortes Kayaks for sponsoring the tags. If they go really well, then we'll print some more.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 60 representatives from non-profits on Cortes, Quadra, and some of the other islands recently gathered at Hollyhock. One of the breakout sessions was on climate adaption. Cortes Currents subsequently met with Max Thaysen, facilitator of that workshop, as well as Bruce Ellingsen, a participant. “I was asked to host a conversation about climate adaptation, which we expanded into climate mitigation, stopping the pollution that's causing the damage and adjusting our systems and life ways to be able to tolerate the pollution and the damage,” explained Thaysen. CC: How does that apply to Cortes Island? Max Thaysen: “Climate change is a phenomenon that affects every part of planet earth with all kinds of diverse impacts. We started by just hearing from everybody about what sorts of impacts they've already learned about, that we can expect more of on Cortes Island as well as in other parts of the world that affect our lives here.” “We talked about wildfire risk, and food supplies. Most of the food that people eat on Cortes comes from off island, and the places where it's grown are already impacted by climate change. We talked about how much warming we can adapt to, and whether we can expect the warming to stay within that range.” CC: What about wells and the local aquifer? Max Thaysen: “We did wonder about some gaps in our knowledge about the aquifers that supply water to Cortes Islanders. We had a couple anecdotal stories about people's wells already running dry this year. We talked about some options for responding to that, such as dealing with ditches to get the water that flows at other times of year back into the ground and into aquifers. Also building some storage options, either buying tanks or digging ponds on people's land.” “We're just starting what is normally the drier part of the year.” CC: Can you give me any more detail for any specific climate impacts? Anything from dryness to wells, to wildfires? According to the historical record, Cortes hasn’t had more than two wildfires larger than 10 hectors since 1950. “I only ever heard of one, around the Gorge and over towards Whaletown in 1896, but that was purely anecdotal when I was a young person,” added Ellingsen. He did not know how widespread it was, aside from the fact it was in Whaletown and did not spread beyond the east end of the Gorge. Max Thaysen: “We don't live in a place that has typically had a high wildfire risk, but I think that's changing and it's something that we should pay more attention to. Lots of climate scientists or system scientists say that we're living on a new planet now. The norms that we were used to, such as Cortes Island doesn't burn very much or very often, is changing.” “I'm just reading 'Fire Weather' by John Valiant. It's a pretty wild story about how fire has changed in Canada. It's a completely new animal. It creates its own conditions for burning. It dries the land out before it gets to it. It creates its own wind and starts its own fires. It's important that we don't just think about how things have worked in the past, but we also try to keep updated to the new situation that we find ourselves in.”
Photo credit: Wildfire - Photo by Marcus Kauffman on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) have a full slate of events this summer. They started July with a tour of the off-grid agricultural oasis, Blue Jay Farm, followed by a low tide exploration of the natural and local history of Mansons Lagoon.
“They've gone really well, and we've got these other six events coming up,” explained to Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.
On Sunday, the 23rd of July, we've got a wonderful wetland tour with Autumn Barrett Morgan to learn about the Dylan Creek Wetland at Linnaea Farm and also about the restoration project that's gone on there.
Starting on Saturday the 20th of August, we have a Linnaea Farm tour, which is always really popular and that gives people a chance to learn about Linnaea, get up close to some of the farm animals and see the bed garden too.
On Tuesday, the 23rd of August, we've got a sunrise with seabirds event with Bill Ophoff, the naturalist from Hollyhock. it's gonna be an early morning walk along the beach looking for seabirds and other marine life.
On Saturday, the 26th of August, we've got an eco poetry workshop with Soma Feldmar. It's a day long workshop. Where we're gonna be exploring the natural world and writing poems.
Finally on Tuesday the 29th of August, we've got another gum boot in the Lagoon event with Dew Cowper, who's a brilliant marine biologist from Campbell River and Melanie Boyle, who's the general manager at the museum. That's going to be exploring the lagoon at the low tide, looking for marine life, but also learning about local geology and history.
“It's gonna be a great summer. I think these activities are a great way for people to discover the island and learn about the natural environment. We get a mix of people. These are really nice outings for locals, as well as for people visiting the island,” said Hall.
“We are encouraging people to do is book early because the events are really popular. Email us at friends of cortez gmail.com or phone us on (250) 935-0087 to book your spot.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sea lice are a serious problem for the fish farm sector, but a new study from the University of British Columbia has found there are viruses that prey upon them. “In theory viruses might be deployed in a way in which they might be able to help control sea ice densities in aquaculture. I certainly wouldn't be a proponent of that at this stage, and would strongly advise against that because we just don't know enough about it,” explained senior author Dr. Curtis Suttle. “I'm a professor at the University of British Columbia, and my group works primarily on different kinds of microbes and different kinds of pathogens. One of the exciting things that we found recently is that there's a lot of viruses which infect sea lice, which were previously completely unknown.” His team found 30 previously unknown RNA viruses in sea lice. “What we also know is that these viruses do appear to be replicating and infecting the sea lice. We could see that the sea lice were mounting a very specific immune response to the individual viruses infecting them.” “We were only looking at wild salmon smolts, not at anything to do with fish farms per se, but we would assume that viruses might be prevalent within fish farms when population densities are high. Sea lice are a parasite, their populations will grow really fast because essentially they're unlimited in terms of the number of hosts that they can exploit. So in those kinds of situations, populations tend to get out of control. You would expect that viruses would be able to spread from sea lice to sea lice relatively quickly.” His team collected the viruses found in sea lice on five sites, ranging from southern Quadra Island to the Broughton Archipelago. Cortes Currents was especially interested in their findings in the Discovery Islands, done in collaboration with the Hakai Institute. “You can be sure that these viruses infecting sea lice are the same viruses that are swimming around Cortes,” he said.
CC: Are any of these RNA viruses that you were studying known to be fatal to sea lice, or is that unknown? CS: “That’s a complete unknown, and a very difficult question to address because the only way that you could really do that would be to be able to culture and grow sea lice. The only way that I know to grow and culture sea lice is to infect a fish. It becomes a very complicated experiment. You would have to have large quarantine facilities, take salmon that have sea lice and put some in with viruses, some without viruses and see what those consequences are.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Directors of Cortes Island (Area B), Areas A and C are opposed to the idea that their ratepayers should help finance renovations to the Strathcona Gardens facility in Campbell River. The Strathcona Regional District’s portion of financing the new aquatic and wellness centre is expected to be around $73 million. Last April the SRD Board approved a bylaw allowing them to borrow $64,670.000. This debt is currently the responsibility of property owners in the City of Campbell River and Electoral Area D, where most of the facility’s users reside. At the June 28 SRD Board meeting, Directors John Rice of Area D and Susan Sinnot of Campbell River brought forward a motion that staff look into the option that ratepayers in Areas A, B, and C pick up part of the tab.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 130 people gathered in the Village Commons to celebrate the opening of the new Rainbow Ridge Trail System. As it was a hot summer’s day, most of them clung to shade beneath trees, awnings and the main tent. Rose and Brenda Hanson, from the Klahoose First Nation, opened the ceremony. “This is a song you all are likely familiar with. It's very fittingly titled ‘The Welcome Song.’ It was composed multiple years ago with my mom Rose, her sister my Auntie Helen and her other sister Auntie Marge. Little did we know, at that time, that this song would travel so far. I'm so grateful and honoured that it has been used with such high purpose since its creation and I'm very happy and pleased to be here to share it with you today,” said Brenda. She used the Salish names for the Klahoose Nation and their territory, adding their song is for ‘all the people that come from other places and other lands.’ “The song expresses, we are so very grateful in our hearts that you have come. Welcome, welcome to these lands.” Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Housing Society, cut the ribbon opening the trails. “We're very excited to share with the community the Rainbow Ridge connections to our neighbouring properties. That's going to make it possible for people to walk between the Seniors Village, the Health Centre and the school towards Manson's Hall via the Rainbow Ridge property and the Village Commons property. It's a new trail system that's connecting from east to west, a number of nonprofit properties in the Manson's corridor. We've also made improvements on the north-south connection of Rainbow Ridge so that it better connects with the Siskin Forest Trail system. We've moved part of the trail to higher ground on Rainbow Ridge so that it will be a drier trail through the winter months,” she explained. “These trails are part of a bigger vision of having active transportation and a network of trails where people can walk and bicycle. It's part of climate change adaptation to use your vehicle less. It's part of getting out and exercising and being in nature, and it's part of just being in community and bumping into your neighbour on the trails. We had a lot of reasons to develop this trail network on Rainbow Ridge. Someday there's going to be 24 families who live in the rental town homes that we plan to build on Rainbow Ridge, but these public trails are something that will be there for everyone in the community, as well as visitors to Cortes.” “I think it's an important part of keeping the Rainbow Ridge property in community hands and enjoyed by the public. I also think it's part of another bigger strategy where there's a lot of key properties now owned by the Cortes Island Senior Society, the Southern Community Association which owns Manson's Hall, the Cortes Island Community Foundation and the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), who own the Village Commons, as well as the Housing Society that own the Rainbow Ridge property. We've got all this fantastic community land in community hands, and I think these trails are really helping us to connect all of those parcels together to make these corridors possible and connecting to the wider park system like the Siskin Trail network and even the School to Sea Trail system that will take people to Manson's dock and Manson's Lagoon. You'll be able to go all the way from that northernmost part of Manson's by trail as far south as Smelt Bay Provincial Park. It's a really important way to connect our community. I really wanted to make that a part of this project.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Grand Opening of the Outdoor Friday Market was a warm summer day and hundreds of people may have passed through before it ended. There were 14 stalls clustered beneath the cedar trees and around the edges of the parking lot. I did not go inside the hall, which is always packed with tables.
Interviews with vendors and customers
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to local musician Jemma Hicken, when the Gorge Harbour Marina partially shut down for renovations this summer, they also closed one of the most popular music venues on Cortes Island. “Me and a lot of my musician friends have been playing at the Gorge and have been paid to play at the Gorge - which is amazing on Cortes. You don't often find paying gigs here. Then the Gorge shut down most of its operations this year, and I think a lot of the community felt like there was a big hole left by the lack of live music. There’s been a couple of attempts at organizing live music around the island. I know that there's live music happening at the Co-op on Saturday nights, which is awesome. We're going to have live music for the Friday Markets as well.” Sean and Catriona provided the first of a series of concerts that Hicken and co-host Louis Belcourt are organizing. Radio Sean: “We had a fair number of people show up. More than we expected on the first day of the series. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out.“ I would call the audience smallish, but intimate. There were no more than a dozen people at its largest extent during the second set, and probably no more than 20 in total. As the Commons is set back, there were also no disruptive conversations spilling over from the Market. Everyone at the concert was there to listen. Belcourt explained, “We are attempting to put on live music every Friday from 1 to 3 PM during the Friday Markets. We've been working with Manda Aufochs Gillespie from the Cortes Foundation and in support, with the radio as well, to try to get some live music for the community. It'll be a lovely revolving door of local musicians who want to play.” “We're just filling the schedule in right now. Please reach out if you like to play, if you have upwards of an hour and a half of material and reach out to us. Just show up to the Friday Market at any time between one and three and talk to Louis or Jemma.”
Jemma Hicken: “Especially if you want to play July 7th, or July 14th.” Hicken said they have Rick Bockner booked for July 21. Jemma Hicken: “Maybe Amy is going to play with him as well. My partner and I are going to be playing at some point. We haven't booked our date yet, but I'll let you know when it happens.” Radio Sean: “There’s a whole lineup of amazing musicians from Cortes, Quadra and beyond that are going to be here. So come on out.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than three years since I interviewed Willow about the release of their EP ‘The Southend.’
Maureen Fox explained, “it was right before COVID when we spoke. We've had a bit of an adventure and then about a year later, Noel Maffin had to move to Gold River to be with her family. So we were asked the beautiful Kelly Beamish to join us. Kelly brings this fabulous voice into the mix that has been really fun because her voice blends so well with ours.”
Kelly Beamish: “Hi.”
CC: When did you join Willow?
Kelly: “2021 I think. Yeah, like March.” They have only recorded one song.
Andrea Blaseckie explained, “I have a clip of ‘Joyful,’ which is the latest song that was recorded here on Quadra Island and it has all four of us in it.” (’Joyful’ is inserted in the podcast.) Andrea later emailed, “It's a song I wrote after I found a bag full of little notes that people had written to me for my 21st birthday. When I turned 21, I was travelling with an international performing group where I was mainly a backup singer. That morning we were enroute to Leipzig, Germany. The rest of the cast surprised me with this little bag full of birthday wishes and kind words and insights on how they saw me.” “I hadn't seen that little bag of notes for over 25 years and I happened upon them at exactly the right time that I needed to find parts of myself that I had forgotten. It was a great reminder of the innocence and blind faith of my 21 year old experience, the hope that I saw within the world, the difference I believed we all could make, my growing sense of self confidence and self worth, my shyness and yet there I was travelling the world singing songs and performing to audiences anywhere from 25 to 30,000 people. Joyful was a song I wrote to my 21 year old self. To all of our 21 year old selves. To remind us all of who we may have been then and the threads of that version of ourselves that is still within us now.” Maureen Fox explained, “It is on our agenda to get some really good recordings coming up. So you'll hopefully be hearing from us in that way not too long from now.” To which Trinity Gogolin added, “We have a lot of new songs, at least 10.”
Several of the group promptly responded: “More than that”; “She's saying this year”; “last couple of months”; “in last year that we've started practicing.”
There are three opportunities to hear these new songs coming up.
Aug 5 - at the Southend Farm Winery Concert Series on Quadra Island Aug 12 - at Lovefest on Cortes Island. Aug 26 - at the Comox Valley Market Exhibition Grounds, Courtenay, BC
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - SRD staff is preparing an open Burning Bylaw for Cortes Island.
This is in response to Coastal Fire Centre’s decision to allow campfires, on June 20: ‘due to cooler conditions and rainfall, which has reduced the fire danger rating in these areas.’ However appropriate this may have been in other areas under the Centre’s control, it was not on Cortes Island. As Nancy Kendel wrote in the Tideline, “We have had basically NO RAIN since beginning of May, and our forests are tinder dry!”
The Coastal Fire Centre’s decision also applied to:
Marina Island Maurelle Island Raza Island Read Island Stuart Island The Redonda Islands The Rendevous Islands
The Coastal Fire Centre has once again announced a fire ban as of noon today, but Cortes Island is stll subject to regulations being drawn up in area that receives more rainfall.
Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch brought the matter before the SRD Board at its June 28 meeting:
“I got a lot of alarming emails and phone calls regarding the lift. I contacted the province and they said that they can't change that decision, because it's based on boundaries, unless we have a bylaw in place. So this is just a bylaw that will give us power to go against it. If a lift happens and we don't think it's appropriate, then we can decide for ourselves,” he said.
There was no opposition to the motion that staff prepare a bylaw for Cortes Island, which has passed.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - North Island College is offering a free 20-day course for people who are unemployed, partially employed or precariously employed and wish to become deckhands, operate tourism related vessels or take the first step towards obtaining certification as tugboat operators.
“You have to be at least 16 years old, a resident of BC and have a social insurance number - so be a permanent resident of Canada. You must be ready to train. If you are unemployed, if you're a high school student, if you're in grade 11 or 12 and you're 16 years of age, you can do this course. If you are only employed part-time because you can't find full-time in what you want to do. If you are only employed seasonally or casually or precariously, you can apply to be part of this program,” explained Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce , which has partnered with the college on this project.
MRS: “This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada BC Workforce Development Agreement, and we have 12 spots available. It's a fully funded training program, full-time Monday to Friday for 20 business days. They can start training July 13th.” “If they do this 20 day program they would be able to right away find work as deckhands. They can operate crew boats up to I think 12 or 16 seats, tourism related vessels, or aquaculture.” “This sets them up to do the next course, a short course being offered in the Fall. That would get them right on to working on tugboats. right now there are a number of tugboat operators that want to retire, but they can't because there is nobody to take their place.”
CC: Exactly what will the people who take this program receive?
“They will have: Marine Basic First Aid SVOP — Small Vessel Operator Proficiency WHMIS — Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Job Ready — Research potential employment, Resume prep & distribution ROC-MC — Restricted Operator Certificate-Maritime Commercial DVS* — Domestic Vessel Safety FoodSafe”
“The three courses that are starred (*) in our news release are ‘the Marine Basic First Aid,’ Registered Operator Certificate for Marine, commercial’ and ‘Domestic Vessel Safety.’ These three courses can be applied toward the next level, which is the Master Limited, less than 60 tons, for tugboat operators, being offered in the Fall.”
“There are about a million jobs available right now across Canada and here on the West Coast, a number of them are in the marine industry. As was demonstrated, I believe yesterday or the day before when BC Ferries had to cancel two sailings on the main run between Schwartz Bay and Tsawassan. It's a huge issue, not just for BC Ferries, but for tugboat operators for the Aqua Marine companies, there are not enough trained individuals to work on boats. And we live on the coast and there is a lot of work to be done on the coast in boats.”
“Upon completion of this 20 day fully funded program, individuals will be able to immediately get work as deck hands, operating crew boats, tourism related vessels or aquaculture. It would also be a first step into BC Ferries.”
CC: Do you happen to know how long the training period is for BC ferries?
MRS: “I do not, but call them and they will be able to tell you.”
“We've spoken to Marine Link Transportation, aquaculture companies and BC Ferries, every single one of them who have anything to do with marine on the coast is desperate for individuals with at least this type of training.”
Image credit: Rubber crew boat Photo by USFWS on Pixnio
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The McKenty family’s first public performance was in the outdoor section of the Mansons Farmer’s Market in 2006. After leaving their rental home at Smelt Bay in 2018, they have lived in Vancouver, at Hollyhock and for the last year and a half in Willow Point.
“We can see Cortes across the water,” explained Immanuel.
To which his father, Robert added, “We're looking straight across at a place where we lived for 10 years. When we go for a swim, are gardening, or anytime we look out of the window: we're looking at Cortes. So we're not actually gone, in our own perspective, we're still displaced Cortesians.”
They were part of the circle that gathered around an H4n recorder, in the Mckenty’s basement studio. Musical instruments hung from the walls surrounding them.
Robert McKenty and his sons Immanuel, Francis and Isa are in the Awakeneers.
Two other members of the band were in that circle. Erica and Rose Giannone are sisters, who have been living with the McKentys since 2020. They are US citizens and have work permits.
Immanuel described his mother Elizabeth McKenty, who sat on the stairs overlooking her family throughout our interview, as ‘a great supporter and behind-the-scenes member of the band. ‘She doesn't usually perform onstage with us. She has done some wonderful watercolour paintings which we've used for our album artwork.’
Robert and Elizabeth have three more children. Adam is in Germany. Ieva and Eli live on Cortes. While they are no longer members of the band, they all contributed to the Awakeneers new album.
Erica: “Though we're not currently living on the island, it is really nice to be able to look across the water. I know you guys are all over there, and I see the lovely island.”
Immanuel: “I’m still frequently checking the ’property for sale’ listings on the island (this prompts some chuckles) with a hopeful raise of the eyebrow.”
Robert: “We moved to Willow Point around Christmas in 2021. We scored a large rental house that was scheduled for demolition. It was originally only a three month rental when we moved in, but the demolition has been rescheduled, so we are still living here, happily.”
CC: Ouch.
Immanuel: “The good part of that was that since it was scheduled to be demolished, we had free reign to install many instrument hangers all over the walls of the basement. So we took full opportunity to do that.”
More in podcast
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Lovefest will be returning to Cortes Island on August 12.
“Lovefest just has its own momentum. It exists because the community wants it. There's nothing political about it. We get to enjoy some good music, have fun together and just be with each other as a community,” explained Rex Weyler, one of the key organizers. Today’s program consists of an interview with Rex, interspersed with songs from three of the acts coming to this year’s Lovefest. We’ll start the music off with Adonis Peuentes, the first band that Rex mentioned in our interview.
RW: “We have five years of experience, so we're getting a little better at it. We've got a great team. Soma Feldmar, Amy Robertson, Rick Bockner, myself and others are involved every year in putting it on. We have 50 volunteers, so all of that collected experience. Lonnie Taylor's been helping from day one and Dancing Wolf does the decoration. He's great at that.”
“We have the Community Action Bus, which we had last year for the first time ever and the Community Action Bus comes from Victoria. It'll circle Cortes all day long, picking people up, bringing them and taking them home from the event. That really cuts down on the necessity for cars.”
“That's what I love about Lovefest. It's evolving in a really nice direction because people are having a good time and want to contribute. I think we do a better job every year.”
“What's really special to me about this year is that we just have some great bands that have not been to Cortes yet.The Adonis Puentes Cuban band is going to be a killer. A not new band that's not been here before is also the Unfaithful Servants from Victoria.” “Pierre Schreyer and Adam Dobray were here last year and they were just such a hit fiddle player and guitar player. They're just so good and played great fiddle dance music. People loved them, wanted them back, so they're coming back.” RW: Our friends from Quadra Island, Willow, are a wonderful singing group. They were here in 2019. I love them, they're just fantastic. Then a lot of our local favourites: Josephine Simpson grew up here; Michael Keith; Jemma Hicken, Wiley Ferguson will bring his band. Wiley, by the way, had one of his compositions accepted by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Wiley's a great musician, great guitar player; Brenda Hanson is going to play. A new singer songwriter we've never had before. Marianne Grittani will be here. Many of the people on Cortes know Jesse Roy; Heather Wolfe and her band.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Today’s program is going to be a little different. The Awakeners will be coming home to Cortes at the end of July. They are playing at Gorge Hall on Friday July 28, and Mansons Hall the following day.
“We are excited that we'll have a brand new album with us, for both of those,” said Immanuel McKenty.
“Which was mostly recorded on Cortez Island and the majority of the songs were also written while we were on Cortes. The album will also be for sale at the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, as well as at our concerts,” added his brother Francis McKenty.
This is the beginning of a two part series about that ‘nomadic tribe of multi-instrumentalist songwriters (most of whom are siblings)’ called the Awakeners. We talk a great deal about their album and where most of the songs were written, and play three songs.
As they agreed to let Cortes Currents broadcast some of the songs, I asked what was their favourite. This prompted a long discussion, as most of them said do not have a favourite
Immanuel said, “Starting To Become’ is one of my favorites on the album. It's one that Francis wrote while we were staying at Hollyhock and recorded there while we were living there.”
His father, Robert McKenty, agreed, “If we had a, lead song for the album, it'd be called that.”
(‘Starting to Become’ inserted in the podcast.)
Robert McKenty: “There's 19 songs and a couple of them are instrumentals, one of which is fiddle and the other is very classical sounding piano. There's folk songs, there's ones that sound like a big crowd singing along. There's funny ones like ‘Teen Freak’ or ‘Think,’ and then there's sobering ones like ‘What A Man Can Be.’
Immanuel McKenty: “A lot of the songs on the album are a result of what we did instead of touring when Covid happened. We were living at Hollyhock at the time and redirected our energies towards recording. For a long time, we were sending a brand new song out to our email newsletter once a week as our musical challenge and way to say, inspired and connected with our audience while we were confined to one small area of land and house.”
Erica Giannone explained, “It was pretty neat to have something going out every week. I think it gathered some nice momentum and people had something to look forward to in their inbox. A lot of the people on our newsletter are people all around the world that we've connected with over years and years of travel. So it was always pretty special to have the responses coming in and connecting with people again, even though we weren't able to get out on the road.”
Immanuel McKenty: “It was quite a fun challenge too, because we weren't necessarily planning to keep doing it when we started, but it picked up momentum until we were doing it every week and taking it fairly seriously. We would have pretty intense couple of days leading up to the Friday. When we would always send out the our song usually on Friday night. So we would be in our recording room for hours and hours on usually Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, getting all the tracks in and mixing it in. Then we were doing artwork for each song.”
“The songs were all written by different people, and we tried to rotate around, so we were sending out some of everyone's songs, and often the songwriter would write some text about what the song was related to that would go out in the newsletter and also come up with some sort of artwork idea that they or somebody else would design and put together to go out with it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Seven antique cars pulled into Mansons Landing shortly after 12:30 on Wednesday, June 21.
There was a lot of anticipation prior to to their arrival
Melanie Boyle, Managing Director/Curator of the Cortes Museum, explained, “So far as I know, we've never had 15 vintage cars arrive here on the island. We as a museum celebrate histories of various sorts and histories of the island, old technologies and looking back at a day when people travel differently, slower forms of transportation and different speed in the world.”
“This is really celebration of that and, I'm sure it takes a special sort of person who has a devotion to restoring older things and a value of not trashing things and not always looking for the newest, but respecting something of the past and with it heritage and stories that go along with it.”
The Antique Chapter, of the Vintage Car Club of Canada is in Campbell River this week. They have been making day trips out into the surrounding countryside. They were in the Comox Valley yesterday and today they are coming to Cortes Island.
Photo credit: Julie from Julie's Cafe delivering their lunches
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra Island’s Community Plan was drawn up in 2007 and some of the Outer Discovery have land use plans dating back to the 1990s, but Area C needed an overall comprehensive vision. The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) started the consultation process leading to an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan in 2019. Then COVID arrived and everything was put on hold. Last year the SRD recruited a community focus group, hired a facilitator and proceeded to finish the job. On Friday, June 16, The SRD Board announced the approval of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for Electoral Area C (The Discovery Islands & Mainland Inlets). “Anytime we do any sort of comprehensive planning process, one of the biggest challenges that we have is finding common ground amongst all the disparate ideas, visions, goals and challenges of people living in different areas - and with being diverse people themselves. In this case because it is a vision for the entire region, it was much more important that we were able to come together, find that common ground and that shared vision. That required a lot of intense discussion and a lot of work together,” explained Meredith Starkey. SRD Manager of parks and planning. “The success story is that we were able to come together and craft this plan that may not be perfect as far as how each individual person would have written it, but everyone is happy with, and that we can all carry this forward into the next phase of the planning process into official community plans and zoning bylaws and really implement it because it is something that is largely accepted, agreed upon and shared.” “We structured this plan around five community systems, recognizing that they all build on each other and they're interconnected and they're interdependent. So a change or an influence in one area has impacts on all of the others and vice versa.” “The five structures are:
climate change and natural environment, Developed areas, housing and infrastructure, community wellbeing and health, the economy and employment and governance and reconciliation.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fifteen antique cars will be in our area this week. They will be checking into the Discovery Inn, in Campbell River, later today. That will be their base for day trips into Cortes Island and Quadra Island and the Comox Valley. “There'll be quite a number of Ford Model Ts. I'm not just sure how many. There'll be at least two Buicks: mine is a 1912 and a friend of mine is going to be bringing his 1910 Buick. There's going to be a Russell, which is a Canadian built car, and there's going to be - I think it's called a ‘Premier’ and it may be a Canadian built car as well,” explained Bruce Beecham, one of the organizers. “We're all members of the Vintage Car Club of Canada and the Antique Chapter, which is basically cars that are 1915 and older. But for this tour, we've softened that a little bit so people with 1927 and older could come. There will be a few people from Campbell River. Myself and Darryl Weedman are from the Comox Valley. There might be one or two people from other parts of Vancouver Island and possibly even a few people from Washington, but I would say the majority of the cars are going to be from the Lower Mainland.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Eleven volunteers turned out for the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) annual Beach-Clean-up on Saturday, June 17. “Most of what we collected today is styrofoam, which is used for floats. That's obviously washed up on the beach, which is great to get off because it breaks up. We got a whole truckload full of styrofoam. We've also picked up a lot of the little black plastic trays they use on the oyster farms, tires with styrofoam in them, a few buoys and then just some sort of trash, but mainly styrofoam,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI “We've been cleaning up the beach on both sides of Hollyhock right round the southern tip and towards Seascape. This is a beach that gets hit by the southeastern storms that come in the winter. Lots of stuff collects on the beach.” We were standing in front of an overfull pick-up truck, with extended walls. There were still garbage bags of debris, and piles of aquaculture trash waiting on the ground. Cortes Currents asked, “Do you have any idea how much debris was picked up?” “Just looking at it now, about two big truckloads,” replied Hall. The volunteers split into three groups and combed the beach in an hour and a half.
Someone from the central group, whose area stretched north from Hollyhock, said, “My sense is that the beach was remarkably litter free. We probably found everything that wasn't nailed down, or tied down and cemented in by sand and rocks.” Hall explained, “What's interesting is we haven't been picking up a lot off the beach. People who walk the beach regularly have been collecting the garbage and putting it into piles. That's really helpful, we've really been collecting their piles off the beach. I was talking to one person here who does that, and she said, 'I put it in a pile because I don’t know what to do with it.’”
Comox Valley Waste Management left a large bin on Cortes Island to be used for the beach clean-up and a Klahoose First Nation project. “We're getting it off the island and recycled, which is great news,” said Hall. After the clean-up, FOCI’s volunteers gathered on the beach below Hollyhock for refreshments. The lady from the central group said, “It’s a joyous group to be a part of. We're sitting here enjoying exchanges and drinks from Hollyhock; kamboucha, and the great weather.” Hall added, “It was nice to have the community coming out to clean the beach and we're going to be doing more of this next year.” Comox Valley Waste Management may leave a bin over the winter next year. There was also talk of extending FOCI’s beach clean-up to more remote areas that can only be accessed by water.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - While young families have been migrating to urban centres for decades, in recent years there has been a trend in the opposite direction. The BC Rural Centre asks ‘’What does it take to entice young people away from big cities to small towns?’ Every two years they host a major international conference to profile successful and innovative rural development initiatives. This year’s conference was held on June 1 and 2 at the Hampton Inn, in Kelowna.
Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C gave the Strathcona Regional District Board a brief report at their June 14 meeting.
The text that follows is a transcript of her presentation:
“At the beginning of June, I had the good fortune to spend two days with rural leaders from across the province at the BC Rural Centre’s ‘Keeping It Rural Conference.’ We discussed forestry, agriculture watershed management, rural innovation, mega projects, healthcare, reconciliation, and the erosion of the right to be rural and how to restore it.”
“Most of us around this table represent rural communities, connecting with rural leaders across the province, highlighted the similar challenges and opportunities, many areas face.”
“The Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health, Jennifer Rice and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, Roly Russell, brought provincial perspectives to the conference. Until now, I didn't know these two rural advocates existed. It was excellent to meet them.”
"Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoysoos Indian band discussed rural economic development, hard work, land back and the difference between profits and maximizing profits, which is ‘what got us into this corporate mess.’"
“Chief George Lampreau of the Simpcw First Nation highlighted their nations holistic approach to environmental assessment and that his nation is working towardd an MOU with municipalities within their nation’s geographic area to build a better future for all.”
“We heard from forestry operators working to achieve margins through value added, not driving prices down and about community forests from a First Nations perspective.”
“The Agricultural Panel questioned what the culture of food growing is in our regions, ‘because we all need to eat,’ and discussed food hubs and small scale meat production.”
“At the Rural Innovation Panel, I learned innovation is best when working with place-based strengths. Then it's a social process, which can be a catalyst for economic development and diversification. It was stated that the reality for rural innovation is there are proportionately higher costs, and it's best to think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.”
“Broadband infrastructure was mentioned as key to supporting innovation and Connected Coast was highlighted as an example of great work, connecting rural communities to the world.”
“The conference was held in Kelowna, an area central to much of BC and a non-rural location was deliberately chosen because the pressure of a conference on a small rural community could present unwanted challenges to that community and I thought it was a valuable learning experience.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is looking into the possibility of setting up a housing service to access funding for affordable housing projects.
In the staff report prepared for the June 14 Board meeting, it states that 45% of the renters in the SRD are paying more for housing than they can afford. Many homeowners are facing similar affordability problems.
“Both the Comox Valley Regional District and the Cowichan Valley Regional District currently access requisition taxes for a housing service fund, to be accessed by local non-profit housing providers and other partners to support housing projects.”
Staff is not suggesting the SRD increase taxes, the proposal is to set up a service which would allow it to access grant money.
The need for an additional 41 units in Area D (Oyster Bay to Buttle Lake) was cited as an example of what the SRD could do if this service were set up. The SRD could apply for a Housing Accelerator Fund grant that could potentially access between $820,000 and $1,599,000 of funding for the proposed development.
The motion to proceed with investigating this proposal passed, with one opposing vote.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Elinore Harwood posted a thank-you posted a thank-you note in the Tideline last week. Writing on behalf of the Board and Membership of the Cortes Island Seniors Society (CISS), she stated Carina Verhoeve had been ‘a fine Coordinator.’ This was the first indication many Cortes residents had that the Seniors Helping Seniors program was no longer being funded. When Cortes Currents contacted Verhoeve, she said the funding for her program was terminated eight months ago. Now the Seniors Helping Seniors program has been restarted under the auspices of a new senior’s society. “Seniors Helping Seniors is a wonderful initiative and program. I'm happy that it has started way back, I am happy that it has been going all these years and I am even more happy that it's continuing. It offers essential services to seniors and if we are lucky, we will all be seniors at some point,” explained Verhoeve.
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - BC composer Wylie Ferguson showcased a new composition with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) this spring.
Ferguson's nearly six minute piece is titled "Broken Earth" and the VSO played his composition on May 30. The 30-year-old composer is very pleased with how it turned out; he describes the composition as "monster music, like something out of a Godzilla movie." He adds that most of his works lean towards the "dark side."
Ferguson, who is based in Nanaimo and whose parents live on Cortes Island, applied last September to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's composition mentorship program. He was accepted and began the seven month program last October.
Ferguson studied and taught at the Squamish Academy of Music and studied composition at Capilano University in North Vancouver. Ferguson says he's influenced by a number of contemporary composers in both the jazz and classical fields, most notably Frank Zappa.
With his VSO mentorship now complete, Ferguson hopes word will get out about his compositions and he will be sought out for commissions. In the meantime he continues composing and teaching as well as playing in a number of musical ensembles.
Kate Maddigan/CCEDA - Recently, the province announced a new rural intercommunity transportation study. Cortes Islanders will be familiar with efforts over the years to explore improvements in transportation options for residents and visitors while reducing the island's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
This new transportation study will address rural intercommunity transportation. For residents of Cortes, Sonora and Reid Islands, this is mainly about finding affordable and reliable ways to get across Quadra Island to access essential goods and services without the use of a personal vehicle.
The focus is on passenger transportation connections between communities, especially in rural and remote areas that are either not currently served or are underserved by buses, ferries, water taxis, float planes, community shuttles, or other ways of getting around. Connections between transportation modes, such as going from a ferry to a bus are also included.
The consultations for this project are being held during the month of June and are intended to eventually help inform the design of a new granting program to fund projects that come out of this study. This is a promising initiative for our island, and I hope you'll participate!
Besides the survey, you can also join in-person community sessions and in online virtual sessions. To access the online survey, go to CCEDAs website under the news and events tab at www.cceda.ca. The online session for Rural Island Communities is on Tuesday, June 27th, from 1 till 4:00 PM. The in-person sessions will be held with First Nations local governments, industry, local research organizations, and community groups across Vancouver Island and on the Sunshine Coast for Cortes Island residents.
The closest in-person community session is Campbell River on June 23rd. If you would like to be included in a session, you must send an email to registrations.bc@mnp.ca. To recognize your time being put toward the survey, five Visa gift cards worth $100 will be awarded at random to those who complete the survey by the deadline on June 30th. There are funds available to help cover travel costs for Indigenous people located in remote areas to attend the in-person engagement sessions.
For more information, please email registrations.bc@mnp.ca. Indigenous participants will be offered an honorarium for participating in these rural transportation engagement sessions.
Thank you for participating in this study, which will help inform better decisions about passenger transportation for our island.
This is Kate Maddigan with the Cortes Community Economic Development Association. You can reach me at kate@cceda.ca.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The ‘Creative Spaces Garden & Studio Tour’ returns on Saturday, July 8. “This is a self-guided tour, and once you get your ticket, you can choose what gardens or artist studios you want to visit, in what order, and you can stay as long as you want at each place,” explained Nancy Kendel, a museum board member whose garden will be among those exhibited. “We have 17 venues this year, 21 participating artists and gardeners,” added Managing Director/Curator Melanie Boyle. Nancy: “When you drive around Cortes Island, what you see is driveways that go up into the forest. You don't really get an opportunity to see what other people are doing. Going on the garden tour allowed me to see what other people were doing and the beauty of other people's spaces because each garden is different and each garden is grown for different reasons, food production or maybe someone's just into roses.”
a list of the participants this year:
Curious Art Studio (Fillipe Figuera) Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery (Monica Nawrocki, Ester Strijbos, Janny Thompson) Brian Hayden; Gabriel Dinim Heritage Garden, the Cortes Island Museum Sarah's Organic 'Rainbow' Garden Gerri Davis and George Lerchs; Kristen Schofield-Sweet Fairhaven Gardens (Laura Ellingsen) Nancy and Ray Kendel's garden Juniper Bluffs, (Elizabeth Anderson's garden) Tennant Farm, (Loretta and Don Tennant), Sea Field Gardens (Martha Abelson), Marion Cragg, weaving studio Twilight Studio/Thistle Ranch (Jane Newman and Brian Scott). Brilliant by the Bay (Connie Brill), Bruce Ellington's Garden, Nora Johnson and Jerry Preston's Garden Hollyhock
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At Wild Cortes: The Cortes Island Water Cycle
Wild Cortes came into being as a result of a series of interactions between Laurel Bohart and Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum. They started in 2005, shortly after Bohart moved to Cortes Island.
"I met Lynn Jordan on on the ferry. She had this parrot, an African Grey, and it was dead and frozen. She wanted to find a taxidermist, so I mounted her bird. That was the beginning of Wild Cortes, because we did 'Ravens Relations,' and put it up in the museum for a few years. People were absolutely enthralled. They wanted to know if we would have more animals, so we dreamed up the original Wild Cortes, the story of water," she explained.
"The story being that waterfalls on high places trickle down to lower places and eventually flow to the sea or swamps or lakes. That was so popular we had it up for three or four years and then of course the Board decided to do something else."
"So we took that down and there was a lot of upset because people were really attached to it. Lynne and I thought maybe we should recreate it. So we got a good size grant and recreated it here, and it's been growing ever since."
CC: When did ‘Wild Cortes’ open in the Linnaea Farm Education Centre?
LB: It was 2017 when we opened.
CC: Take us on a tour of this display, from the bluffs right down to the ocean.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Laurel Bohart has volunteered her time to mount or prepare the study skins of 100 birds, fish and mammals for the Cortes Island Museum. She is a member of the Board and one of the co-curators of Wild Cortes in the Linnaea Farm Education Centre. Bohart is also a professional taxidermist, whose interest can be traced back to her parent’s missionary years in Nigeria during the mid 1960s. The first words she used to describe taxidermy were, “It's fun.” To which she added, “It's a form of sculpture when you mount a bird or a mammal. It's better than a photograph, which is two dimensional. These are three dimensional.” “The first bird I did was a hawk which is like a Cooper's Hawk, only smaller. I didn't know you had to skin the legs, the head, the tail, and the wings. So of course it became smelly and got thrown out. That was my first attempt. Later on I learned to skin them and pin them out and let them dry.”
“We came back to Canada in 1967, and my grandfather showed me how to skin birds and sent me back with eyes and material and wire and a lot of the things I needed plus a book to learn from. So I learned from the same book he did from the early 1900s when he was a boy.”
“My father was killed in 1970, and in 1971 our family came back to Canada permanently. That's when I was able to learn more from my grandfather and mounted my first deer head. I think I helped him do a rug or something like that. I learned on the job and bought books that he recommended. I talked to other taxidermists, did a lot of study and practical application on my own.”
“When I got better at it, I was able to start a business, ‘L and M Taxidermy Service’ in Duncan in 1984. I had graduated from university by then. I had my master's in Museum Science and Ornithology, which is bird studies, but couldn't find a job in the local area. I was tired of traveling. I wasn't going to go back east and I had just come back from Kentucky because I had finished my Master's Degree down there. I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to do what my grandfather did.”
In the podcast Laurel Bohart talks about taxidermy, her life, coming to Cortes and a few of the species she has mounted at Wild Cortes.
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - Sunflower Foods, a local food company, launched a Pay It Forward program this winter as a way to donate healthy pre-made meals to the food bank.
"We wanted to find a way to provide food for people who couldn't afford it, who were on disability, who did need some sort of subsidy. At first we were just marking down the price for them and it was coming out of our pockets. It started to get a little more difficult for us and we didn't wanna start losing money on this. And so we came up with the idea of having the community donate," said Carrie Taylor, founder of Sunflower Foods.
The Pay It Forward program started on Feb. 21. If someone wants to donate the cost of a pre-made Sunflower Foods meal at the local food bank, Sunflower Foods will match that donation.
"So for the first month we didn't have anything but the second month when we started the program, after we started the meal delivery service, we had something like 70 meals go in. So we had 35 donations. We matched it with 35 meals, and we had given away all those meals for free to people who needed them."
The company also launched a new meal delivery service on Cortes Island Feb. 1; this is currently the only delivery service available on Cortes since Meals on Wheels stopped during the pandemic.
"There were a lot of people reaching out that wanted to make sure their elderly family members were eating well. Some of the people who used to rely on them Meals on Wheels program that stopped for a period of time. They were reaching out, asking if we could do something like that and so we decided to put something together that would suit a few different people's needs," said Taylor.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After COVID arrived in the Spring of 2020, someone gave the Quadra ICAN 'Squash The Curve Project' the use of 2 acres of land for a year. Local residents were provided with squash starts, or seedlings, and supportive tips from more experienced gardeners. The food they did not use was freely distributed to the community.
This year ICAN was offered use of the property again, to be used by its Garden Share Program.
“It's two acres located at the very south of the island in quite a beautiful, idyllic setting. That land was not utilized for a couple of years, but the caretaker came back to us again this year and said, 'would you like to do something with it this year?' We got the approval from the property owner. It's part of a strata title, so we had to get approval from all of the neighbouring properties that it would be okay to have increased traffic on the road, et cetera. Once all of that was in place, then we were able to initiate a first meeting with the people that were interested,” explained Ramona Boyle, Coordinator of Quadra ICAN.
She continued, “This past week about 10 people that came out to the property, walked it, decided what we needed to do to get it in shape for planting, what we were going to plant and how we were going to do it.”
“This property is flat. It is fertile. It used to be a market garden. It's completely fenced, which is a huge benefit and there are already some perennial plants on the property. There is water and hydro as well.”
“There are three parts of the property that are ready to plant right away. We had two volunteers, one who offered to repair the irrigation system. And a second who offered to repair a rotor tiller that somebody had donated so that we could loosen up the soil where a chicken tractor had been previously. So it's well fertilized, but a little compacted.”
“A good part of the property is going to have to wait until the fall to be prepared for next year's crops, but we're very excited about being able to grow potatoes, salad greens, corn, squash, tomatoes and beans right away. We've got a very keen group that are ready to get their rakes and the shovels in the ground.”
“ICAN's plan is to use it as an educational experience so that farmers or gardeners that don't have as much experience can learn from more experienced gardeners in a community setting.”
“The plan is to have four workday slash workshops throughout the season. The first time they would plant together, and see different ways of planting. The second session might be about pest control - how do we manage pests and weeds? The third might be How do you prune for better production? Then the last one would be how do you harvest? And what can you do with the harvest?”
“Each one of those events will be a kind of community picnic and a work team where the community get together to see how their food is grown and to learn different ways.”
“This will be a little bit of an experimental garden, so side by side methods of potato planting, for example, to see which one works best in these conditions. Is it putting the potatoes in the ground, or is it Ruth Stout with the potatoes on top and hay mounded over top.”
CC: Is there anything else you wanted to say?
“We're just very excited about being able to get started very quickly, because all of this happened really late in the season that the land was offered. We want to make sure that we can get certain crops that can go in a little bit later, so that they can produce this year.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - TELUS started construction Monday, May 29, exactly two weeks after they notified Cortes Currents that Tla’amin First Nation had given them the go ahead to build a cell tower on their land.
It has been two and half years since the communication giant informed the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) that they planned to construct three cell towers on Cortes Island and two more on Quadra.
The SRD refused to give their approval unless TELUS held public meetings. So TELUS approached First Nations, who are not under SRD authority. They built a cell tower on We Wai Kai land in Drew Harbour, Quadra Island, in February 2022. TELUS also approached the Tla’amin First Nation, about building on the parcel of land they own in Mansons Landing.
Cortes Currents visited the site on Thursday June 1. A security guard escourted me up the newly constructed dirt road to the edge of the property, where a sign warned that “Trespassers will be prosecuted under Tla’amin Law.” An excavator was working up ahead and the whine of a chainsaw announced they were still cutting trees. Dozens of logs were piled beside the road.
Samantha Statton later supplied some images of fairly substantial second growth trees that had been felled, but did not wish to comment.
The security guard did not wish to comment either. However when I pointed out the white truck with the logo ‘Belconn Construction’ on the side he admitted there was no point denying the obvious. They were the subcontractors.
Cortes Currents approached half a dozen people in Mansons Landing for comment. No one expressed support for the project. A couple of people vented their frustration off the record. Only one agreed to a short interview.
“My name is Tammy and I live on Sutil Point Road, pretty close to where the new cell tower is going up,” she said.
CC: “Do you have any thoughts about it?”
Tammy: “I feel that there should have been more real community consultation about the tower and its location. I am all for more connectivity. I think that's a good thing for emergency services, but I'm disappointed that the location chosen is so close to a residential area.”
CC: “It is on First Nation land, meaning different government.”
“It is,” she acknowledged.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - The Thursday Afternoon Art Collective will be coming to the walls of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery at 6 PM on Friday June 9. The artwork of LIsa Gibbons, Madhurima Braaten, Dayna Davis, Caz Ratcliffe, Denise Drury, Jane Newman, Karen McDairmid and Darshan Stevens will remain on display until Sunday June 18.
Lisa Gibbons explained, “I've been doing art classes in the studio for the last maybe 10 years. Mixed media art classes for different members of the community, children, adults, and a core group of really dedicated people just kept coming and emerged as this vital core group that we have right now.”
“We were meeting just before the pandemic, but it was still in the form of a class. Then we had to take this break and, for me personally, I also had to take a break for health reasons. The studio was dormant. We were all in our own creative spaces at home. Gratefully, I was able to come back to the studio late last fall, maybe November, and this core group of women that really wanted to continue came back as well. We just naturally morphed into a collaborative group because everybody's got so much experience now. So we left behind that old model that we were doing before, it's just really beautiful how it's blossomed, and we're doing things together.”
Darshan Stevens added, “I've always done different kinds of art, like writing and music, playing and photography. This is my career for quite a long time. I never really had an idea that I was going to become a visual artist, but 10 years ago when I moved here, I started coming to Lisa's classes. I just got really into it and now I really feel like doing this kind of mixed media art is a really big part of my practice creatively. I'm really grateful that I got to learn this through Lisa because Lisa's also a really close friend.
“Now I feel like this group of women that's together in this Thursday afternoon collective, that we have really started forming pretty tight bonds. There were already some really tight bonds with some of the people in the group. Three of them are already really good old friends.”
Jane and Denise and Karen all come from Banff and they're all really close friends and have long histories as artists themselves. There's something about the container of it being the same seven women every week that I find I like even better than when we started the group. So when we started the group, it was more drop in and different people came different weeks, and that was fine as well. But this, it feels very cohesive and it feels like a really great container for art making and collaboration and deeper friendship and connection now.”
Jane Newman said, “When we wrote the proposal to the Schoolhouse Gallery, we had to articulate what between Heaven and Earth was going to be about and also really in some ways articulate what our purpose in working together is, and what it does for us as a group. We talked about it before it became a statement, but that statement will be part of the ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ exhibit. just who we are collectively, what we believe or what we come to know collectively and it will continue to change and morph.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In the two months that ICAN’s food recovery program has been in operation, close to 1,300 people have have felt the benefits.
“Since the beginning of March we've distributed 1040 8.4 kilos of food, and that has been distributed to 338 individuals who were feeding 671 people. In addition to that, we have been supplying various agencies like Quadra Circle, the Read Island Aging In Place program, the Reed Island Community Kitchen. These agencies have been feeding an additional 600 people. In total, we estimate that that food has provided meals for 1,271 people,” said Ramona Boyle, Coordinator of Quadra ICANN.
CC: These are separate people, not just meals?
RB: “We've kept track of individuals.”
“The distributions have been gradually increasing in not only the amount of food that we have to distribute, but also the number and diversity of people who are coming to access the program. So we're very, very pleased about it. We do need to access more sources of food, so that we can make sure that we are able to provide for everybody that turns up at our distributions.”
“We are still collecting from both Tru Value stores and Amped on Nutrition. Talking to the owner of Amped was really, really interesting because she said that she had wanted to have a business that had a circular economy, but was unable to get rid of food because the food bank, for example, has rules about not being able to accept food from them. So she was very happy to be able to send food that was, in many cases, really high quality, organic, gluten-free, vegetarian fare for distribution.”
“Those three businesses have really been fantastic, but we're also pursuing a couple of other options for regular donations. Increasingly individuals are coming to us and saying ‘I have excess kale,’ or ‘I have lettuce that needs to be cut before I go on my holiday. Can ICAN use it?’ And we are able to pick it up and distribute fresh food.
“We're really very happy with the program.”
“We did have some concerns in the early stages from people who had been dumpster diving, worried that they would no longer have access to food 24 hours a day. To deal with those concerns, we have established one of two community fridges that is located right now in the Cove and it's stocked 24/7. We're looking for a location for the second fridge in Heriot Bay, so that we can do the same at this end of the island.”
CC: have you heard any response from the dumpster divers?
RB: “I know that more of them are showing up for distribution. More importantly, the food is being taken from the community fridge and it's being taken in small increments. It's not like somebody is coming in and swooping it all up. It disappears a little bit at a time and then we restock, and that tells us that it is serving a need.”
“They're also telling us that food continues to end up in the dumpsters at the grocery store. So they're not completely cut off from their previous supply.”
CC: Do you happen to know if any of Quadra Islands at risk population are among the recipients?
RB: “Definitely. I participate in the distributions that on both Monday and Thursday. Talking to people I know that we have people who are living in the bush. We have people that are living on boats. We have people that are unemployed and dealing with all kinds of health issues. We also have people who you would not think are in need, but the invisible stresses are being placed on the entire population. We are just overwhelmed with the positive response of those that are coming to get food.”
Image credit‘I have lettuce that needs to be cut before I go on my holiday. Can ICAN you use it? Photo by Toshiyuki IMAI via FLickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - Cortes Island Death Caring Collective is looking to expand its services and hire a staff member as the local island's population ages.
Collective Co-founder Margaret Verschuur says that more community members are needing help to navigate the myriad of health care options available for addressing physical or mental health needs, or both. She adds that those needs can be due to physical limitations, loss of a loved one, or ageing in place.
To that end, the collective is expanding its services and hiring a Compassionate Communities Coordinator to help with death care on the island. Verschurr says the position is funded through a grant from the BC Centre for Palliative Care and administered through the Cortes Community Health Association.
The Compassionate Communities model, from which the collective is taking a lead, is based on recent British research indicating that community members fare better when they have help accessing services and are able to continue participating within their community.
The Cortes Island Death Caring Collective was formed in 2018 and works to support "death as part of life" in the community, according to its website. Direct support is available to people nearing the end of life and their loved ones. As well, Verschuur says its email list and online community continues to grow and currently has 105 members. It posts weekly articles on a local website regarding death and dying and also hosts workshops.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra Island’s 3-month-long beach clean-up finished over the weekend
“Once a week, usually on Wednesdays, we would go on a remote beach hike, to different areas on Quadra that were hard to access. We had to go hiking for maybe an hour or so to some of these places and then collect and leave debris, and then we'd have to return by boat another day,” explained Nevil Hand, who organized the campaign.
“Near the beginning, it was just Heather and I. We'd put out an announcement on Facebook then maybe I'd make a few phone calls, but come the time when everyone was supposed to be there, it was often just her and I.”
“As the weather got better, more people started coming out. I think that some people realize that it's not just picking up garbage. You tie it in with a hike and you're enjoying the beaches and we're seeing wildlife. Probably a core of less than15 people were keen and it's hard to keep them motivated.”
“That's why we came up with the prizes. In previous years everyone got coffee, cookies and cake and that seemed to be enough. Now we have to do it twice a year, maybe more. It’s hard to motivate someone to pick up other people's garbage.” CC: How big of a problem is debris on Quadra Island? Nevil Hand: “It’s a pretty big problem, just how the weather patterns and the tide and how Quadra is situated at the north end of Georgia straight. We seem to receive a lot of debris directly from the south of us, from all the big townships and cities even as far away as Bellingham. We've had signage and floats from all the way up from North Vancouver, Vancouver, you name it.” “Before 2019, the Sierra Club used to do a one day beach cleanup event, which was tied in with Earth Day. Then they just decided they weren't doing it anymore, maybe partly due to COVID.” “In 2020 my wife Heather and I decided that we still wanted to get exercise and go out on the beaches. Once a week we'd go out for three or four hours and fill a few sacks full of garbage.”
“After about a year, I came up with the idea of starting a Facebook page because we had no funding and Facebook is free. We were able to attract a few other interested people.” “Then there was the COVID relief money from the provincial government and maybe a bit of the federal government's money. Spirit of the West kayaks got a contract to do a fall cleanup in 2021. 245 We assisted with some of our Facebook group members on that cleanup. They had a commercial contract, paid staff, boats and all the equipment that we didn't have, and they were able to do a big thorough cleanup.”
“Then six months later, it's all back again and there was no more covid relief money. We're back to doing it ourselves.”
CC: People have been talking to me about what you've been doing the last three months. How did you come up with the idea of having a contest?
NH: “We came up with the idea of the contest in late November last year. We knew it takes a long time to motivate people and the best chances to remove the debris in my mind. Is after the winter storms, when the weather starts to get better and before people get busy with family and visitors and want to do other things in the summer. We timed the contest to start at the beginning of March and end just yesterday, at the end of May.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island will not have a sani-dump this summer.
The matter was brought to Cortes Currents attention by former Cortes Museum President Lynne Jordan, who has been living in Duncan for the past four years.
“The closest RV sani-dump is at the Shell station on the upper highway above Campbell River, two ferries away! There is no public one on Quadra Island either. I had planned to visit Cortes this summer for about three weeks to continue doing some more research for the history of Whaletown I am in the process of writing. With my camper van which has small holding tanks, I will only be staying three or four days at the most,” she wrote.
Jordan had been expecting to use the sani-dump at Klahoose Gorge Harbour campground, until she found out it is closed while the resort undergoes extensive rennovations.
Jason Johnston, General Manager of QXMC (the Klahoose economic development arm), emailed:
“The RV Sani station at the Gorge Harbour Resort Marina was not in service at the time the Klahoose purchased Gorge Harbour (in 2021). It was only recently that I discovered the above ground tank for this purpose and learned that the service was offered.”
“That said, when our RV park was open during the 2022 season, we had a pump truck service come up and service RVs staying with us. This is a great solution for all RV operators and those opting for extended stays. It worked well for 2022 operations and we simply added it to the service that was already being done on site. I believe it was also $20 user rate, which was very affordable to campers needing service, allowing us to could cover extra costs.”
During the years she lived on Cortes, Jordan was responsible for having the sani-dump being installed at the Gorge. Prior to that she had approached Smelt Bay Provincial Park, Cortes Natural Food Co-op and the Squirrel Cove General Store. They briefly considered a sani-dump at the museum, “The problem is the holding tank is between the Museum and Firehall No. 1. Some RVs are rather large, and would create a problem for fire trucks and ambulance if their exit was blocked or compromised during an emergency.”
Jordan described a number of incidents prior to Gorge Harbour installing a sani-dump, when RVs either dumped, or were stopped from dumping, their grey and black matter in some of Cortes Island's more ecologically sensitive areas.
“Twice, just in time, I stopped RVs from dumping both their grey and black water tanks into Hague Lake Creek from the lake's lower parking lot. It made me wonder how many RVs had done – and would continue doing! -- the same thing when I wasn't happening by? … It made me livid since that creek drains into the ecologically fragile Manson's Lagoon, a most amazing and special lagoon along the BC coast.”
The campground manager at Smelt Bay Provincial Park had informed her he had “to clean up large smelly spills in the campground where visitors had dumped their sani-tanks in the lower overflow parking lot, or at the top of the beach along the road.”
That was prior to the sani-dump at Gorge Harbour, which Johnson wrote was no longer operational in 2021.
He added, “While planning is ongoing both for the Gorge and our new site at Squirrel Cove, we are aware of the need for RV sani service on Cortes as well as marine pump out, also very much needed for Cortes. There are lots of factors to consider such as the chemicals in RV and marine tanks and thier effects on septic systems. Likely the best solution is to again to address holding tanks and having pump trucks service them but again we are still in planning.”
“For the interim, I suggest RV operators consider looping in trailer pump out service as part of thier amenities as there is always pump trucks coming to the Island.”
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - A local band is hosting a free show to celebrate their 20th anniversary.Six Foot Johnson — a band including Garden Stein on drums and vocals, Danfver Johnson on harmonica, rhythm guitar and vocals, Dave Murray on lead guitar, and Greg Osoba on bass and vocals — has practiced "over 800 times at about 40 practices a year," including numerous live shows, over their 20 year career. The group considers themselves "Cortes Island's house band.""Well, 20 years ago I rented the Gorge Hall and I set up a bunch of instruments and invited everyone on the island to come and jam for my 35th birthday. And out of those jams, I met the guys that became Six Foot Johnson. And I said, 'wow, we should keep playing, this is good music,'" said Stein. "And the band grew from that night, so I thought it would come full circle to rent the Gorge Hall 20 years later, set up the gear and play music with the same guys again."The show will be free of charge and have a selection of DJ's playing before and after Six Foot Johnson's two one hour long live sets."It's a celebration, but we're doing it as a gift to the community," said Osoba. "It's a 20 year anniversary and we are doing the show for free because it's a give back to the Cortes community after all these years."The show is on June 3. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Outdoor Club made 6 trips this month, and 3 of them were off-island. They came to Carrington Bay and Grandmother’s Grove on Cortes Island, kayaked on the Sayward canoe circuit and visited the petroglyphs on Maud Island. Closer to home, they’ve walked Hyacinthe Bay at low tide, paddled around Gowlland Harbour to see the wild flowers and took part in a beach clean-up. “The Outdoor Club does provide a service to the community, particularly for people who are new to Quadra, who both aren't familiar with the trail system and at the same time really want to meet other people with shared interests. Most of them are perfectly capable of walking down those trails by themselves. These are mapped and maintained trails, but we also have in our membership a lot of people whose partners or friends don't share that interest. Particularly women may not be interested in doing the solo trip. I think that is an important niche for us. It's a very friendly group and the social aspect is very important,” said Debbie Quigg (DQ). She and her partner Norris Weimer founded the club in 2013. DQ: “We usually have between 35 and 45 members. So, it's pretty small. We don't have leaders or guides, nobody's trained. We're a group of peers. Everybody needs to be self-sufficient. That works out pretty well. and we've never had any incidents or accidents. The group's compatible.” “We are mostly retired and the trips are mostly on weekdays, but there is a demographic for that here, for the size of what we're after.” “We've tried occasionally to entice younger and working people by taking trips on weekends, but often they have such busy lives that it's really hard for them to take those leisure moments and have that flexibility to join us even if it's what they would like to do. That's not always possible for them.” “We try to have one outing per week and that's usually hiking or kayaking. In the winter, we do a bit of snowshoeing.” Cortes Currents asked Quigg to take us on a quick peek into their world, starting with their expeditions to Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - SRD staff have been instructed to prepare studies on residential waste collection, the legal status of short-term rentals and roadside parking on Quadra Island. These topics arose at the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting on May 10th. Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney made the following motions, all of which were seconded by Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch. “The reliability and costs of solid waste collection services on Quadra Island is causing some islanders to wonder about alternatives. Within the Stratcona Regional District, some electoral areas such as Cortes Island and the Sayward Valley have solid waste services provided by the SRD,” Mawhinney explained.“I’m curious about the costs of such a service for Quadra Island. Has a study looking into this ever been done before? And what are the steps needed to investigate this?” Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) David Leitch replied, “To my knowledge, I don’t think we have since this Regional District’s been in existence. So I think the answer is no.” To which Mawhinney replied, “I would like to move that staff prepare a report on options for residential waste collection on Quadra Island.” The next question pertains to the legality of short-term rentals“Strathcona Regional District’s 2022 housing needs survey for Area C detailed that short-term vacation rental numbers have exponentially increased. In 2016, there were 54. By 2021 there were 177. Interestingly, the 2022 housing survey details that 86% of the short-term vacation rentals in Area C are entire dwellings, which leads me to wonder what the legal status of short-term vacation rentals is within Area C,” said Mawhinney. “I understand that short-term vacation rentals may fall under the home occupation provision of the Quadra Island zoning bylaw. Not withstanding that I would like to move that this committee receive a report on the legal status of short-term vacation rentals in area C and avenues for managing their growth.”Mawhinney also wanted information about how to deal with problematic vehicles parked along Quadra Island roads. “There are several incidences of long-term parking of vehicles including commercial vehicles on Quadra’s roadsides. Until recently, the Ministry of Transportation was able to check insurance and uninsured vehicles could be removed,” said Mawhinney“However, ICBC is no longer providing expiry date tags, so Ministry of Transportation has no way of knowing if a vehicle is rightfully insured or not. The Quadra Island zoning bylaw has parking provisions for off-street parking. What I’m curious about is how or what the process is now for removing non-conforming commercial vehicles from roadside parking.”“Summer is coming. Quadra’s roads are significantly busier and long-term parking of wide vehicles in some cases is impinging on traffic and active transportation safety. I would like to move that a report be prepared on the legalities of commercial vehicle roadside parking, long-term roadside parking, and how these matters would best be managed or enforced.”EASC passed all these motions and SRD staff will prepare the reports
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District’s rural Directors often feel they do not have much input in Board decisions. The topic came up at the May 10 meeting, when the board passed a resolution that staff prepare a report on methods to increase public consultation for regional services.’ A second resolution calls for a policy to have the Municipal Services Committee refer new services to the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) for public consultation prior to a feasibility study.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Local naturalist George Sirk was sick for Cortes Island’s Spring Bird Count earlier this month, so bird watchers had to rely on a new app to help them identify species. This new app, called Merlin, is one of many topics that he and Nancy Kendel, from the Cortes Island Museum, discussed with Cortes Currents. The conversation started out with Kendel (NK) giving an overview: “For quite a number of years, the museum has sponsored two bird counts every year. In December and early January, we co-host with Bird Studies Canada, the Christmas Bird Count, where groups of people spread out around the island and count the actual numbers of birds that they see, as well as recording the species.”“The Spring Migration Birding Event happens the first Saturday of May and usually includes the day before and the day after. This year the count was on May 7th and included birds spotted on the 6th and the 8th.” “This birding event has a slightly different purpose. We only count species that we have observed, and it gives birders the opportunity to spend time together, share information and their knowledge with each other. We encourage families and interested novices to birding, to join us. They may pick up some tricks on identifying certain species of birds.”“The Christmas Bird Count has been happening on the island since 2001, and the Spring birding event has been going since 2004.” “Birding is a really fun thing to do. George Sirk actually encouraged me to help organize the first Christmas Bird Count. It was one of the most fun things that I had been doing during the whole year, getting out for the day with other people and seeing the birds. Kudos to George for getting this going even way back then.” To which George Sirk (GS) responded, “I just want to point out that it's just great that the museum takes on the task of organizing the event and then later tabulating all the data and then putting it all on the museum website. Everybody can look at all the different species that have been recorded in the Spring. “I just wanted to talk a little bit about the ebb and flow of the birds of Cortes. “All the ducks are in Manson's Lagoon or off of Smelt Bay, or in Squirrel Cove or Whaletown in the wintertime, because ducks from up north come down here. They overwinter here because the area's so rich for food. Sometimes there are over 500 Surf Scoters in the Gorge. There are huge numbers of birds. They're well recorded and documented in the Christmas bird count.”“Over 95% of them leave here and they go to their nesting territories way up in northern BC, Alaska, and the Yukon.”“A few of those winter birds stay over because they're probably non-breeding birds, takes 'em a couple of years to mature. They hang around here. So when the museum plans the bird count in the first week in May, they're actually catching the tail end of the wintering birds. They're around in small numbers.”“The museum's also catching the migration coming up from the Neotropics, from Central America, South America, the birds that come here in the summertime. So a completely different group of birds. Most of them are forest birds. They're still coming every day or every couple of days.”“Barn swallows weren't on the count in the 6th of May, but John Sprungman got them a week later because the Barn swallow has to come from Argentina, that's a long flight. Not all of them come from there, but that is one of the longest migrations of any of our land birds.” “Our Wax wings, Western wood pewee and Olive-sided fly catcher have not yet arrived. They come a little later, and of course the last one to arrive is the Nighthawk on the 7th or so of June. It does not like any cold weather. They come here and they're the first to leave in September.”“That's the ebb and flow of the two groups of birds. And then the third group we have here are the residents. Pileated woodpecker, Varied thrushes, Song sparrows. They're here year round.”
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - The Comox Strathcona Waste Management Centre on Vancouver Island is launching a new marine waste eco pick up service next week.Services Coordinator Stephanie Valdal says the centre will send trucks with large bins to communities to pick up marine waste that has been collected by individuals, community groups and First Nations. She adds that at this point the service will be by request and will be monitored to measure demand.She says spring is typically the time when community groups organize beach cleanup efforts to collect materials that have accumulated due to storm surges, the aquaculture industry and boaters, prompting launch of the pick up service at this time.Valdal says one of the first mobile pick up events is occurring May 27-28 on Quadra Island. Local waste management depots on Quadra and Cortes islands have contracts with CSWM.She adds that a partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows for most of the collected material to be recycled and not added to landfills.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - he Cortes Community Forestry Co-operative held its annual AGM on May 7th at Mansons Hall. The Co-operative is an equal partner with Klahoose First Nation in the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, locally known as the “Community Forest.” Mark Lombard is the General Manager for the Partnership.At the Forestry Co-op AGM, Mark reminded attendees that a public meeting would be held soon (May 11 at the Klahoose Multipurpose Hall). At this meeting he would present a review of the Partnership’s activities to date, and their plans for the next few years. This event would mark the launch of a public input period for the “Five Year Plan” for the Community Forest project.At this point in the planning process, the five year plan is wide open for comment and feedback. And if there’s an area that someone thinks would be a sensible area to operate in — in the next five years — that hasn’t been considered, please bring that forward.If there are any other features or concerns or ideas… basically what I’m trying to say is, it’s wide open to public feedback, so we’d like to hear from people, and everything’s on the table at this point.— Mark LombardCurrents interviewed Mark on May 19th, to offer our readers/listeners an overview of the material he covered in his May 11 presentation. [The audio version of this interview is quite different from the image-heavy text version, so we recommend that interested readers check out both media.]The Cortes Forestry General Partnership, a community forest management body, was formed in 2011. It’s a 50/50 partnership between the Forestry Co-op and Klahoose Forestry Limited Partnership. Each organisation, one settler and one indigenous, appoints three representatives to sit on the CFGP board.The Partnership was awarded a Community Forestry License by the Province in August of 2013. It now manages 3,869 hectares of public land, and is licensed by the Province to cut about thirteen and a half thousand cubic metres of wood per year.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - About 350 people* came to Squirrel Cove for Seafest on Saturday May 20. There was a flow-though crowd and not much more than a third of this number appeared to be at the six-hour long festival at any given time.“I think it's great it gets, a lot of cultures together and lots of different seafood,” said Sharon Francis, a Squirrel Cove resident and member of the Klahoose First Nation..Curt Cunningham, owner manager of the Squirrel Cove General Store which hosted this year’s festival, added, “They've done an incredible job. We're gonna have a good day, a good summer, and this is gonna kick it off.” There were unusually long line-ups at his store, and Cunningham later commented that his sales were more typical of peak tourist season than a normal Saturday in May.Vancouver resident John Earl said that in terms of friendliness, good food and good music, Seafeast was the best festival he has seen in the past 50 years. Some of the other visitors came from Victoria and Nanaimo. Trude Allbright-Sweeney was a Cortes Island resident for more than four decades before she moved in with her daughter in Rochester, New York, last year. “ I'm enjoying the Seafest. I've come every time it's here, and every time on Cortes. So far I don't think I've missed any.” CC: What’s special about Sea Fest?“Meeting all the people, all my neighbors. I don't meet when I'm back in the house, it's very nice. I love it.”Her hearing is no longer what it used to be, and Trude’s companion typed my questions onto a cell phone so she could read them.“It works,” I commented.“But it works,” she laughed.“I have one more question for her.” “Okay,” responded her companion. CC: Trude’s Cafe Konditorei used to be a favourite stop for visitors and local residents alike. Does she miss the cafe?“My cafe: Yeah, In a way. It was a lot of work, but it was fun having the people come. It was fun baking for it and it was good coffee because I swore when I open a cafe I'll have the best coffee I can find, which I did. The coffee beans I used came from Quadra. I said maybe I had to send away for it, but I didn't. It was even delivered to the house. Isn't it great?” replied Trude.Local filmaker Morgan Tams said, “It's fantastic to have Seafest return after the hiatus of Covid and particularly to have it in such a beautiful space as Squirrel Cove, to reflect the diversity of the island by having it in a different location is really nice, and nice to just see everybody here and start to gather again. It's a really nice, hopefully auspicious start to the summer.”Squirrel Cove resident Bobbie Jean Hanson added, “ I love that it's in Squirrel Cove. It's a fun new location, sort of revitalizes the area a bit. It's great.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mansons Friday Market’s ‘Outdoor Season’ officially started on May 19. “I think it's great. It's a beautiful sunny day and long weekend and, but still mostly locals, which is really nice to have their support,” said Sara Stewart, of Reef Point Farms.CC: Can I ask, where do you do most of your business? “I have a lot of different venues. There's the farmer's market. I also have the farm stand. I sell to the co-op and to Hollyhock and the Gorge Store when it's in the middle of the summer,” she replied. One of her customers, Judyth Weaver, interjected, “I go all the way down to this farm stand. Is it happening already?” “In a couple weeks,” said Stewart. “Okay. I was wondering, and I love it when she comes here. I've been buying her greens whenever she's had them at the Co-op, so I've been eating off of you for a long time.”CC: How long have you been operating Reef Point Farms? “I have a business called Wildfire Produce, lease land there and started in 2020. So this is my fourth season,” explained Stewart. Rod Lee has been selling his cedar bird houses ever since he took up his perminant abode on Cortes Island, about 23 years ago. “I'm an amateur and birdhouses struck me as being something I could make out of small pieces of lumber that were available from mills in the reject pile, where I could cut defects out and create a usable piece of wood. So birdhouses and the boxes are a variety of sizes. I just simply wait till I get a number of pieces of a similar size, make a box or a birdhouse out of them,” he explained. CC: Are there specific houses for specific birds?“There can be. For instance, I make a Swallow House because Swallows fly directly into the nesting area without using a perch. Whereas most of the other smaller birds, including Wrens, will use a perch before they climb into the nest box. Some of the ducks that use nests like Harlequin Wood Duck, have to be close to water. The young, when they come out just fall to the ground and then carry on. They use a different size box and often there's a bit of a ramp built into the box to give the ducklings access to the opening. So yeah, there's some differences.” CC: What do you use the boxes for?RL: “I made up a little piece of paper that said ‘you can use them for anything you want.’ My wife told me my dresser top was messy, so I now have a wooden box with all my stuff in it. She's happy and I'm happy. I know where everything is, but people will use them for anything. I've had people buy them for sunglasses. I've had people buy them to use in display areas. I've had people buy them with lids as jewelry boxes, key boxes. Some workers have kept special screws, nuts or bolts in them.”CC: Where do you sell your boxes and birdhouses?RL: I’ve been a salesman all my working life, so it's a natural habit for me.I enjoy it and I enjoy meeting people. As a member of the Cortes Island Craft Shop, located in Squirrel Cove, I get to meet people from all over that are holiday or coming off their boats. It’s always fun.” “I will sell here on the island at the Friday and Saturday markets, Mansons and the Gorge. I do have one off island company, Shar-kare in Campbell River who take my bird houses.” Loretta from Tenant Farm did not want to be recorded, but had no objection to my photographing her interaction with two customers examining a colorful hand spun toque.Most of the action is still indoors, where there were about 17 booths set up in the hall and entrance foyer. That is far too many people to interview.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On Monday, May 15, Rami Rothkop and Oliver Scholfield unveiled their ‘Business Roadmap for Value-Added Forestry Products’ on Cortes Island at Mansons Hall. Most of what they presented has been discussed before, the difference being that they were not just talking about ‘ideas.’ These were things they had already accomplished. That is why the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative hired them. They previously met with local mill owners Ron Wolda, Henry Verschuur, Aaron and Jeremie Elingsen, as well as Kevin Peacey from the Klahoose First Nation.“We took the information that we gathered, and tried to create several different options for the community to look at, to analyze, and to then choose which direction they want to take forward,” explained Rothkop. “I'd just like to say thank you to the people I’ve met, and the new friends that I've connected with here. This is really an enjoyable project and I'm pretty optimistic about it. The prerequisite is having people moving forward with ideas, because without that it won't happen, but the ingredients are here for this to work.”“My approach has always been precautionary with business, and with forestry in general. One of the roadmap options that we came up with, embraced what a couple of the local mills are already doing. We created a vision that would utilize a short-term plan of their expertise and would test the waters for a couple of years with the intention of starting a facility later on Cortes. That would be centralized, assuming these first few years were positive and showed promise.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On May 16, Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island issued a press release stating, “I’m excited to let you know that the provincial government has approved Cortes Island's short term rental tax application. Starting on July 1st, tourists will pay an extra 3% on their short term rental bookings and the funds will be collected by the provincial government and sent to the Cortes Housing Society on a monthly basis to contribute to the development of Rainbow Ridge rental housing.”“This is the first time in BC history that a community is using the tax entirely for housing and the provincial government had to amend their legislation to make it possible.”The application was made by the Cortes Community Housing Society, whose Executive Director Sandra Wood explained, “The issue has been that once a place becomes discovered by tourists, a lot of homes and cottages that used to be providing year round rental accommodation to locals become part of the Airbnb or other vacation rental sites. The owners of those properties can make more money from tourism rentals than they can from long-term rentals to locals.That has created a shortage of housing on Cortes and many other islands.”According to the 'Collecting Stories of Where We Live Survey,' last Spring, at least 159 Cortes Island residents were either living in ‘unstable’ conditions, or homeless. The Strathcona Housing Needs Assessment found that 150 Cortes households are paying more for rent or mortgages than they can afford. Vonesch wrote that the housing crisis was one of the big challenges that led to his decision to run for the position of Regional Director. “We need to figure out ways for the free market to offer up more rentals and support development that makes land affordable for young people and families who are currently renting and can’t afford to compete with tourist land prices.”One of his first acts, as incoming Regional Director for Cortes Island last November, was to seek SRD support for an application for a 3% tax on short term rentals. “This is a tax that affects all short term rentals on Cortes, whether you do that through Airbnb or other online platforms, or you rent your place out privately. It also applies to the ‘hotels’ on Cortes, which are the Gorge Harbour Marina, the Cortes Island Motel and Hollyhock. In order for this application to be submitted, you need at least 50% support from the ‘hotels’ on the island. We were really fortunate to have Hollyhock, the Gorge and the Motel all sign on. Part of my argument to the Regional District is, ‘Look, there’s the support from 100% of all the ‘hotels’ on Cortes!” The new SRD Vice Chair, Ron Kerr, was enthusiatic about the project, “I think this is an opportunity to really show what this board can do and not drag things on, but try and move them forward.”Incoming Area C Director Robin Mawhinney agreed, “I love it. I wanted to add that I believe that the Cortes Island Housing Society is doing great work. They have land, a plan and community support. I fully support this community initiative. I think it's an inspiration and a model, and I believe that a letter of support from the board fits within our Strathcona Regional District vision statement, which is to lend support to individual community initiatives.”At their inaugrial meeting, on November 9, 2023, the SRD Board unanimously voted to write the letter of support which accompanied the Cortes Community Housing Society's application to the provincial government.Vonesch’s press release explains that, “For short term rental operators using AirBnB or VRBO, this tax will automatically be collected by the online platform when customers book their stay, so there is no action required from you. For those not using these online platforms, and making more then $2,500 from their short term rental, you must register to collect PST and MRDT.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - British Columbia's Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) is the Provincial government office tasked with providing support to BC's fire services through fire investigation, collecting statistics, fire prevention and establishing standards for fire service training. It is based in Saanichton and operates through numerous Local Assistants. At the request of the Cortes Island Fire Department, the Strathcona Regional District Board is recommending that Fire Chief Eli McKenty be appointed Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner for Cortes Island.This matter came up at the Board’s May 10 meeting. Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained, “It traditionally has to be someone in the local area. Cortes is clearly an island, it, it wouldn't make sense for anyone off island. Historically that assistant has been the Fire Chief. There is an interim Fire Chief there right now, and they're requesting that person be appointed as the local area Fire Commission.”Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island, said, “I would like to move that the Regional District recommend to the office of the Fire commissioner, that the Fire Chief Elijah McKenzie be appointed as the Local Assistant to the fire commissioner for Cortes Island.” Regional Director John Rice seconded the motion, which carried with no opposing votes.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fifteen years ago April Point Developments submitted a subdivision application for phase one of, what was at the time, a three-phase development proposal for a 134 acre parcel on Quadra Island. This application triggered a requirement that the developer dedicate close to 7 acres as parkland. The matter was thought to have been finally settled last summer, when the SRD Board accepted April Point’s parkland dedication offer - but the developer made some revisions. There were more questions than answers when this matter came before the SRD Board on May 10. When no one offered to discuss the matter, Chair Mark Baker (MB) called what turned out to be a premature vote. “All in favour … Opposed .. seeing none, carried in electoral areas only that the revised proposal for Parkland dedication from April Point Developments be accepted, as outlined on May 10th, 2023. Report from the CAO.”CAO David Leitch (DL) pointed out, “We don't have a mover on the motion.” MB: “Oh, we don't have a mover on the motion yet, sorry. So we have electoral areas only. There's a motion.” None of the rural DIrectors responded. DL: “There’s no mover of the motion yet.”MB: “Then the motion is defeated, is that not correct? Technically, it has never been made.”DL: “So this comes from the Electoral Areas Services Committee, that had supported the motion, correct?”April Point is in Area C, and after a pause Robyn Mawhinney, the Regional Director of Area C, expressed her hesitation. “I notice that this report doesn't contain the previous iterations of the report that, generally, reports carry along with them. This is an updated version of an application for a park proposal, but there were no previous iterations of the park proposal included in the report. I was curious if somebody from staff could explain to me the material differences between this iteration of the proposed park and earlier versions, as to the size and the walkability. I noticed that most of it is a wetland which are critical for percolating water into the aquifer, and I appreciate that the wetland is being preserved as a park,” she explained.“I am curious how this trail will be built, and also maintained. And I'm further curious if a group such as Quadra Island Trails Committee, which is an active group on Quadra Island with much experience designing lines of trails, if they've been consulted or if there has been other ground truthing from staff or locals, or if it has been mainly from the proponent and designer, who is in Vancouver.”Senior Manager Aniko Nelson replied, “I can't speak to why the previous reports weren't attached to this report, but in any event the size of the parcel that is being proposed is the same as previously. There's a small pinch point which has been created, as part of additional surveying and a current road sighting and a bluff.”“The proposal has been amended slightly, to allow that road and bluff to be outside of the park area. The area 2.78 hectares remains the same as does the overall trail length of 1,430 metres.” “There's no proposal at this time to construct trail, as this is a requirement for park dedication only. The Regional District is not in the position to require development of trails at this time. This is outstanding park dedication as part of a previous subdivision, and a current covenant that is on title requiring them to provide this park dedication prior to any further developments in the area.”RM: “I was just curious because the maps really highlight a lot of trails and you're talking about 1400 meters of trails, but then you're also saying that there is no requirement for the trails to actually be built.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District’s *SRD) plan to increase the yield of recyclable materials, collected by the curbside pick-up program on Cortes Island, officially went into effect yesterday. Engineering Services Coordinator Sheena Fisher gave the Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) an update at their May 10 meeting.“I believe it was at the last EASC meeting, that we introduced a letter that we received from Recycle BC where they were asking us to develop a remediation plan to increase the yield of the curbside recycling. When we received that letter in January, we began explorations and discussions with our partners, and providing the service, being our collection contractor and Comox Strathcona Waste Management to develop possible avenues to meet the objectives or the requirements of Recycle BC.”“We put that together in a draft plan for Recycle BC, which was submitted on time. They have subsequently accepted the plan. We've already started putting things into motion, even though it doesn't technically start until May 15th. The main drivers of that plan are mostly around promotion and education, informing residents about the service, the benefit that it provides, as well as letting them know the impacts should the incentives from recycle BC be diminished or taken away if we're not successful, which is a loss of that funding and likely increase to the user fees.” “One of the big things that we're working on is adding glass back into the collection, which poses a number of logistic and safety concerns. We're working with the collection contractor on how to accommodate that.” “The collection volumes increase over the summer regardless, just due to an influx of visitors and people on the island. Which limits their ability to add this new material on their normal runs. We are asking them for some proposals to add a separate day of glass collection once a month to see if that can be delivered without increasing the service costs this year, just so we can get an idea of how much glass we've even able to collect on island and if it's a viable product to help us meet those weights.”“Glass is nice and heavy, so we're hoping that it gives us a lot of bang for our bucks. But the collection contractor has already stated that most of the glass that they used to receive was refundables, which will not count towards our weights.” “We're meeting with Recycle BC in June to have some more discussions and Recycle. BC is also going to visit the island so that they can get a feel for the unique culture and solid waste management habits of island residents that they might not be expecting seeing as they're all based in the urban environment of Metro Vancouver.” “We haven't started the educational campaign. It will include a insert into the user. Invoices that are gonna be sent out in May or June, so that we a direct pamphlet to everybody who's part of the service. We're hoping that will be a effective way of reaching everybody as well as a website and putting up some posters in high volume areas such as the ferry terminals and the grocery store . Definitely open to suggestions about other locations that might meet the qualification of high-volume area, but that's where we're at.” Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney, of Area C, asked “I was curious about the measuring, how frequently is this happening?”Fisher replied, “Essentially the plan is a six month plan, thank you.” Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director for Cortes Island said, “I just want to thank Sheena and Wolfgang for their work on this.” “Cortes Island is really concerned about recycling. I want to definitely increase their volume.“It was a surprise to a lot of folks on Cortes that so much of the curbside pickup was being subsidized. It's been educational for a lot of folks and look forward to making progress on this. Thank you.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Dead Boats Disposal Society was on Cortes Island last week. John Roe (JR) said there are close to 4,000 abandoned boats in British Columbia, and he has been removing them for the past 30 years. The provincial government set up the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund and the federal government has the Abandoned Boats Program. “We have our team and are pretty proficient at boat removal. It just requires a lot of pre-work. The pre-work is myself going out as a volunteer, reaching out to the communities, coming up and documenting the boats,” said Roe. That is what brought him to Cortes Island. JR: “I reached out to the Klahoose Nation. They're renovating Gorge Harbor Marina and offered me a spot for my RV temporarily. I've been here for three days. I'll be here two more days, and then I'll be back again once I start filing my paperwork.” CC: What have you found? JR: “Not a huge amount at the time. Cortes is a very broad island with a lot of inlets. I go out mainly with my drone to areas that are accessible. We haven't found a huge amount, but I know they're here because we have received emails. Like everything else, they get shifted around. So it's really up to the community to tell us where they are. If the boats aren’t put on some sort of documentation, they don't get removed.”CC: Have you found any abandoned boots? JR: “Yes, I found a few. I'm going down today to Gorge Harbour. I have a few emails that I have to go through now that I'm connected, but I'll get them documented. I have about seven days from now until my first grant application to the province, and another 10 days after that to the federal government. Because we're doing a lot of debris removal, the province will help pay for that hopefully. If not, we'll put it under a federal application.” “When we get rolling, we're a big unit. We have barges, cranes and things like that, so it's very expensive for us to come.”“What we've been telling the government is we'll give a discount for volume. We don't want to go and come back a year later for another boat. We'll take them all at one time. Once we're here, we move fast and everything's just gone.”CC: Have you found any boats in Squirrel Cove?JR: “I have, I'm going back out today to document it. Says ‘a mine sweeper,’ I don't think it was.” CC: Are you talking about the wreck by Basil Creek? (Photo at top of page) JR: “Yeah, I've seen pictures of that for a number of years and it's even more deteriorated. I'll do a quick assessment of it. I'm of the adage that if man put it in, we're going to take it out. Our oceans are not to be a dumping ground for anything.” We hoped to meet when he arrived in Squirrel Cove, but that didn't work. Instead, I met Randy Carlson, whose memories of that old wreck stretch back to another era. “I remember it before I started elementary school on Cortes around 1960. I used to live right on that side of the boat, on the shore with my grandparents living close by. During high tides in the summer, we used to swim out to it to play. My dad was killed in a logging accident. Mom and me went back to Grandma and Grandpa's. I left in ’67, I think, to start high school in Vancouver and moved back last summer. It's nice and quiet, which I need.” Joe Roe said he would be visiting the Klahoose that day, and then move on to the more remote northern reaches of Cortes Island. There are said to be a bunch of abandoned boats along those shores. He would use a drone to hunt for them.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is moving forward with adoption of a regional fire administration support service that would provide assistance to the various fire departments in the Regional District. There was little discussion and no opposing votes at the May 10 SRD Board meeting. Regional Director Gerald Whalley, of Area A, brought forward the motion that will make this immediate, rather than waiting for next years budget. “I move option B that the regional fire administration sports service be established as part of the general administration service of the regional district,” he said. Second” responded Regional Director John Rice of Area D.“Second, Vonesch,” interjected Cortes Island’s Director. Chairman Mark Baker noted that ‘Director Rice was quick on the draw,’ and thus is recorded in the minutes as the seconder of this motion. Baker called the vote: “All in favor.” “Opposed?” “Seeing none, that motion is carried.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Two experts are coming to Campbell River to teach local entrepreneurs how to how to grow their businesses beyond our borders. Brady Calancie oversees Export Navigator on Vancouver Island, on behalf of Export Canada. Julie Sperber is the CEO of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. Together they oversee Foreign Trade Zone VI, Vancouver Island.“That's a special designation given to Vancouver Island under their umbrella from the federal government. Normally foreign trade zones are created around individual municipalities, but because Vancouver Island is so unique, they basically deemed all of Vancouver Island a foreign trade zone. It may include the Gulf Islands. I can check with Julie on that, I'm sure it would,” explained Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce.Sperber and Calancie are the guest experts at the Chamber’s ‘Lunch and Learn,’ at 12:00 PM, May 16 in the Anchor Inn, Campbell River. MRS: “There are supports in place through Brady and Julie to help businesses get their product beyond our borders, whether it's beyond the border of the islands, whether it's beyond the border of British Columbia, whether it's beyond the Canadian border.”“Anybody who has anything that they are selling, they can begin to sell beyond where they're selling now. Say it's candles; we have a lot of local distilleries; maybe it's children's clothing; hemp clothing; maybe it's energy bars that they're making in their VIHA approved kitchen and they want to expand. Maybe you are a videographer, a podcaster, or a coder and write for AI. You've created something that is not tangible, something that you can't hold in your hand, but something that you can share creatively.”“These are all small entrepreneurs that have an opportunity to go big, but in a way that works for them and that's what these two individuals are bringing together for our ‘Lunch and Learn.’ It's a free service that they offer.“You can pepper them with questions and then you can set up an appointment with them for a one-on-one.” “When you export a product, or even an intellectual property, there are many regulatory steps that you have to go through.” “These individuals know these regulations inside out, and can help businesses navigate and streamline what they're trying to do. If you try to do it on your own, it's very difficult and it's time consuming. Why do it on your own when you have an opportunity to have somebody literally hold your hand through the entire process that does this day in and day out. They are experts in this field.” “If it's an intellectual property, again, the laws around intellectual property in every country are different. There isn't one law. It's the same for importing products.”“When you have a product that you want to sell, what Brady Calancie can do and what Julie Sperber can do, is help you identify which market you want to enter. Maybe it's New Zealand, maybe it's East Asia, maybe it's Maldovia, maybe it's Sweden or Finland. They can help you identify which market is going to be the best fit for what you are trying to sell.” “Secondly, once you identify the market, they can help you go through all the steps that you need to do to begin to sell beyond our borders.” CC: That's happening in Campbell River today … MRS: “ … At the ‘Anchor Inn and Suites’ on the old Island Highway, right across from Quadra Island, at 12 o'clock. $30 if you are a chamber member, $35 if you are not a chamber member. Lunch is included in that price. It's going to be a wonderful round table conversation, and you have a chance to win a $100 gift card.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - TELUS issued a press release stating “it has gained approval to construct a new tower on Tla’amin Nation treaty lands that will dramatically improve wireless service on Cortes Island. Once completed, this new site will provide residents and visitors of the Mansons Landing area and surrounding waterways with reliable cell service, enhanced safety and access to emergency services throughout the area.” “This upgrade is part of TELUS’ broader coastal connectivity initiative, which has resulted in improved wireless services to residents and businesses in Whaletown, Gorge Harbour, Cortes Bay, and Squirrel Cove. TELUS plans to schedule construction activities on Tla’amin land over the next few months.”While no firm numbers are available, a significant number of Cortes Island residents are known to oppose construction of this tower because of:concerns that electromagnetic fields constitute a health hazard,TELUS’ refusal to hold a public meeting, as is the normal procedure in our area. A small number of Cortes residents have expressed support for the proposed cell tower.There are three major mobility carriers in Canada, and respondents to a survey in PC Mag last month placed both ‘Telus Mobility’ and its subsidiary ‘Public Mobile’ ahead of ‘Bell Mobility’ and ‘Rogers Wireless.’“The company edges out its competitors in overall satisfaction, likelihood to recommend, and satisfaction with choice of phones, customer support, and fees; while the rating of 6.6 out of 10 for satisfaction with fees is nothing to text home about, it's still quite a bit ahead of Rogers.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum just its AGM. They have hired two summer students, want to hire an events coordinator, and are gearing up for the Creative Spaces Garden and Studio Tour this summer. These are the topics that Managing Director/Curator Melanie Boyle discussed with Cortes Currents.
This is Carrie Saxifrage with some reflections on the community forest. Thanks so much to those who attended the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) AGM and to all the forest folk who keep this place deep green.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Mother Tree Project began in one Lower Mainland and nine Interior forests. They recently expanded their research on the coast, where Dr Suzanne Simard says the forests are richest in terms of biodiversity. A team came to Cortes Island at the invitation of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, and students from the Cortes Island Academy will be taking part in a research propject later this year. Dr Simard described the Mother Tree Project’s work on Cortes, and responded to questions, at the Community Forest’s 2023 AGM.This is an abridged transcript taken from the ZOOM audio.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Last week, Sadhu Johnston, President of the Cortes Island Fire Fighters Association met with David Leitch, Chief Administrative Officer of the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and two of his staff.“There was a lot of smoke and not a lot of fire in there. We ended up having a very productive conversation and we'll be entering into contract negotiations for another five year contract for firefighting on Cortes. It was very productive and they got really just willing to work with us and address the unique needs of Cortes and find ways to address concerns in working together,” said Johnston. There has been tension between the SRD and Cortes Island Fire Department recently. The fire department’s five year contract was not renewed, when it came up earlier this year. Instead Cortes was put on a monthly contract. There was talk of establishing a centralized service with a Fire Chief in Campbell River. However when the SRD finally unveiled the plan they were working on, at their April 26 Board meeting, it was for a service that would actually support volunteer fire departments like Cortes. The SRD feasibility study found that communities are interested in a ‘shopping list’ approach, where local fire departments can pick the items they wish to subscribe to. Johnston explained, “As you know, I've worked on shared services before and the track that they're on makes a lot of sense. There are things that they would have regionally available to different fire departments to be able to opt into, like shared resources around training, maintaining trucks and equipment, they'll have some expertise on staff that we can go to get direct support and we'll help them with their oversight of the various firefighting functions across the region.”“I think there's a real value add there to take some of the burden off of the board here, as well as our own firefighting staff, Chief and others. I think that will evolve over time, but will offer us some things that will benefit us.”CC: Do you think it'll save us money? SJ: “There’s definitely potential. When you do everything on your own, you are on your own. Versus if you can hire someone to come in and do some training and they could train a number of fire departments at once. There's economies of scale that you can get there. Depending on how it evolves, there's some opportunities for some savings and ultimately just better performance.” CC: Are there any reasons to be concerned right now? SJ: “I don't think so. We're eager to get going with the new contract because we're on a month to month contract right now and we want to hire a permanent chief and we need a five year contract to do that but they were ready to proceed. We just need to get into the nitty gritty of what changes we might need in a new contract, but, I didn't see , anything really to be concerned about.” “Great to see the level of support from Cortes residents for the firefighting function on Cortes. We had a lot of people on Zoom, a lot of people in the room, a lot of emails of support and that's amazing. That manifests itself as people stepping up to be volunteers and to helping out with the department, both on the board and, in the fire trucks and in the trainings. It's just really encouraging to see the level of support that there is on Cortes for what we're doing through the fire department.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Health Association held its annual AGM at 1pm on Sunday May 7th, in the main room at Mansons Hall. The meeting was lightly attended and no controversial topics were on the agenda.After opening the meeting, Board President Ed Safarik welcomed guest speaker Yasmina Cartland who made a brief presentation about “Compassionate Communities.” The rest of the meeting was devoted to the usual business of an AGM, concluding with selection of Board members for the coming year
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) recently hired Kate Maddigan as its new Economic Development Officer (EDO). Colin Funk, the President of CCEDA, explained, “I have known Kate pretty much the entire time I've been on Cortes, I think I'm coming up to my 10th summer here. I've been on a few boards with her when I was active with Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). We live pretty close together in the south end of the island. So like many, we bump into each other at the store or on the trails and such.”Cortes Currents asked Maddigan about some of the work she has done in the community. “I'm working for the ambulance station, but that will be my daytime job.”“I did work for DFO for quite a few years up in the Yukon, and through that I came to understand government culture better than anywhere. So when I'm writing a grant or something, I understand the brain of a bureaucrat. It really helps because you need to be able to speak their language and not everybody can do that.”“I have written a lot of grants, and then it turns into a project management position because I know the project so well”.“The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative approached me to write a grant with their value added project, and then I became the project manager when the grant was successful. I've also done some work for the partnership with the skills training of forestry workers a year and a half ago, I wrote the grant, the grant was successful and I became the project manager.” “I did some work writing grants for the Streamkeepers and help them with their fundraising strategy.”“I've done a lot of work for FOCI just being on the board of directors for 10 years, and felt that my time there was done, and CCEDA was looking for a grant writer. So I jumped in and I've done some project management for CCEDA along with all the grant writing.”CF: “She's got a deep sense of Cortes, having been a resident for many years. She's been in the nonprofit/ social profit sector for a huge amount of time and, I think more than anybody on Cortes, has a really good understanding of the groups - whether it's groups that are dealing with the environment, economic or social education. That's really important because many of us sometimes just have a singular focus and she's very much pan-Island, so that's super important.” “The other thing too is she just has some remarkable skills in terms of being a real strategic thinker, and a visionary and then the ability to get things done. That's unique because most of us are either big thinkers, dreamers, but we couldn't tie our shoes effectively. Others can get lots of things done, but aren't necessarily working on the right thing or the appropriate context. She's got this whole brain approach. Kate can go from big picture and then very quickly understand what's needed to put that forward.” “She's got a wonderful personality and is really responsive to listening to people and following up on, helping us achieve our aspirations, our dreams. When you're working in the type of work we do in the nonprofit sector and volunteer sector, it's all about relationship. We're doing stuff that sometimes is a surprise, or unexpected, or a challenge and quite often with limited resources. So the relationship side of things is really, really important. LIke many others, I just so enjoy being around her.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Green Party leader Elizabeth May flew in from Ottawa on Saturday, May 6. She was the feature speaker at the North Island - Powell River Electoral District Association (EDA) AGM at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River. Around 60 people from Campbell River, Comox, Powell River, Port McNeil, Quadra Island and Cortes Island were in attendance. This is an edited transcript of her speech, and a couple of excerpts from the subsequent remarks made by local Green Party candidate Jessica Wegg.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the weather turns warmer, some recreational vessels seek moorage at Cortes Island docks for periods of between one and six months. This is called long-term-moorage. On Wednesday, May 3, the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island (HACI) issued a press release stating that their docks in Whaletown and Cortes Bay are now full for long-term-moorage this summer. “When we're talking about long-term recreational moorage, we're just talking about individuals who are looking to moor a boat and not live on it,” explained Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick“At this point in time, both the Squirrel Cove and Mansons docks still have some long-term recreational moorage placements available and those are available on a first come, first serve basis until they are full.”CC: So this does not apply to boats coming in for the afternoon, or a few days. “For a community user that wants to come in for the afternoon, from their boat-access-only property, or a commercial user who's using the dock for work on a regular basis, absolutely. We are only talking about recreational long-term moorage.”“We have had to do this because we have received such a huge request for individuals looking for one month, three month or six month long-term moorage for their recreational vessels. We've had to look at the actual physical capacity of our docks, and what they can handle.” “I'd also like to remind the community that rafting is a requirement on all of our docks.”“This means that vessels are already being rafted two deep and this policy was put in place to prevent what we saw as potential safety issues of vessels coming into our more popular docks and in some cases rafting four, even five vessels deep down the entire length of the dock.”“I think the first thing to reiterate is that the government docks on Cortes are all docks that are owned under the Small Craft Harbours program of the federal government. Under this program, the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island operates these docks through an arm’s length lease agreement, but we are required to meet Small Craft Harbour's mandate as part of this lease agreement. Small Craft Harbour's primary mandate is to support the commercial fishing industry in BC and to support the infrastructure associated with the commercial fishing industry.”“We recognize that we are an island and we have all sorts of short-term moorage needs. People with boat access only properties, and there are a huge variety of other community uses for our docks.” “This policy of limiting long-term recreational moorage is to help us manage the increased requests for moorage that we've experienced over the past couple of years, while still ensuring that we have space available for those mandated commercial uses, but also the community island needs.”Image credit: Boater by Larry Wentzel via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery is looking forward to what may be their best season in years. “There's a post COVID enthusiasm which was first evidenced by the submissions that we had that have resulted in seven shows. There's no hesitation about Covid rules, or what we should or shouldn't do. We've been a nonprofit for a year and a bit, and the new manager has had a year behind her. Things feel more settled, and more focused on the magic of the shows than the behind the scenes business that the boards have to handle in any organization in a big time of change,” explained Oriane Lee Johnston (OLJ). “One thing that Islanders can look forward to is a full season starting from the 9th of July.” “There will be a grand opening with 'Between Heaven and Earth' with the Thursday afternoon Arts Collective. Seven artists have been meeting pre-pandemic in Lisa Gibbons studio every Thursday afternoon and have a body of work that we are all now going to see.”“The last show closes on the 10th of September with the Annual Members Show. That will be a grand finale where every Cortesian who fancies themselves an artist, or who is an artist, may submit a piece or two pieces for exhibition in the gallery.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Academy appears to have its full quota of 20 students for 2023/24.Manda Aufochs Gillespie, the Academy’s principle Board member, explained, “We've let the first 20 students know that they have a spot if they want it, and then we'll start taking students off our wait list. This time last year, we were still like, 'oh no, we don't know if anybody will sign up for this crazy new program we have.’ This year, not only is it an established program that's going to keep continuing into the future, but we had so many applicants that we had to have a wait list.” “We took that hard job of figuring out who to let in and gave it to a jury of community members, who listened to the students videos that they had to create as part of their application, read the reference letters, looked at their application, and helped take into consideration our matrix of priorities such as making sure we make additional concessions for local students, etc. Some of them said it was one of the hardest things they've ever had to adjudicate or give their thoughts on. It wasn't easy, but it was a beautiful process of young and old Cortesians, people who lived on the island and have moved off, representatives from the school district and from the Outer Islands.“The second really exciting thing that we're doing this year, is that the Cortes Island Academy has officially created partnerships with other rural remote Outer Island communities within School District 72 to treat their students as much as possible as locals. That means that we can prioritize their applicants and applications into the Cortes Island Academy.”“We've had to figure out a rental situation where those Outer Islands families can come and share in the responsibilities of hosting these kids on our island. They can be part of this innovative, awesome, educational experience, so that they can have a real option.” CC: Which Outer Islands? “We have offered places to students from of course Quadra, Sonora, Read, and an island called Bibs, which I've never even heard of.“Those are what we're calling the Outer Islands. There's other ones too , Maurelle and other places out there. Some of these have families and students who get to school by boat or have almost no option at all even compared to Cortes. They're even more remote.”“We just want to stress that our rural and remote students are suffering in Canada, that they're underperforming in all academic majors. They're dropping out of high school at almost double the rates of their rural counterparts and they're entering the workforce with the largest education gap of any developed country.”“My dream is that every student in Canada has an option to something like a Cortes Island Academy, but in the meantime we're starting in our own backyards and helping make this a true option for local people. So thank you again to our community and those many neighbors who took the time to be part of this heart-wrenching process of figuring out who we are going to prioritize for letting in.”“The Cortes Island Academy has done something that's pretty hard to do, which is figure it out a way to leverage government and education money for something that is really out of the box.”“This program still costs about $200,000 a year in hard costs, and that has been up to the Cortes Island Academy Society and the Cortes Island Community Foundation to fill that gap. We were able to fill that gap last year through individual donors and through a grant from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.”“We are still trying to fill that gap this year. Of this year's $200,000 hard costs, we have raised more than a quarter already.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The 2023 Gorge Hall Mother's Day Plant sale will be from 11 AM to 2 PM on Sunday May 14. This has been a Whaletown Community Club (WCC) tradition for more than 30 years.“It's a community event. The pleasure of people seeing each other, talking to one another outside of the absolute necessity of needing something from a neighbour. This is an opportunity to see the gardening health of Cortes and the vibrancy of it by seeing what's on the table. The vigor of the gardening culture has always been an integral part of Cortes,” explained Gabriel Dinim, President of the Whaletown Community Club.“We don't always go in other people's gardens, but if you put a bunch of plants on the table you can even put your name by it - then everybody can see what a gardener you are! If you don't put your name by it, it just provides more plants to sell for the WCC. We can always use a fundraiser.” “Before Covid it was the crowds milling around looking at the plants. people come early before the sale opens up, bringing their plants. Carloads of shrubs and small trees, perennials and annuals. that activity is lovely.”“I remember seeing 50, 60 people coming up and three or four tables loaded with plants and trees from nurseries. Rosemary Woodridge used to be very involved in it, and she's a fearless woman who would get on the telephone called the nurseries and ask them to donate, and they would. Somebody would go to town, pick up a bunch of things that we did not grow on the island.” “Then watching people just go from table to table deciding what they're going to pick, discussing it with their friend or neighbor or parent. What about this? What about that? The activity is very pleasant. And if it's a sunny day on top of that, then it's the icing on the cake.” CC: Is this the first Mother's Day plant sale since Covid?GD: “There was one last year, but it did not have quite the oomph as the pre covid sales had. I think that we still had a touch of PTSD around that issue. Fear of the crowd, which we are learning to overcome again.”“if you wish to volunteer to put plants on the table, to get the tables out of the hall, have a good time and laugh, please come around 9:00 in the morning when we expect the donations to start. If you have extra, please bring it to the Gorge and we look forward to seeing you. It will be a lovely event.”Image credit: Rhododendron Photo by Jim the Photographer via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 LIcense)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) centralized fire service, unveiled at last week’s board meeting, was not what many feared. It seemed to compliment, rather than replace, the District’s seven volunteer fire departments. Cortes Currents reached out to Mark Vonesch (MV), the Regional Director for our area, for a more in depth perspective. MV: “The size of this service is quite small and it's really just funding two full-time jobs to provide some general administration support around the things that rural fire departments and the regional district need to coordinate more on. I think it makes sense both for rural fire departments in the Strathcona Regional district and the regional district itself to have some shared administration.”“It's going to make it easier for rural fire departments. It is going to make it easier for the regional district to make sure that all the rural fire departments are meeting regulations, that inspections are happening in a coordinated and uniformed way. We're looking at training and inspections in ways that are smart for everybody.”“This is not going to cost very much money. We're looking at roughly $16 per property owner, if your property's $800,000. The average is less than that in Cortes. This is a very small cost that is going to provide some shared admin support for rural fire departments.” “My first impression of this is that it actually makes a lot of sense. It's something worth supporting. I think it's going to ultimately bring down the budget that the Cortes Fire Department is going to require moving forward, as we share some administration, particularly around training inspections, regulatory requirements, symbol bulk purchasing and general administration.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - At the regular SRD board meeting on April 26th (minutes), a couple of issues of interest to Cortes residents were discussed.There were new developments in the story of SRD’s proposal to centralise rural fire hall administration; this was covered by Roy Hales on Monday.The Board also discussed the “Community Resiliency Investment Grant” and its uses, specifically the provision of wood chipping service for properties with road access, and the local use of those wood chips. Sean Koopman reported to the Board that SRD successfully applied for $300,000 under the Resiliency grant for this year:So on November 23rd, 2022, this board passed a resolution authorizing the Regional District to apply for $300,000 for this grant.While we haven’t officially received the grant yet, it is incoming soon, so it’s non-officially official. Part of the activities that the board approved were wood chipping for road accessible properties in electoral area A and D. What we started with this grant last year was putting out calls to community organizations for the wood chips that come from this grant — under the UBCM criteria that they be disposed of 100 metres from structures.Although initially those wood chips were available only to community service organisations — not to individuals or businesses — the Board at the April 26th meeting voted to offer wood chips to any applicant willing to come and collect them from a central location. Delivery of wood chips, however, would still only be available to community organisations. Individuals would have to sign a waiver or agreement promising to dispose of them safely and according to those FireSmart guidelines.The Surge Narrows Parents’ Association put in a request for wood chips to cover their playground, which was granted. Wood chips are stored and composting on Cortes in several locations; the composted matter will be available to farmers in two or three years. The Seniors’ Association is using the chipped wood for their trail maintenance; Linnaea Farm and the Dillon Creek Restoration project have also benefited.Area B Director Mark Vonesch asked why Quadra and Cortes residents were not being offered the chipping service this year, despite SRD’s successful grant application.Question — Quadra and Cortes were not not being offered this year. Is that just a matter of sort of like every other year?Different locations based on the budget you’re working with?Sean Koopman explained that Quadra has gone over their budget for wood chipping in the last two years, and the situation on Cortes was complicated by SCCA’s plans for fire safety improvements at Manson’s Hall:Quadra has gone over budget with this amount in the last two years. That’s a separate conversation. Cortes, the reason we didn’t go for it this year, is this grant can allow for $50,000 per electoral area.And Fire Smart Renovations for community buildings is an eligible criteria. Mansons Hall has about $80,000 worth of project that they want to undertake. They received a grant for $25,000 for that. So talking with Tammy and the SCCA I said, I will max out the SRD’s 50,000 [from the Community Resiliency grant]. So if the SRD gets the grant — 50,000 from us, 25 from their grant — then that allows them to undertake those Fire Smart renovations to that important community building.For Cortes, we aim to get back to the chipping next year. This was was a special one time thing in partnership with the SCCA.It appears that SCCA has a major fire safety upgrade planned for Mansons Hall, similar to what’s already been done for the Gorge Hall but on a larger scale. In the meantime, it looks like Cortes residents may have access to those stored wood chips — by applying to SRD, filling out some forms, and doing their own pickup and delivery.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Elizabeth May, co-Leader of Canada’s Green Party, will be the guest speaker at the North Island-Powell River riding AGM in Campbell River this Saturday, May 6, 2023.This is the first riding in Canada to announce its candidate for the next Federal election. Jessica Wegg (JW) was also the Green candidate for this riding in the 2021 election. Cortes Currents asked her, “Is this meeting open to the public?” JW: “Yes, it's open to the public. If you want to vote on anything, you have to be a member of the Greens, but you can join today, or tomorrow. If you're not a member, you can still come.” “We're very excited that Elizabeth May is coming. We're really looking forward to seeing her and seeing everyone in person. Finally, it seems like we can connect with more people now that we're further away from the pandemic.” CC: Do you know what Elizabeth May will be talking about?JW: “No, but she is such a wonderful speaker. I'm really looking forward to seeing her again.” CC: Do you want to share any thoughts on running again?JW: “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with more time and more preparation . I'm excited to jumpstarted with this AGM and I'm really looking forward to meeting people in person. I think people are feeling energized. We're starting to feel more strength within ourselves to affect change, and I'm excited to see where that goes. I was energized by the last election, even though I lost. It was a really wonderful experience and I'm looking forward to trying again.” “Candidates all over Canada have been applying and going through the vetting process. It so happened that mine was the first to get through. So I will be the next candidate for the next federal election, whenever that may be, for the Green party for our area.” The Discovery Islands tend to be more radical than the rest of our riding, or nation for that matter. The 2021 election was an NDP landslide. 939 people voted for the incumbent Rachel Blaney, more than three times what any other candidate received. Despite divisions within the Green Party and the persistent idea that if you do not vote NDP the riding will swing Conservative, Wegg placed second at 299 votes. She was ahead of both the Conservative and Liberal candidates. CC: I've been watching the Greens for four elections now, you always have an incredible potential - which has yet to play out in the end.JW: “What is really going to help the Greens is more youth involvement and people seeing that as Canada unfortunately becomes more polarized with far right thinking and the far right creating an image of the left as well, that the Greens aren't right or left. We're, ‘let's get together and move forward.’ We have to make some changes. There's only one way to do it, if we all work together and there's no reason to not do that.”The North Island-Powell River Green Party AGM will be on Saturday May 6th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Maritime Heritage Center in Campbell River.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD)’s centralized fire administration support service may be a lot less controversial than expected. Regional Director Gerald Whalley, of Area A, was originally opposed to the idea of a centralized fire service. At the April 26 Board meeting he said, “I have come to support this. I think it's a good idea. I think it's gonna save us all money.”Chair Mark Baker, who is also the Mayor of Sayward, added, “Just to let y'all know, I support this 100%. However, I do have to bring this back to my council. I've discussed it with the CAO just here. But without having this information prior to our council meeting, that was a week ago. I do have to bring it back, but I do fully support it.” Director Whalley moved and Regional Director Mark Vonesch, of Cortes Island, seconded a motion that the matter be deferred until the May 10, 2023, Board Meeting.While the feasibility study unveiled at last Wednesday’s Board meeting calls for a Fire Chief in Campbell River, it also states that communities are interested in a ‘shopping list’ approach, where local fire departments can pick the items they wish to subscribe to. Priority services include: “Recruitment and retention program development Training and competency management program development, delivery and tracking, Implementation of a records management system linked to the central fire dispatch, and Development of regional significant incident response and mutual aid systems.” This service may be primarily funded through user fees, paid by the individual fire departments. However the feasibility study also suggests a tax levy of about $0.02 for every thousand dollars of residential property assessment, or about $16 for a typical residential property valued at $800,000. Approximately 60% of the new service’s resources are expected to be devoted to the needs of the Campbell River Fire Department. The remaining 40% would be shared by the 6 volunteer fire departments contracted through the SRD - Cortes Island, Gold River, Oyster River, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos - as well as the Quadra Island Fire Department, which is currently independent. Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch reaffirmed the idea that rural fire departments would continue to service their communities. “Every individual service has to have its own service there. We have General Admin that catches a few things in here.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Foundation is seeking a Project Manager to oversee development at the Village Commons, in downtown Mansons Landing. This is a two year position, expected to take about 24 hours a week and pays between $35 and $40 an hour. “We at the Cortes Island Community Foundation are really excited to be able to offer a job and to attract someone into this awesome role as Project Manager for the Cortes Island Village Commons development,” explained Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie (MAG). “This job is going to entail two different aspects. One of which is filling the terms of BC government funding that we have for the Village Commons, helping to build some of the infrastructure needed for community gatherings and help fulfill the near term project potential of this place. The second part is to really have someone who is passionate about the potential of this place and the role that it could serve in the Cortes Island, community economy and social community.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s natural history centre just expanded. In addition to the main exhibition area, Wild Cortes now has displays in the Linnaea Education Centre’s lower atrium area. While the Ecolab has been operational for some time, it has not been widely publicized. In the conclusion of a two part series about the 2023 displays at Wild Cortes, local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense (SLM) takes us outside of the main exhibition area.
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - Once again, the Cortes Natural Food Co-op is opening garden plots to residents to grow plants and crops when garden space on the island can be limited.Up to five garden plots are available in the Cortes Island Natural Food Co-op's community garden, according to new volunteer garden coordinator Kate Maddigan. With 35 plots in total, she says the Co-op views the space as a great resource for helping with food security and sustainability on the island, where finding an area to garden and grow produce can be difficult.The garden was started 20 years ago by people living on the property when the Co-op was leasing it from the local school board. However, when the Co-op purchased the land in 2019, residents had to move due to local bylaws, Maddigan says. Those still wanting to garden are grandfathered in to being able to work their plots annually, and the number of available plots varies each year.
De Clarke/Roy L Hales - Hollyhock Retreat Centre is holding a Silent Auction (online) this year from April 10th to May 12th. Proceeds from the auction will go to fund scholarships for Hollyhock events and programmes. A wide range of “lots” have been donated by a variety of individuals and businesses.Roy Hales interviewed Rhys-Thorvald Hansen about the auction, its purpose, the fundraising target, and items being auctioned.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Wild Cortes celebrated Earth Day, on Saturday April 22, with the opening of the new Mother Tree Exhibit. One of the advantages of being among the first to arrive, is that the facility was not too crowded. There were only half a dozen people when Wild Cortes opened at noon. Local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense agreed to give Cortes Currents a walk through. She was making some last minute touches to the exhibit when I asked some of the first viewers, ‘What’s your impression of the exhibit?’ “It's actually pretty amazing. This is my first time seeing it,” replied Charissa Hunt.“What do you especially like?” asked Cortes Currents. “The way it's set up and how everything's so easy to see and accessible for kids too,” she said. Co-curator Donna Collins was attaching one of the last labels to the Mother Tree display, when Leona Jensen exclaimed, “Well Donna, I'm amazed - the displays have improved so much!”The main exhibition room was filling up by this time. Alona Levesque was deeper in the room, where several species of owls were perched upon the shelves and a young fawn looked up from a patch of salal bushes. “I like all the taxidermy animals. My sister is apprenticing with Laurel Bohart, who does the taxidermy.” My walk through with Sabina Leader-Mense (SLM) began after that.SLM: “We are here at the 2023 opening of the Mother Tree Exhibit, for the Cortes Wild Partnership, at the Linnaea Education Center. Cortes Wild is a partnership of five organizations. The Cortes Island Museum and Archive Society, the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society, Friends of Cortes Island Society, Linnaea Farm Society, and the Discovery Islands Ecosystem Mapping Project from Read Island. We're a regional partnership that got together in 2018. Cortes Wild is the brainchild of Lynne Jordan, the former president of the Cortes Island Museum.”“This beautiful display we have behind us, created by Laurel Bohart in about 2000, is called Wild Cortes. It follows water from falling on the bluffs of Cortes, moving through the forest, through the riparian, into the wetlands, and eventually into the sea. This was the permanent display at the museum and, as we all know, the building is very small. As we tried to bring new things in, it was constantly being reduced or compromised, and Lynne really wanted to see it find a permanent home. So she went out looking, talked to the Linnaea Farm Society and found this permanent home for the Wild Cortes Exhibit. Then, around that, we created the Cortes Wild Partnership just to have fun with the words.”“Every year, or every second year, we try to have a new exhibit. This year the main exhibit in the display gallery is called ‘the Mother Tree.’ Donna Collins, Director with the Cortes Island Museum, Laura Bohart, our taxidermist, came together and said, ‘Let’s celebrate Suzanne Simard.’ They had read her book, Finding the Mother Tree, and were very impressed with Suzanne's work. They said, ‘Let's celebrate the work of Suzanne with a beautiful canvas of a Mother Tree!’ So they brought in Kathleen Pemberton, a fabulous Whaletown artist. Kathleen created a mother tree at the center of the display for us, and the other partners from Cortes Wild brought in their individual ways in which they celebrate forest on Cortes.”“Suzanne Simard, for people that may not know her name, is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, in the Forestry Department. She has created a bit of a stir globally with respect to her research on mycorrhizal networking communications systems happening below the ground in our coastal temperate rainforest. It's called the ‘wood wide web.’ Suzanne is a very, very influential researcher in that field.”
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - Seafest is returning to Squirrel Cove on Saturday, May 20, 2023. “SeaFest is coming out of hiatus. It ran for over 20 years and then we shut it down during COVID. We were going to start it up last year at the Gorge, but then the Gorge was going through a lot of changes. This Sea Festival is coming back to Squirrel Cove. The view is spectacular. I think it's got the best view on the island and it's got a rustic feel about it too. The old store has been there for a hundred years. The interpretive centre is there. This Seafest probably won't be as big as it was the last few years at the Gorge. It will be more like a community get-together. We’re going back to good food, good entertainment, and a lot of locals coming,” said Julia Rendall, Secretary of the Cortes Island Seafood Association.“We have a lot of ideas we've been throwing around. We're hoping that Klahoose will be involved. We'll want to have a lot more children's activities. We want to showcase a lot of musicians, especially the younger musicians. There's so much talent on this island. The takeout will be operating, if somebody wanted a quick oyster burger.”The festival’s backbone is its volunteers. “We would just love to have people from all walks of life volunteer.” They are also looking for local organizations who want to set up booths. “Also individuals if they have something they'd really like to showcase: arts, crafts, pottery. One lady wants to have desserts, which finishes off the meal. If anybody wants to have a booth at this Sea Festival, we will be very happy to have you take part.” The association’s annual celebration was held in Squirrel Cove for six years before moving to the Gorge in 2014. Those were some of Rendall’s favourite Seafests, “By then we knew what we were doing and could do these other play things. We had a lot of kids games. We made cutouts of oysters with legs and had the kids paint them. They had a little point so you could stick them in the ground. So by the end of the day, we had all these little oysters stuck in the ground on the grass, which was very cute and the kids loved it. We had a touch tank. I think they even had a trebuchet shooting onto the beach. We had ‘the largest oyster’ competition, which was quite successful. Phil Allen was telling me the other day that he had a huge, beautiful oyster. He thought it was the largest oyster, and then somebody came with this long, skinny, oyster, and it won.” The Festival changed after it moved to Gorge Harbour. “The Gorge was a perfect setup. It was very good food and very organized. It was love, but it was different. I think Squirrel Cove was the most spontaneous, but that's my personal opinion.” Curt Cunningham, owner/manager of the Squirrel Cove General Store added, “The store is hosting Seafest. We're very privileged and happy that they are bringing it back to Squirrel Cove. I think we're going to have an excellent day. We will do everything we can to make it successful. The funds go to the oyster growers and it's a really good cause.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In response to a request from the Tla’amin First Nation, Rachel Blaney is asking the electoral Boundary Comission to change the name of our riding to North Island qathet. Blaney explained, “the North Island component of my riding is very similar to the provincial riding, which is also called North Island. So that part is a fine and a good name that makes sense. On the other side of my riding, of course, is a huge chunk of the mainland. I have a neighbor here with me in committee today and we share an area in common. That is the Powell River part of my writing, which is reflective of just one community, not the many communities that are represented.”“My suggestion to the commission is to change the word Powell River to the word qathet. This is a name that the Tla'amin Nation to the regional district of Powell River, and they received it with much graciousness and then changed their regional name, their district to reflect that name ette. If you go to that area now, you'll see a lot of businesses and organizations have changed their name from Powell River to reflect the more regional approach, if that means working together. I really respect the nation's name and the presentation of that name.”Hegus John Hackett of the Tla’amin First Nation stated, in a press release, “The proposed electoral riding name change is a small and tangible step on our reconciliation pathway, but is one that will have great impact for Tla’amin Nation and our citizens,” says Hegus John Hackett in a press relase. “Israel Wood Powell, for whom the City is named after, has caused deep suffering in our community, which continues to affect us to this day. Tla’amin Nation appreciates MP Rachel Blaney’s ongoing support and reconciliatory effort her office shows for our community and our Sister Nations through initiatives like this.” Chief Stephen Brownof the Klahoose First Nation, Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco First Nation and Chief Councillor Ken Price of the K’omoks First Nation have all endorsd the change. Blaney continued, “I recommend that the name, of course now be ‘North Island qathet’ and recognize that the nations that are related to Tla’amin, K’omks, Homalco and Klahoose have a shared culture and language have all agreed to this change and respect that I've had a conversation with the Powell River Mayor.”“He did not express any concerns at the time, and I also just want to make sure that the. Committee understands that the name Powell River was named after Israel Wood Powell, who was the first superintendent for Indian Affairs in British Columbia, and the chief architect of Colonial policies, including residential schools and the banning of the potlatch. And it is my understanding that he never came to the community.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the biggest stories coming out of the SRD may be the way the new Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) seems to be working together. It has only been a little more than five months since the election, but the deep personal divisions that were so apparent in the previous EASC committe are not there, at least not yet. Cortes Currents asked our two local Discovery Island Directors about this.Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island, said, “I wasn't involved in the last administration, but there is a lot of teamwork between the Rural Directors. We talk a lot. We don't agree on everything, but we have relationships where we feel comfortable sharing our ideas and our thoughts and reflecting on each other's ideas. Generally there's a lot of cohesiveness and support for getting things done in our own communities.”“Gerald Whalley, he's been such an interesting person to work with because his political values are quite different from mine. He doesn't really believe in climate change. He's a Trump supporter. Any tax or government intervention is overreach, but he's also been really supportive of me, of how to get things done. As long as I'm not trying to push things into his community, he's very happy and generous with his time to share with me on just bouncing ideas off in a realistic way of how to get things done in government.”“One of my hopes for politics is that people who are different from each other can sit down and have conversations. We can hear each other. We can be okay with thinking differently and having different visions, and we can come to a place that is of compromise and working well together.” Robyn Mawhinney lives across the waters on Quadra Island, “I haven't seen any friction. I haven't felt any friction. We're all there to work for the betterment of our communities. We listen and hear the will of our communities and arrive at the board table or the committee table, knowing those desires and hopefully able to represent those as well as being willing to think regionally.” “I'm happy to support Director Rice and a bylaw to legalize having four chickens in backyards of Area D and Director Whalley to find a noise bylaw that works for the Sayward Valley and Director Vonesch’s Cortes Island Initiatives.”MV: “I think politics at its best is when people who think differently and have different values can work together and support each other and be colleagues and be allies and in getting positive things done and for the people that we work.” “I think it's important to recognize in politics that nobody is the same. There's never going to be a hundred percent consensus. I think the important thing is that we can hear each other. We can have empathy and understanding before each other, and we can make decisions that are best for everybody.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is applying to have its name added to the list of Regional Districts that can take special votes on urgent matters. This regulation states that the SRD must make reasonable attempts in writing, by phone or electronic means to ‘ensure that each director entitled to vote has the opportunity to do so.’ There is no need for a quorum. When necessary, resolutions and bylaws can be passed even if only the chairperson and one other director are voting. The results of this vote are to be reported at the next Board meeting.This regulation currently applies to thirteen Regional Districts, all but one of which are on the Mainland. The only Regional District from Vancouver Island on this list is Mount Waddington
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - Over 70 people are involved in Theatre Quadra’s staging of Chicago, The Musical this spring, according to producer, director and choreographer Heidi Ridgeway.The play, described as a dark comedy, was adapted from its original 1926 production into a musical in 1975, Ridgeway says, by her favourite writer/choreographer Bob Fosse, who turned it into a Broadway hit.Linda Lolacher is the chair and treasurer of the Quadra Island Recreation Society’s Steering Committee, which gave Ridgeway the go ahead to stage Chicago, The Musical. Lolacher is a co-producer and says she’s also helping out with costumes.Despite legal restrictions, forbidding the use of paid advertising for the production, Ridgeway says the three performances are nearly all sold out.Lolacher adds that since Theatre Quadra began as an amateur theatre group in 2011, it has staged 29 productions, making Chicago its 30th show.The play will be performed at the Quadra Island Community Centre on May 5, 6, and 7.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is looking into the possibility of offering community-focused non-profits access to insurance. Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, brought the idea forward at the April 12 Board meeting. “I've been asked repeatedly if there would be a way for the Stratcona Regional District to offer access to more reasonably priced insurance for nonprofit groups. I wonder if there are other areas within the S R D where nonprofits have highlighted this concern, and if we might as a board be interested in inquiring with the Municipal Insurance Service of BC (MIABC) to consider offering a product accessible to community minded nonprofits in support of the valuable work they do and I do have a proposed motion when it's the right time,” she said.Senior Manager Thomas Yates responded, “The Municipal Insurance Association has for quite some time had a program, called the Associate Member Program, whereby, nonprofits that do not wish to or can't afford their own insurance can apply through the Regional District. The kicker is that they must be providing a regional district service in order to qualify under the rules that have been in place for a long time. I don't believe those rules have changed, but if it is the wish of the board, we could certainly check that out.”Gerald Whalley, Regional Director for Area A, brought up an alternate route, “Not to detract from your upcoming motion, but in Sayward we have a nonprofit society, Sayward Futures, that works as an umbrella group for every other little society who can't afford their own insurance. They are insured underneath the umbrella of that one. So that might be a model that you could look at.”Mawhinney moved, “I would like to propose this motion, whereas the costs of insurance are continuously increasing and are a costly impediment to community nonprofit organizations, and whereas community nonprofits often rely on grant and aid funding from the regional district to support their operations in the face of rising insurance rates, that the Stratcona Regional District send a letter to MIABC inquiring under their framework for capturing ideas about the possibility of offering access to insurance for community focused non-profits.” The motion was seconded by Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch and carried with no opposing votes.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The first Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) Forum was held on Pender Island during 2019. They were forced to hold virtual events after COVID hit, but the 2023 RIEP Forum is an in-person event that will be held on Gabriola Island, April 25-27.“The event is a flagship event for the 18 plus rural islands of BC. The reach is from Bowen Island to Malcolm Island to Salt Spring to Gabriola, to Cortes, and Quadra. Our motto is, no one island can be resilient alone, and together we're stronger and better,” explained Francine Carlin, Chair and Interim Executive DIrector of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership.Kate Madigan was one of the half dozen Cortes Island residents that attended the 2019 RIEP forum and will be returning with 3 others from the CCEDA (Cortes Community Economic Development Association) this year.KM: “Here on Cortes, we meet a lot of our community needs through nonprofits, and those are the people on the ground. We don't have municipal government support. We have the SRD, but it's fairly limited. I just really love listening to other people from the other islands who have the same Issues that we do.”Cortes Island Regional Director Mark Vonesch was invited, but it's unlikely he'll be able to attend.KM: “It’s too bad Mark couldn't join us, Noba (Anderson) did go in 2019, but we can get him involved in some of the online events.FC: “I said to him, let's have a Cortes area delegation meet with you, and talk about what's really needed from a Regional District perspective.” “We realize people are traveling from all across BC to come to this event. Many are arriving on Monday night, some are coming Tuesday morning to register, have lunch, and then the actual formal program with the welcome from the First Nation comes in at 1:00 PM. We have an opening around the model of ‘Donut Economics,’ which is recognizing that we need to have ecological and social justice in order to achieve our ability to live on the island, on the planet in a regenerative and sustainable way. We have Ben Geselbracht, the Nanaimo City Counselor who brought donut economics into Nanaimo.”Carlin said Nanaimo was the first city in Canada to use Donut Economics as a lens for their decision making around climate adaptation and economic investments.The first evening will conclude with a Sarah Osborne concert.FC: “Wednesday is a very heavy day. We call it the un-conference Conference because it's not your typical ‘talking heads.’ It is plenaries, that are all interactive panels which engages the audiences with q and a.”“We are really proud to have Vancity as the presenting sponsor and led by Michelle Laviolette, Director of Indigenous banking. Vancity was very excited about RIEP because RIEP represents the intersectionality of climate adaptation, reconciliation, and economic capacity building from a regenerative lens.” “We have panels that are being sponsored by them around housing lessons learned across the islands, working with indigenous businesses through the lens of reconciliation and the economics of climate change We also have interactive panels on arts vitality, travel as a force for good , circular economy success , government services related to Island Coastal Economic Trust and the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation."“It's a very full packed schedule, and one that is also networking and connecting with Islanders across BC. In terms of just the general ambience of the program, it's basically a grassroots event. There's hardly any corporate or any government presenters. It's all the people who are on the ground doing the work.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the hot topics for Cortes residents, at the April 12 Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting, was garbage pick-up. We may soon be asked to pay another $43 per household for a service many of us do not use. This is the amount Recycle BC is currently subsidizing our garbage collection program. They are threatening to withdraw that subsidy, but Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island, believes the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will come up with a plan that will satisfy Recycle BC.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been five days since the Watershed Watch Salmon Society issued a press release stating Agrimarine’s semi-closed containment fish farm on Lois Lake, east of Powell River, may have been operating illegally since at least July 21, 2021. A provincial bulletpoints template of that date, from BC’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, states, “DFO has determined that the new infrastructure is not located within the associated FLNR Crown land tenure and therefore (is) in non-compliance.” Stan Proboszcz, Senior Scientist with the Watershed Watch, explained“There are a lot of problems with the salmon farm. One of the key points is that a fish farm needs two licenses, essentially a federal one and a provincial one. The provincial one is called an aquaculture tenure, and that allows them to attach their farm to the bottom of the ocean or the lake. The federal government gives them a licence of operation to do aquaculture at the site.”There are actually two fish farms at Lois Lake. An abandoned open net pen farm is in Agrimarine’s tenure and a newer facility appears to be on the other side of the lake. The Watershed Watch press kit contains a screenshot, from the provincial government’s interactive iMapBC website, showing the locations of these two facilities.“They set up a semi-closed containment fish farm, in addition to the other one, and it's outside the tenure. It's outside where they're allowed to attach to the bottom. I believe they don't have a valid provincial license,” said Proboszcz.Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) emailed Cortes Currents they are aware of compliance concerns:“The facility is currently being investigated by fishery officers from DFO’s Conservation and Protection Aquaculture Unit. As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Prior to COVID, Campbell River’s business community used to regularly got together for ‘Lunch & Learn.’ These were times to visit people you haven’t seen for awhile, and learn about topics of mutual interest. The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce is restarting the Lunch & Learn program this Tuesday, April 18, with legal Q&A. “The legal landscape for businesses is changing so quickly. If someone has a business, or is a sole proprietor, or anybody out there has a business question around a legal issue: this is a great way to come and chat with Taylor Stephen from Tease Kittle Spencer, and we have Elizabeth Hunt from Campbell River Lawyers. This is their area of expertise. Come on out to the Anchor Inn at noon to have lunch and ask your questions,” explained Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce.
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Café has seen many owners and has had many themes over the decades. Julie Keith is the newest owner/chef to throw her hat into the ring, with help from husband Sandy.Julie says she's spent decades in the food and hospitality industry and felt there was a need to revive the café to serve as a hub for the community.The café, located in Mansons Landing Community Hall, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, coinciding with hours of the nearby post office, and offers breakfast and lunch selections.All services in the hall are under the oversight of the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA). In 2020, the SCCA had raised funds to renovate the kitchen to conform with regulations governing commercial kitchens. Its board identified the re-opening of the café as a top priority in early fall 2022 after the former owner ceased operations in the early spring of that year in order to take on other work.Julie says supply chain issues, and just having the Cortes community aware that the café had opened under new management, made for a difficult start up last fall/winter.All services in the hall are under the oversight of the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA). In 2020, the SCCA had raised funds to renovate the kitchen to conform with regulations governing commercial kitchens. Its board identified the re-opening of the café as a top priority in early fall 2022 after the former owner ceased operations in the early spring of that year in order to take on other work.Julie says supply chain issues, and just having the Cortes community aware that the café had opened under new management, made for a difficult start up last fall/winter.All services in the hall are under the oversight of the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA). In 2020, the SCCA had raised funds to renovate the kitchen to conform with regulations governing commercial kitchens. Its board identified the re-opening of the café as a top priority in early fall 2022 after the former owner ceased operations in the early spring of that year in order to take on other work.Julie says supply chain issues, and just having the Cortes community aware that the café had opened under new management, made for a difficult start up last fall/winter.All day omelette served at the Cortes Cafe. Photo by Greg Osoba.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Early Logging on Cortes Island and Vicinity: Local History with Lynne Jordan (Part 3 of 3)Lynne Jordan has contributed to historical booklets available at the Cortes Island Museum and is currently researching the history of early logging activity in Whaletown. In the course of an extensive 3-part interview, Lynne draws on original documents, archives, and oral histories to paint a picture of early settler loggers on Cortes -- their equipment, their floating camps, the economy in which some prospered and some failed.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Early Logging on Cortes Island and Vicinity: Local History with Lynne Jordan (Part 2 of 3)Lynne Jordan has contributed to historical booklets available at the Cortes Island Museum and is currently researching the history of early logging activity in Whaletown. In the course of an extensive 3-part interview, Lynne draws on original documents, archives, and oral histories to paint a picture of early settler loggers on Cortes -- their equipment, their floating camps, the economy in which some prospered and some failed.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - Early Logging on Cortes Island and Vicinity: Local History with Lynne Jordan (part 1 of 3)Lynne Jordan has contributed to historical booklets available at the Cortes Island Museum and is currently researching the history of early logging activity in Whaletown. In the course of an extensive 3-part interview, Lynne draws on original documents, archives, and oral histories to paint a picture of early settler loggers on Cortes -- their equipment, their floating camps, the economy in which some prospered and some failed.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Depending on the outcome of negotiations, many Cortes Island residents could end up paying another $43 for the garbage pick-up that they do not use. The problem is too many of us are taking our recyclables directly to the Cortes Island Waste Management Centre. According to Wolfang Parada, the SRD’s Senior Manager of Engineering Services, Cortes Island currently receives about $29,000 a year in incentives from Recycle BC. Unfortunately, a large number of Cortes residents do not use the curbside pick-up program. We may have the lowest volume per resident in the province. Consequently, Cortes may lose its cash incentives.“In order for us to meet the minimal requirements in the agreement that we signed with recycle BC, which is 67 kilograms per household, we will need to actually request the residents of Cortes Island place every single recycling material on the curbside,” explained Parada.“Basically, what we're suggesting is to promote more education. The problem we don't come up with an agreement with recycle BC, There is a chance that we lose part of the incentives or 100% of the incentives that they're giving us. Right now is $43 per house. We were going to try our best to negotiate these were recycle BC. Hopefully it will be successful and will you be able to reduce the volumes that they're asking us for. If we're not successful, the user rates will probably have to go up.” The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has been negotiating with Recycle BC since January, and need to present a draft plan to Recycle BC by Saturday, April 15, 2023. However Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch was not informed of this until shortly before the Wednesday April 12 meeting of the Electoral Areas Services Committee. He wanted to know, “Why we’re getting this now instead of earlier?” Parada said staff were not able to present this at the last meeting, but he could share the draft plan with Vonesch if he was interested.The Cortes Island Director is definitely interested and pointed out that part of the problem is soft plastics are not part of the program. Many Cortesians Island are pretty environmentally conscious and want to see their soft plastics recycled. Also glass collection was discontinued in 2020, so residents already take it directly to the depot. He added they also go to the depot for the Free Store. “If glass was picked up on curbside, that would certainly have a big impact on the amount that was picked up. That’s one I think thing worth considering. I have spoken with the contractor and there are open to that happening as well. Secondly, you're looking at the option of having garbage picked up every two weeks and having recycling picked up every two weeks. Changing the way that that's done might be another way that increases the recycling risk gets gets picked up,” said Vonesch. “I really appreciate staff's effort on this and understand this is a challenging thing. It is part of the culture that people do show up at the recycling center. Look forward to seeing the draft report and hope we can resolve this and keep these subsidies going so that a user fees are not increased.”Photo courtesy The Bag N Box Man LTD
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Waste Management Centre is preparing for a busy summer and the organization's new manager is worried about capacity.Waste Management Centre manager Aaron McCulloch-Gary—who has been at the helm since the start of 2023 after taking over from long serving manager Brian Pfiefle—says everything is running smoothly at the moment, but he has serious concerns about the upcoming summer season, when the Cortes Island population triples beyond its 1,000 year-round residents.He's especially concerned about trucks accessing and leaving the island to deal with solid waste. McCulloch-Gary says they're an essential service and should receive priority loading on both the Cortes and Quadra Island ferries, adding that there are serious consequences if those trucks are delayed at ferry terminals and don't make it to or off Cortes Island in a timely manner.The centre handles anything deemed recyclable by provincially mandated Recycle BC. It also serves as a transfer station for all solid waste, as there is no landfill on the island. Bins for the transfer need to be transported and removed by trucks.The facility is open Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free store, where the public can drop off reusable items and shop for them at no charge, also operates on the property.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Fresh on the heels of being chosen as BC’s Indigenous Operator or Experience for 2023, the Klahoose Wilderness Resort has been picked as one of the wolrd’s best new hotels.Every year, AFAR publishes a list of the top 15 new hotels in the world. The editors and contributors research hundreds of properties around the globe for months before making a decision. They personally stay at each hotel as part of the vetting process. There are two Canadian hotels in the list for 2023, and one of them is the Klahoose Wilderness Resort. “To be recognized as one of the 15 hotels worldwide for new product is certainly a big deal to us, and even more so with the fact that we really only had one year of full operation. Employees this past year did an amazing job and we're blessed to have some pretty incredible surroundings at the resort, but this really was recognition that puts us square on the map,” said Jason Johnson, Genearl Manager of QXMC, the Klahoose First Nation’s Economic Development Corporation. The Muir Hotel, in the centre of downtown Halifax’s waterfront district, is AFAR’s other Canadian pick. “I think Canadian product is certainly getting put on that map as well,” added Johnson.According to the description on AFAR: “One luxury of this wilderness retreat owned by the Klahoose First Nation is its location. Accessed via a 60-minute seaplane ride from Vancouver or 45-minute boat transfer from Lund, B.C., the resort is surrounded by more than 2,500 acres of Klahoose territory that the community has protected for centuries. Here, glacial waterfalls plummet down snowcapped mountains and evergreens border the Homfray Channel. The four lodge rooms and three cedar cabins all face the sea, where guests might glimpse humpbacks blowing at sunrise. Activities include Indigenous-led grizzly bear tours, wood-carving lessons from Klahoose interpreter Klemkwateki Randy Louie, and—perhaps the most meaningful experience—a participatory smudging and brushing ceremony around a fire.”This is not the only award the resort has received recently.At their annual conference in Prince George last month, the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) chose the Klahoose Wilderness Resort as this year’s ‘Indigenous Operator or Experience.’The other finalists were Nemiah Valley Lodge, in the Chilcotin, and Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours, in Campbell River.On the BC Tourism and Hospitality website it states, “This award recognizes Indigenous tourism businesses that demonstrate authenticity, cultivate a greater understanding of Indigenous culture, history and traditions, and contribute to the resilience of the local Indigenous community.”Johnson explained, “We received that at the conference. I was taking aback and certainly didn't have anything prepared. To be recognized in that way after just the one year of full operations … amazing.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Suzanne Fletcher has lived on Cortes eight years, coming to the island initially to take up a management position at Hollyhock. She has since served on the Co-op Board, “done a lot of gardening,” and most recently spent a summer as operations manager for Klahoose Wilderness Resort before accepting the Project Manager position for Rainbow Ridge, with the Cortes Housing Society.On April 8th, I interviewed Suzanne at her home on Siskin Lane; she told me a little bit about the very successful inaugural season at the Wilderness Resort, and also provided an update on progress at Rainbow Ridge.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Wind speeds of up to 35 kph were recorded on Quadra Island on Easter Sunday. For passengers crossing on the 11:50 AM from Cortes Island, this meant more than a two and a half hour delay at the Quathiaski Cove Terminal before they could cross over to Campbell River. Why were the two new hybrid-eferries kept in port while the Tachek continued to sail between Cortes and Quadra Islands?A ferry worker explained it in terms of different wind conditions. The winds died down prior to 3 PM, at which point the ferries resumed sailings. There was quite a back-log by then, but the delayed Cortes Island vehicles were on the 3:30 PM sailing.A week prior to this: another ferry employee told Cortes Currents the big difference he noticed, since the two hybrid ferries went into service, is they do not leave cars behind at the terminal anymore.This is a welcome change for Cortes passengers who are used to a one ferry wait before reaching Campbell River and, should we need to wait, the time between sailings has been reduced to half an hour.Of course this is still Spring. It will be interesting to see what kind of difference the two new hybrids will make during the tourist season.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On March 27 Cortes Currents published some concerns that Cortes Island shellfish growers have about liveaboard and recereational boat owners coming too close to their operations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) did not have adequate time to respond, which it eventually did by email on April 6, 2023. Cortes Currents was hoping to secure an interview and sent DFO a list of topics to be covered. The most important was ‘the problems of liveaboards and recreational boaters coming too close to shellfish growing sites.’According to Erik Lyon, of Rising Tide Shellfish, “The problem is too many people in too close a proximity to shellfish farms. You can’t have any shellfish destined for human consumption in water where there’s any kind of a man-made dock, boat liveaboard or float house within 125 meters.” “People come in the summer, they’re cruising and they anchor in the harbour. Maybe they are a new liveaboard. They don’t know the place and) they’ll anchor right up close to someone’s beach lease because they’re trying to get into shallow water. They don’t even know about that 125 meters setback, and that’s not their fault that they don’t know.” Phil Allen, President of Bee Islets Growers Corporation in Gorge Harbour, confirmed, “You cannot sell any shellfish from that lease while the boat is there.”So what do you do? Allen said, “You just have to harass them. That’s the only option you’ve got. Say, ‘Look, I can’t operate while you are here. Could you please move?’”Lyon explained, “We don’t have any safeguards to protect us from something as simple as a bunch of people living on their boats too close to our farm because there isn’t any government or regulatory body that has the teeth to enforce, remove, or in any way influence the conduct of the people who choose to live on a boat.”“It’s highly risky for us because Environment Canada is taking note of vessels that are in close proximity to the leases. They are GPSing people’s position (where their boat is), and keeping track of that. If there’s a cumulative risk perceived by them, they will close areas as a precautionary thing – which is what they did in the west end of the Gorge.” Another Cortes grower, Kristen Schofield-Sweet, stated, “It wasn’t that the water testing was coming back negative. it’s that DFO decided there was simply too much traffic, too many boats. So they closed that area, but there was no evidence that the water itself was fouled.” Lyon added, “They said, ‘this is too much of a risk, we can’t control for this.” Those quotes were taken from the March 26 article, and Cortes Currents sent DFO a link. DFO’s response does not contain a single reference to ‘boats,’ ‘liveaboards,’ or their proximity to active shellfish growing sites.
Greg Osoba/CKTZ News -Though it's early spring, seniors on Quadra Island are being urged to act now to prepare their homes for possible forest fires in BC.Mike Gladish, coordinator of the local Seniors Emergency Preparedness Program, says that once the weather warms up the risk of forest fires increases.He advises seniors and the general population to adopt measures recommended in the FireSmart BC Homeowners Guide. These include clearing roofs and gutters of forest debris, sweeping decks and removing nearby trees that pose a fire risk.Gladish says seniors can register with the Quadra Seniors Emergency Preparedness Program and receive help for contacting and hiring volunteers and contractors who are able to assist with fire mitigation measures. He adds that some financial help is also available courtesy of a $25,000 fund created by the United Way.
Greg Osoba/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Food Bank has seen a doubling in the number of regular clients since last year, according to food bank treasurer Filipe Figueira. He says the total now stands at about 20 individuals, compared with seven to 10 last year.He says that spring is often the toughest time of year for people experiencing food insecurity. Many jobs on Cortes Island are seasonal, and food bank president Samantha Statton says people run short of resources by this time of year while they await spring and summer employment. She adds that it's especially tough as the cost of living keeps rising.This Friday, April 7, the food bank will have a table set up at the weekly market, located at Mansons Community Hall, from 12-3 p.m. They will be offering quantities of free sprouted potatoes for planting. Figueira says recipients are welcome to donate a bag of potatoes back to the food bank, once they're harvested, if people have more than they can use.The Cortes Island food bank can be reached via cortesfoodbank.ca or by emailing cortesfoodbank@proton.me. Figueira says both food and financial donations are welcome. Statton adds that food donations can't include home canning, or any opened or damaged packaging. The food bank also supplies food for pets.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Lives changed because of the Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration. Project manager Miranda Cross said, “ This project really initiated a whole new life path where I am now working as a wetland restoration professional.” Monitoring Technician Autumn Barret Morgan studied sounscapes before she came to Cortes Island, but it was at Dillon Creek that she “started really diving into the soundscape” - which she has carried on with the Western Screech Owl Monitoring Project. Beatrix Baxter has been making films for about 15 years, but she was feeling burned out by the time she moved to Cortes Island. The documentary film ’Replenish: Bringing Back the Dillon Creek Wetland,’ is both a chronicle of the project and part of a personal transformation.“I'm pretty choosy about the projects I take on these days. I just really want to choose projects that are going to be quite meaningful to me and to the world,” she explained. CC: So what made you choose this film? What’s important about it? I understand there is a connection to the algae blooms in Hague and Gunflint Lakes not too long ago.BB: “I had made a film with Friends of Cortes Island a few years ago. it was just a short film about the eutrophication that people have been monitoring. The first bloom was noticed in 2014. We made a film, I think it was in 2017, to try to raise some awareness about this happening. So I'd done this project with FOCI.”“Then when Miranda wanted to make a film to tell the story of the two year rebuilding of the wetland, she reached out to ask if I would put in a proposal. The project really interested me too, so I did.” “It was really great to work with Miranda for the last two years. From the beginning she was supportive and kind of hands off. She let me do what I thought was best, which means I get to be really creative and intuitive. I really was drawn to the project because getting to follow a story for two years is pretty special. It meant that I had a lot of time in between shoots to see how things would unfold and make adjustments along the way, it also meant things weren't rushed or on the kind of typical timeframe that you often will find in film industry.”“Another thing that attracted me to the project was Miranda's passion and through her learning about how important wetlands are in the world and how a project like this is rare. She speaks about this a lot. In the province and in the world, we've lost 80 to 90% of wetlands.”“So having one get rebuilt, it's feels like a drop in the bucket, but the community came together and made it happen. We could do it again in another location. Another community can watch this film and be inspired to do something similar. I could just really see even at the beginning of the project, the kind of impact that this kind of film could have.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a celebration at Linnaea Farm on Friday, March 31. While they will continue to monitor the site until at least 2026, Cortes Island’s first wetland restoration project is largely finished. The surrounding community was invited to tour the project, enjoy a potluck supper and watch Beatrix Baxter’s documentary film ‘Replenish: Bringing Back the Dillon Creek Wetland.’“We're just at the end of a three year grant. The Environment and Climate Change Canada 'Eco Action Community Funding Program' ends today. We have a little bit of funding for this next year of monitoring and maintenance and we'll be pursuing additional funding for future years of monitoring and maintenance,” explained Project Manager Miranda Cross.“This project was initiated in response to the algal blooms that were witnessed, starting in 2014, in Hague and Gunflint Lakes. At the time, the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI) and a group of concerned citizens got together and initiated a lake monitoring program, with support of the Ministry of Environment and the BC Lake Stewardship. They collected monthly data over a number of years and are still collecting data.” “When that data was analyzed by Limnologist, Dr. Maggie Squires, in about 2018, her analysis revealed that it is likely phosphorous loading that's creating the algal bloom in the lakes, and that our best strategy for mitigating nutrient inputs would be to restore wetlands on land adjacent to the lakes.” “At that time, FOCI approached Linnaea Farm, the biggest farm in the watershed. Because of their dedication to ecological stewardship, organic land care, organic farming, education and environmental stewardship, it was a really great fit and a really great partnership.”“Friends of Cortes Island got in touch with BC Wildlife Federation, who put us in touch with Tom Biebighauser, a wetland restoration specialist from Kentucky who does a lot of work here in the province. We were able to bring him to Cortes to look at the potential for wetland restoration at Linnaea and also at another farm on Gunflint Lake.” “Once we had the design report from Tom, we went ahead and pursued funding and eventually were successful in pursuing funding through the Eco-Action Community Funding Program.”“Then we needed matching funds. At that point we approached the community. We approached local individuals for support in terms of cash donations, and we also got in touch and made connections with so many of the local organizations who've been part of the project in terms of partnerships and educational programs or volunteer events. Through cash and in-kind donations, we're able to raise the matching funds to go ahead with the project.”Prior to being drained to make way for pasture, wetlands had filtered out the flow of nutrients into Gunflint Lake. Restoring the Dillon Creek wetlands was a three year project. Heavy machinery was brought in to rip apart the pasture, an inlet from the creek was dug out and native plants were reintroduced, MC: “The primary objective of the project was to be mitigating nutrient inputs, and then the co-benefit objectives were for wildlife habitat.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - An overwhelming majority of the 50 or so people that turned out (in person or via ZOOM) to the Cortes Island Firefighting Association (CIFFA) AGM on Thursday, Mar 30, were supportive of the fire department. CIFFA has a contract to provide fire fighting services, with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).A number of attendees questioned the Strathcona Regional District’s current idea of setting up of a regional system, with a Fire Chief in Campbell River. “I just wondered if the Regional District has a mandate to provide the level of fire service that Cortes Island has developed for itself over the last 30 years? If they take over our department, is there any saying whether or not they have to provide the kind of fire service that we have here?” asked Aaron Ellingsen. Christine Robinson added, “I think there's no concern about the budget, it's about governance and process. I want to know once we pass the budget, what comes next? How do we get clarity from the SRD as to how we move forward in keeping self-governance on Cortes?”Andy Ellingsen said, “I would hate to leave this call without a clear statement of the importance that I see of keeping the control of our fire department at the local level. I do not see how we can run a volunteer fire department with a Chief that's appointed and answers to the SRD in Campbell River.”This was one of the many supportive comments that prompted a round of clapping and applause.The entire slate of 7 DIrectors proposed by CIFFA was voted in. Sadhu Johnston, the former City Manager of Vancouver who at one point in the meeting was called CIFFA’s ‘ringer,’ will continue in his new role as President. Chris Walker is Vice President. Lisa Ferentinos is the new Secretary/Treasurer. Wes KIrk, Chris Dragseth, Aaron Ellingsen and Dave Robertson are Directors at Large.Most attendees recognized that there must be an increase in the budget in order to meet the new provincial standards taking effect in March 2024. The budget for 2023, which calls an increase of just under $250 for the average property owner, was approved. Someone did question the budget’s pay rises, “You can only pay so much out of your local tax base. Obviously you can't pay your Fire Chief on Cortes the same amount that you might have to in Campbell River. It's a completely different tax base. So how do they work that up?” Interim Fire Chief Eli McKenty replied, “The Chief on Cortes makes less than a regular firefighter in Campbell River. The Chiefs in Campbell River and all the officers are paid vastly more.” (In a previous interview, Vice President Chris Walker pointed out that CIFFA wants to pay the Fire Chief $90,000 per year and the average firefighter in Campbell River makes $120,000.)Sadhu Johnston explained, “If we look back at the past decade, the spend thrift nature of our operation has kept costs really low and really what it should be doing is going up evenly over time so you don't have this kind of bumpy increase. I think it's incumbent upon the board to be thinking about the next five years and looking at what increases are needed. So we can stay on top of it and not have a big jump in one year — which is really jarring.”“It's something to recognize that training, fuel insurance, all of these costs are going up. We need to project that out and try to be proactive so that taxpayers know what to expect in the years ahead. Typically what a municipality would try to do would be to project those costs over time and try to predict a little bit in advance, which I think we've done well with the fire truck that's needed. The money's been put in reserve so we don't need to pay it all at once. It can be purchased with the money that's been put in the bank over time. That is the kind of approach we want to take with the whole department.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A number of Area C Initiatives were passed at the Wednesday March 29, 2023, Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board Meeting. The only audio clip I am using in this broadcast comes from a segmentdealing with Grants in Aid. Chair Mark Baker is speaking throughout most of the clip. He brings a levity to the board that I do not remember witnessing in the four years I have been observing SRD meetings. You can hear an example in the podcast. There is usually some laughter, even if only for a few moments. As none of the directors had anything they wished to say, the segment is almost like a drum roll: “discussion, all in favour? opposed? seeing none the motion is carried.” That clip shows how all of the initiatives that follow were handled.The draft Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for Area C has been approved. This is a vision document, to be consulted when making decisions or regulations. Some of the stated goals include: Becoming a net carbon sink and adapting to a changing climateEnabling affordable residential housing to meet diverse community needs in planned areas that avoids sprawl and negative impacts on natural areas and the rural character of Area C.Being inclusive of all people and treat everyone with fairness, respect, and care, resulting in high levels of mutual trust, safety, and wellbeing.Enabling small-scale resource-based economic activity that supports employment and a diverse resident population while protecting environmental and human health and the rural character of the area. Enabling Area C community members to meaningfully and collaboratively participate in the decision-making process to achieve the shared vision and goals of the region You can access a copy of the draft report on the SRD website, or through a link on Cortes Currents. The SRD will attempt to secure a Licence of Occupation for access road and parking area for Hoskyn Channel Landing. This is where people leave their vehicles before crossing over to Read Island.The following Grants in Aid have been approved: $400 to the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society to assist with costs associated with the operations of rehabilitation and educational programs; $1,000 to the Quadra Island Chamber Music Society$2,000 to the Stuart Island Community Association, to assist with 2023 administration and insurance costs.$3,000 to the Surge Narrows Community Association.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents- A provincial biologist visited Cortes Island over the weekend. Emily Upham-Mills is an ecosystems biologist with the Ministry of Water, Lands and Natural Resource Stewardship and an important member of the team working with the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) on the Western Screech Owl Project. Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI, explained, “Emily very kindly came up on the weekend to talk to the community. This project's a really important for FOCI. We're doing really interesting scientific work and that data is going back both provincially and federally. It puts us in the spotlight with this particular species. It's a project that's running for three years. We're in the second year of trying to discover whether there are Western Screech Owls on Cortes Island.” Up until a few weeks ago, there has not been any reports of Western Screech Owls on Cortes Island since 2017. That changed when Sabina Leader Mense, and her husband Dennis, discovered one of the elusive owls in the northern part of the island. On Saturday, at a meeting with about 30 members of the community, Leader Mense announced the discovery of a second Western Screech Owl. HH: “We've been working with Emily since the start of the project. Her role is to work on a number of different species at risk, and to work with partner organizations like us to get conservation work happening and to engage with community groups.” “It was key for us to work in partnership with the ministry in order for us to obtain the grant, and also for them to bring in a whole load of resources that we needed. They were able to loan us some of the recording units we have been using. The ministry were also able to advise us on where to conduct our surveys, and how to conduct them.”Emily works closely with another important member of this project, the Pacific Megascops Research Alliance.The Western Screech Owl project is also being funded by the Federal Government’s Habitat Stewardship Project.HH: “This project raises our profile with biologists that we're working with, also with the federal grant given body. We're hoping that other projects might follow this one.”Saturday morning, some key FOCI leaders took Emily on a hike.HH: “Sabina, Autumn, Emily and I went out to a patch of older growth forest near Basil Creek. We were putting up an autonomous recording unit. We have a number of recording units in that forest for the next two weeks, to see if we can record any Screech Owls at night. We wanted to show Emily the kind of ecosystem that we were working in and also just to get her to see what we are doing on the ground.”CC: Did she have any comments about the area?HH: “She thought it was potentially good habitat for Western Screech Owls, so also a really useful place to put up autonomous recording units.” “We had a wonderful presentation at Linnaea Education Centre on Saturday afternoon. There were about 30 people, and Emily was able to give us a really good overview about Screech Owl distribution and conservation. The Western Screech Owl was once abundant in coastal BC, but there's been a steady decline in their numbers since 1990. What they're trying to do is to figure out why?”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The 2023 MicroGrants 4 Neighbours program is focusing on projects that promote youth empowerment, but also encourages any other projects to apply. Successful applicants will receive grants of between $50 to $500 and do not have to return any unused funds. While Cortes Island has had microgrant programs for the past 10 years, their nature changed after the Cortes Island Community Foundation took over in 2021. Cortes Currents asked Isabella McKnight what is different about the MicroGrants 4 Neighbours program.“We can now give small amounts of money directly to Cortes neighbours and community members. We want to empower Cortes Island neighbors to do projects that they want to do or that they want to participate in. So for example, if you've always wanted to learn how to carve. You could run a workshop if you had the knowledge how to carve for beginners or you could hire somebody in the community who had that knowledge,” she said. “We've only been open for about two weeks, but I love reviewing the applications that come in.” CC: Can you tell us anything about the projects that are coming in?IK: “I can't talk about them quite yet, but it's going great.” CC: Tell us some highlights from last season.IK: “We had over 40 projects that we funded in 2021. There was an Indigenous language course, some classes which were just this great way to engage the community and retain language and work towards reconciliation as well. There was a free library project. Esther worked on building these little wooden libraries that were put up around the island, that have books that people don't want and they switch out and people can borrow them and put them back and put in old books and they're really cute and sunny and beautiful.” CC: What kinds of challenges have you faced? IK: “The biggest challenge is just deciding which of the amazing projects to run, because there's so many, and we don't like to say no to the projects because every project that somebody submits impacts a different niche of the community in a positive way. So having to decide or choose which ones to fund is really challenging.”“Luckily, we have an amazing community jury that we switch every year. So we get neighbors who might not necessarily see eye to eye or have much in common debating and discussing which projects to fund, which really cool to see going on in the community.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - RCMP have been attempting to crack down on drug trafficking in Campbell River. Their most recent press release states that on Thursday March 16, a cache of drugs and guns were found in a house on Ebert Road.According to Cst. Maury Tyre, Media Relations Officer for the detachment, “Police seized over $3000 in cash, 17 grams of crack cocaine, 4 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of Fentanyl, 316 Hydromorphone pills and several other prescription pills.”“The home had been the scene of four suspected drug overdose deaths since 2017.”“As a result of the investigation, a 66 year old Campbell River woman and a 27 year old man from the Lower Mainland were arrested. Both were released and are scheduled to attend court in June, 2023.This is the latest in a series of drug related arrests in Campbell River.On February 28, the RCMP seized a significant stash of drugs, scales, packaging materials, replica guns and more than $6,000 in cash, after raiding two houses in the Campbellton neighbourhood. Two 41-year-old men and one 43-year-old woman were arrested, released and now wait to appear in court.On November 16, two Lower Mainland residents were apprehended after they were witnessed trafficking. Subsequent to arrest, police located cocaine and fentanyl packaged for street sale. As of last month, Parmvir Dhaliwal and Gurvinder Deo were still awaiting trial.On November 4, the RCMP seized ‘a substance consistent with being cocaine, along with a prohibited weapon’ from a residence on Holm Road. A 20-year old Campbell River man was arrested for Trafficking a Controlled Substance.After a two month long investigation, police arrested Brandon Viskovich on December 10, 2021. The Campbell River RCMP Street Crime Unit seized 22.85 grams of Cocaine, 347 grams of Psilocybin and approximately one pound of marihuana, over $26,000 in cash and what is believed to be Viskovich's drug client list.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Monday March 6, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) closed the waters and intertidal foreshore of Deep Bay Harbour, on Vancouver Island, to oyster and scallop growers, due to ‘sanitary reasons.’ Erik Lyon, owner operator of Rising Tide Shellfish on Cortes Island explained, “The problem is too many people in too close a proximity to shellfish farms. You can't have any shellfish destined for human consumption in water where there's any kind of a man-made dock, boat liveaboard or float house within 125 meters. That's a setback that's always been in place.” “The US was considering a total ban on BC oysters. Luckily DFO was taking lab samples of oysters for a few weeks about a month back and in the end, we were deemed as acceptably clean. That ban didn't go ahead, but in response to that threat of a ban on BC shellfish, I believe, the DFO is now going to stricter measures in terms of closing certain waterways as growing sites.”Lyon’s company is one of the 10 or so lease holders belonging to the Bee Islets Growers Corporation, in the centre of Gorge Harbour. “There's millions of dollars worth of sustainably produced seafood coming out of that harbor every year. That's jobs, small businesses, a whole way of life,” he said.“My representatives at the BC Shellfish Growers Association tell us the industry is in decline here.” EL: “Why is that when we have this incredible ability to produce this high quality product that the worldwide demand for is super strong. When we talk to our processors about oyster orders coming up next week, all we ever hear is, can you send twice as much? The international demand for shellfish flesh is not being met, let alone the domestic demand. We have this incredible resource, working with nature, producing this high value sustainable product, yet here we are just ‘shitting’ all over that opportunity.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The audio portion of this story starts with a chorus of croaking frog voices, rising up from a wetland. After a few seconds, the distant call of an owl is introduced.Autumn Barrett-Morgan first learned about soundscapes when she was studying bird identification in college, but it really come alive after she became a Monitoring Technician with the Friends of Cortes Island Society. “In the past two or three years, I started really diving into the soundscape. On the Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration Project, I found it really important in birding, because not all birds are visible or make themselves visible and that left me not knowing who I'm listening to. So it got me really inspired to dive into observing the soundscape through studying the bird calls once I got back home,” she said.A series of short whistled hoots mixes with the cresendo of ‘rib-its’ in the audio.Barrett-Morgan explained, “This is what the soundscape could sound like. That relationship between two species, the Western Screech Owl’s breeding call and the breeding and mating call of the Pacific Chorus Frog a few days before the first day of spring. Of course, we are manipulating that soundscape by playing a recording, but that is what a West Coast wetland could sound like and does sound like in many parts of Western British Columbia,” explained Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a Monitoring Technician with the Friends of Cortes Island Society. “Once you develop and deepen your relationship to the soundscape, you become enchanted by all of the sounds that you hear. You notice the absence of any species that you're used to hearing at a certain time of year, it can actually have a profound impact emotionally on someone because that the relationship that we have to that species is no longer presenting itself.”“That's something that I've been really tuned into throughout this Western Screech Owl monitoring project, that FOCI has been embarking upon last spring season, as well as this current one.”“Sabina Leader Mense and I have been walking the forest at night with volunteers and doing call playback surveys, which is essentially projecting a mating call of the male western screech owl into the forest at night to elicit a response from hopefully another Western Screech Owl. We have had one observation on the northern tip of Cortes Island.”“I haven't personally heard a Western Screech Owl on Cortes, and so I don't have that historical knowledge of that soundscape. But I know that many, many people that grew up here know the call very well. Over the past few decades that sound has become absent.”“When I think about soundscapes and species at risk, this is an area often overlooked within soundscapes.” “The declining of population sizes has, of course, a significant impact on the landscape and the web of life that plays out here on the earth plane, but also in the soundscape.”“What I love about that recording that we started this interview with was to be able to actually hear what we could be hearing if Western Screech owls were in this neck of the woods.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Streamkeepers are looking for volunteers, and also hoping that the community steps up its efforts to combat climate change. “There's quite a few tasks we have to do,” explained Leona Jensen. One of them is in the Klahoose hatchery. LJ: “It was such a long dry fall that we had really no water in the creek when it was October, even November when it's time for the fish to spawn there was no water. They were just out in the ocean and dying.”CC: So how many fish made it to the creek?LJ: “I think maybe 10 fish in Basil Creek, where we often have a few hundred. That was pretty disastrous. Usually, we try to get some eggs from the fish and then some of the sperm. We can't take them unless we have a certain amount and then we breed some eggs and keep those over the winter, grow them in our boxes and let them hatch.”“We managed to get a few from Tla’amin, in Powell River, because fishery said they have the same genetic makeup as here. So we are allowed to bring those to this stream.” CC: 52,000 Chum eggs were brought over from the Tla’amin hatchery in December. Why are Chum so important on Cortes Island?LJ: “Our streams dry up in the summer.”“Chum don't need to stay in the streams over summer. As soon as the fry are ready to go, they swim right out.” “I know that sometimes the Chum can miss a year. They might wait five years before they come if the conditions are not too good. Maybe next year will be a good year if the weather's good, but with climate change getting worse, it doesn't bode well. If the streams just get warmer and the ocean gets warmer, the fish will tend to go north instead of here.” “That's what they're finding down in Washington. Somebody that works for the Department of Fisheries told us that they might not have too many more years of salmon. That would be really sad.” “I think salmon are so important for our environment, for us as a people, for our culture, for our nutrition, for nutrition of wildlife, or just the forest because the creatures that drag all the salmon out of the creeks fertilize the forest too.” “We have to do the best we can to enhance the salmon and try to keep them coming.”“The public knows about climate change, but I think the public needs to be reminded that it's everybody's responsibility to do what they can as far as just their own fossil fuel imprint, their own purchasing power of what they buy, and contacting their political leaders to try to get changes.” CC: Let’s get back to the Chum eggs, what kind of help do the Streamkeepers need? LJ: “We have some that have hatched and they've been able to feed on their yolk sacks for nutrition. Pretty soon they will go into the troughs at Klahoose.” “We are only a small part of looking at doing the hatchery. Klahoose is the major part of that, but we'll need people to help. They need to be fed every day, and there is some cleaning out. When they get to a big size, they need to be put into the creek.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Amanda Smith, of the Quadra Island Food Bank emailed, “Obviously our buying power has diminished across the board due to inflationary pressures. Increases for fruits and vegetables and eggs have been most disturbing. Our vegetable choices are now largely governed by price. 2022 saw a 35% increase over 2021 for the number of hampers distributed. The number of hampers distributed so far in 2023 is markedly higher than 2022 and there is no relief in sight. Every distribution this year has registered new first-time users.”Samantha Statton, President of the Cortes Island Food Bank, reported a rise of about 15%. SS: “In 2021, from my records, we served 91 clients. In 2022, 105 people were served.”Filipe Figueira, Treasurer, of the Cortes Island Food Bank agreed that the numbers had gone up, and also said that declining real wages mean that working people are having to use the food bank much more.FF: “We’ve definitely seen an increase. There's a lot higher need out there and I think there's still a reluctance to use the food bank. They really only come to us when they're in a desperate situation.” “In 2022 we served clients 105 times, but we have probably around 21 unique clients. 60% only come once a year because they only need help in some emergency. We only had one customer who came four times last year.” CC: How long would a food hamper typically last? SS: “I think they'd probably last about two weeks for an individual. If they're families, then we try and give them obviously more and bigger quantities, family size things. So that might last two to three weeks for them, maybe a month.”FF: “It also depends on the items. Right now we've got tons of pasta, tons of potatoes, so that could last for a long time, but we may have less of some other stuff. We're trying to get a well-rounded box that somebody can eat well for two weeks. If it doesn't last that long, they can always come back and get more.”“It's not like they're dependent on the food bank. It's that some emergency comes up and we are now in a position where we can step in and help them out with at least some of the key costs. Nobody should be struggling to eat.”“These are all challenges in all rural communities but I think, just as the last census shows, Cortes is in a particularly difficult situation. 10 to 15% of the population is now living below the poverty line. People are struggling and it doesn't take much to take them over the edge.”SS: “On Cortes people are finding they're not being employed year round. Emergencies come up, things happen, and they have to choose between having to pay their rent versus food. There's a lot of aspects that bring them to the food bank and it's an all around difficult time.”FF: “If we have a message to put out there.”SS: “There’s no stigma.” FF: “We’ve got plenty of food available to help people. If you are suffering because of some emergency that's happened, don't hesitate to contact us.”Smith encountered the same problem on Quadra, “Our ongoing challenge is trying to reach all those who need food assistance. We know there are people out there who are struggling, but they are reluctant to use the food bank.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The audio version of this story opens with a chorus of frogs, into which the distant call of an owl is introduced. “This is what the soundscape could sound like. That relationship between two species, the Western Screech Owl’s breeding call and the breeding and mating call of the Pacific Chorus frog happening together a few days before the first day of spring. Of course, we are manipulating that soundscape by playing a recording, but that is what a West Coast wetland could sound like and does sound like in many parts of Western British Columbia,” explained Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a Monitoring Technician with the Friends of Cortes Island Society. “Once you develop and deepen your relationship to the soundscape, you become asphyxiated and enchanted by all of the sounds that you hear. You notice the absence of any species that you're used to hearing at a certain time of year, it can actually have a profound impact emotionally on someone because that the relationship that we have to that species is no longer presenting itself.”“That's something that I've been really tuned into throughout this Western Screech Owl monitoring project, that FOCI has been embarking upon last spring season, as well as this current one.”“Sabina Leader Mense and I have been walking the forest at night with volunteers and doing call playback surveys, which is essentially projecting a meeting call of the male western screech owl into the forest at night to elicit a response from hopefully another Western Screech Owl. We have had one observation on the northern tip of Cortes Island.”“I haven't personally heard a Western Screech Owl on Cortes, and so I don't have that historical knowledge of that soundscape. But I know that many, many people that grew up here know the call very well. Over the past few decades that sound has become absent.”“When I think about soundscapes and species at risk, this is an area where I also feel is often overlooked within soundscapes.” “The declining of population sizes has, of course, a significant impact on the landscape and the web of life that plays out here on the earth plane, but also in the soundscape.”“What I love about that recording that we started this interview with was to be able to actually hear what we could be hearing if Western Screech owls were in this neck of the woods.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to a dozen volunteers and two Park Rangers participated in the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) annual Broom Bash on Saturday, March 18.They swept the spit at Mansons Lagoon in about 3 hours. “We really appreciate all of the help from the volunteers here on Cortes. It's really amazing that the local community comes out and takes ownership of this place. We couldn't do it without the volunteers,” said Eli Simcoe Metcalfe, of BC Parks.He and his partner, Thomas Porsborg, joined in the work and also brought some baked goods for break time. Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI, explained “The fact there's very little broom left in the spit is all through community volunteers. Before we started doing this, the broom was 7-8 feet tall and we had to get out with chainsaws. Now, coming back each year, we've just cut the regrowth.”CC: How many volunteer activities do you have happening at FOCI? HH: “We've got a whole range of different volunteer activities. Things like this, which is practical conservation. We've also been doing a lot of work bees at the newly restored Dillon Creek Wetland at Linnaea Farm. We also have volunteers doing monitoring work for us. Over the winter months we've been doing forage fish surveys on the beach. In the summer we do foreshore monitoring with volunteers, looking at the different plant and animal communities at low tides on the beach. We've been doing that now for 25 years, so that data's really important. We also have volunteers going out once a month doing monitoring on the lake.”“We're also just about to start what's called light trap monitoring, which is placing a light trap into Cortes Bay. We are currently looking for volunteers for that. It involves putting the light trap in the water each night. We’re looking for the larvae of two crabs. The Dungeness Crab, which is under threat and also the invasive Green Crab. We're looking for those two larvae to see if those crabs are here. Data is going back to the Hakai Institute, which has 20 light traps throughout the Salish Sea.”CC: So we're talking about dozens of people? HH: “Yes, lots of people, doing lots of different types of volunteer work.” Leona Jensen has been volunteering since she arrived on Cortes Island 7 years ago. She thinks she might take part in about 30 FOCI events per year. “Yesterday I went to a Streamkeepers meeting. Then there was the wetland project, I went to pretty well all of their volunteer days. I like to be outside, to be in nature. I like to help nature if I can,” she said.“I'm here today because I'm concerned about the invasive broom plants everywhere, but especially here on Manson's Landing because it's such a vulnerable spot.” Alex Bernier is one of the contractors FOCI uses to maintain Cortes Island parks, but he came in a different role Saturday. “I'm just volunteering to try to mitigate the broom invasion down at Manson's Lagoon. It's a beautiful day and it's a good cause to try to promote the native species to take back this land,” he said. CC: Do you come every year?AB: “Yes, for probably the last five years now.” HH: “A lot of people this morning are having good fun, having a chance to meet with their neighbors and do something really positive too. I think individual projects bring a lot to volunteers. They also learn a lot about the local environment as well as contributing to some really important monitoring work and some conservation work too.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Up until now, there have not been any reports of Western Screech Owls on Cortes Island since 2017. That just changed a few weeks ago in the island’s more remote northern forest. Field biologist Sabina Leader Mense reports, “I was sitting in the skiff with my husband Dennis, under an unbelievably brilliant sky of stars. It was the last station of the night, pushing midnight, and in the 16th minute of that 17 minute call playback sequence, I heard something. I remember pivoting around in the boat. The sound was behind me and you do what owls do, you turn around. I think your ears and the muscles and your ears cup and you're just straining to hear something. Then I heard the call again. It was very distant, but I recognized it was an owl. I began analyzing the audio disks in my head going, ‘is it a Northern Pygmy Owl? Is it a Northern Saw-Whet Owl?’ As I was doing this, it called the third time and I recognized it was a Western Screech Owl.” “The only word I can find to describe that feeling, upon recognizing it was a Western Screech Owl that had just called back to me, is gobsmacked.”“If you look at the definition of gobsmacked, it means overwhelmed with wonder, overwhelmed with surprise, or shock. That was the feeling in that moment of having that Western Screech Owl call back, after all those times that we've tried.” “Then that feeling of gobsmack moved into complete disbelief. I had to strain to listen again, but I had 12 very clear calls from the Western Screech Owl. There was no doubt what we had. So then the emotions moved from disbelief to absolute euphoria, which was like, ‘Oh my goodness, we have one! Maybe he has a mate and they're here on Cortes.’ That feeling then went from disbelief to euphoria, and then it moved into relief.”“It was just this incredible relief to know they were still there and that relief moved very quickly into hope. It was such a powerful emotional response. It instantly galvanized me into doing everything I could to protect them. That's what this FOCI (Friends of Cortes Island) research project is about.We will have more about that discovery later in this broadcast, but first Leader-Mense will give an overview of the search to find Western Screech Owls, the team that has assembled and what this means for Cortes and neighbouring islands.
Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News -A local karate and kinesiology specialist has been hosting a weekly self-defense class on Cortes Island and donating the proceeds back to the community.Kaitlin Garratt runs "Fierce and Fluid," which she describes as an "empowered self defense class," blending cardio kickboxing, karate, and "foundational energy principles to help you embody your core power and learn to deliver it with grace to the world."Garratt is a black belt in karate and was a Canadian national team fighter for eight years. She also completed her degree in kinesiology at UBC with specialty as an Exercise Physiologist and studied and taught yoga for 15 years.Garratt stated in an interview with CKTZ that her clients at Mansons Hall are mostly women but the class is open to everyone."A lot of people, and especially women, throughout their lives have felt unsafe or had moments where they abandon themselves or were taken advantage of, and this can be really life-changing for someone. There's a beautiful value system that is steeped in the traditions in karate, and I weave that into the self-defense aspect to encourage individuals to feel like they can express their boundaries more honestly and more powerfully." Garratt said.Garratt is donating the proceeds from her class to the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) to help support the programming that they organize for the community.Fierce and Fluid is at Mansons Hall from 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday with a $5 dollar drop in fee for SCCA members.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island naturalist George Sirk knows a lot about frogs. GS: “A lot of people know me because of my interest in birds, which is really an addiction, isn't it? I'm just hopeless when it comes to birds. I'm just totally into them. They're so fascinating. I came from Venezuela when I was 10. My parents immigrated to Vancouver and I couldn't speak English. I could speak Spanish and I knew a little Estonian and I could understand German because my parents argued in German.” “So there I was in Vancouver, a little weird guy 10-years-old, and I met some other weird young people too, what we would call nerds.” “They were into frogs. Jim Palmer was one, Lowell Orchid, that's another, Jim just passed away actually in December, but Lowell's still with us all here. We used to collect frogs very close to Kits Beach, the Lacarno beach area. It used to be a military base at one time. So there used to be a lot of empty properties, fields and it got very wet in the wintertime. The tree frogs would all go in there and have a great time.” “We used to get the tree frog eggs, take them home, have our aquariums and feed them algae when they turned into tad poles and then they would turn into little frogs. If you could get the adult frogs, that would be an even better pet. They're very good eaters, you give them little flies and all kinds of things. We would raise the tadpoles and then release all the teeny, teeny tiny frogs, three eights of an inch long. Just barely the width of your small fingernail. That was great fun.” “I’ve done it for our children and our grandchildren, as they grow up. You get a gallon jar, a few eggs, make sure there's algae in there and watch them grow. You're actually improving their chance of survival, because they don't have the predators in your gallon jar. There's nothing more fun than letting them go, especially with kids.”“Kim, my wife, did that in the elementary school next to the University of Victoria. She raised the little tadpoles to a little tiny, tiny mature frogs. The kids could watch the frogs for two months in the classroom. We went across the street into the pond area tof the university, with the school kids and let them all go into the grass. So they were just beside themselves that these little frogs were all hopping away into nature.” “We used to collect salamanders too. It became a great hobby, going to different places, catching salamanders and bringing them home. Don't ever keep newts by the way. They are the worst pet in the world. They will not eat. They will refuse to eat. They need a very specialized little mini-pond as an aquarium. Clouded salamanders or wandering salamanders, they're great eaters, but you always have to make sure that you're letting them go after you've had them for a little while.” “I just felt totally in love with different frogs. Vancouver used to have ditches, so you'd had green frogs and bullfrogs. They were all introduced, so we would catch them and keep them as well.” “So, bringing it to Cortes, we have two species of frog here. We've got the red-legged frog, the tree frog and one toad - bufo boreas, the northwestern toad, but I won't talk too much about the toad. That's another show. Something has happened to the toad population on Cortes as it's plummeted. They're virtually gone from Cortes, but not the tree frogs.” “Now they've changed the name of the frog to Chorus Frog, and I just hate it when scientists start meddling with names that have been around for a long time. Somebody gets a PhD and once again, they change the name. I still call them tree frogs because they don't chorus all the time and they actually do climb trees.” Photo Credit: George Sirk in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, with Cruise North Expeditions - submitted photo
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Garden Share and Food Recovery Programs on Quadra IslandQuadra ICAN started up two food security initiatives last week. The Garden Share program is designed to increase the amount of food grown on Quadra Island. Marc Doll, a local farmer and one of the candidates during the last election, said Vancouver Island grew about half of its food prior to the Second World War. He believes this statistic is currently closer to 4% or 5%.ICAN Coordinator Ramona Boyle explained that this is the Garden Share program’s second year. “What it does is to create a list of people who have farms or properties that they would like to see growing food, but maybe don't have the ability to do that on their own. We match them with people who would like to grow food but don't have the space or the property to do that. Last year, I think we had about a dozen matches. We would like to double that, to increase food supply and food resiliency on the island,” she said.This year they have a new coordinator. Rena Patrick, who many Cortes Radio listeners will remember as Hurricane Rena, former host of the Homegrown Show.“We know that there are an increasing number of older property owners who are struggling to manage gardens that they have established over many years and are just finding it a little bit too much for themselves. So we expect that this is going to be a growing trend.”ICAN’s food recovery program officially starts up on Monday, March 20, but they have already begun distribution. RB: “I think the real root of the program is that we know that there are people who are struggling, who don't look like they're struggling because they have a roof over their head. They are functioning, but it's getting harder and harder for them. According to the 2016 census 230 Quadra Island households, or roughly 20% of the population needed to use more than 30% of their income for rent or mortgage payments. This means there is often less money for other needs, like groceries.RB: “Food will be distributed twice a week, in Heriot Bay and the Cove, at different times to try and reach more people. The food so far is being collected from both Tru Value Food stores and from Amped on Nutrition. On Monday we collected 116.2 kilos of food and we distributed it to individuals who told us that food would feed 50 people. We also distributed to agencies who estimated that the food would provide meals for 125 people. So that's in total 175 people who will receive at least one meal from the food that was distributed on Monday.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board passed a resolution to write a letter instructing Sadhu Johnston, President of the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association (CIFFA), that his communications with them should come through Chief Administration Officer David Leitch. The SRD has not renewed the Cortes Fire Department’s 5 year contract, and instead has them on a month to month basis.Johnston requested a meeting with Leitch last month but, as he explained to Cortes Currents earlier this week, still has not had the opportunity. “We're not wedded to the way it is, but we don't really want decisions to be made behind closed doors without the community being able to know about them and have a say. If governance is going to be taken away from Cortes and the decision making for firefighting service is going to be taken away from Cortes, it would be really nice to know that and to be able to be a part of that dialogue,” he said.Johnston recently appears to have reached out to the entire Board. The ‘answer’ came at the Wednesday, Mar 15, SRD Board Meeting.Mayor Kermit Dahl of Campbell River moved,”That a letter be written to the CIFFA President, Sadhu Johnston, instructing him that all communications between the CIFFA and the SRD in regard to operations, governance and contract renewal is done through the SRD CAO. I don't think that it's appropriate for staff - I'm not sure if this is considered staff — to be sending emails to 43 individuals and the entire board. I think that's the reason that we have staff and we have a CAO. That's the reason for this motion.” This prompted Regional Director, Gerald Whalley to ask, “The public in general has the opportunity to address this Chair and Board anytime they want. Can we actually restrict someone from doing that?” CAO David Leitch responded, “No, we can't restrict them, but we can send direction and a letter.” SRD Chair Mark Baker added, “It's an important motion, professionalism has to come into play and respect for the process.” The motion to send Johnston a letter of instruction passed with two Directors voting in opposition: Whalley and Fowler. Sadhu Johnston was Vancouver’s Deputy Manager and then City Manager for 11 years. Prior to that, he was Chicago’s Chief Environmental Officer for 6 years.The Vancouver SUN article reporting his resignation from Vancouver, more than two years ago, states that former politicians and public servants describe Johnston with adjectives like ‘collegial, capable and non-partisan.’ He has a reputation for fairness, and being a team player. These are skills that he has not yet been able to exercise dealing with the Strathcona Regional District Board, in his new role as volunteer President of the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association. He has not had the opportunity.While nothing has been decided yet, the SRD is exploring the possibility of a centralized fire service with a Fire Chief based in Campbell River.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The new President of the Cortes Island Fire Fighter’s Association (CIFFA) is not opposed to having a shared fire fighting service in the SRD. When he was Deputy Manager of Vancouver, Sadhu Johnston led the charge in creating a shared water fire service for the Lower Mainland. “We had very extensive consultations with other municipalities that needed services, that had structures along the shoreline. I personally went to those city halls, met with those fire chiefs and the city managers. We created a steering committee that got to shape the service and then we chose which boats to purchase based on that input. It was a multiple year effort and it was done really collaboratively. I think that's the really important part.” In regard to the current SRD initiative, he said, “Perhaps what's missing right now is just being able to all be on the same page about what kind of shared services are needed.” SJ: “ I really understand the benefit of shared services and sharing resources and the efficiencies that can be gained out of that. In the Lower Mainland, instead of 5 or 6 or 7 municipalities all having to own and operate their own fireboats and train all their staff to maintain those boats and operate the boats and have marine firefighting certifications and whatnot. It made sense to have a few people that were trained in that. I really understand the benefits that can be achieved through shared accounting, shared management of training, in terms of tracking who's been trained, and to what standards. There could really be considerable benefits from more sharing of resources and shared services regionally with our firefighting services.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - ‘Wayfinding: Stories of Maps & Place’ opens at the Cortes Island Museum, between 1 and 4 PM on Sunday, March 26.“I think wayfinding really touches on so many aspects of our current life. We have a really fabulous series of maps and artifacts. It's an opportunity to share that with the public for the first time on many counts. I think everybody, on some level, has a personal story to do with wayfinding. This is a celebration, and a reminder that we all have stories to tell of place and an evolving relationship to the landscape,”explained Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the museum.“In this increasingly digital age, you get to come in and you get to come really close to an incredible hand drawn map, with pencil crayon and notations. That physical presence is really valuable to any age, but particularly the younger generation who are perhaps more removed from the actual map making or being able to read a map in that physical presence. So I think again, like any art gallery museum, that opportunity to come face-to-face with actual documents, whether it's an object or a printed matter, is really valuable as a personal experience.”Bonnie MacDonald, who is one of the museum’s Directors and a member of the exhibition committee, added, “A lot of people contribute to the museum. They pay their dues, they pay when they come in. A lot of people have helped to build this museum. I think it's really important that people on the island get to see the benefits of doing that. They get to see why they've contributed to our situation. They get to see some of the things that are in the archives, how well they're preserved. I think its really important for people to see what we do and what we're all about.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The 2022/2023 semester is now over and the Cortes Island Academy is preparing for a Forest Ecology Semester in 2023/2024.“We have now officially taken this program from pilot to an actual ongoing program All of this could only happen at this speed, where we went from idea to actually having a pilot program in a year because of our amazing partnership with School District 72, the leadership of Dr. Jeremy Morrow, the superintendent and our awesome partnership with the school teacher, Jeff Lontayao, who was there for the whole process last year,” said Manda Aufochs Gillespie. MAG: “ This first semester or half a year of the Cortes Island Academy just blew us away. Both blew away our expectations and also presented way more challenges than people on the ground could even begin to imagine, because largely this has been started and came out of the hopes and dreams of Cortes Island, not necessarily professional educators who knew all the things that we were going to be facing.”“It has been so touching to experience 20 students saying things like, 'I have been transformed by this educational experience.' Students across the board saying things like 'they have never had an educational experience that felt so relevant to their lives.' We see students who in many cases had not been in school before, or had dropped out of school, or who had been in school for a long time and had begun to think that school was not made for them. So that was really powerful.” “The other thing that's been powerful, and it's been happening more recently, are young adults who've come to me and said, 'Hey, I have to tell you how amazing it is that this is happening because I grew up on the island and when I got to middle school or high school age, I felt like the world was telling me that I didn't belong on Cortes anymore, that I didn't belong in my home community, that I was wrong to want to be there, that it wasn't the place for me.' They felt sent away and it had repercussions that lasted into their adulthood. Feeling like they were sent away from their homes and had to find a way to come back, or be relevant, or get back into a community that had been so powerful to them." “I really hope that people listening to this story will take a moment to go to the Cortes Island Academy.ca website because there's a couple of things there that are just incredible. If you go to the 2022/ 2023 program part of the website, which is under the ‘About’ section, you can experience the podcasts that the students did. All the students in the program participated in personal podcasts as well as journalistic podcasts as part of a series that the students named Ripple Effect. That's really incredible to listen to. They all participated in the making of three videos in partnership with Reel Youth, our locally based film project, and those videos are also amazing. It's both an opportunity to see the world through the perspective of young people today, but also to see in many cases another side of Cortes and the people who live there. Really powerful stuff. I hope everyone will take a moment to experience that.”“The other place I would encourage people to go visit is the Change Makers part of the website, where you can start looking at the impact that our first year program had. So this program in our first year, we had a mix of local students that were coming from other rural and remote communities. The rural remote community part of who came is by far the largest number. Then we had some students who came from as far away as Germany and Indonesia, or just the more urbanized places such as Vancouver as well, but the vast majority were these rural and remote students.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -“I'm hoping that this summer at the Friday Market, we'll at least be able to have a prototype on a trailer. We’ll be able to pull an A-frame into the parking lot at Mansons, and people will be able to walk inside, sit in it and check it out. In terms of the refined prototype, that concept will be September.” “We're working a little bit with Jason Andrews, who is so gracious with his time and expertise. He has really talked at length with us about the difference between really working on the prototyping versus jumping into trying to sell your product. There's such a high demand for an extra bedroom around.” “I think we could be popping these out by June, but they would be rudimentary and so the goal at this point would be to have them for next summer (2024). So this is something that next spring, hopefully we will be able to be in a position where we have something that's been really tested, refined and repeatable.” That was Jeramie Ellingsen talking about the next phase of Ellingsen Woods development. Up until now, they have primarily been a manufacturer of boards. Her husband, Aaron Ellingsen, has ventured into kiln dried lumber, flooring and wood panels, but it has not yet provided him with the hoped for expansion into the value added market.AE: “Jeramie has been really involved in developing the plan. We've worked on it together, but she has done a lot of the entering numbers into software and crunching things and then reaching out to talk to various people about whether it seems feasible and she doesn't technically work for the company at all. She's not compensated directly for any of the work that she does. Hopefully that will change.” “When I think about creating or about moving my business in a direction that will be selling things off island, I am thinking very regionally. If I start here on Cortes and I could sell a few of these things on Cortes, then I'd very much like to be able to sell some things on Quadra Island. I would like to be able to sell some things to Campbell River and really, I don't think that in the next few years, trying to get any further than potentially maybe a little better reach into the Lower Mainland.”“There are only 800 people on Cortes but if you can get onto Vancouver Island, then you're looking at a much, much larger market in a lot of communities. Many of them are places where tourism is a big deal.” “We were looking around at options for things to do given the equipment that I have. Jeramie came upon this guy in California who's basically started designing structures and creating plans for structures and selling those packages online. He's done things from a small woodshed to an outhouse. His business is selling the plans for these and then creating step by step instructions on how to build the products,”“We talked with him about using his designs and he said that he was more than happy. He's been selling lots of designs and has a suspicion that many people buy his designs and then don't have time to build the projects. We could just pay him on a time by time basis for a kit of materials that we can put together. We'd include his blueprints or his designs. He did put together a 50 page instruction booklet that tells you step by step, almost like IKEA or something.”
Loni Taylor/ CKTZ News -Hollyhock Leadership Institute, the local retreat center, was awarded $500,000 to build an outdoor spa. The funding is a slice of the $500 million dollar Tourism Relief Fund, a federal grant aimed to revitalize the tourism sector after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other businesses that were awarded the grant in the region include Bella Coola Heli Sports Inc., 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate and Sunshine Coast Air.Development Director Penelope Naldrett said that Hollyhock’s first attempt at applying for the grant failed. “The first one was turned down because they deemed it to be education related, even though our programs bring folks to the island and create tourism dollars.”The second grant application asked for the maximum awarded of $500,000 to improve accessibility to the lodge and expand the hot tubs into a more accessible facility as well. This application was successful, and it was applied for by New Wave Foundation. Naldrett explained the complex structure of Hollyhock as a business entity. “L.I., the Leadership Institute, is the entity that runs the programs at Hollyhock. Next Wave Foundation owns the land and also supports L.I.- the leadership, Hollyhock Farms is our for-profit entity. It's actually owned by Next Wave Foundation. So it's for-profit in that work like the body work, or people staying as a hotel stay or a wedding, would not be considered charitable activities so that those are run by the for-profit. The profit from the for-profit goes back into The Next Wave Foundation. ”When CKTZ inquired if there had been consultation with First Nations for the planned expansion, Naldrett responded, “we had a letter of support from the Gorge (Marina) for this one, which is owned by the Klahoose.”The main focus for the spa expansion is to increase year round employment, offer amenities to locals, and increase overall accessibility to the lodge and pools. Hollyhock hopes the expansion will result in eight more full-time, year-round jobs for Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Island - “When I came to Cortes, I imagined just making boards is a great thing to do. I've had a number of years to assess and reassess that reality. It's possible as a one man operation for me to do okay at that, but it's a subsistence business not a business model. It's not a business plan,” explained Aaron Ellingsen.His company, Ellingsen Woods, is about to go through a relaunch. Part 1 of this business profile is intertwined with the story of of one of Cortes Island’s older families, and the dream of bringing value-added industry to the island.
Lono Taylor/CKTZ News - The Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) will be hosting the second annual Spring Equinox celebration on March 25. After hosting the event outside last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the celebration will move inside the hall, for a warmer experience.Organizer Rebecca Thacker explained that the event is timed around the equinox which usually falls on March 21-22. The equinox marks the beginning of spring. Annually, Cortes Islanders consistently celebrate lunar holidays with the community gathering for events like Beltane contra dances in May and winter solstice light spirals in December.Thacker spoke about last year’s traditions that would be returning, including activities for both adults and children.“We still have the movie room for the kids, and the concession should be great. So this year the music and the live entertainment will be inside in the main hall.”There is still a lot of room for participation and volunteering; Thacker said the main focus for the event is to bring Islanders together. “The main point is to get the community together and just celebrating together...it was really fun last year and we wanna do it again. ”Local musicians Jessie Roy and Friends and the Cortes Drummers will be on stage. Annie Becker was just announced as a performer, as well. DJ Pom Poko will also be providing entertainment. The event is $7, kids admission is free, and the punch pass cards for Mansons Hall are redeemable at this community gathering.
De Clarke/Helen Hall/Cortes Currents - Helen was our on the spot reporter for this event. Her account was edited by De Clarke.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents -In recent years, the BC government has made many promises, many representations to the public, about its intent to preserve what little is left of the Province's old growth forests. Many BC residents, however, feel that -- despite the arrival in office of more reality-based politicians such as David Eby -- no real progress is being made.Some of these residents attended a March and Rally in Victoria on February 25th, to express their concerns about deforestation and their frustration with the slowness of government response to what many describe as an ecological crisis. Helen Hall, longtime Cortes resident, traveled to Victoria to participate in this protest.Helen was our reporter on the spot, acquiring audio, video, and photo documentation of this event. We'll be broadcasting her documentary material this week, as part 2 of this feature. Part 1 is an interview with Helen, in which I ask her about her reasons for attending this event and what she experienced there.
Loni Taylor/CKTZ News -Several Cortes Island non-profit organizations received grants recently, helping to secure their operations for now. But some of the organizations worry about their long-term financial sustainability.This winter, the Gender Equality Fund dispensed $40,000 to Cortes non-profits through the Cortes Island Foundation. The organizations are offering programming that aims to benefit women, two-spirited, and non-binary people on Cortes Island. The awarded organizations for 2023 include the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA), The Women’s Centre, and the Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA).The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) also approved $18,000 in Grant-In-Aid funding recently for several non-profits, including the CCHA.The CCHA received $11,000 between two grants awarded so far this year. Some of the money ($5,000 from the Gender Equality Fund) is providing core funding for a new “Free Lunches for Young Families” program which does not have long-term funding secured yet. Similar to the Women's Centre, the CCHA is still struggling to find sustainable financing solutions.Desta Beattie, family coordinator for the CCHA, spoke about the financial need to help maintain the new free lunch program.“We were hoping to have some more funding to be able to do more, so that may happen as we become more established. But at this point, we're still just trying to make sure we have enough cooks in the kitchen to make sure the soup gets made.”Despite the intentions of these non-profit led programs, they lack secure long-term funding sources. There may be some solutions to be found through support from volunteers, according to the CCHA. “We definitely are welcoming anyone who wants to make soup come in, come and make soup for sure. We've relied on mainly two cooks so far. We have a third one coming in next week. But if anyone else out there is interested in coming to make a meal for some really sweet families, please be in touch,” Beattie said.Beattie clarified that the funding is only covering the cost of ingredients. She estimates they have served a total of 100 meals so far. The lunches are offered every Thursday at noon in Mansons Hall.Christina MacWilliam is a member of the Cortes Foundation and sat on the community granting jury, awarding the Gender Equality Fund. She noted how rare core funding opportunities are to find and secure.“Often grants don't allow that. It's only capital expenses that get funded. there's really an effort to try and look at funding and granting and the peripheries of people, the non-usual suspects: who's not at the table? Who's not getting grants?’”To learn more about the CCHA's efforts, email first.years.cortes@gmail.com
Anastasia Avvakumova/Cortes Currents -The selection of products Thaddeus Conrad carries at his table reflects his eclectic interests, knowledge base and travels.He makes some of his own herbal medicines, such as tinctures and topicals. “I import organic arnica butter from India and I make a tiger balm,” he said.He also has an exclusive collaboration with Becca’s Beans on Cortes to roast and carry single-origin coffee beans from the Chiapas region in Mexico, where he spent some of his childhood. “It’s very low anxiety and low burnout,” says Conrad.His other products include visionary art from Peru, Peruvian superfoods and snacks, incense, perfume, and a range of Ebesse Zozo hot sauce from Nelson, BC.Conrad also very much enjoys the opportunity to interact with people at the weekly markets. “If it's not commercially busy, I'm still happy because it's an opportunity to meet and socialize. It is a really incredible community of artists and creationists and lots of healing arts.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Two assessments of the Cortes Island Fire Department were released last week. Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator for the SRD, emailed,“While both reports covered operational aspects, the SRD’s audit was more focused on the governance model. The concerns expressed in the consultant’s report specifically pertained to the liability exposure that the Regional District incurs from the current governance model.”Cortes Island’s Interim Fire Chief, Eli McKenty, describes them differently. Regarding SRD’s consultant, Ernie Polsom of FireWise Consulting, he said, “Polsom spent about three hours with us and took a brief look through the files. I said, ‘Over here I have training records, over here I have vehicle records, over here I have financial records. I pulled the drawers out, and waved at them. Then said, I'm at your disposal, ask me for whatever you need, and I'll get it for you.’ He hardly asked for anything.”The Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association did not see Polsom’s report until the SRD released it last week, but they decided to hire a consultant of their own. Rob Owens of Integrated Emergency & Safety Services BC is a former Deputy Fire Commissioner for British Columbia in charge of operations, fire investigations, fire code inspections and enforcement, wildfire structure protection program and the supervision of the five remote office locations. “Rob Owens spent about 13 hours with me, spoke to all the other officers who were available and dug through the files and we made photocopies. He read through things, asked for background, and asked a lot of in-depth questions. So from my perspective, Owens' assessment was far more thorough than Polsom’s,” explaind McKenty.
Anastasia Avvakumova A grant of eReaders from Rakuten Kobo has translated into a monthly book club on Cortes Island where readers use both print and digital media to access titles.Late last year, 20 Kobo eReaders came under Cortes Literacy's stewardship. Through the partnership, a regular book club is now being held: readers have access to the devices and subscriptions to the Kobo Plus book library included with the grant, as well as public library's offerings.Rebeka Carpenter, the book club's current organizer, has also just obtained a special book club library card from the Vancouver Island Regional Library, which provides a 12-copy set of one title at a time."I'm hopeful that once those start coming down the pike and I can distribute those to people, it'll spur more reading and enjoyment of books," she said.About 20 people are currently on the book club's email list, with more inquiring about book recommendations.A fireplace set into a grey stone wall and living room furnishings.The location for the next meeting is in a home in Whaletown. Image courtesy of Rebeka Carpenter.The new group has held two meetings so far in 2023, with the next scheduled for March 26 (postponed from March 19th, as originally stated in the audio). To learn more, contact bekinbc@gmail.com
Loni Taylor/CKTZ News - Local DJ legend Aspen King plans to kick off the festival season with a local triple header this weekend.Aspen will be joined on stage by her sister Carmanah and father Ian at “Family Reunion,” a musical event at the Gorge Hall on March 4. The young entertainer boasts her Cortes culture roots run deep.“I pretty much grew up around DJs and I'm pretty sure… my mom was pregnant with me the first time I went to Carrington (Rave).”Aspen’s dad was a DJ “back in the day,” and Ian is making his comeback at the "Family Reunion." Carmanah will also be performing a DJ set, and all three plan to perform together at the end of the night.Aspen has historically offered DJ events at the Gorge Hall called “Cabin Fever.” She wasn’t able to put on these events for three years during the pandemic but hopes this event will revive that tradition.After this weekend’s local show, Aspen will be headed to Costa Rica to play at “Jungle Dreaming” March 17-19. The Central American event will bring several Cortesian fans and friends to the heat. Local DJ RichGaud will be performing while also featuring Stanton Warriors and Neon Steve. The event is the first of its kind, organized by Lilith Klassen, also connected to Cortes. King noted that Carrington Rave founder, Ben Howells, has his hand in helping organize the Costa Rican festival too. "Family Reunion" begins at 7 p.m. on March 4.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District recognizes ten First Nations as communities within their boundaries, but the Tla’amin are not one of them. This topic arose during last month’s First Nation’s Committee Meeting and arose again when the committee met on February 22. Most of the Tla’amin lands are within qathet Regional District, but they have a shared history with the Klahoose in southern Cortes Island and were given a large parcel of Mansons Landing by treaty.However Klahoose is one of the nations recognized by the SRD and Cortes Island is within their traditional boundaries.Azalea Milwood, the First Nations Liaison, explained, “I don't believe, at this point, we should add the Tla'amin Nation, due to not knowing whether or how the Klahoose Nation feels about that.”Mark Thaysen, the alternate director for Cortes Island, had correspondence from Steven Brown, Chief of the Klahoose First Nation. "He says, 'Yikes ... This briefing note is not good,' referring to the discussion paper. 'Scattered, seems to dismiss the point of a land acknowledgement, an oversimplification and glossing over reconciliation. I also don't recall Klahoose who's ever being consulted, which contradicts the note. Tla’amin should be recognized. They've confused 'territory' and 'location of occupation, which they also acknowledge is a problem in the note.’" “So we're hearing from Chief Brown that it would be appropriate to include the Tla'amin, and I'm understanding that the sort of location of settlement is maybe not the best way to recognize territory, that the broader territory is pretty important as a part of First Nations rights and identities and culture.”Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch responded, "This is going to be an ongoing challenge for us, when we have staff that have responsibilities. They have in this case, heritage Connections, relationships with First Nations. We task them to do work and we bring back recommendations to the committee. And then we have individual directors going out, doing the work of staff and coming back with contradictory recommendations.""This is a staff recommendation and I don't know, moving forward if we continue on this path, if we're ever going to get anywhere."Azalea Milwood: “I would like to comment that I did reach out to Chief Brown. He did not return my call. I also reached out to one of the knowledge keepers from the Klahoose Nation and what they responded was, 'thank you, thank you for asking' and that they would speak to the elders.”“Once again, I would like to mention that, albeit individuals want this to be pre historical, we know which communities are located within the SRD. We don't know exactly which territories are overlapping. You're going to have a dialogue from one nation's knowledge keeper, from another nation's knowledge keeper, and nobody's going to walk away satisfied. Territorial acknowledgements have been presented by First Nations since I've ever known it, and sometimes what it looks like is it opens up the floor. It's not perfect. We've had 200 years of colonization. It's not going to be perfect. This is pieces of reconciliation. But what a territorial acknowledgement does is it opens a floor for First Nation people like me to say, ‘Wow, thank you for acknowledging. I'd like to tell you who I am now.’”“What is important is the intent. Perfection is not going to happen. It's just not. And in that, I'm going to mention that First Nations were destabilized by disease, relocations and government assimilation policies that divided them into small sediments, reserves and bands. They no longer operated as a collective. So the passing of oral history and indigenous laws were interrupted.” “I don't disagree with what the chief of the Klahoose Nation is stating. I'd love for him to give me a call, and talk to me about that. So I continue to keep this recommendation based on that.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There has been friction between some of the Strathcona Regional Districts rural areas and municipalities in the past. This was thought to have ended with the new board, but there have been a couple of recent occasions when the electoral areas felt their wishes were being overridden. In both cases, this pertained to research rather than policy. Electoral Areas A and D were not allowed to withdraw from the feasibility studies for a proposed transit system from Campbell River to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. None of the Electoral Areas were interested in having their Fire Departments come under the administration of a proposed Fire Chief for the SRD. Thus at the Board’s Feb 2 meeting, Regional Director Gerald Whalley of Area A announced, “The electoral areas have come to the unanimous conclusion that we are being unfairly treated by the Board.The discussion that follows starts with a motion for a service revue of all electoral area services and comes to a surprising end.
Loni Taylor/CZTZ News - Next week, Roots Roundup will be returning to the region to perform for the first time in eight years. The “hardrocking world beat dance” band, based in Vancouver, is set to perform March 3 at the Quadra Legion.CKTZ asked the band if they have plans to land on "the rock" soon, and founding member Greg Hathaway responded with excitement for the band to return to Cortes: they have taken the stage at the Gorge Hall numerous times since the band's fruition in 1985.“We haven't been up there for quite a few years now and like I say, we do really love playing there, so hopefully we can make that happen.”Hathaway and his brother, another member of Roots Roundup, summered on Cortes in their childhood and are even distantly related to a former Cortes fire and police chief named "Bert." Hathaway is enthusiastic about returning to the stage after years of pause during the pandemic.“It was literally the longest I've gone without playing a show since I was 14 years old. When you play that regularly, to suddenly not play for two years was bizarre… when we finally all got back together in the rehearsal room, I felt such a surge of relief. I was like, wow, this is what I've been missing in my life.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island residents will most likely be paying a great deal more for their fire department this year. The Cortes Island Fire Department (CIFFA) is asking the SRD for about $127,000 more in 2023. CIFFA hopes to obtain $381,000 from property taxes. Their request was received as correspondence at the Wednesday, Feb 22, meeting of the SRD Board.Cortes Island Regional Director Mark Vonesch prefaced this submission by stating, “CIFFA has submitted a budget that is significantly larger than previous years that will cost the average landowner on Cortes approximately $250 extra per year. This increase brings the department up to similar standards as other fire departments in the region, and is the cost of running a service that will meet the newly released provincial standards that the department needs to be in compliance with by the end of the year.” Earlier that morning, Cortes Currents asked Chris Walker, Vice President of CIFFA for an explanation.CW: “There are two main reasons our operating budget has to be larger, increased regulation and inflation.” “Increased regulation which affects training, our duty officers, and our Fire Chief. Every fire department in British Columbia has to meet provincial standards, even very small ones like ours. Recently, the province has come out with new training standards that fire departments must implement within the next year.” “The Cortes Island Firefighting Association agrees with these new regulations and the higher standards, but they are significantly increasing our operating costs in terms of training and salaries. In advance of March, 2024, we will be required to have completed new training for all drivers, team leaders and incident commanders.” “To meet the increasing training demands CIFFA proposes hiring a part-time Training Officer. In 2023, our costs for training are projected to increase 221% over last year in order to remain in compliance.” “Our fire department has to have a Duty Officer on call 24 hours a day, who is able to respond within five minutes to any emergency. This responsibility is normally shared between the Chief and qualified senior officers. This position requires significant extra training and experience and carries great responsibility. Most volunteer fire departments offer a daily honorarium for being on call, including ours. In 2022, we increased the honorarium from a hundred to $150 per day and are now proposing to increase that payment to $200 a day. Being a duty officer has an impact on the individual's regular employment. In recognition of this, we are working to offer an amount that makes this commitment worthwhile. We are hoping that this increase will help incentivize more members to take on the training responsibility and time commitment associated with this position.”“We are currently seeking a new Fire Chief and we may need to increase the salary offer in the area of $90,000 a year ,or more. In order to attract a qualified applicant and in order to match the Chief’s salary being offered incomparable depart elsewhere. For comparison, a firefighter in Campbell River can now make upwards of $120,000 a year, and that's just a firefighter.”
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - A local karate and kinesiology specialist has been hosting a weekly self-defense class on Cortes Island and donating the proceeds back to the community.Kaitlin Garratt runs "Fierce and Fluid," which she describes as an "empowered self defense class," blending cardio kickboxing, karate, and "foundational energy principles to help you embody your core power and learn to deliver it with grace to the world."Garratt is a black belt in karate and was a Canadian national team fighter for eight years. She also completed her degree in kinesiology at UBC with specialty as an Exercise Physiologist and studied and taught yoga for 15 years.Garratt stated in an interview with CKTZ that her clients at Mansons Hall are mostly women but the class is open to everyone."A lot of people, and especially women, throughout their lives have felt unsafe or had moments where they abandon themselves or were taken advantage of, and this can be really life-changing for someone. There's a beautiful value system that is steeped in the traditions in karate, and I weave that into the self-defense aspect to encourage individuals to feel like they can express their boundaries more honestly and more powerfully." Garratt said.Garratt is donating the proceeds from her class to the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) to help support the programming that they organize for the community.Fierce and Fluid is at Mansons Hall from 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday with a $5 dollar drop in fee for SCCA members.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - More than eight years have passed since Transport Canada (TC) transferred administration of three wharves to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD). Owen Bay on Sonora Island, Surge Narrows on Read Island, and Port Neville on the northern shore of the Johnstone Strait are all within Area C. The SRD was provided with $2.9 million for maintenance and upgrades that were to be completed sometime during the next decade. These upgrades have not yet occurred. Nor has a service to carry out operations and maintenance been established for Area C. Robyn Mawhinney, the new Regional Director, hopes to have this work well underway before the November 2024 deadline. RM: “The wharves are important. They need improvements. Outer Discovery Islands residents rely on these wharves for their day-to-day life, and they have a high desire for this to get underway.” “There was an attempt at an alternative approval process for a wharf service in 2022, and it did not pass. There were definitely some folks last time that had concerns about the wharf service. I do think a lot of it had to do with the lack of communication. That's why this time I am really focused on making sure that there is lots of communication. So this time, I am having town hall meetings to answer questions, and hear concerns. I initiated this community consultation on Quadra Island and at Surge Narrows before a bylaw is written because I want a wharf service to meet the needs of the community and find the community support needed to become a reality.”“I was really pleased that the Strathcona Regional District's, CAO David Leach and two staff engineers joined me at the town hall meetings. I think that the folks on both Quadra and the Outer Islands were really pleased to have that conversation, be heard and have their questions answered.” “At these meetings, SRD engineers stated that they have done Class B estimates on the costs for wharf upgrades and are optimistic that the existing funds will be adequate.” CC: Were most people positive?RM: “I think most people were curious.” CC: Can you get it done in time?RM: “That’s another good question, and was one of the questions that came up at the meetings. Marine work, such as pilings, can only be done at certain times of year. Something the SRD engineers have referred to as fish windows, because the timing is approved by Department of Fisheries, oceans as the least disruptive to marine life.”“Which is why I've been pushing this forward and seeking community engagement prior to a wharf service bylaw being drafted, because timing is important.” “Apart from the Transport Canada funding deadline, there is the lived reality for folks who are using these wharves as their sole connection to their broader community. The wharves need work. There are plans in place, and the service must be created in order to spend the federal funding. Officially, the funding expires in November 2024. Dave Leitch, the Strathcona Regional District's Chief Administrative officer said at one of our recent meetings that he thought if the work was in progress, an extension wouldn't be unusual.” CC: Personally, I would think that if they wanted to get rid of them 10 years ago, they don't want them back. RM: “There’s some language in the divestiture agreement. It says, ‘If Area C residents do not approve a service, the divestment funds must be returned to Transport Canada’ — which has stated they make no promise to continue operating the public ports.”
Loni Taylor/CKTZ News -A Cortes Island couple has been running a comedy podcast over the past six months and, 30 episodes in, momentum is building. “We Can’t Pick a Title” was created by local entertainers Bobbie-Gene Hanson and Jason Thompson and the podcast just reached the milestone of over 1,000 downloads.Thompson described the process of getting started. “I looked around the room and I had the right equipment to be able to do something and plugged some cables in and tried it out. And the whole thing was always, 'as long as we're having fun, we'll keep doing it'…and it's still fun.”Hanson was surprised by one of the unexpected communication benefits of podcasting with her husband.“Finding it easier to talk with Jason… you're just there with each other 100 per cent!”The podcast is geared towards adults, but almost anything is on the table for discussion. Some topics they have discussed in the past 30 comedic episodes include sea creatures, serial killers and the logistics of diabetic vampires. The entertaining duo say they are coping with the local fandom.“We've tried to keep it vague as to where we are, because we don't wanna give it away to hundreds and thousands of fans coming on the ferries and all the fandom...We really were like, ‘let's be considerate of that’,” Bobbie jokes.BG and JT, as they are known on the podcast, have plans to experiment with the podcast moving forward, including inviting special guests to the show, filming the episodes, and recording on special locations around the island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Campbell River has been talking about opening up its streets to food trucks for years. Only 28 of the 600 respondents to a 2018 survey were opposed to the idea, and there have been food trucks at some venues. At their February 9 meeting, city council took steps to make this more of a regular occurrence. The only discussion was regarding the proposed $35 per day fee.Councillor Tanille Johnston asked, “I was just wondering, in regard to the fee we're charging, did we look at any other licenses that are similar to this?”Mayor Kermit Dahl replied, “Yes.”Economic Development Officer Rose Klukas explained, “We did a review of several of our neighbouring communities and their food truck and mobile vendor licensing. Our fee sits right along the same lines as our neighbouring communities.”Councillor Susan Sinnott moved, and Councillor Ron Kerr seconded, a motion that the business License bylaw be amended to add criteria for food trucks at designated locations. This motion was carried with no opposing votes. The six designated locations are: Spirit Square Rotary Park Ken Forde Park Parking lot at the base of Rockland Road Maritime Heritage parking lot and the launch overflow gravel parking lotIn the associated staff report it states, “The waterfront area has several prime undeveloped and underutilizedopening sites such as those currently used for recreational vehicle parking and low value residential. There is a lack of access to retail and services in key locations along the ocean waterfront that is central to creating walkable destinations.” “Food and beverage services are considered a type of retail services. Permitting food trucks to operate at select public locations along the waterfront and at Spirit Square would create the potential for establishing food retail services that would help to create ‘walkable destinations’ at those locations.”The report also states that food trucks serve as entry points for people who wish to start up a food business but lack the capital to open a restaurant.Photo credit: Mini burger Photo by Kobby Mendez on Unsplash
Anastasia Avvakumova/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island is a noteworthy location for the number of annual warranties claimed through the Darn Tough brand of socks, which are guaranteed for life.Although the 2022 claims total was only 21 pairs for the island, per capita this is 24.75 times higher than the Cities of Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver combined. Cortes and Quadra Islands together added up to 43 pairs claimed under warranty in 2022, which is the same number as all of Campbell River, said Carly Murdoch in the warranty department of the Canadian distributor, Interex Industries.As a remote island community, there are very few outlets for buying everyday goods like socks. This particular brand has been carried locally by Cortes Natural Food Co-op since at least 2015. “Since June of 2020, we have sold approximately $25,000 in retail value of Darn Tough Socks, likely more than 700 pairs,” said Wellness Buyer Kate Archibald. “We sell the most socks in the lead-up to the winter holidays, and given the limited gift-shopping options on the island in the winter-time I expect a lot of people receive Darn Tough socks for Christmas," she said.According to Darn Tough's website, the company has been designing and manufacturing socks in Vermont, USA for almost 40 years. In Canada, they are distributed by Interex Industries in Vancouver, and claimants can navigate to the warranty page for all relevant information on submitting a pair for replacement.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Discovery Island Fish Farms remain closed.According to the Fisheries and Oceans press release of February 18, 2022, “There are multiple stressors on wild salmon, including: climate change; habitat degradation and destruction; regulated fishing as well as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Given the state of Wild Pacific Salmon, the Government of Canada is taking a highly precautionary approach to manage Atlantic salmon aquaculture in the Discovery Islands area.”The press release, announcing that the 15 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands will remain closed, contains several references to the Cohen Commision (2012). Justice Cohen found, “Salmon farming per se is not the problem. However, before introducing salmon farms into wild salmon habitat, DFO managers and scientists need to assess the risk to wild stocks and institute regulatory measures to minimize or eliminate the risk. If they conclude that regulatory measures cannot protect wild stocks, they can exercise their powers under the Fisheries Act to prohibit net-pen salmon farming.” (p 11, vol 3). He concluded the “state of scientific research about sockeye–fish farm interactions is not sufficiently developed to rule out diseases on salmon farms as contributing to the decline of Fraser River sockeye and posing future risks.” (p 37, vol 3), he also stated “the potential harm posed by salmon farms to Fraser River sockeye salmon is serious or irreversible.”(p 90, vol 3).That was the basis of his comission’s recomendation #19: “On September 30, 2020, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans should prohibit net-pen salmon farming in the Discovery Islands (fish health sub-zone 3-2) unless he or she is satisfied that such farms pose at most a minimal risk of serious harm to the health of migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon.”On December 17, 2020, Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the Discovery Island Fish farms must be free of fish in 18 months. A Federal court subsequently ruled that the government had not been procedurally fair to the fish farm industry, “They were denied the opportunity to meaningfully respond to concerns.” Consequently, DFO held extensive consultations with the industry and First Nations from June 22, 2022 to December 23, 2022.The DFO press release announcing the decision to not reissue licenses for fish farms in the Discovery Islands, states, “Recent science indicates that there is uncertainty with respect to the risks posed by Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms to Wild Pacific Salmon in the Discovery Islands area, as well as to the cumulative effect of any farm-related impacts on this iconic species.”Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, responded, “The Federal government continues to demonstrate a lack of care for rural coastal communities and continues to put the interests of activists above the people who grow Canada’s food.”In her decision, Murray states, “The state of wild Pacific salmon is dire, and we must do what we can to ensure their survival. This was a difficult but necessary decision. By taking an enhanced precautionary approach in the Discovery Islands area, the Government of Canada will help ensure the well-being of wild Pacific salmon for our children and grandchildren.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Wild Cortes will be giving a peak of the theme for the upcoming season this Monday, Feb 20, between 1:00 and 3:00. Curator Donna Collins explained, “It’s a bit of a preview that's going to be a family day activity. We will be taking the families out into the forest, measuring trees to find a mother tree. Then we'll also be digging to pull up some of the mitochondrial networks and looking at them here underneath the stereoscopes. After that, participants will be actually creating their own mitochondrial network that will link to their own tree root. They will be building this themselves. Finally, we will be mimicking the connections that all of these mitochondrial networks and trees make, by making the connections with string and connecting people.”“The series that we've been working on has been climate crisis, and we've started out with what our apex predators need to survive and just information basically about them, how we need to learn to live with them, what we need to do to protect ourselves and the predators.”“We did climate crisis, the cascade effect. We used an apex prey animal, the deer, to explain what kind of life circumstances they need. So their habitat, what's good for them, and then give the people information about how the world is changing and what that does to the deer populations.”“This year we will again, be doing climate crisis, but now we're dealing with trees. We are looking into ways that the trees talk amongst themselves, and what they can do to help reinvigorate the forest and to maintain the forest that we already have.” “The current exhibit will come down on the 1st of April and the new exhibit will be gradually installed.”CC: So when is the grand opening? DC: I invite everybody to attend on the 22nd of April, which is Earth Day. CC: Can you tell me any highlights? DC: The Mother Tree. Typically mother trees are about 500 years old, but anything in the hundreds would be probably considered a mother tree. I have a list of diameters of trees: for Douglas Fir, and for Cedar. You can see the average, or approximate, age of the trees by measuring the diameter.I have a whole table that people can have so that they can measure their own trees and see how they're doing and where their babies are and how they protect them. CC: On this preview that's coming up on Monday, are people going to be seeing any mother trees? And do you have any estimate ages?DC: “I haven't gone out and looked at the specific trees yet. We know where we're going to be.” “We did some exploration of tree ages at the Cortes Island School, and they have a Cedar tree there that is over 400 years old. The kids measured almost every tree in the schoolyard and we had some very old Douglas Fir. Some of them were 150 and 200 year old trees. Unfortunately there's so much hard surface there - compacted soil, roads, asphalt and all of that - so they haven't been able to generate too much in the way of new seedlings. I just called them empty nesters.”
Loni Taylor/ CKTZ News - The Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) is creating a new night market scene at Mansons Hall. “Hidden Treasures” will begin this weekend, with local vendors selling musical instruments, tools, art, records and vintage clothing.Rick Bockner is a local woodworker, musician, and healer. He will be selling many handmade items and materials related to woodworking, as well as a collection of copper. He spoke about how the new market event inspired him.“Rather than 'hidden treasures' it might have been 'buried treasures,'" he said. "My shop is too small to hold all this stuff, so I think it's time to pass it on to some skilled younger hands or people that appreciate some nice stuff.”Bockner said that the nighttime setting the event makes the intention of the event social as well as practical.The first “Hidden Treasures” event will be hosted on Saturday Feb. 18 from 5-9 p.m. Rebecca Thacker is a volunteer board member for the SCCA and confirmed there are plans for the event to become regular. She also mentioned that the community event is free, there will be surprise musical guests and there is Indian cuisine for sale.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ Cortes Currents - Twigroot Botanicals is a young business, steadily building a reputation for high-quality body care products that began with a garden.”I wanted to do something different because there is so much skincare out there,” said Cortes Island-based owner and formulator Tamlyn Collingwood. “My preference is to only use herbs that can grow in our climate and in particular, in my garden here.”Some of the plants have been with her for over 25 years, moving from garden to garden over the years. She calls these her mother plants; among them are mugwort, vervain, rose, mint and bergamot.Collingwood studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and applied her knowledge to topical remedies in her massage practice. She was originally inspired to create a skincare line out of her concern for what washes off people’s skin into the pristine lakes on the island. The Twigroot Botanicals website says, “We wanted a product line that would be safe for our earth and waters, cruelty free and of the highest quality.” “The skin is our largest organ in our body. It absorbs everything. So can we make something that's healthy for people as well as for the environment?” she added.Twigroot Botanicals now has a core line of face creams and serums, rounded out by body butters and balms, and the more recent addition of bath products. A mineral, chemical-free sunscreen is due out this summer.Besides the Friday Market, the products can be found on her website, at the Cortes Natural Food Co-op and perhaps soon a store in Campbell River. However, it’s important to Collingwood to keep her operation small-scale in order to preserve “the quality and the personal touch that goes into every product that I make.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - “ If we achieve this, which I believe we're going to do, this is a model for other communities. We look at places like Salt Spring and even Quadra Island and places in northern BC where they have lost their lakes. The Process is called eutrophication. When the lakes just become too rich in nitrogen and they become swamps. It's not just our issue, it's everybody's issue and if we show a way to improve the nutrient flow into the lake while adding these extra homes, that's a model for the whole world,” said Rex Weyler, one of the scientists monitoring Hague and Gunflint Lakes.He was talking about the potential impacts of what would soon be called Rainbow Ridge. Weyler was also looking back to the lake’s algae bloom, and fish die off, in 2014. They were caused by the flow of nutrients from properties and streams along the shore. Five years have passed since that interview, but it seems possible that this affordable building project may achieve its goal of decreasing the flow of nutrients into the lake.Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Housing Society, explained, “The thing that helps to stop algae blooms is basically keeping phosphorus out of the lake. Anybody who's living in the watershed, in the Mansons Landing core, can help. Specifically anything they can do to make sure that phosphorus is not leaving their property, entering the watershed and entering the lake, will help to protect the lake from algae blooms. Hopefully over time as people's septic systems get renovated, or as new high-tech septic systems get installed, that will help in improve the water quality as far as the runoff that's going down downstream into the lakes.” “We have positive news about the soil on the Rainbow Ridge property. Brian French, the soil scientist that we hired, collected samples on our property and specifically around where the waste water system will be as far as the septic fields will be located. He discovered that our soil naturally is very high in iron and aluminum. Those are two naturally occurring minerals that actually attract phosphorus and bind phosphorus to the soil particles. It will not be in the water column as far as being transported in across the property during downpours or in the winter when the water table's really high on the island. Phosphorus coming out of our septic system will be trapped and held in the soil on the property and will not be flowing downstream in the watershed.”“The other thing that it helped us confirm is that everything we're planning to do as far as stormwater management in bioswales, ditches and in our holding pond - All of that will help us to settle any sediments that are coming off of our property Especially if there are atmospheric events like atmospheric rivers and torrential downpours, that will probably happen more as climate change continues. Those suspended particles of soil will have a chance to filter out, to settle out in our stormwater system instead of being flushed into the lake. We're giving the nitrogen that is naturally occurring in the soil a chance to be absorbed by the plants and the trees that are on our property.” “Bottom line: All of the things that we're planning to do, are going to help protect the lakes from any contamination and we're really pleased to report that.”“Friends of Cortes Island or FOCI has been doing an ongoing water testing program in the lakes, gathering those samples and then consulting with Lake experts, limnologists. and other people who have expertise in that field.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Since late 2021, a small group of Cortes residents has met regularly to discuss climate change and its impacts on our region. On February 4th, 2023, the “WTF Friday” event featured environmental scientist Ruth Waldick; Dr Waldick gave a presentation on climate change, fire risk, and forestry practise.We may have no control over the weather, but we do have some control over soil moisture, fuel loads and ignition risk. — Ruth Waldick, Transition Salt SpringHer presentation covered two main themes: the increase in fire risk created by traditional logging practises in BC, and methods of forest restoration — accessible to private landowners as well as crown land managers — that can reduce the risk of dangerous wildfires in our area.Cusheon Lake, Salt Spring Island, Wikimedia CommonsDr Waldick brings her expertise in weather risk assessment and ecosystem analysis to Transition Salt Spring (TSS), a local chapter of the Transition movement. Among their many projects is the reduction of wildfire risk on Salt Spring Island — a concern that most rural BC residents share.In her address to the WTF group on Cortes, Dr Waldick discussed forests and forestry, fire risk, common misconceptions, and paths towards better practise. She is part of a TSS project to maintain and monitor a “test forest,” trying out different methods of remediation and restorative silviculture; she discusses their methodology and what they hope to discover or achieve.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “When you talk about fuel, most people think about fuel for a vehicle or fuel for something like that, but fuel for a forest fire is wood on the ground or standing wood? the idea is to reduce the fuel load to reduce the severity of a fire. As it approaches that location, the fire will slow down and most likely drop to the ground because we've opened up canopy. The danger trees have been removed and the debris on the ground's been removed. So it would be a lot easier for firefighters to make a stand,” explained Tor Ellingsen of Reef Point falling.He was talking about the recently completed Cortes Island Recycling Centre wildfire mitigation project.Ellingsen was born and raised on Cortes. His parents were Bruce and Ginny Ellingsen.His wife, Kate Mclean, is from Quadra Island. They have two employees, one from Quadra and the other living on Cortes. “My wife has 17 years wildfire fighting experience with the provincial government. She started as just a regular firefighter and by the time she decided to quit, she was an administrator. She was still a firefighter, but she was in charge of a fire,” explained Ellingsen. “I've been an industry follower, hand faller for 20 plus years. Nowadays you have to be a limited company. You have to cover your own workers' compensation, cover yourself to work in the woods. I think I founded Reef Point Falling in 2011.” “I decided, after marrying my wife, that I wanted to slow down and not work as much as I had just falling trees. So Kate and I started this company a little over a year ago, keeping the same name because it simplifies things for WCB rates and liability insurance and all the things we need to do a project like this.”“We're actually going to start a new company. We're just waiting for a name clarification, whether the name we want is available or not for a new limited company because Reef Point Falling we feel isn't the best name for wildfire mitigation company.”Shuan Koopman, the District’s Protective Services Coordinator,emailed this was the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) first fuel management program on Cortes Island.“This 4 hectare project was fully funded under the 2021 FireSmart Economic Recovery grant.”It was also one of four parcels that Koopman and Mark Lombard, General Manager of the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, identified as top priorities for fuel tratment. There was sufficient marketable timber in Anvil Lake and Carrington/Coulter Bay projects, but the recycling depot was one of two projects in Squirrel Cove that were not commercially viable.In an interview last year, Lombard said, “There's not enough merchantable timber in there to pay for them. So those ones we're going to get funding for, to do those treatments. We won't be able to sell any logs from those, but we'll make any logs available as firewood.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Since late 2021, a small group of Cortes residents has met regularly to discuss climate change and its impacts on our region. On February 4th, 2023, the "WTF Friday" event featured environmental scientist Ruth Waldick; Dr Waldick gave a presentation on climate change, fire risk, and forestry practise.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their February 8 meeting, The SRD Board voted to continue examining the feasibility of a transit service from Campbell River to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It has been a year since staff was first instructed to pursue the matter.Senior Manager Thomas Yates explained, “We've got two alternatives recommended for the board's consideration. Option A is to look at one or more of the service levels that we've identified in the report, and they range from everything from twice a day to once a month in terms of the frequency of service. Option B would be, of course, that we drop this whole matter and not look into it further.”Screenshot of Senior Manager Thomas Yates and Chair Mark Baker taken from video of the Nov 23, 2023 Board Meeting
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Someone has been defacing pro-COVID vaccine adds inside copies of the Campbell River Mirror distributed on Cortes Island. When Tom Bohart picked up a copy of the Wednesday, February 1 edition at Mansons Landing, he discovered someone had been writing on page A 26. There was a picture of Dr Titus Wong saying, said ‘There are people who are vulnerable. Help protect them from serious illness by getting a booster.’ The anonymous critic wrote, in bold felt penned letters, “Lies + propaganda! They cause harm + death.” As a final touch, Dr Wong’s face was Xed out. Returning out of curiosity the next day, Bohart found a similar defacement in the first paper he checked. This week, he took a paper from the Squirrel Cove General Store. Opening to page A4, Bohart looked at the add where Dr. Danièle Behn Smith stated, ‘the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks. That’s why my children are vaccinated’ The anonymous scribbler had defaced this copy too, drawing an X across the doctor’s face and writing, ’Propaganda + Lies.’ In both cases the comments were made with a felt pen and a large ‘X’ was left on the face of the doctor endorsing vaccinations. Mission accomplished, the anonymous grafitti protester left their handiwork for neighbours to pick up. Aside from the satisfaction of having not been caught, it is not known what the perpetrator hoped to accomplish.Bohart sent scans of both defaced adds to Cortes Currents. According to the World Health Organization, COVID was responsible for 6.8 million deaths. 1.1 million of these were in the United States. In Canada, which took a more precautionary approach, there were 50,629.The British Columbia COVID-19 Dashboard states that, as of Feb 4, 2023, 656 of those deaths were on Vancouver Island. Six of them occured in the preceding week.It has been more than two years since the only known COVID related death on Cortes Island. There are people who dispute these facts.The authors of a peer-reviewed report from the Royal Society of Canada are among them. They suggest that as a result of limited testing and poor cause of death data, the number of COVID related deaths during the early days of the pandemic could be twice as high as reported. Another study, released by the Council of Canadian Academies, suggests that during the first nine months after vaccinations became available, 2,800 Canadians may have lost their lives because of misinformation spread by the anti-vax movement. An estimated 2.35 million Canadians were not vaccinated because they believed COVID-19 was either a hoax, or reports were exaggerated. The tide has changed. More than 85% of British Columbia is fully vaccinated and close to 95% have received at least one dose. Finding their voices marginalized, some anti-vax protesters have resorted to vandalism.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to a third of the households on Cortes Island and a quarter of those on Quadra pay more than they can afford for rent or mortgages. The most visible segment of Campbell River’s house challenged population are the 130 people who do not own or rent a home, but according to the 2021 census data another 3,450 are ‘spending 30% or more of income on shelter costs.’ The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is applying for a $150,000 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) grant to develop a plan for reducing poverty throughout the District.Mayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos brought the motion forward at the Wednesday, February 8 board meeting, and it was seconded by Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island. Renee LaBoucane, SRD Manager of Strategic Initiatives, explained, “The intention of a regional poverty reduction strategy would be to develop greater cohesion in planning to reduce poverty throughout the region. A strategy could be developed collaboratively with member municipalities, key community partners, Indigenous organizations, business and people with lived experience. A strategy would build upon existing data and projects such as the regional housing needs assessment, regional or rural housing surveys, the transportation study, and followed up with significant engagement and collaboration from all areas and sectors within our communities. It would develop a roadmap and actionable short and long-term activities to reduce poverty and work towards creating a region where people have sufficient income.” “Stream one of the UBCM Poverty Reduction Program provides funding to develop plans and assessments. These plans are a prerequisite to access phase two of the funding, which is designed to implement projects.”“All costs for the development of a plan would be covered 100% through the grant. A regional district may access up to $150,000 of grant funding, whereas a single municipality is limited to $25,000. The application would be completed in partnership with interested municipalities and organizations. Applications are due March 17th.”The only expressed concerns about this motion seemed to focus on potential entanglements. Gerald Whalley,Regional Director of Area A, asked, “Will there be any future costs to the electoral areas and the municipalities to support this program?”LaBoucane replied, “I think that would depend on the outcome of the plan and what it looked like. There is funding for implementation for phase two of this particular program. So they would access the funds through that. As well, it opens the door for other grants that might be available to implement projects.”“My only concern is that after the grant money dries up, are we still committed and obligated to continue on funding something ourselves?” said Whalley. At that point Chief Administration Officer David Leitch interjected, “No, we're not obligated to do anything.”Campbell River Director Ron Kerr wanted to make sure, “Once the plan is developed, would any future grant applications still come back to the Board?” “Correct,” said Leitch. The motion to apply for a $150,000 grant to develop a plan for reducing poverty in the SRD passed with no opposing votes.Image credit: Sleeping on the couch - Photo by Michael Mandiberg via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Gorge Harbour Marina is undergoing extensive renovations this year. The general store, marina and gas pump is open, but much of resort is expected to remain closed until 2024.General Manager Jason Johnson explained: “We had a fairly successful last season and then became even more aware of some major infrastructure issues needing to be addressed. It wasn't just a matter of ‘it's a septic issue,’ or ‘it's a water issue,’ or ‘it's an electric issue” - it's all of it. We are having to take a look at some major infrastructure at the Gorge with the understanding that the property has a lot of age behind it. So we really need to take a look at that and press the pause button.”“We're fortunate to have a buyer like Klahoose that has motivations past a return on investment – they want to see these properties benefit the community for generations to come. So, the decisions to restrict operations is a tough one. It's a tough one for QXMC, it's a tough one for Klahoose and it's certainly a tough one for the community who depend on some of the amenities at the property.”“As time goes on, we'll have more data and can speak more intelligently regarding a final operating plan.”
Loni Taylor/CKTZ News - The Cortes Island Waste Management Center is hosting a grand reopening of the Free Store next week to celebrate its return to the pre-pandemic schedule, Thursday-Sunday. The unique store was briefly closed during the pandemic and softly re-opened with special protocols.The Free Store, housed at the waste management centre, is a resource available to Cortes Island residents where recycled "clothing, books, toys, household items, and more" are available for free.A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Feb. 9 to commence the new schedule—a reversion back to the old operating hours with the two facilities running at the same time—and "re-opening" of the Free Store. Strathcona Regional Director Mark Vonesch will be officiating the ceremony.New facilities manager Aaron McCulloch-Gary explained how the new schedule for the Free Store will shift back to the pandemic-hours, of Monday and Wednesday, when the high-volume tourist season begins in June. The manager emphasizes the need to manage many people and vehicles in the centre, hence moving the Free Store schedule to different days during the summer months. McCullough-Gary said that the focus for him is on operations and safety at both facilities."I'm responsible for this entire facility, that includes the Free Store and everybody coming to the Free Store."The facilities manager points to the sentiment surrounding the Free Store operations."I believe tradition is part of it. People didn't like that it ever got changed and cuz it was good the way it used to be or at least it felt good."In addition to the Free Store hours streamlining with the Waste Management Center, plastic recycling is also getting streamlined."Soft plastics, which used to be all separated from the soft, and the crinkly, and the weird different types of plastics, we no longer have to separate all that stuff. It's now just one category and so people don't have to worry about trying to figure out that bazaar system," McCulloch-Gary clarified.
Loni Taylor/CKTZ News - Cortes Island Academy (CIA) is finishing its first ever semester with a fourth block in filmmaking. The new high school program is a one semester-pilot project this year, so a film festival on Tuesday night concluded the program’s 2022-2023 school year.CKTZ has covered the journey of the CIA pilot project, hearing from creators of the program. The CIA is largely powered by fundraising efforts, and the filmfest brought in admissions revenue from 120 guests. Snacks were served, and 27 short films made by students of the new academy were debuted. The program was run by educators of the local Cortes organization Reel Youth.At the film festival, CKTZ spoke with a student completing the semester: Rowan Large. Large was attending Surge Narrows School on neighboring Read Island before attending CIA. Read Island can only be accessed by water taxi, private boat, or float plane. It is the most remote school in District 72. Large reflected on what made the program so unique."The CIA has really given me the opportunity to just learn. Not just in the way that normal school and how they give you a sheet of paper to work through: it feels like when I learn something here, it's gonna stick with me for my whole life."Large also appreciated the social experiences within an intimate group of only 20 high school-age students. Large will return to Surge Narrows for his second semester, where he is the oldest and only high school student in a one-classroom school.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Wits End: Design and Fabrication is setting up shop on Cortes Island. Arne Olafson was looking for a space to use his equipment, when he walked into the Squirrel Cove General Store last December. “Curt's a really friendly guy and he's super helpful. I was asking who had room for such a big machine, and Curt said that I could move into the shop here. I moved in. There was just some sweeping up, and then I had to build a table for my machine because I couldn't move my whole table from Hornby Island. I did move the top part of the machine, which fits in my van,” he said. Olafson has been living on Hornby Island for the past 7 years, but is well known to many Cortes Island residents. Arne Olafson: “We haven’t officially moved yet. I've made about six trips and I still have a few more to make, and some heavy tools, but we started moving here last Spring. I do fabrication in all kinds of media, including wood, plywood, resins, metal, modern composites. All kinds of things and they can be mixed together. It's a creative fabrication lab.”“The main current project is the puzzle house and plywood furniture to go along with the puzzle house.”
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - BC Ferries' two-ferry service that began on the Quadra Island-Campbell River route on Jan. 18 was deployed for convenience and speed, but some Cortes Island passengers are concerned with their recent experiences.The loss of a priority loading lane for Cortes-bound traffic was mentioned in a news release by the company Jan.16. Traditionally, vehicles en route to Cortes were directed into lane 7 at the ferry terminal in Campbell River, and they board and disembark first. This would assist the drivers in arriving at the other ferry terminal on Quadra in time to catch a connecting 45-minute ferry home to Cortes—ferries that only sail every two hours.One of the most impacted demographics may be foot passengers, who often walk along lane 7 to find a ride across Quadra. With Cortes-bound vehicles now peppered throughout the Campbell River ferry terminal parking lot, it's unclear how they will find their way across. Quadra Island has only one taxi that has been reported as inaccessible for different reasons.Locals who have already been impacted have taken their concerns to online forums including one provided by BC Ferries, although the webpage states people will only get a direct reply if they email engagement@bcferries.com. Michael Lynch, chair of the Quadra-Cortes Ferry Advisory Committee, confirmed that the item is on the next meeting's lengthy agenda.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The two much anticipated Island Class hybrid e-ferries are now in operation on the Campbell River to Quadra Island route. “This was a long time coming for all of us, but we're pleased to have the vessels going and seeing the throughput at the both ends of the terminals.There has been some bumps along the road for sure. We've had to make some minor adjustments with the way we stage traffic at the terminals. We're exploring different options, trying to keep the on-time performance and the traffic moving as fast as we can” said Megan Caldwell, the Terminal Manager for BC Ferries.Cortes Currents attended the online Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) meeting on Friday, February 3, and subsequently interviewed Karen Johnstone, BC Ferries Executive Director of Communications and Engagement as well as Ushi Koebberling from the FAC. Some important topics were: Changes to ferry operations on both the Cortes to Quadra and Campbell River to Quadra routes. After hour emergency servicesComing changes to the Campbell River, Quathiaski Cove, Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals.Hiring new staff for both the terminals and ferries.A mobile app that should be available by MarchA committee member’s evaluation of Michael Lynch’s performance as Chair.
De Clark/Cortes Currents - In 1949, Newfoundland joined Canada as a new Province. Its fisheries then fell under the authority of the central government in Ottawa — the infamous DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or as some call it, the Dead Fish Organisation).DFO’s mismanagement of the Newfoundland fishery — the immensely productive shoal banks of the northern Atlantic seaboard — is now a classic cautionary tale. DFO’s bureaucrats ignored repeated warnings — from marine biologists, environmentalists, and fishermen themselves — and allowed brutal overfishing of Canadian waters.The high-value fish in those waters were the prolific Atlantic cod, the basis for centuries of both subsistence and prosperity for fishing communities. Larger industrialised boats, more entrants each season, and ruthless exploitation of the stocks ensured that prosperity was short-lived. To be fair, other nations hammered even harder on the cod stocks of the North Atlantic; but Canada could have done something to protect the fish in its territorial waters — and did far too little, far too late.“In 1968 the cod catch peaked at 810,000 tons, approximately three times more than the maximum yearly catch achieved before the super-trawlers. Around eight million tons of cod were caught between 1647 and 1750 (103 years), encompassing 25 to 40 cod generations. The factory trawlers took the same amount in 15 years. […]“In 1986, scientists reviewed calculations and data, after which they determined, to conserve cod fishing, the total allowable catch rate had to be cut in half. However, even with these new statistics brought to light, no changes were made in the allotted yearly catch of cod.[12] With only a limited knowledge of cod biology, scientists predicted that the population of the species would rebound from its low point in 1975.“Many local fishers noticed the drastic decrease of cod and tried to inform local government officials […]“In the early-1990s, the industry collapsed entirely.”The Northwest Atlantic cod fishery has never recovered.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the world’s leading forest ecologists was the feature speaker at the Cortes Children’s Forest virtual AGM on Saturday, January 298th. This is the last in a series of programs from that meeting, in which Dr Suzanne Simard’s answers questions from the Children’s Forest Alumni. Forrest Berman-Hatch emceed the session and this abridged broadcast of the audio opens with him asking, “ How do you see the value of the Children's Forest taking into account all the different factors that are important to small communities like the ecological, the economic, as well as the cultural and scientific values?”Suzanne Simard: “I think it's fantastic, there is so much value. I grew up in a forest and everything I do - from being in the forest and growing up in the forest - I've put my whole life into protecting forests. Really when children grow up in these places, it just becomes part of them. It's not just like protecting forests, it's protecting all the connections in life.” “The connections in society: even if your life is devoted to human relations, you learn so much about that in the forest. We are all here together. The trees and plants are our ancestors and we respect them, we learn to respect them.”“We learn about the relations in the forest. Everything is relational. Loving something is really important to protecting. Those fundamental principles of life, you learn them from, our environments, like our forest where we live. Our whole lives are dependent and interdependent with these places that we live.”“There's no better place to do that in than in the very home that you grew up in and it's really, really important. It shapes you, it becomes you. You become it.” Mia Gregg: “The second question we have for you are what roles, responsibilities, activities - that kind of thing - do you envision for youth alumni and young adults in the Children's Forest. Can you envision how the Mother tree network could play a role in the children's forest, which you've already spoken to as well, but some very exciting things.” Suzanne Simard: “There's kids that are in the forest learning now, I'm sure. I see this around British Columbia when I visit different places. How the curriculum in schools, in a lot of cases, moving into forests or into to outdoors. All the things that we could otherwise learn in the classroom, you can learn all of those and even better in the forest.” “I was watching some kids in Maple Ridge last week. They were learning trigonometry by measuring the heights of trees and the angles. At the same time, the next activity was that they could build a tree fort in that tree and get to know that tree really intimately. I'm sure that those lessons were embedded in them much more deeply than you would learn them in a classroom.” “It's just a fantastic place to learn.” “I think that for alumni like you - Kiera, Mia, Forrest - you've just built on that to find your path for the trest of your lives, whatever you’re doing. I'm sure you are going to make great contributions to society because you learn how societies work from being in those forests.” “I encourage you to continue on those paths and give back to society because you've learned from the best; you've learned from the trees and all the elders around you.”“I think we need more and more children who are connected in that way, who will continue to fight for our natural world.”
Louis Belcourt/ CKTZ News - An investigation has begun on Quadra Island after a 39-year-old woman was found dead inside her home.RCMP were conducting a wellness check on Jan. 16 when they found her inside her home, according to press release Feb. 1.Police have confirmed that the death is criminal based on evidence forensic investigators have collected and believe it was a targeted killing.No details about the woman's identity or manner of death have been released by the investigation unit."Investigators believe this incident was targeted," Cpl Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the B.C. RCMP, said in the release."The incident was isolated and investigators do not believe there are any further risks to the public. The investigation is ongoing," he added.Bérubé declined an interview with CKTZ News for "investigative purposes."Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) information line at 250-380-6211.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ Cortes Currents - On Sat. Jan. 28, Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) public meeting succeeded in providing a "local knowledge download" for the external consulting team, who are now working on a plan for CCFC to keep more of its cut wood on island, simultaneously creating jobs through tapping the value-added wood products sector.The meeting was held at the Klahoose First Nation's Multi-Purpose Building. The Nation is a strategic partner with the non-indigenous side of the island in holding and guiding development on approximately 3,869 hectares of Crown land that makes up the Forest's tenure.The event began with a presentation by consultant Rami Rothkop, a co-founder of Herrop-Procter Forest Products (HPFP) in the Kootenays region, which has over a decade of experience creating the thriving model of local economy that CCFC is pursuing. Unique in today's logging industry in British Columbia, HPFP prioritizes creation of local jobs and selling its products as locally as possible, as well as emphasizing value-added wood products—which is defined as anything produced from a cut tree beyond its raw log state, from milled lumber to highly intensive labour products like furniture. Typically, the more labour is involved in the end-product's creation, the higher its value, which is heralded by eco-minded perspectives as the best way to honour the precious commodity of BC's forests. "In BC's industrial forest operations, there's very few jobs for volume of wood cut. So if initiatives can be created that focus much more on value-added, creating more jobs with less wood and the goal is to have employment, you need less wood to create more jobs for people," said Rothkop.His business partner Oliver Scholfield then led the approximately 50 people in attendance through small-group discussions of various questions that asked to identify the opportunities and barriers for expanding Cortes Island's economy with CCFC's timber.
Loni Taylor/ CKTZ News - As the popularity of pickleball grows nationally, the sport has become a regular pastime on Cortes Island with the resurgence of team sports this winter.The school gym is booked four nights a week for adult sports, with pickleball offered twice weekly. If the weather is nice, pickleball moves to the outdoor courts at the Cortes Island School as well.Alex Hornby is a regular pickleballer at the courts and shared his early impressions of the game with CKTZ.“My first thing I heard about it was [that it was] a sport that old people at nudist clubs play.”Hornby was encouraged to play pickleball on Cortes Island and now he loves the sport. Hornby described it the way many other players do: “addictive.” His partner, Darshan Stevens, said one of the reasons it's so easy to get into is that people improve quickly.“It's a sport that is very rewarding when you first start playing it...you can do fairly well at it fairly quickly. And people just get hooked and then they wanna play more,” Stevens said.Aside from being fun, Stevens highlights the health benefits of the sport. “Pickleball has led me down a whole road of getting really into fitness in general. So it's been like a gateway drug for me …and really good for my mental health to get into fitness. So yeah, pickleball has been really good for me and my family.”Drop-in pickleball is offered for free Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Cortes Island school gym.
Loni Taylor/ CKTZ News - Editor's Note: CKTZ FM is the Cortes Community Radio Society. The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) approved $18,000 in funding for a number of non-profits on Cortes Island last week.The Grant-in-aid (GIA) program awards funding to local, non-profit organizations, for the benefit of the community, through the SRD. This is an year-by-year program, where applicants are recommended by the regional director. At a board meeting on Jan. 25, five Cortes Island Grants-In-Aid recommendations were requested and approved:$3,000 to the Cortes Community Radio Society to assist with capacity building in their Emergency Communications Team;$3,000 to the Cortes Island Seniors Society to assist with the Better at Home program;$3,000 to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society to assist with website redesign;$3,000 to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery Society to assist with Art Education programming; and$6,000 to the Cortes Community Health Association to assist with the Teen Szene and Family Support programs.The meeting also included a discussion about liveaboards and derelict boats in the region. Ultimately, there was a request for a staff report on best practices involving derelict boats on Cortes Island. Mark Vonesch, Electoral Area B representative for Cortes Island, asked for an amendment to the request to include, "how other communities have best handled the social and environmental challenges associated with growing numbers of live-a-board and derelict boats."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - An expert panel discussion featuring Suzanne Simard, Tzepoarh Berman and Paul Stamets was one of the highlights of the Children’s Forest AGM on January 28. The topics ranged from finding an effective way to communicate with industry to a proposed research collaboration on Cortes Island.The podcast below is an abridged version of that segment, starting with the introduction Forest Berman-Hatch gave for his mother.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - Content warning: This story discusses colonial history and its negative impacts on Indigenous people of Canada.In upcoming Powell River City Council strategic planning meetings, Coun. Cindy Elliott looks forward to making decisions on recommendations from the Joint Working Group she participated in last year.The group was set up following an official name change request to the municipality in May 2021 by the Tla'amin Nation Executive Council. Powell River currently carries the name of Dr. Israel Wood Powell, who was the first BC Superintendent of Indian Affairs and instrumental in the implementation of colonial practices and structures such as residential schools.In spring 2022, the city staged a diverse community engagement campaign that included public education on regional colonial history and way for community members to express their opinion, ranging from open mic forums to letters and surveys. The Joint Working Group summarized the process and outcomes in a report, which was submitted to city council in July 2022. However, with upcoming municipal elections that fall, further work on the possible name change issue was deferred to early 2023.The group's report gives 11 recommendations, which fall into the categories of community engagement, relationships and reconciliation, racism, and city name change. Elliott hopes that by early summer 2023, the city council will have clarified an action plan comprised of tasks and budgets to move the process forward.
Loni Taylor/ CKTZ News - Put on your dancing shoes, Islanders: there's a new dance collective in town.Last summer, Connie Quayle and Val Lange began seeking opportunities on Cortes Island to start a dance temple collective.They hosted a dance temple in August and have managed to double their efforts with Mary Lloyd and Dancing Wolf joining in. This weekend, Lloyd and Wolf are hosting the first Dance Temple Cortes event of 2023. Dance temple is a form of ecstatic dance, also known as "movement medicine," the organizers say.Lloyd is a Victoria-based silent disco DJ that started offering events and rentals on Cortes in 2022 and is calling on the community to dance this Saturday.“Just bring your bodies, bring yourselves, whatever is moving in you and your life at this time. It's a pretty amazing space. It can be really healing and transformative and also just really playful and fun.”The organizers also encourage enthusiastic locals to join the collective and help host future events more regularly: the team of four dancers are hoping with more involvement, they can possibly offer a monthly event on Cortes.“We're really calling in other people that wanna come and help and make it a true collective and collaborative,” Lloyd said.At the the Jan. 28 event, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Mansons Hall. If locals want to volunteer for the event, they can contact Lloyd at mary@silentdjvictoria.com. To learn more about the collective, Dance Temple Cortes, contact Connie Quayle at mooncatmagicals.com.
Greg Osoba/CKTZ News - Since its inception in 2019, the Cortes Island Women's Resource Centre has struggled to find funds to ensure delivery of its basic services, but Director Tanya Henck says 2023 will see stable funding thanks to a number of grants from regional and national organizations. The organization received $42,000 through the Victoria Foundation ($5,000), Cortes Island Community Foundation ($17,000), and the Canadian Women's Foundation ($20,000).The non-profit helps with finding safe spaces for women in crisis, along with helping clients with internet access, long distance phone calls and food security. They also offer skill building programs and opportunities for women to connect and share their experiences in a non-judgemental supportive environment.An initiative that began more than a year ago to create a local non-violent crisis intervention team is moving forward, the director said. On a remote rural island with roughly 1,000 year round residents, quick response in critical situations is required, just as it is in urban settings, Henck adds.The centre allocated $2,000 over the past year to help people cope with cold winter weather and Henck emphasizes that Cortes Island continues to experience a crisis when it comes to accessing affordable housing.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents: On Saturday, 14 volunteers turned out to plant the first batch of hazel-nut trees for the Quadra ICAN Nut Tree Project. The organizer, Jennifer Banks-Doll, explained, “For a few years now on Quadra, we've been working towards increasing food security. There's been lots of different ideas about how to do that. From perhaps the more obvious, perhaps not more obvious ideas about gardening workshops and learning how to preserve food — different types of gardening, things like that.” “Then we thought, one of the gaps here is really plant protein and oils. How do we address that gap? You can't really produce a lot of oils in this climate or on a small island because they require expensive equipment. Actually it was my husband, Mark Doll, who came up with the idea of planting nut trees.”“There are some nut trees that grow quite well in our climate on Quadra. So we applied for a grant and we weren't initially successful, but eventually we were. So we were given some money to plant 100 nut trees in publicly accessible areas on Quadra.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On February 25th, Rick Bockner will be returning to the stage at Masons Hall, as MC of the CKTZ Lip Sync. Rick Bockner: “We are having a Lip Sync after taking two years off because of COVID. We're all very excited about it because it's been a while, but it's been a great tradition for the radio station and a great fundraiser and a community event that we all need these days.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “ What Hollyhock is bringing to the world in 2023 is personal growth for social transformation. I'm really excited to see the world opening up, but with a recognition that things need to change. Cortes offers a really unique perspective on that because it's an island. It's a small community of people who know each other and there is the opportunity to live a more sustainable lifestyle here. When I think of Hollyhock at its best, it's a leadership or a learning lab for what could be and I think that Cortes is a huge part of that,” said Peter Wrinch, the CEO of Hollyhock. Prior to the pandemic, Hollyhock was one of the island’s principal businesses. The road back has been rocky at times, but from what Wrinch says the Cortes Island educational centre may be heading towards one of its best years ever.
Guest speaker/Cortes Currents - Dr Suzanne Simard was the feature speaker at the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society AGM on Saturday. During the course of her brief talk, Dr Simard discussed some of the innovations she values on Cortes Island and also the Mother Tree Network’s plans here. This is an edited transcriptof her talk, starting with the introduction by Forrest Berman Hatch Forrest Berman-Hatch: It’s my honor to introduce Dr. Suzanne Simard, who I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Simard has been courageous in her outspoken, defence of old growth forests. She was on the front lines at Fairy Creek and she's inspired many in our generation. For generations, environmentalists have been trying to speak on behalf of the wild places, and now Dr. Simard is showing the world that these places speak for themselves and perhaps quite literally. Her research shows us how to listen. I believe, I speak for many of the Children's Forest alumni when I say we are both lucky and honored that she has joined us today to help further a project that is really close to a lot of our hearts. So thank you for being with us here.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Narrator: “Mills have closed across rural British Columbia, devastating the economies of many small forestry dependent communities. Tiny Harrop-Proctor Community Forest has bucked this trend. The Harrop-Proctor experience shows that even a small, locally controlled mill can make a significant difference in creating local jobs while adding value to forestry operations generally.”“ About a quarter of the wood from the community forest is staying in the community. Comes four kilometres down the hill, ends up here, gets bucked up, runs through the mill, and local builders are coming to buy stuff. There's a huge benefit there because those jobs weren't here before,” explained Rami Rathkop speaking in a film about Harrop-Procter Forest Products (close to Nelson, in the Kootenays). The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative hired Rathkop and his associate, Oliver Schofield as consultants to help Cortesians draw up a value-added forest products business roadmap. Around 40 people turned out for a workshop they held in the Klahoose Multi-Purpose Building on Saturday. Rami Rathkop: “It’s been overwhelming, the level of interest here. I'm kind of vacillating between overwhelm and excitement, just because there's so much interest and there's so many champions. I don't know yet what's going to happen here, because I'm coming in from Proctor with some ideas of things that worked for us. Now my co-worker Oliver and I are here trying to collate all the information that has come at us for the last three days and somehow help out as best we can to create with some knowledge of things that did and didn't work for us, a vision for a Cortes based on what folks want here.” “I don't want to dictate anything. I want to say, well, in my experience, this worked for us. This might not work here because of things we didn't think about, that I didn't know 20 years ago.” “We met with Ron Wolda Friday morning. The guy's brilliant. We hit it right off. He's a piece to the puzzle. You've got Henry Verschuur on the other end of the island milling boards and he's a piece to the puzzle. We've got Aaron and Jeremy. There's all these people here that have great ideas, and so now we need to collate them.”“The next step is to take it up a notch and amp up the vision on behalf of the local producers.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Editor’s note: While there are no fish farms on Cortes Island, there was one on Raza Island directly north of us. The Discovery Island fish farms were in Electoral Area C. The Strathcona Regional District passed a motion for staff to prepare a report that ‘consolidates the information on open net pen transition provided to the SRD Board prior to October 2022, and updates.’ “I think if we're going to look at information, we need to look at it all,” said Regional Director John Rice of Area D. “Outside of the friendly (sources)? of DFO?” asked SRD Chair Mark BakerTo which Campbell River Director Susan Sinnot responded, “Anything that the staff thinks is reliable and relevant.” This segment of the Jan 25 SRD board meeting began with Director Sinnot’s account of DFO’s recent meeting with local government. DFO’s Jan 16 meeting with local governmentSusan Sinnot: “Fisheries and Oceans had an invitation that came out, I think maybe in December, and I indicated I was interested in attending what they call ‘the local government transition plan engagement.’ I think they'd had one previous to my being elected, but they had a further one in January, on the 16th. That was Wednesday. It was held between 9:00 and noon.” “They had agenda items: aquaculture innovation and a trust and transparency section. They were looking for feedback from local government. What I did hear them say, which wasn't quite on the paperwork, was that they basically were looking for two choices in terms of the future of aquaculture on the coast: A zero impact wild salmon in the ocean in net pens, so some sort of technology that prevents any feed or any type of flow of water escaping from the pens into the wild; and then land-based technology.” “There was a lot of discussion about innovation, but they also said that there was no current technology that permit either choice and my recollection was that they said if they can't do one of the two choices that they're proposing, then there'd be no more industry.” “It was quite confusing at the meeting. A number of the participants were saying, ‘why are we doing this? You already decided to close everything. I don't understand, you've already made your decision. Why are we talking about having transitions and accommodations of ongoing aquaculture salmon farms in the ocean? I thought you were closing them all down.’”“Last April, the Federal Court of Canada overturned the minister's decision based on procedural fairness grounds and then it went back to, I believe, cabinet. This is now the end result, the DFO consultation process because they didn't do a consultation process before they made the announcement in 2020 to close down everything.““They've already prearranged the two choices and they're looking for local government impacts, and wants. They were specifically asking what does local government want? And I think they were suggesting that if they did close down the entire industry, what would we need and want?”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) officially recognizes 10 First Nations within their boundaries, but the Tla’amin are not among them. While Mansons Landing and Marina Island are both within their traditional area, the Tla’amin First Nation ceded their claim to most of this area when they signed a treaty in 2014. They retain a small parcel on Cortes Island, and thus still possess land within the SRD.This question was part of a larger discussion at the inaugural meeting of the SRD’s First Nations committee, on Wednesday Jan 25. SRD staff suggested that the following acknowledgement be used for written communications within their area: “The Strathcona Regional District respectfully acknowledges that our corporate office and the Strathcona Garden Recreational Complex are located on the traditional unceded territory of the Liqʷiłdax̌ʷ people. We also recognize that we operate within the traditional, treaty and unceded territories of the Ehattesaht, Homalco, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che: k'tles7et'h', Klahoose, K'omoks, Mowachaht–Muchalaht, Nuchatlaht, Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - UBC researchers have identified three biological compounds sourced in Canada that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells. All are derived from marine organisms, including a sea sponge from Howe Sound.The discovery paves the way for the development of new medicines for COVID-19 variants based on natural sources. BC’s ocean and forest ecosystems may contain a wealth of new antivirals waiting to be discovered.In a recent study, an international team of researchers led by UBC scientists investigated a catalogue of more than 350 compounds derived from natural sources -- including plants, fungi, and marine sponges -- in a bid to find new antiviral drugs that might be used to treat COVID-19 variants such as omicron. This interdisciplinary research team is unraveling the important possibilities of biodiversity and natural resources and discovering nature-based solutions for global health challenges such as COVID-19..--- Dr François Jean, senior author and associate professor of microbiology and immunologyThe UBC team bathed human lung cells in solutions made from the compounds, then infected the cells with SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19. Of the hundreds tested, 26 compounds significantly reduced viral infection in the cells.All three of the most effective compounds were found in Canada: alotaketal C from a sea sponge collected in Howe Sound, B.C., bafilomycin D from a marine bacteria collected in Barkley Sound, B.C., and holyrine A from marine bacteria collected in Newfoundland waters.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sometime this spring, possibly as early as March, Cortes Island residents will get to choose their internet provider.After building Twincomm up to the company islanders recognize today, on June 28, 2021, former General Manager Dino Tsakonas left to join CityWest. In an interview at that time, he told Cortes Currents that this came about as a result of the Connected Coast project, which will bring reliable high speed internet to Cortes Island. CityWest partnered with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to become the local provider.“I was heavily involved with that because I was trying to get more fibre optiks so we can better serve our Twincomm customers. What happened is that project continued, and they got the grants. We were trying to work out a deal last fall between Twincomm and CityWest. That fell through and then CityWest just offered me a job. I decided it was my best interest to switch teams.”“After that, I got them both back at the table to make some type of deal. Now we're in negotiations to see if CityWest can purchase Twincomm. That way it's a smooth transition, but it's very entirely possible that both the CEOs decide not to make a deal, that's out of my hands now, but I brought them both back to the table.” Twincomm’s much anticipated deal with CityWest never occurred. Instead, on June 30, 2022, TELUS acquired Twincomm ‘as part of its Mascon by TELUS brand.’Colleen Dragseth, who has beenTwincomm’s General Manager since Tsakona’s departure, emailed Cortes Currents that the migration to Mascon by TELUS will occur later in 2023.“At this time, Twincomm will not be providing an interview. Please feel free to contact us again in the spring. Once we have more information regarding our transition to Mascon by Telus, customers will be contacted. ”We do not know what Twincomm will look like after it becomes part of Mascon by Telus. Colleen and Debbie Dragseth, Lyle Brulhart, Jason Thompson, Dave Blinzinger and Liesa van Rossem have been working there for years. Will they still be in the new Mascon by TELUS team? Twincomm’s infrastructure will most likely improve. Mascon by TELUS is offering download speeds of up to 120 Mbps, and upload speeds up to 12.5 Mbps up on Quadra Island. Dragseth emailed a description of four of Twincomm’s current service speed plans. They all have upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps but the download speeds range from ‘up to 8’ to ‘up to 30 Mbps,’ depending on what people are willing to pay. Cortes Currents uses the Standard Plus plan and in 6 out of 7 recent speed tests was clocked at +16 down/+6 up. My low score was 15.32/6.54. That is still better than the 15/5 advertised for this plan. Dragseth explained, “We allow slightly more if the network capacity allows it.”Tsakonas said, “You get 16 MBps? That's half of what our lowest speed is.We offer up to 1,000 Mbps. You can get it for $138 a month.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Lip Sync returns to the stage of Mansons Hall at 8 PM on Saturday, February 25. “Over the last three years I've heard from people who want it back. So when are you doing a lip sync? We haven't been able to do it until now,” explained Howie Roman.“It is without a doubt, one of the highlights that I would point to in my time on Cortes. I just love it when that many people get involved in something. It's about 30 nowadays, performers and crew.” Cortes Currents: How many Lip Syncs have they been? Howie Roman: “We lost track, but between the Lip Syncs, the three cabaret nights we did, and throw in a handful of variety nights that Rick and I did in Gorge Hall back in the late eighties, early nineties — with all those, it's over 30, in the last 35 years.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Bird’s Eye, Quadra Island’s only weekly newspaper has a new owner. “It was an 11th hour saving of the local paper that was about to close the doors. Had been trying to find a new publisher for several months with no luck and Amanda Smith, who has been the publisher editor for several years was posting the final edition when ICAN approached her to ask was it possible to save the paper and could a deal be worked out?” said Ramona Boyle, Coordinator of Quadra ICAN. “So literally 24 hours before the final edition went to press, a deal was worked out and she was able to publish in her final edition that a new publisher had been found. The last of Amanda's issues was the 24th of December. It's been accustomed to take a little bit of a break over the holiday. We had our first edition published on the 11th of January. One came out on Wednesday the 18th, and our next one is Wednesday the 25th.” Cortes Currents: Who is going to be the editor?Ramona Boyle: “I was hired as the coordinator for ICAN in November and it's now part of my job to edit the ICAN’s new paper. So I'm it.”
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - On the eve of the 2020 provincial election, Premier John Horgan declared, “I’m committed to keep moving forward to protect old growth, create good jobs, and maintain family-supporting livelihoods in communities across the Province. A re-elected BC NDP will implement the full slate of proposals from the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel. We will act on all fourteen recommendations and work with Indigenous leaders and organizations, industry, labour and environmental organizations on the steps that will take us there.”It has been almost two and a half years and very little of this has come into being.A number of local businesses and environmental organizations are among the more than 170 signatories of a petition calling upon Premier David Eby and the NDP Government to fulfill their commitments to protect old-growth forests. Their joint declaration states, “Our coalition is bringing a broad-based mass mobilization to the BC Legislature on February 25, 2023, that reflects the majority of public will in BC for progressive solutions to the crisis in the woods.”They are to meet in Victoria’s Centennial Square and then descend upon the lawn in front of the provincial legislature
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a mud slide in Campbell River during the evening of January 17. Two of the apartment buildings along the foreshore, on South Island Highway, had to be evacuated and the residents are still not able to return to their homes. The following day, Wednesday Jan 18, the Srathcona Regional District and city of Campbell River held two press conferences. Cortes Currents attended the virtual conference for reporters who could not go to Campbell River. It was too early to answer a great many of our questions. They do not know the quantity of mud and debris involved, or the full impact that the heavy rains had on the hillside behind the condos at 738 and 758 South Island Highway. A great deal more information is required before they can talk about preventative steps that may be taken in the future.The dialogue that follows was gleaned from the initial presentation and question period that followed. Acting City Manager Drew Hadfield provided information about the mudslide.SRD Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman oversaw the relief effort.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode 3: Co-op and Community"We make quite an effort to get as much local produce in as we can. And there are, I think three bigger farms that supply us: Big Fir Farm, Linnaea Farm, and Wildflower — Sarah’s farm. And Hazel, our produce buyer, works hard together with the farmers to figure out who’s who’s growing what, and make it equitable, what she will buy from them. Because often, of course, everyone’s lettuce is ready at the same time and so on.""There’s a big effort to get the local produce in. It’s a great seller. Everyone loves it! We’re all just waiting for it to come in. And along with the produce, we also support other island vendors, artists, with consignment. I pulled the numbers on what we paid out to local produce and other vendors, and it’s $150,000 last year — that went from the co-op directly into the hands of Islanders. for their products." — Mary LavelleWell, the co-op has the benefit of owning the land that it’s on. Granted we have a mortgage that we’re paying, but we’ve been able to support some local businesses. We’ve got Marnie’s Bookstore, we’ve got the Harbor Authority, and a massage therapist on the property, that are our tenants.And so we have a small but steady income from those three — and quite a bit of land [unoccupied] to consider how we want to grow. How we can continue to support entrepreneurs and small business owners who would be able to bring their own infrastructure and locate themselves right there in the heart of Manson’s. — Amy RobertsonIn the final episode of this series, we consider the Co-op not just as an individual business struggling to remain solvent in face of the challenges of island commerce and tourism, but as an integral part of the wider community and a promoter of micro-enterprise. We talk about the local farmers and gardeners who sell their produce through the Co-op, and the importance of local produce to the store and its customers. Island artisans and craftspeople also sell their work at the store; and Mary reveals that in an average year, the Co-op pays out $150K or so to local artisans and producers.We consider the Co-op in its role as a commercial landlord, renting to business tenants under separate roofs on its property. We consider a possible long-term vision of the property as a hub for micro-business. Thinking now about the future, I ask Amy and Mary if they have plans for 2023; and we discuss the evolution of the space where (before Covid) the Co-op operated a much-loved cafe. We also learn about the Co-op’s intention to make itself less vulnerable to climate extremes by renovating its ageing, damaged HVAC systems. Amy and Mary agree that the business cannot afford to undertake this major capital project without financial support from the membership, so a capital campaign is planned for this Spring.We discuss other ways in which members can support the Co-op, including the annual drain of Co-op revenues by bank charges associated with credit card purchases. Mary tells us that the business loses as much as $30,000 per year due to these bank charges.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode 2: ChallengesI’ve done the math for myself. When I arrived in 2004, I thought it was a great idea to go off [island] and shop for food and come back. And very quickly I realized I was spending my entire day in ferry lineups, and rushing from shop to shop, and that I would have to make a heck of a lot of savings to pay for that time, if I was even to think about paying my own time at all… or valuing my own time, because there are other things I could be doing. — Mary LavelleI think finding good employees, good committed employees that live on the island full-time, has always been a challenge. I know that when we were looking for a new general manager, I was losing sleep at the thought of having applicants from all over Canada apply to Cortes… and then even if they were a great candidate, knowing that it would be be very difficult to find a place for them to live. — Amy RobertsonIn Episode 2, we engage with the less rosy side of business life on Cortes: the many challenges of running a small retail grocery store on a small two-ferry island in a tourism economy. We discuss the yearly boom/bust cycle of tourism; the cost of transportation and the vagaries of ferry service; and the chronic housing shortage that makes staff recruitment and retention so difficult.We revisit the trying “Covid years” — which were very hard on so many small businesses — and find out that the Co-op did surprisingly well during that period. The reason? More islanders shopped locally instead of going to Quadra or Campbell River. This leads us into a discussion of shopping on vs off island, and the trade-offs. We also consider the impact of climate change: in the summer of 2022, a severe heat wave stressed the store’s refrigeration equipment to the breaking point. The resulting failures were costly in every sense, and contributed to a downturn in revenue for that year. We ask how the Co-op can become better prepared for extreme weather events.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode 1: How It All Works"I first moved to Cortes in 1998, and there were a group of us that worked with Jude Marentette to bring quality organic food onto the island. And in 2003, the co-op was looking for a location and ended up in the building where they are now — with some assistance from many community members. And I had a shift, one day a week in 2004 — on Thursdays — and I would get paid $8 an hour in retail food." — Amy RobertsonSo we have a lot of people who take a lot of responsibility, a very dedicated core group of people who take part in decision makings, who bring all their opinions and their thoughts to the manager. And we meet monthly, to discuss each department and the organization as a whole. –Mary LavelleIn Episode 1, we present a brief history of the Co-op: from its humble beginnings in 2003 as a buyer’s club, to its formal incorporation in 2004, through its 2014 success in purchasing the parcel it had rented for years from the School District, and up to the present day. Then we talk a bit about what the Co-op is, legally speaking, and how it’s governed. We discuss the org chart, management structure, and the Co-op’s very modest executive compensation factor. We find out what benefits the Co-op offers to its members and to its staff. We discover how the Co-op’s business model diverges from the norms of the corporate world. If you know very little about the Co-op and how it’s organised and run, this episode is a good introduction to a Cortes Island institution.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was a mudslide behind Hillside Place, at 738 South Island Highway in Campbell River at approximately 7:45 last night. A City of Campbell River press release stated the residents of Hillside Place and the adjoining condominum apartment building, Beechwood Manor, have been evacuated. “No injuries have been reported at this time and the surrounding area is secure. The City fire department and Campbell River RCMP responded to the incident. The City will continue to monitor the site overnight.” According to the the Campbell River Mirror, the condos sit fit at the foot of a ridge and there have been previous slides. Scott Kratzmann, of the Campbell River Fire Department, told the news outlet, “A pair of parkades came down in the back. It is a mess. Residents have been evacuated for the evening and an engine will remain on the scene for about another hour.”A temporary reception centre was set up in the Campbell River Baptist Church, 260 S Dogwood Street.Acting City Manager Drew Hadfield explained, “City crews have assessed and continue to monitor the landslide. I’d like to reassure residents that the situation is stable and thank the public for their patience as we respond to this incident.”The City will issue an update this morning.The public is being asked to avoid both buildings, do not call 911 for information or updates and follow the directions of local authorities.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Three years ago, Area C received funding to develop an Integrated Community Plan (ICSP). COVID intervened and it wasn’t until last August that a 14 member advisory group was assembled. The resulting draft plan was presented at the Wednesday, January 11, meeting of the SRD’s Electoral Area’s Services Committee. “It was a very quick process and, we really appreciate all the efforts that went into it. The task force was convened in August and by November the task force, the consultant and the SRD planner had come up with a draft proposal, which was then circulated to the community, and that draft was commented on by the community but subsequently, because there was a very short timeline, some amendments were made to the document that was subsequently published and what you're receiving today,” explained Lannie Keller, a Read Island resident and team member. Back for further discussionNick Robinson, from Quadra Island, said, “We got back just over a hundred questionnaires and at that point the ICSP was amended without involvement of our community advisory group.”Lannie Keller: “Our request is that you will look at the four small but significant changes that are requested and the task force is unanimous in making that recommendation.” After close to 50 minutes of discussion, much of it after Robinson and Keller had left, Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney said the task force should have a chance to state their case. “I really appreciate the thoughtfulness that the task force brought these four minor recommendations that they would be more comfortable seeing in the final document. And I would really like it if the task force could have a chance to discuss those alterations or suggestions with the consultant. How do I say that as a motion?” she said. Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch replied, “It sounds like you would like to defer the comments from the delegation back to the task force and the consultant.” “That’s right,” said Mawhinney.At which point newly elected Chair Gerald Whalley asked, “Do we have a seconder?” Director John Rice seconded the motion, which carried.In the vote that followed, the committee agreed, “That the comments regarding the ICSP be referred back to the task force and consultant.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The 2023 season for Manson’s Friday Market kicked off on January 13. “I come here every week that it's open. I put my face in here, sometimes not for very long, but I always walk around and see what's happening. It's a social occasion. I was hoping to see Thaddeus here. I wanted to buy one of his pre-rolls,” said Andy Vine, a former Director of the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) which looks after Mansons Hall. “This winter is going better than previous winters. There's more vendors.”Cortes Currents: Are you talking pre-covid years as well?Andy Vine: “Yes, I am talking pre-covid years. Sometimes there were only two or three vendors.” There were 7 booths spread around the hall, with a variety of different foods and goods produced on Cortes. Andy Vine: “That's nice to see.” Tammy Collingwood, SCCA’s Operations Manager, explained, “The vendors are what is at the heart of the market. Making the vendors happy, seeing what their needs are and what their vision is, is my goal in moving the market forward. We're hoping to attract more vendors year round. I have a lot of ideas and other people have a lot of ideas, just trying to always make things better. The market is one of the main year-round social events that we have here in Mansons.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “So in 1981 the Clash put out their classic single, ‘Should we stay, or should we go?’ And here I am with you, 41 years later asking you the same question. Should we stay with this initiative or should we take no action and leave it alone,” said Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinater for the Strathcona Regional District. He was telling the Board about the results of a recent survey in the Outer Discovery Islands, but he could have been talking about any of three Area C initiatives discussed at the Jan 11 meeting.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A number of Cortes Island matters were discussed at the new Electoral Areas Service Committee’s (EASC) Inaugral meeting. This is a special committee made up of the Strathcona Regional DIstrict’s four rural directors and the the first stop, before their concerns are brought before the full board. The initial discussion of Cortes Island’s proposed Grants in Aid, a Whaletown Community Club’s request for a funding to install a wheelchair ramp at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery and a proposed staff report about derelict boats were all on the agenda today. As expected Gerald Whalley, the only director to have previously served on the Board, was elected Chair. The big news is that Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch has been elected Vice Chair.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been numerous reports of Pacific White Sided Dolphins in our vicinity this past year. The most recent came from Powell River, where pods of around 200 dolphins were spotted from the shore on December 17th and again on December 28th. One of the reports from Campbell River mentioned more than 100 swimming through Discovery Passage. On their website, Wildwaterways Adventures describes this species in its list of wildlife that fill the Discovery Islands. According to the Times Colonist, “After 100 years of absence, large numbers of Pacific White Sided Dolphins are back in the northern part of British Columbia's Salish Sea.” Cortes Currents asked independent biologist Alexandra Morton if she has heard reports of them from Campbell River, Cortes or any of the other Discovery Islands. Alexandra Morton: Absolutely, there’s whale watching vessels down there, I have friends that live down there. I've also seen them there myself. Pacific White Sided Dolphins have definitely been moving throughout the coast.There's a move to start harvesting them again and try to reduce their populations to protect wild fish. I don't see the wisdom in that. There's many reasons to harvest things, but we know from so many examples that when you kill the predators, you actually weaken the prey. Predators are so important. They remove the sick, they cleanse the population of pathogens that could reach damaging proportions. They are part of the ecosystem and I think we need to tread very, very carefully about removing predators.(Morton has a long association with Pacific White Sided Dolphins.)Alexandra Morton: When I first moved to the Broughton Archipelago in 1984, nobody had seen Pacific White Sided Dolphins in that area. The old timers weren't aware of this species.I went to the Broughton Archipelago to study Orca, and to do that I had a underwater microphone piped into first my boat and then the house 24 hours a day. On Christmas Eve in that year, I picked up their vocalizations on our hydrophone. I didn't know what they were, and so went out on Christmas Day. I don't think my little boy was particularly thrilled, but anyway, I needed to see what species this was. I found seven Pacific White Sided Dolphins. In my arrogance, having just arrived in the area as a scientist, I assumed they were lost because Pacific White Sided Dolphins are generally considered an open ocean species where they're seen in groups of hundreds or even thousands.Over the next 10 years, I either saw them or heard them, or received a report from people about them being there, a couple of times every winter. It was only during the winter months.In 1994, the number of days that I detected dolphins on the hydrophone, or saw them, or got a report from a neighbour, reached almost 20% of the year. The number of dolphins escalated from that little group of 7 to over 500, even 1,000 on some days. More in podcast
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The results from this year’s Christmas Bird Count are finally in. As expected, the numbers are down. According to George Sirk, this was because of the weather. "We found: 2,427 individual birds, and 54 species. Now the average is somewhere around 70 species. So back to the whole weather thing as to what knocked it down."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “The Cortes Island Senior Society, as it is now, was registered in 1987, but previous to that there were seniors groups. I think mainly they called themselves the old age pensioners. They eventually became a seniors group. At some point when they wanted to build, someone told them that they weren't even called a building society, so they decided to become the Cortes Island Seniors Building Society, which they were for a number of years,” explained Sue Ellingsen, Vice Chair of the Cortes Island Seniors Society. Cortes Currents: What did they build when they were the Cortes Island Seniors Building Society? Sue Ellingsen: “They didn't build anything when they were the building Society. They kind of gave up. At that time, there was a lot of donation of materials. They had piles of lumber that people had donated and various other things, and then I guess they just couldn't get the money together.”“When we got going 14 years ago, they were still selling off some materials that hadn't decomposed, that had been sort of put aside.”“I think our biggest success overall has been our housing. We successfully built six units for seniors housing, and then in the last three years we completed four more units. So those are probably the biggest successes we've had in the last 15 or more years that I've been involved.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -“The Cortes Island Academy is working on becoming its own nonprofit, but right now it actually functions as a program of the Cortes Island Community Foundation. Part of this was because I have had this interest in trying to figure out if we could create a high school pilot program and I work part-time as the Executive Director of the Cortes Island Community Foundation. So there was an obvious link, but it really goes back to the root of why we need a high school program on Cortes,” explained Manda Aufochs Gilliespie.Cortes Currents: How has the Community Foundation helped out the academy? Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “The Community Foundation partnered to help raise almost $200,000 for the first year of the Cortes Island Academy. They partnered in writing and then receiving a grant from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). That was a big chunk of what we were able to raise this year.” “Managing the money of that grant and the dispersion of that money: all happened through the Community Foundation.” “The Community Foundation also raised money for scholarships and for local facilitators through individual fundraising. So the Mark Torrance Foundation and a number other private donors, some as small as $50, some as large as $5,000.” “The Community Foundation is a charitable organization. It's able to give a tax receipt for any of the donations and it has to make sure that all the money that it's raised is actually used for its purposes.” “In this case, one of our purposes is both looking after the educational needs on the island as well as the general wellbeing of Islanders.” “At the very heart of this is a deep understanding of how much it has harmed our community to not have an option for our students and our families so that they can remain in this community through all stages of life.”“In fact, when the Cortes Community Economic Development Association did the Local Economic Action Plan, or the leap plan, in 2018, this came out as one of the major gaps to us actually being a full functioning economy on Cortes.” “Not having a high school is causing many families to leave this community right at the time when their work years are most essential. Their highest earning work years, when they have the most time and energy to give.” “It's caused major issues in the elementary school where families don't just take their high school kids. They leave and they take all of their kids.”“It drains out even people without kids, because if you can't run a small business and access employees and skilled labor, etc - you leave.”
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - According to the 2021 census, 36% of Quadra Island’s population is 65 years old or older. That’s 10% higher than throughout the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) as a whole, which has a considerably higher proportion of seniors than most of the province. The only Area in the SRD with a larger percentage of seniors is Cortes Island, where that number is 38%. Some might describe the large number of retirees is a problem, Quadra ICAN's new Coordinator, Ramona Boyle,’describes them as an asset that was responsbile for much of her organization’s accomplishments during 2022.“We have a pool of retirees who have expertise and time and energy to put into all kinds of endeavors that they have gained experience with. We have, of course, younger members and teenagers. Young families are also part of our action, but the backbone is, as it is with most volunteer organizations, that pool of retirees.”“I know we have the regional district as a structure, but the voice of islanders is tiny on that body. The interests of the island will never be the priority of the regional district just because of population concentration in Campbell River.” “The fact that we have been able to accomplish as much as we have with just the efforts of volunteers, I think in many ways it comes down to a history of independent action of people who have lived on an island and had to make due for generations.”“ICAN started about five years ago, had a little bit of a hiatus, a falling off, and then it was reinvigorated before the beginning of Covid.” “In the last, I would say three years, there's been really significant progress in a number of areas.”
Manda AUfochs Gillespie/ Folk U -What do our lives, spaces, and buildings look life if we were to prioritize connection? On Friday December 30, Bruce Haden joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss his career as a designer, thought leader, and author focused on the power of spaces, organizations, and institutions to create powerful, transformation change through prioritizing the potential of human connection.This will be a wide ranging discussion on elements of design and architecture, men’s groups, human experience, and more.Bruce Haden,AP, besides being a part-time Cortesian, is an architect and principal of Human Studio, which he co-founded in 2017 with Peter Atkinson. The firm focuses on using outstanding design to enhance the quality of human relationships, and is committed to enhancing built and social infrastructure resistance to the challenges of climate change. Human Studio’s work currently includes multiple B.C. housing projects, Indigenous cultural and housing projects, and post-secondary and cultural projects. One area of Bruce’s current focus is leading the development of Human Studio’s public good software tool, FLUID Sociability.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Corrents - Cortes Island’s little community foundation has turned to be a leader in terms of innovation. “Most community foundations have years and years of fundraising and millions of dollars of endowment behind them. They get to have their cake and eat it too,” explained Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie.“This idea that we've got to just hit the ground running and figure out what the social profits on Cortes need and trying to help become a partner and getting that for them, turns out that's really innovative in the community foundation world. It's only the most up to date modern community foundations that are trying to figure that out.”Mark Spevakow, Chair of the Cortes Island Community Foundation added: We wanted to be effective now. Everyone is aware of how many challenges are here right in front of us. If we had to wait until we were able to build up a big pool of funds, it would have to be really in the millions of dollars to be effective. Say we are able to eventually hit a place where there's a couple million dollars in the bank, then we could expect through having those investments out there that we might be able to distribute $150,000 to the community. As a small community foundation and one that was just starting up, we don't know when we will hit those type of numbers. It's really about discussing with people and trying to get them to understand that by leaving money down the road to the community foundation, perhaps in their will, then it gives us an opportunity to keep building on this work that we're doing. We knew we couldn't wait, so we've tried to figure out a way to be effective right off the get go. Part of that was by agreeing to get some funding in from people involved with the community foundation and a little bit from outside people and hire some staff to start to do all this work that we needed to do, we went from an organization that was waiting for its charitable status to come to really hitting the ground running.Mark Spevakow: If we had to wait until we were able to build up a big pool of funds, it would have to be really in the millions of dollars to be effective. Say we are able to eventually hit a place where there's a couple million dollars in the bank, then we could expect through having those investments out there that we might be able to distribute $150,000 to the community. As a small community foundation and one that was just starting up, we don't know when we will hit those type of numbers. It's really about discussing with people and trying to get them to understand that by leaving money down the road to the community foundation, perhaps in their will, then it gives us an opportunity to keep building on this work that we're doing. We knew we couldn't wait, so we've tried to figure out a way to be effective right off the get go. Part of that was by agreeing to get some funding in from people involved with the community foundation and a little bit from outside people and hire some staff to start to do all this work that we needed to do, we went from an organization that was waiting for its charitable status to come to really hitting the ground running.Podcast image: Triumphant woman shouting out to the world - Photo by Joyful on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Quadra ICAN recently hired Ramona Boyle as the Coordinator to oversee their operations. This was advertised as a part time position, which is expected to take approximately 40 hours a month. Cortes Currents asked the Heriot Bay resident about her new role.“After I was interviewed for the job, I was told that the reason that I got it is because of my intense practicality. I'm a problem solver and I get things done,” she explained. “When I first started working with ICAN about two years ago, some of the people came to my property here and they looked around at what I had built. I have goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, a huge garden and water collection system. All kinds of systems that didn't exist before. The property was in quite rundown condition when we bought it. I don't have a lot of money and I don't have certain skills, but if I needed it, I learned it. So we had to build a barn. I learned how to build a barn and put a roof on it, learned how to do a water collection system and learned how to repair a flooded roof. I'm pretty practical.” Cortes Currents: What will you do as ICAN’s Coordinator?Ramona Boyle: “I think ICAN is a really important enterprise in the community because it brings together over a hundred registered members who each participate in what they're passionate about.”“I came to ICAN through the food security team that works to create access to nutritious local food, to reduce reliance on food that has to be brought in by truck to the island.There is a team that is focused on water security, another one that's focused on transportation and another that's focused on energy. Each of these committees has its own focus and energy that comes to it, which I find very energizing. It's not a top down organization that tells us, do this, do this, do this. It's very much people in the community who say, 'this is what would make the community stronger, better, more resilient in the face of climate change or economic change.’”“I think that my job as coordinator is to keep that energy burning and to focus it into projects that come to fruition. It's that connection between having an idea, having a passion for something, and then getting it done so that it's a working solution.” “It's early days to see how it's going to work in practice, but part of it is sitting in on each of these action committees as an observer to identify where there are bottlenecks to a project moving forward and then clearing that for them. Whatever is needed, if it's a, a permit, then it's my job to ensure that the necessary permits are in place or to apply for funding if that's what's needed, or to gather together a pool of volunteers for a particular project.” “First is just to watch and see what you need cleared out of the way, so that you can make your vision real. That's my job. I view myself as the locomotive of the train that says, ‘get out of the way so that the train can go through.’” “Sometimes those barriers are not external. Sometimes it's a matter of tweaking a vision. For example, when the Library of Things was first imagined a couple of years ago, we began to see information about it, got very excited, but then it didn't happen. That was frustrating for a lot of community members who are like, ‘darn it! I need a lawnmower now.’”“What we discovered when we stepped back and looked at it was that the Library of Things was working in one direction and at the same time, the food recovery team was developing a lending cupboard of food preservation materials. It didn't make sense to have two separate lending locations. I don't think people differentiate in their mind between, I need a lawnmower and I need a pressure canner: they're tools. So putting those two things together and ensuring that those two groups coordinated on it was one way of moving it forward to actually happening so that you're not duplicating, for example, computer systems for monitoring.”
Margaret Verschuur/ Cortes Currents - When you asked me about doing an interview, Roy, I hesitated. But then I thought of Jennifer Stevens, and her courage, and thought: I can do this. Jen was someone who really showed up in community, and she let the DeathCaring Collective be a part of her experience. Of course, confidentiality is something important in everything we do in the DeathCaring Collective, but Jennifer was always very open and her daughter Darshan has been generous and eloquent in her sharing her experience with her mom and has given us permission to talk about Jen as well. Jen Stevens JourneyJen has been part of the DeathCaring Collective and involved since we began meeting and learning a few years ago. Her vibrancy, warmth, presence, community-mindedness and sharing added a lot to our meetings. In Jan 2022, she and Darshan gave a talk at one of our meetings. Jen shared what it was like to live with a potentially life-threatening illness. At that time she was putting a lot of energy into healing and was hopeful she’d have more time. She allowed us to be part of her journey and trusted, as did Darshen. When Jen died and up to her death, we were able to participate in the ways that she had asked us to. It was/is sad to witness Jen, so full of life, cross over into death. She was easy to love. That we as a Collective were able to participate in that journey, even contribute – to find ways to create beauty, to be with her body and help prepare it for burial, be with her family in meaningful ways. Death is something that affects a community, especially for someone like Jen, who was so involved, and the Collective was a part of that community experience. She died on the island, her body stayed in her cabin for three days, she was buried in the nearby cemetery. This was all done by family, supported by the DeathCaring Collective. This was the first death we’ve participated in this fully: with someone we knew, who was part of the Collective, who planned ahead. She became our teacher, our leader, we’ve learned from her. As I reflect on this past year I say, thank you Jen.2022: A Year of Building ConfidenceAs a Collective, we’ve grown in confidence and competence. We meet each non-summer month, and at each meeting we share, like a death café. We talk about our experiences with death, dying, and grief – whatever has come up for us, and we learn something about a particular topic. I know for me – and I can only share my experience, but others have expressed this as well – that by sharing and learning, we get more comfortable with death itself. Talking about it normalizes it. As it becomes easier to talk about, I realize how death-phobic we are. It feels right to talk about something that affects us all so much. It feels right to express the loss of those we know, other losses, our sadness, our fears, confusion, thoughts. Talking about this becomes the new normal, and going back into the world where it is not talked about begins to feel strange. The education helps as well. As I look back on the past year, having people from the community teach us has been helpful. Like Jen telling us 2022 what it is like to live with a potentially life threatening disease. We’ve had a retired hospice nurse telling us about the moment of death; a notary public about end of life planning, a beautiful presentation on Jewish practices around care of the body after death; a couple sharing their experience with the loss of their child. People pass on articles they’ve read, and I pass them on to the Collective through the email list, there is so much information out there and a lot of it is about empowering people to take death back into the family, into the community, to be more aware of choices.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to Tourism Manager Chris Tait, the Klahoose Wilderness Resort’s first full season was a much greater success than they expected. Chris Tait: “We did open in 2021 but with the pandemic, obviously, we only had a very shortened season. 2022 was our first full season. We were open from May to October, and we had more visitors than we forecasted.”“People were very interested in what we are doing. Whether they're from New York, California, from British Columbia, local here, or Toronto, or London, England: the number one reason that people came was because we're a hundred percent Indigenous owned. We are owned by the Klahoose First Nation, and we offer an Indigenous experience for visitors. That's what people were looking for.” “It's something that's certainly, I don't want to say trending, but people are looking for authentic and local business as an Indigenous tourism in British Columbia and Canada. Especially coming out of the pandemic to go to a remote location, have an immersive experience and visit with local people.” Cortes Currents: What would a typical package be? Chris Tait: Transportation: “We will pick them up by boat, or they're going to fly in by seaplane.” “They are essentially three or four nights stays, so people come for that duration. They're all inclusive: all of their accommodation, all of their meals, and all the activities.”“We're going to go bear viewing in the springtime up to Toba Inlet and look for black bears and grizzly bears feeding onshore, and watch the waterfalls. When they're back at the resort, they're going to be able to enjoy activities like kayaking, hiking and paddle boarding, or even ocean swimming.” “The most unique part is the Indigenous part that they'll be able to experience and that happens at the resort. We'll be sitting with one of the Klahoose First Nation cultural interpreters, and doing cedar weaving. We do a traditional welcome song. All the staff will be there with a song and a drum and have a proper traditional welcome to the territory, to the Klahoose Wilderness Resort. It sets the tone, but during the whole stay, they're going to have storytelling, songs, drumming and a connection with the people that call this place home.”“People want to come for the Indigenous culture, but they're also coming for the wildlife, the whales, the humpback whales and the bears.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Three Cortes Island projects are about to receive a $40,000 grant to advance gender equality. This is part of a $3.4 million collaboration between the Community Foundations of Canada and the Equity Fund supported by the Government of Canada. Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Cortes Island Community Foundation, explained, “We were able to partially fund three different projects. Those include our Women's Centre, which everybody knows, runs with very little funding and a real bootstrap mentality, like ‘we're gonna get her done. So it's going to be a little bit of funding for supporting their work. The other really exciting project that I hope is gonna make a major difference in many families' lives is the Playschool expansion, so that there'll actually be almost full-time childcare available on Cortes for the first time ever. The third one is basically an intergenerational helping hands, um, project being put forward by the Family Support Services of the CCHA (Cortes Community Health Association).”“This was our first time participating in one of these community foundations of Canada Federal Government projects. We have already made our recommendations. The recommendations have been accepted, and these different organizations are just now getting their announcements that they're accepted. They will sign a contract with the Community Foundations of Canada and the gender equity pilot program, and then their money is not released until 2023.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Foundation just signed an MOU, which opens the way for it to receive $100,000 in funding for Cortes Island charities and non-profits.In today’s interview Mark Spevakow, Vice President of the Cortes Island CommunityFoundation, and Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie explain how this will work.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A waste education program from Powell River recently cleaned up an islet that was partially buried under tires. Cortes Currents republished the story from qathet Living and that probably would have ended the matter, except some of you had questions. The biggest one was something between shock and disbelief that such a beautiful Islet had actually been turned into a tire dump. So Cortes Currents asked Abby McLennan of Let’s Talk Trash for an interview. Abby McLennan: “We first came across Tire Island when we were doing some scouting for shoreline cleanup projects this summer, so early June. We are in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation through the province's Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative. It was our second summer under this initiative. We saw this little island.” “From afar, it looked like a bunch of black stuff on top of it, like little black mountains. As we got closer, we saw that it was actually tires. It was overwhelming the amount of tires we could just see from the water.” “This little islet is on the east coast of Nelson Island, three quarters of the way down the island. You could see this islet when you're on the BC Ferry route heading from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove. I took that route in October and could see it with my bare eyes from the ferry. It's hard to tell what exactly is on the island, but if you had binoculars it would show up as tires.” “We didn't select it as a project in our initial round of cleanups just because it looked pretty complicated. There was no great landing spot and the amount of tires looked pretty overwhelming.”“Later in the season, after all the established projects were complete, there was some underspent money in our budget, so I was like, ‘I'm now willing to take on this larger tire island project.’”Cortes Currents: How many tires were there?Abby McLennan: “2,409 tires.”I was pleasantly surprised to be able to get 30 workers and a couple boat operators. So 33 people, in total, came out during the very last weekend of October, right when the weather turned. It was cold, a little bit drizzly and I was expecting to not be able to get all the tires. I was like, ‘We'll just get as many as we can. They'll know how many's left and that's better than nothing.’ But we were able to get every last single tire and not work a super full day. We were done by around 3:30-4:00 o’clock each of those days.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Foundation will be distributing approximately $100,000 to Quadra Island organizations during the Spring of 2023. According to their press release, Grant amounts will range from $10,000 to $20,000.This money is part of the government of Canada's National COVID Recovery Fund to support charities, non-profits and indigenous governing bodies. Quadra Island Foundation Treasurer Mitch Hirano explained: “This program is available through three national streams the Canadian Red Cross, the United Way and the Community Foundations of Canada. We're a member of the Community Foundations of a Canada, and our funding flows through that portal.”“Community Foundations of Canada is investing in systems and processes. So we're looking at supporting charitable organizations, nonprofit and indigenous groups that will fund one time projects investing in the system and processes that are involved in creating the internal workings of an organization and strengthening the organization's overall structure.”Funding can go towards wages and employment related costs. They could hire contractors to provide professional services and advice,build new inventory for materials and supplies,or purchase equipment for a project, These funds could be for travel expenses for professional development, staff training, or event coordination and funding.“The application portal will open on our website January 6, 2023 and we will receive applications until February 21. We'll be making the selection and allocation of the funds to the organizations during the period from February 21 to May 1, 2023.”“Quadra Island Foundation is a registered charity. We are only able to support other charities that are defined as charities by the Canada Revenue Agency. We're not able to give directly to those nonprofits in our community, but we can do that indirectly through the community foundations of Canada.” “We will process the applications and recommend the approval for the amount of funding to grant to these organizations. The actual check will be written by the community foundations of Canada at the national level, because they're able to have a little more flexibility in how they distribute their funding.” “The charities, nonprofits and indigenous organizations will have a full year from May 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, to expend their funds and complete their projects. At the end of that, we would have to wrap it up and provide a report on how the funds were distributed and what was accomplished.”Cortes Currents: Is this the largest amount of money that the Quadra Island Foundation has administered?Mich Hirano: “We've only been in operation for two years. The other major project that we supported was in partnership with Quadra ICAN to put up solar panels on the Quadra Island School. It was a little bit of a hands-on project for the kids to see how solar it works. The funds flowed through the Quadra Island Foundation. We cut the check to the school district and they provided that back to the Quadra Island Elementary School. That was one of the major accomplishments of the Quadra Island Foundation.” “Quadra Island has a pretty vibrant and strong community services network. I think that this funding needed in the community and it will certainly strengthen the services that these organizations are providing to the residents of Quadra.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Learn more about the role of journalist as truth teller and change maker with Rex Weyler, pulitzer prize nominated journalist and co-founder of GreenPeace on Folk U radio this week. Rex Weyler was a repeat special guest this year at the Cortes Island Academy and will join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and student guest hosts from the CIA to talk a bit about his experience as a journalist over the years.We will be joined in the latter part of the show by surprise musical guests (the Awakeners) for this jam-packed Folk U.Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday Dec 16, Folk U gave way to a Teen Take-Over with music and a bit of words from the students of Cortes Island Academy. A lot of people phoned in with requests. Cora Lee joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie as co-host. Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Harbour Authority Cortes Island (HACI) has embarked upon a campaign to inform the public who they are and what they do. Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick provided Cortes Currents with a concise description of the organization. “The Harbour Authority is a nonprofit organization, which is made up of an eight volunteer board of directors. All of whom are local year round, residents and are actively involved in boating on Cortes, either commercial fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, or as recreational boaters. Under contract with Small Craft Harbours, the Harbour Authority is responsible for the operation and basic maintenance of the four government docks on the island: Squirrel Cove, Manson's Landing, Cortes Bay, and Gorge Harbour,” she said. “We also operate the Whaletown Dock, which was formally divested from Transport Canada in 2009. The Harbour Authority actually owns that dock outright.” I asked one of the Directors, Andy Ellingsen, how the Harbour Authority came into being. “It was around 1997, at the instigation of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) who ran most of the docks on the island. They felt they weren't getting good organization on the docks and the other thing that they were trying to do was derive some income from the docks. The docks had been free prior to that.”“Small Craft Harbours, a division of DFO, came up to the island and did a presentation. They were interested in commercial fishermen primarily, but any dock users that were interested in seeing the docks operated on the island in a meaningful fashion were being consulted.”“About 2000, maybe 2001, I attended a public meeting of the Harbour Authority group and was interested in what they were doing. I put my name forward and was elected to my first term as a director of the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island.”“I've been a director of the organization pretty well since then, with one exception. The bylaws used to call for a two year term for directors before they have to stand down to get out of the way for new blood. That has since been changed. So with a one year break, I've basically been a director of the Harbour Authority since about 2002.”“The primary mission from the perspective of Small Craft Harbours is serving the commercial producers. That would be the commercial fisherman. Now with their new recognition of the shellfish industry's contribution, they're recognizing that as a core value to Small Craft Harbours.”“By contrast, I would say that the mission of the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island is to maintain the harbours because we are an island. We have a lot of people who use the water in a number of ways, some of which are economic and some of which are recreational and some of them just for fun. Those kinds of things have a real value to the people in our community and we recognize that.”“While we work with Small Craft Harbours to make sure that the harbours are there and in good condition for the commercial fishing and the shellfish industries, we have put a lot of emphasis on making sure that the people who live on the islands and the people who have ‘boat access only residences’ have a way to get from the roads to their homes.” “We've developed quite good working relationships with the Small Craft Harbours division of DFO. We are their local eyes and ears. For example, the anchors on the dock at Cortes Bay occasionally don't support the dock the way it needs to be supported. We let them know that the dock has shifted in the bad southeast wind and needs some attention pretty quickly.”The responsibility for the repairs on the docks is divided. We do minor stuff, for example: replace a plank on a float, which is just a piece of two by six. When it comes to the major structural elements of the dock, that's Small Craft Harbours, but we're the ones that are pointing out that we see some problem coming up.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Dr Gideon Mordecai is a Research associate with the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at UBC. He is also the author of more than 20 scientific publications, the most recent of which reported the PRV1a virus in 70% of the 56 fish farms they studied.Cortes Currents asked Dr. Mordecai,”Fish farms are claiming that BC's PRV1 isn't deadly for wild salmon. Is that true?”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents The Klahoose water taxi brought 52,000 Chum eggs to Squirrel Cove yesterday. ‘Goat 1’ tied up at the Klahoose dock around 11 AM. “The eggs come from Tla'amin Fish Hatchery in Powell River. I think the amount is probably based on what they get on returns, because they have their own creeks and rivers where they get their Chum eggs,” explained Klahoose Fisheries Officer Byron Harry.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In 2021, the Friends of Cortes Island received funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program to seek out the elusive Western Screech Owls. This research is being guided by the Pacific Megascops Research Alliance, and biologists from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship are part of the team. The first season was spring 2022. According to Cortes Island biologist Sabina Leader Mense:“We know they're here, why aren't they talking to us? The research results we got: not a hoot, not a peep, not a call. Nothing but lots and lots of questions.” “The autonomous recording units, the ARUs, are just being analyzed now. Whatever was picked up by them during February and March of this year, that information's coming to us within the next month.”“FOCI's been very successful at getting funding, again from the Habitat Stewardship Program, for two more years. So we'll be going out in February and March 2023, and we will have the information from the autonomous recording units. It is really important to know if there were Western Screech Owls calling at times when they just simply weren't answering us.”“People are seeing the birds in the Discovery Islands. While we were doing transects down here in February and March, there were Western Screech Owls up on Sonora Island calling in behind some greenhouses in the Diamond Bay area. There was a Western Screech Owl predation by Ravens observed at Port Maurelle on Maurelle Island.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On Monday, Dec 12, Gorge Harbour Marina Resort announced that its seasonal liveaboard program will come to an end next Spring. Jason Johnson, General Manager of QXMC as well as the resort, wrote, “GHMR has never, to the best of my knowledge, offered year-round live aboard opportunities but has run a small seasonal program in previous years where under ten vessels were hosted. In 2022, the program has seven vessels, under short term live aboard contract ending the end of April 2023. In all cases, the stays were contingent on contracts being signed, liability insurance coverage for each vessel and one vessel per person. While these changes were difficult for guests, it allowed the 2022 program to continue.” The Harbour Authority of Cortes Island also manages a dock in the Gorge, so Cortes Currents asked Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick if they accept liveaboards. “No, At this point in time, the Gorge dock is at capacity for commercial aquaculture vessels. We do have some dinghy use for boat-access-only individuals, and that would fall under recreational moorage, but we do not take long-term moorage requests for recreational vessels at the Gorge dock,” she replied.Hartwick explained that the Harbour Authority leases the Gorge dock from Small Craft Harbours.“The mandate of Small Craft Harbors is to support the commercial fishing industry. That includes the broader aquaculture, commercial vessels in general, as well as First Nation ceremonial and food fish uses. We are required by our lease agreement with Small Craft Harbours to meet that mandate. At the Gorge Dock in particular, that facility is at capacity with commercial users and we don't have room for any additional recreational moorage.” Cortes Currents asked, “Is there room at any of the other docks that the Harbour Authority manages?” “We do currently have some designated liveaboard positions at the docks. We have one liveaboard position at Manson's landing, one liveaboard space at Cortes Bay, and three designated liveaboard spaces at Squirrel Cove. All of those positions are currently filled with designated users. At this point in time, we have a wait list for liveaboard requests at the dock. If anyone is interested in obtaining liveaboard status at one of our facilities, they would need to reach out to the Harbor Authority and I'm happy to put them on the wait list, but we don't have any available spaces at this point in time.”Prior to the Marina releasing its announcement, one of the guests at their dock posted the following comment on Facebook: “I was very happy to be back on Cortes, having spent much of my childhood there. Guess it is not the Cortes I knew anymore. The disrespect toward those who chose to live on the water has been a shock, to say the least. I understand there are issues with some irresponsible boat owners, but I certainly am not one of them. Though I had moorage options elsewhere, I chose Gorge Harbour because of the connection I had to the island and its people. I have literally spent thousands of dollars in the community so far…” Johnson explained the resort’s position: “With the full understanding that there is a housing crisis in BC and Cortes is certainly no different, we need to ensure that guests have access to the amenities needed for their short term stay as minimum expectations. The marina does not have pump out or sewer access. While the expectation is that vessels will leave and seek facilities accordingly, our marina is not equipped to offer this service. Water lines are not insulated and subject to freezing so we have a scheduled program whereby water is shut off daily and then restarted to avoid damage. This month we experienced a power outage whereby back up power was also affected and two live aboard gusts dependent on electric heat found themselves without heat. We mitigated this by hosting them up in other accommodation on site at our expense.”
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - The second part of an interview with Cortes Island's new Regional Director, Mark Vonesch
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -“The best overview of the FOCI's Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI), the absolute best overview in a nutshell, is an Arthur C Clark's quote. It's the mantra of the MSI. Arthur C. Clarke wrote 'How inappropriate to call this Planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.' That is, in a nutshell, the Marine Stewardship Initiative,” explained Sabina Leader Mense, Program coordinator Then she proceeded to give an overview of the five major programs currently underway.
De Clarke/ COrtes Currents - In mid-November, Currents ran an article on the novel Finnish approach to homelessness, “Housing First,” and three local communities where low-cost housing had been created for those in need. We invited the new Area B Regional Director (Mark Vonesch) to comment on the housing issue generally, and on “Housing First” as a concept. Mark wasn’t able to respond in November, but agreed to an interview in early December.The interview will be broadcast on CKTZ in two parts. The first part (airing on Monday Dec 12 at 8am) is a more general check-in with Mark; we ask him about his first few weeks on office, the three percent short-term rental tax which he successfully proposed at SRD, and his perception of the atmosphere at SRD with regard to Cortes business. We also begin to discuss the housing crisis on Cortes. In the second part (Tuesday Dec 13 at 8am) we discuss the housing issue in greater depth.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) recently had its AGM. This is also Helen Hall’s seventh year as Executive Director. So Cortes Currents asked her for an overview of this past year and how the organization has changed during her tenure. Helen Hall: “That’s a big question, FOCI has always been doing a lot of different projects. I act as the central point for FOCI, but there's a lot of work going on with volunteers and our contractors.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the most recent of her interviews about Cortes History, Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum, traces one of the Island’s foremost industries from its pre-contact beginnings up until recent times. Lynne Jordan: “ The First Nations cultivated clam gardens on this coast for 3,000 to 5,000 years, maybe even longer. One on Quadra Island was recently dated at being around 3,500 years old.”“In her book ‘Clam Gardens: Aboriginal Mariculture on Canada's West Coast,’ Judith Williams describes how natives would choose a small, bay/beach area and increase the amount of sand on that beach by collecting all the rocks off the beach and taking them down at low tide to the bottom of the beach and throwing them into the water. You do that for enough years and thousands of years, the rock wall builds up and gets bigger and bigger. As the rock wall grows, more sand gets trapped behind the rock wall, which increases the beach size, and that's how they cultivated and grew their clams on the beach.”“Clams were very important because First Nations were mostly gatherers, and you could find them all year long. When other foods that they would normally gather weren't growing in the forest or the meadows, they would eat a lot of clams.”“There are alot of those gardens around Howe Sound area, but also all around the Desolation Sound.” “Gorge Harbour, on Cortes Island, has a number of old clam gardens around the outer edge of the beaches. If you go down to the wharf at the bottom of Robertson Road and you're on the dock, look to your left. There used to be a clam garden along the beach. It's identified mainly by what they call clam hash, broken little bits of shell that mixed with the sand. The beach is quite soft. If you look to your right, towards the Gorge Harbour Marina, you can actually see where the clam garden continued along that way too.”“The marina has disrupted what was left of the clam garden. If you stand at the end of the wharf at a low tide and look down on that right side, you will see a rock wall there. The dock was built overtop of a clam garden.”“That's the easiest one to pick out, but once you know what to look for, you start seeing clam gardens in many places around Cortes Island.” Continuing on to after the settlers arrived, calms and oysters were cutivated in Squirrel Cove during the 1920s. Quadra Island’s Heriot Bay Inn had a lease. In 1938 Harry and Teresa Daniels were cultivating oysters near the head of Von Donnop Inlet. Lynne Jordan: “They started with seed from Japan, which is a larger oyster than the native variety.”The Daniels “were the first to have a beach lease there, and they actually had it marked off on the beach with cement edging. It had a curb all around it. They don't do that nowadays.”“In the 1940s Alf Layton also had a beach lease at the upper end of Von Donnop Inlet.”“Shellfish sustained a lot of Cortes islanders for many years, particularly through the depression years. You could harvest oysters, clams, scallops, mussels, you name it. If you had a boat, you could also add in crabs, prawns, but you'd need the boat and traps to catch them, whereas the beach was open to anybody.”More in the podcast
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - At their December 7 meeting, the Strathcona Regional District Board discussed modifications to a contract for 16 Earthquake early warning stations stretching from Chatham Point, north of Campbell River, up to Haida Gwaii. The $1.8 million needed to fund this project was provided by a grant from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). As Chief Administration Officer (CAO) David Leitch explained,”NRCan would only provide the grant to local governments, so it had to be applied for through the SRD.” Wolfang Parada, Senior Manager of Engineering Services, outlined some of the details: Baylink Networks has been selected to design, supply and install 16 earthquake early warning stations or systems along the coast, all the way from north of Campbell River up to Haida Gwaii. It's being built and designed, in conjunction with the Connected Coast project. “Back in August 17, we introduced the staff report recommendation that the board have the Chair and CAO sign the contract. That resolution was passed. However, when we submitted the contract to Baylink Networks, they expressed a few concerns about the language we had in the contract.” “We've made revisions to the agreements. Some of the major changes that we made related to the construct price. We have reduced that, just to clarify what SRD will be responsible for buying when it comes to network equipment and what they're responsible for buying when it comes to the sensors.” “We have been able to have clarification on the development of the operation plan, so they will support the operations plan. We also have a reduction in the warranty period from five years to one year, which I think is reasonable for these types of equipment.” “We made revisions to schedule a DNF. The first thing we needed in the owner’s statements of requirements (was what everyone) is responsible for. We provide a detailed project budget, a breakdown of materials, labor, and equipment to build the project.” “Our recommendation to the board today is to have the Chair and CAO execute the amended contract with Baylink Networks for the design, supply, and installation of 16 earthquake early warning sensors.” Martin Davis (Mayor of Tahsis): “I noticed there's quite a cluster of sensor sites for earthquakes on the North end of Vancouver Island, but there's none on the West Coast. This is one of the most tectonically active areas in the Regional District and I'm curious as to why no sensors are planned for that area.” Wolfang Parada: “So 16 stations: 4 on the North part of the Island; 12 along the BC coast. I have great news. We received a letter today. Resources Canada has approved our application and that will provide sensors to the West Coast as well. More details will be provided in upcoming meetings.” Mark Vonesch (Regional Director of Cortes Island): “The $1.8 million, that was entirely covered by the grant?” David Leitch: “Correct, yes, it's a hundred percent funded.” That's simplified things. Gerald Whalley (Regional Director of Area A): “I move the Chair and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the amended contract with ‘Baylink Networks, Inc’ as a sole source contract of the earthquake early warning system extended network. Martin Davis: “Second, Davis”Mark Baker (Chair of the SRD Board): Discussion … All in favor … Opposed. Seeing none, the motion is carried.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -A fire broke out at Diamond Bay on Sonora Island, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. It began as a structure fire, but spread into the tinder dry forest. The fire travelled rapidly upslope, threatening 30 other homes in the vicinity. Neighbouring residents converged at Diamond Bay and organized an ad hoc fire control effort. BC Wildfire Service arrived to take command. Four helicopters, a fire response boat and 17 provincial firefighters fought alongside ‘the local Owens Bay Fire Brigade' and by the morning of Sunday, August 15 the fire was officially ‘under control.’However the Diamond Bay fire prompted some of the surrounding residents to express a desire to see a volunteer fire brigade set up. As Maurelle Island resident Rob Wood states, in a subsequent Strathcona Regional District (SRD) staff report, “The fire conditions over the past five years have been different than in previous years. With climate change the risk of fire has changed, and we need to consider what we are going to do differently in response.”The SRD hired Tim Pley and associates to do a feasibility study for an Outer Discovery Islands fire brigade, equipped with pumps and hand tools. They would serve Read Island, Maurelle Island, North Rendezvous Island, and the southern portion of Sonora Island, including Diamond Bay and Owen Bay. The area’s full time population is estimated as 133. Two of the proposed volunteer crews would be based at Surge Narrows and Evans Bay on Read Island. The third would come from southern Sonora Island, where the fire occurred in 2021.Approximately $52,000 will be needed for administration, training, equipment another costs in 2023. The amount decreases every year after that, and by 2027 should be under $40,000. Assuming that local ratepayers are supportive of the proposal, the SRD will hold meetings to discuss costs and cost-sharing options. An update on this proposal was given at the Wednesday, December 7, SRD Board meeting. The Outer Discovery Islands is in Area C, whose Regional Director is Robyn Mawhinney. She asked,”I understand that the outer discovery islands community has been surveyed for feedback and interest following the study. And I'm curious if there's a timeline for receiving that report, or if there's anything to add about the survey.” SRD Emergency Coordinator Shaun Koopman replied, “We're all ding to have that report back to the second meeting in January at the latest. The survey response deadline was this Friday, we've got about 80 responses, 30 that were physically mailed back 50 that were submitted online. So about a 45% community turnout rate.”If approved, the Outer Discovery Islands Fire Brigade may become a reality as early as next year.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Three days after he was sworn in as Premier of British Columbia, David Eby unveiled a series of new laws designed to increase the pace of new construction, remove age restrictions in stratas (except for the +55 restriction that promotes seniors housing) and tap the supply of vacant dwellings for the rental market.The BC Government press release did not mention vacant dwellings, such as the 253 empty homes on Cortes Island that were reported in the 2016 census.It states, “Data from the Speculation and Vacancy Tax shows that in areas of BC covered by the tax, there were nearly 2,900 vacant units in strata buildings with rental restrictions in 2021 – the last year the exemption was available before it phased out. If passed, age and rental restrictions would be lifted immediately, and these empty units will be available to renters.”One of the items of correspondence going before the Strathcona Regional District Board this afternoon, is the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) response. While the UBCM share the provincial governments desire to address the housing crisis, they expressed a number of concerns.How will housing targets be defined?How will the targets reflect the long (often multi-year) time frame for delivery of housing following local government approvals?Will the Minister hold a local government to a target if applications are refused because developers are not prepared to provide the amenities/services necessary for the development? How will targets relate to current Official Community Plans, regional planning and growth management plans, including efforts to limit urban sprawl and address climate adaption and mitigation? The UBCM pointed out, “This marks a significant shift away from the form of local democracy envisaged in the Community Charter in which municipal councils are seen as democratically elected, autonomous, responsible and accountable, established and continued by the will of the residents of their communities.” The previous SRD Board expressed concerns out of the provincial governments failure to consult with them before making decisions about forestry policy, or in treaty negotiations such as that with the Klahoose First Nation. They also believed the Federal government should have consulted them before closing the Discovery Island fish farms.The UBCM question whether the province will be able to deliver well-informed and timely decisions about housing.“One of the factors that slow the approval of new housing is the lengthy timelines common for provincial environmental and other regulatory approvals.” Two examples of what increased provincial government control could mean come from the Rainbow Ridge project on Cortes Island, which has been waiting for the Ministry of Transportation to approve its subdivision plan for over a year and has yet to receive a response on the water license they applied for 18 months ago.The Union of BC Municipalities is calling for the province to have a meaningful discussion with municipalities and the UBCM to ensure the proposed legislation is both workable and effective. The new SRD Board has not had time to consider these matters.In the BC Government press release, it states that the first piece of Eby’s legislation, “The Housing Supply Act is scheduled to be brought into force in mid-2023. To support implementation, the Province will continue to help local governments speed up local approval processes through the continued implementation of the Development Approvals Process Review and work underway to accelerate provincial approvals.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U -This whole month, Folk U Radio has been partnering with the Cortez Island Academy to feature student work and the music and ideas and voices of the Cortez Island Academy students. There are 20 of them, coming from homes in Cortes and the surrounding area to nations as distant as Germany and Indonesia. “We asked the students, what would you write about your experience on Cortez Island? If you were to send an audio postcard home or an audio postcard to someone you know and love, what would it sound like? They were required to record their own voices, they had to record real sound effects, download sound effects, and also get copyright free music. All is part of a project that had to be less than three minutes and would talk to their experiences, and the results have been incredible,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie.Here is the first audio postcard: “I have lived on Cortez for six years now. My favorite things are the sunsets, all the pretty stars. I love how nice everyone is here. I love the summers where you can stay out from morning until night, going swimming and going on late night walks with your friends and family. I love the beaches. It's such a peaceful place to go to whether you're alone or with friends.”“I don't want to say much, but Cortez is forever home. Okay”.“When I think of Cortez, I think of swimming in the lake with my roommates going on long walks in the sun in September when it was still warm, and getting off the ferry on a cool November morning and seeing driftwood covered in snow slowly make its way out into the ocean.”The student explained, “What you just heard was my first attempt at explaining what I think of when I think of Cortez. It was half-assed and short and not very descriptive, and honestly just shitty. It was only in the past few days that I started to believe what people have been telling me. My mom told me in the first week that I seemed like a different kid, but I brushed it off and my friends were telling me about how it was glowing, but I didn't believe it.”“Even my roommates, who I've known for two months, which feels really hard to believe, keep telling me that I look he healthier and happier, and they've commented on things about me that they've seen. The other night, I was looking through old pictures and suddenly it clicked. I am happier and I am healthier, and this isn't entirely my own work.”“It's this place and this school and this community and these people who've got me to where I am now, which in my opinion is the happiest I've ever been. So I wanted to thank everything and everyone involved in this course because without them, I don't think I'd be nearly as fulfilled as I feel now.”LIsten to the rest in the podcast.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A great many fisherfolk once worked out of Whaletown. The Cortes Island Museum’s list goes back to the 1930s, at which point there were 7 men and a woman. Three of them used rowboats. “There used to be a huge fleet rafted out, both six and seven abreast all along both sides of the dock, in Whaletown. In the last 10 years or so, there's only been three or four boats in there, fishing. The main one that I know of in the last little while is the ‘C-Fin,’ but he goes outside of the Vancouver Island area and fishes tuna. When he comes back he doesn't sell it to a fisheries, he sells it from the dock, and the same with his prawns. So he's not using a middle man to sell his products, which I suppose is one of the few ways you could make a little bit of money now,“ said Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum, in the latest instalment of her history of Whaletown.Early fisherfolk based in WhaletownThe first name on the list of commercial fisherfolk from Whaletown is Frank Tooker, who had a rowboat named ‘Lone Star’ in the 30’s.Lynne Jordan: “Fishing was sort of secondary to the main Whaletown occupation of logging, but there were a lot of fishermen that came up from the Lower Mainland and Victoria to base themselves out of Whaletown because the fishing was good in the Desolation Sound area, particularly between Cortes and Quadra Islands.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Despite the heavy snowfall Wednesday, at least 100 people are believed to have attended the open house for Rainbow Ridge affordable housing development in Mansons Hall. “We were really happy with the turnout considering the weather, the snow and the road conditions. We decided to go ahead with the event regardless because we had special guests including Ian Scott, who was coming all the way from Victoria. He's our development consultant and he was in Campbell River for other meetings. He made it to Cortes through the snow. The island roads were plowed and salted to help people, including me, get all the way from Squirrel Cove as well as the Klahoose drummers who made it to the event to help open up the presentation,” said Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.“ We had an open house that went from three in the afternoon until six in the evening. We thought that would be a good time to get the parents who were picking up their kids from school, but even the school closed and had a snow day. I think a lot of people who walked lived in the Manson's landing area, and of course are interested to know what's going to happen in their neighborhood. The roads were actually really well plowed and salted, so there were more people out there than we thought. Many of them sat through the five o'clock presentation as well.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Bruce Ellingson is this year's recipient of this year’s Jo Anne Green Award. Every year, the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) give this to a Cortes Islander who has made a significant contribution to the environmental wellbeing of the community. “I'm just going to tell you a little bit about Jo Ann Green. So Jo Ann Green was an exemplary environmentalist who came to Cortes in 1969, and she immediately became involved in social environmental activities on the island,” explained Helen Hall, Eecutive Director of FOCI. “She was a leader in the formation of Friends of Cortes Island, and she was an active homemaker in support of home services on the island too. She represents the spirit of Cortes Island's resilience and it's residents recognition of the vital importance of the natural environment. In recognition of all of that, we developed the Jo Ann Green Award in 2001.”“So it's been running now for well over 20 years, and I'm delighted to say that this year's winner is Bruce Eliingsen, who has worked tirelessly for the natural environment on the island, particularly through his work in eco Forestry and I would just like to read out his nomination.” “Bruce Ellingsen consistently and humbly, year after year, commits himself to better forestry practices on Cortes and supports the community in various other ways. Watching him work on the perimeter fence around the natural burial area at Manson's cemetery for close to two months, putting in posts and rails that he purchased. So the cemetery can be a place where trees grow, is just another example of his steady and cheerful dedication. So ,well done to Bruce.” Bruce Ellingsen: “Thank you very much for that, Helen. That's a great honor for me to be awarded this Jo Ann Green Award. Having known her and interacted with her in her early days on the island.” “It was probably shortly after she arrived on Cortes, when Raven Lumber came to start their logging on the South Point Road area in 1979, and that certainly engaged all of the Cortes community and the concerns around the rapid change to the island environment with the modern harvesting activities that were going on over that period and into the eighties. We engaged in ongoing discussions about the impact of it, how people felt about it, mostly at Gorge Hall. We put out a survey that we had a very good response to and generated something approaching 80% consensus in the long run, after all of these discussions, that Cortes community wanted to be actively involved in the management of the forest on Cortes as broadly as possible.”“That's continued, I feel comfortable in saying that support of around 80% of the population for what we're doing with the eco Forestry approach and getting the community forest in the long run in partnership with the Klahoose First Nation has been a very good start to the island community, taking control of management of the forest on the island and that'll be continuing and hopefully be broadened in the coming years.”Cortes Currents: Do you want to say a couple of words about the natural burial site? Bruce Ellingsen: “Yes, I will, Well, after Ginny passed in 2019, I naturally was focused much more on the end of life period, which I'm into now, not knowing exactly when I might clock out as sometimes is said, and my days as a human on this beautiful earth of ours.” “With all the thoughts of my own and conversations with other people, sharing ideas about end of life and what comes and goes in a lifetime I'm very comfortable with my body being endured in the natural burial site as opposed to six feet down in the conventional burial site within the Manson Cemetery.”
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - According to the government’s 2022 Climate Change Accountability Report, B.C. is currently on course to meet 85% of its emissions targets for 2025.“We are making progress. I don’t want to discount the effort the provincial governement has made, but they've made very clear climate commitments and they're very clearly not on track to meet them,” explained Peter McCartney of the Wilderness Committee. “Every year the BC government is required by law to put out climate accountability reports that show their progress towards meeting emission targets. We have consistently not been on track to meet the climate commitments that the provincial government has made. This year we see that again. We are about 15% of the way from meeting our targets in 2025.” He added, “There’s only a few short years to make up that gap, but also even that number is a little misleading because a lot of these Projections that they make are based on assumptions and not actual policies that are imminent or in place. They just sort of say that they'll be reducing so much from oil and gas or from transportation without actually knowing what the policies to do that are going to be.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Assuming they don’t get snowed out, Cortes Literacy is holding a mandatory training for their new Rabuten Kobo e-readers today. Manda Aufochs Gillespie explained this is connected to Cortes Island’s new book club. Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “This book club is a hybrid of just another community organized volunteer 'Let's everybody pitch in book club' like we have seen multiple times before on Cortes and an attempt to blend with a program that Cortes Literacy is doing with Rabuten Kobo, which brings 20 digital eReaders into our community to loan and reuse, as well as a subscription to the Kobo Plus book library. They basically saw a need in rural and remote communities. People had no access to books during COVID. Libraries shut down, community halls shut down, schools shut down, and people in these remote communities had no access to books and reading material.”“I thought, oh my goodness, this is exactly the thing that we need for our community. I was so distressed about that lack of access to reading material during COVID. So I put in an application and we now have 20 Kobo e-readers on the island and that we get to use for those in the book club who want to use them.”Cortes Currents: How many books are there in the system?Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “Apparently, it's thousands. I will say that the Kobo Plus subscription seems to focus on new releases, and so I find that it works best if you blend your Kobo Plus subscription on your Kobo with your public library card. This allows you access to all the books that the library has digitally accessible, as well as the Kobo plus subscription books. This is a great way to go. Anybody with a Kobo eReader or other eReader device can use their library card to basically check books out of the library like you would, except for their digital books.” Cortes Currents: Is there some kind of payment plan involved?Manda Aufochs Gillespie: “No.”Cortes Currents: No? It's free?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new study published by the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, states that 70% of the samples taken from 56 fish farms had PRV-1.One of the co-authors is independent biologist Alexandra Morton, who explained, “The study was my concept and I funded a lot of the analysis and did a lot of the sampling myself. It was truly collaborative with Clayoquot Action sampling the Farms in Clayoquot Sound. An extraordinary man, Dr. Neil Fraser from Powell River got in his speed boat and went to the central coast. The Wild Fish Conservancy down in Washington State, sampled farms there. So it was a sustained effort by a lot of people, and then Dr. Gideon Mordecai did the analysis of the relationship between the different strains that we picked up.”Cortes Currents reached out to Dr Mordecai, lead author of this paper and a Research Associate with the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at UBC. He is currently on vacation but emailed that he will be ‘happy to chat’ after he returns. I also wrote the BC Salmon Farmers Association and was provided with a few immediate observations from Brian Kingzett, their Director of Science and Policy. I will read these out after discussing some of the findings of this paper.Some of the Discovery Island sites where Morton and her colleagues took samples are also within our broadcast area. So I asked Morton for any details she had about Raza Island, which is off the Northern tip of Cortes Island, and the Okisollo Channel, which is between Quadra and Sonora Islands.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Explore the magic of scientific storytelling with the creators and scientists from the Hakai Institute who join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Cortes Island Academy students on this Friday's Folk U Radio at 1 p.m.We will discuss science communication done well and Hakai's new short video series.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It is November 26 and there are still no Chum Salmon in Basil Creek. Normally they would have returned a month ago, but there was a prolonged drought this year. While the water level has risen, there are still no fish.“It's getting to be late for Chum, but we're seeing other populations come in late. We might see Chum return into the next few weeks, it's very possible. This year is definitely characterized by a lot of weird conditions,” said Matthew Clarke, DFO’s Head for stock assessment in North Vancouver Island north from Black Creek to Cape Caution, which is actually on the Mainland. His area also includes Cortes and Quadra Islands. In this morning’s story Clarke gives an overview of the salmon returns throughout his area, as well three reasons why the late return on Basil Creek might not be as disastrous as it sounds.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - ‘Giving Tuesday’ is just five days away. The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society (FTCCIS) is trying to raise $10,000 for the valuation and assessment which will hopefully lead to their purchasing two parcels of forest. There are actually several components to this story. This morning we are going to talk to two young women involved with the new Children’s Forest Video made for this fund raising drive.
Mark Vonesch - I am grateful we have such a competent volunteer fire department on Cortes.
The November 23 incident was a scary reminder of how important it is to have effective emergency response on our island.
I ran into Eli McKenty, our Interim Fire Chief, and asked if he would share what happened:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Whaletown Commons, on Cortes Island, is growing. A 9½ acre parcel of forest is being added to the northwest corner of this Regional Park.
At their November 23 Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board passed the motion to annex this parcel of Crown land in less than two minutes.
The principal voice in the audio clip taken from that meeting is SRD Chair Mark Baker, who quickly ran through the motions to suspend a second and third reading to the final vote.
If you listen very carefully, you might be able to hear Baker acknowledging Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch moving that Bylaw 479, to authorize the aquisition of this property, be adopted. Director Julie Colborne added, “I’ll second that.” The motion carried with no opposition.
The story actually began more than four years ago. Former Regional Director Noba Anderson brought forward the motion to ask the province for this parcel at the Board’s June 20, 2018, meeting.
One of the main trails in the park runs through a 3.87 hectare (9½ acre) parcel of crown land, butting up to the northwest corner of the park.
The staff report states, “In order to ensure the Whaletown Commons trail system remains intact into the future and to protect the natural attributes of the Crown land parcel, which are similar to that of Whaletown Commons, staff is recommending adding this parcel of land to the park.”
The estimated cost of this aquisition was $450, for application and reistration fees, to be taken from the Electoral Area B community parks budget.
The Province of British Columbia approved the SRD’s application to occupy this parcel of land, and provided a license of occupation.
Cortes Island residents contributed $75,000 towards the purchase of Whalteown Commons in 2014. At that time, Hubert Havalar explained why it is important to the community.
“ It's just a wonderful habitat area for wildlife, including the fish, certainly lots of deer. We know that it's a major corridor for cougar and wolf especially. It's a green space that connects the north end of Cortes Island with that area south of the roads, Channel Rock, and out towards Marina Island. The wolf activity there is well documented. There were certainly those environmental habitat reasons for protecting an area like that. There were the social reasons of its geographical centeredness on the community, and certainly we thought if the community could possibly purchase that property, it would afford us a very long term access to whatever we wanted to do.”
There is now another 9.5 acres to do it in.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society, had two important news updates.
Firstly, she has some more details about the Open House, for the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project, at Mansons Hall on November 30.
“That's Wednesday, one week away and it'll be an open house style meeting where people can drop in any time between 3 in the afternoon and 6 in the evening. We're encouraging people to stop in after they pick up their kids from school, or stop in on their way home from work,” explained Wood.
“We're going to have lots of interesting information for people to look at, which will include our new site plans, the new town home plans. People can look at the floor plan layouts of the one, two, and three bedroom town homes. We'll have our landscape plan, our storm water plan. We'll have a number of our directors and staff there to help answer questions and to record any ideas that people have that they'd like to share with us. We're going to do a short formal presentation at 5:00. So people can also stay for that event and we're going to have lots of fun activities for the children. We will have arts and crafts projects to entertain the kids and we will have some games, prizes and door prizes - as well as the Home Book, which is poetry and short stories about Cortes that will be available for sale if people are looking for stocking stuffers, and a really nice gift to ship away to friends and family.”
She also had news about the Gregg Road real estate sale.
“Exciting news! The Cortes Community Housing Society has sold a one acre commercial property in downtown Manson's Landing. It's on the corner of Sutil Point Road and Gregg Road.The new owner is Richard Andrews, who many people will know as a local builder and contractor, as well as entrepreneur,” said Wood.
“My understanding is that Richard is planning to build a commercial building on the main floor and a rental apartment up above. So that's an exciting prospect for the community to have some more business space within the Manson's Landing core, in addition to another rental apartment within walking distance of the shops and services.”
“The great news is that the Cortes Community Housing Society was able to get our asking price, and we have now an extra $200,000 to put towards the Rainbow Ridge Housing Project. So that's good news all around. Thank you especially to the donor, a local owner of that property, who donated it to the Housing Society with the express desire that it be used to help build more rental housing on Cortes.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents The Cortes Community Housing Society has just released a video about the design work they have completed, with the help of Iredale Architecture, on the Rainbow Ridge project.
“ We're very lucky to have Bill Weaver, the video maker on our board of directors. Bill is actually our vice president and one of the things he's so gifted at is capturing video and photos. One of the things he's been trying to do since the beginning of the project is really record the process that the housing society has gone through,” said Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Housing Society.
“I think Bill has done a beautiful job in capturing footage along the way and really trying to demonstrate the care and thought that we're putting into this project. The experts that we've invited as our architects and landscape designers and stormwater designers, are people who we really felt understood Cortes and could add something of value to our community and bring an environmental sensitivity to the project.”
The video starts out with Richard Iredale, of Iredale Architecture saying, “Islands can tend to become only accessible to either the very young or the very prosperous. So the idea of affordable housing in a more rural community is intriguing because making housing available to people of all ages and all income brackets strengthens that community. I partly lived on Mayne Island for a big chunk of my life, so I've had a firsthand sense of what it's like to participate and volunteer and feel like you can make a difference.”
His firm has done a lot of work in the Gulf Islands, as well as downtown Vancouver.
Wood added, “Things like the landscape plan are not just about making the property pretty for the future tenants, the landscaping will have an actual function on the property because we're all living in a watershed. The things that we need to put in place on Rainbow Ridge are critical to ensuring the lakes are protected and the whole neighborhood continues to be a really healthy and beautiful ecology. This will be our third attempt to get government funding to start construction. I think we'll be better prepared now than we've ever been before as far as having more of the planning and design work done in advance, and to have a budget that's really solid and professionally costed in today's dollars.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Children’s Forest Trust has just released an incredible video, as part of fundraiser that will end of Tuesday November 29, 2022.
As the audio is strong enough to stand on its’ own, that is today’s program.
If you live on Cortes, you may recognise a few of these people by their voices: Al Huuskonen, Andy Ellingsen, Bruce Ellingsen, Christine Robinson, Daniel Tucker. Emma Mathieu, Kai Harvey, Kiera Tsaknoas, Paul Stamets, Tosh Harvey, Tzeporah Berman and Zyla Schmidt.
While you can imagine the trees, streams and animals in that video, it is not the same as seeing them. So I have embedded a link to the film on Cortes Currents, but you will also find it on the Cortes Childrens Forest Trust website.
As many of you know, the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society is attempting to purchase five parcels of land from Mosaic Forest Management.
This has been a breakthrough year in that Mosaic hsa now placed three of these parcels into a carbon offset program that will provide protection for the next 25 years, during which the Society will to continue to raise funds to pursue them. purchase of these parcels.
Negotiations are currently ongoing for the remaining two parcels.
The Children's Forest Trust released this film inhopes of raising $10,000 to pay for the valuation and assessment needed for the final stage of negotiations. Donations to the Children's Forest Trust (FTCCIS) are fully tax-deductible and you will be provided with a receipt for that purpose.
They are also offering a copy of Forest Alphabet: Artistic Visions of a Forest in Trust to the Children, written by their alumni in 2010, to all who make a donation of $100 or more.
You can find a link to the donation page on the Cortes Children’s Trust website, or the written version of this article.
as well as where you can make a donation, but you can also find it on the Cortes Childrens Forest Trust website
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - It’s pretty common knowledge that we have a housing crisis on Cortes. In fact, there’s a “housing crisis” in many — perhaps most — popular or attractive places in North America and Europe right now. One of the factors often mentioned is AirBnB. This phenomenon (AirBnB now has global impact and qualifies as a Phenomenon!) vividly illustrates the predicament of “good for one is not necessarily good for all” — also sometimes known as “smart for one, dumb for all”.
A classic case of negative returns: the urban car A more familiar example of this predicament might be the private automobile. The automobile is a highly desirable technology: it offers a combination of freedom, comfort and convenience that any human would find hard to resist. It can travel faster than a horse-drawn carriage and is (these days) simpler to operate. It keeps us dry and warm while in transit, and we can come and go as we please without having to check train or bus schedules. It’s hardly surprising that once the price point fell sufficiently (hat tip to Mr Ford), everyone wanted one.
But… as with most magic-carpet stories, there’s a catch. If enough people within a limited area (like a city!) all want and obtain private automobiles, the utility of those automobiles (and the amenity of the city as a whole) starts to degrade. There are diminishing returns, and finally negative returns, as their popularity (and our investment in them) increases. In the 70’s it was estimated that the time to transit any major US city by car had fallen back to something just below horse and buggy speed; this was due to “traffic congestion,” or more plainly put, too many cars. The car had been so successful that it was undermining its own utility.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The boats stored along the shoreline in Mansons Landing Provincial Park have been given a reprieve.
For the 15 most derelict vessels, this means another 30 days before they are removed by BC Parks. Cortes Currents followed three Park Rangers down the beach to watch them tag their first vessel, a fibreglass dinghy with holes torn out of its bottom. Another derelict vessel was being used as the roof of a crude shelter in the trees.
There were a total of 57 boats in the park when the rangers arrived last month. Some have since been removed, but there are still a considerable number on the beach. Most of them look seaworthy.
Half a dozen community members had a long but amiable conversation with the rangers in the parking lot. It was immediately apprarent that this was a complex issue that may take years to fully resolve.
While it is now clear that the boats will all eventually have to be moved outside of the park, it is not certain when.
Someone pointed out that the neighbouring summer homes were only accessible by water and their owners had been leaving their boats on the beach. This brought up another problem. They are not allowed to leave their vehicles in the parking lot overnight.
What are the boundaries of the park?
Mike Manson, a retired surveyor and descendant of the family that once owned the park, brought a map depicting the Ministry of Transportation land. He and the Rangers proceeded to plot out its dimentions.
Another question is how does the dock at Mansons Landing fit into this discussion.
Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick explained the dock’s future is tentative at this point.
“The mandate of small craft harbours is to support the commercial fishing industry across Canada. It owns, operates and maintains harbours that it considers core to the commercial fishing and agriculture industry. So any facilities that it does not consider core are then considered for divestiture. In the case of the Manson's dock, it is on the 10 year divestiture list, which means that within the next 10 years, it is possible that it may be considered for divestiture.”
The larger question was whether it will be possible to find a place for the boats outside of the park but close to the water. A couple of ideas were discussed, but nothing definite settled upon.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Learn more about sociocracy, a holistic governance system, and its uses externally and internally as Tamias joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and teens from the Cortes Island Academy Tools for TruthTelling podcasting course in this special Folk U Radio episode.
Sociocracy as a form of governance uses consent decision-making and a linked circle structure to distribute power through an organization while supporting efficiency and clarity.
Tamias is practicing using sociocracy to organize the parts of its own psyche, and that turns out to be a powerful self-therapy technique with some unexpected lessons to offer.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Eli McKenty had been Cortes Island’s Interim Fire Chief for 15 days when I interviewed him. He was actually the Department’s preferred choice as Fire Chief five months ago, but turned the job down, so they hired someone from Alberta. After five months of a six month trial period, the Cortes Island Fire Department came to the conclusion that ‘aspects of Dave Ives’ leadership style were at odds with the culture of our fire department’ and he was dismissed. McKenty agreed to be the Fire Chief until they can find a replacement.
“I've been a member of the Cortes Fire Department for a little over eight years. I've really enjoyed my time on the Fire Department, I think that it's great to be able to serve the community,” he explained.
“ Fire Departments in British Columbia can operate at one of three levels. There are Exterior Firefighting Departments, Interior Firefighting Departments, and Full Service Departments. Most departments in small rural communities are Exterior Operations Fire Departments, which has always been the case for Cortes.”
“Under our Contract with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), we are not required to train for or go into burning buildings. Our Department is not supposed to be required to go into a burning building. We can go into a building where there's been a kitchen fire, a chimney fire, or we can go in and check for extensions into attic spaces, and so on.”
“That is our contracted service level, but it doesn't say that if we are properly trained and equipped we can't enter burning buildings. To the extent that we have the volunteers who are committed to the training and we have the proper equipment, we can choose to provide interior services on a case by case basis.”
“We have a goal of training members who are able to commit the time and effort to the point where in the future we would have enough trained members to conduct interior operations if we had to. But it's a fairly advanced level compared to exterior operations and is not a service that this department has previously offered that I'm aware of.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to Lynn Jordan, former president of the Cortes Island Museum, there have been telephones on Cortez Island for more than 110 years. They arrived in 1910, along with telegraphs, but only in the stores.
“Telegrams were really cheap. They were so much for 10 words and so much for a hundred words. People got really good at confining their messages to 10 words. Telegraphs that came in for people were just put in an envelope and then pinned on the bulletin board at the store. Then they either had to check themselves or a friend would tell them that there was a message there for them,” she said.
There are two slightly different accounts of the early phone service arrival in the Cortes Island Museum’s history booklets. The Mansons Landing volume states telegraph and hand crank phone services went into the stores at Mansons Landing, Seaford, Squirrel Cove and Whaletown in 1910.
The Squirrel Cove booklet states:
“David and Mary Forest lived with their children in a tent in 1912 near Mansons Landing, while he scouted out the best spot to settle. He chose Squirrel Cove to build his home with a small store on the front. By 1914 David Forest had built a wharf in front of his home. The following year he built a small post office close to the family wharf.”
Telephones started going into private residents not long after that.
“Going back to the Mary Island logging family, in the 1920s they had a crank phone on the wall in their house. There was nobody from British Columbia telephone who came to string the lines or anything. It was all done by locals and work bees and they strung the lines on poles in some cases, but also they used the trees,” said Jordan.
“Ned Breeze and his wife, Eliza, who lived right on the shallow side of the entrance into Gorge Harbor, had a crank phone in their house in the late twenties. The line for that was strung from the Northeast corner where Ben Fulton lives today. It's at the bottom of the hill where Hanson Creek comes in and the road has two little bridges over the creek. It would've gone along the shore all the way out to the entrance of the Gorge Harbor and it was strung on trees all the way out there. There was nobody else living on that side at that time. There was later, but they would've had phones added in from the same line.”
Four phone networks sprung up, in connection with the regular Union Steamship stops at Whaletown, Mansons Landing, Squirrel Cove and Cortes Bay. There was no operator and participating households could only phone people within their network. (i.e.,- someone in Whaletown could not phone Mansons, etc.)
Eventually, Jordan believes it was during the 1930s, radio phones were installed on Union Steamships so they could notify ports when they expected to arrive.
She told the story of a Mr. Hawkins, who lived at the mouth of Mansons Lagoon, who was shipping hundreds of eggs to hotels in Vancouver every week. So he had a phone strung across the lagoon, from the Mansons Landing Store, to his house.
One day a new float plane pilot delivering some passengers from Campbell River, found a crowd of people cheering him when he pulled up to the dock at Mansons Landing.
“It was evening and the light wasn't all that good. So he came in and everybody who happened to be around there, people on boats and people from the store, everybody came down to the dock to welcome him. They gave him a round of applause and started congratulating him. He had no idea why they were doing this. He had actually flown underneath the phone line that Hawkins had strung across the entrance which at that time did not have any markers on it. Very shortly after that, there were markers hung on that line, but nobody had told him about the line. He just came in really low to land,” said Jordan.
She does not know when the old crank telephone system ceased, but believes it was probably more of gradual phase out.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - As Currents recently reported, homelessness is not just “an American thing,” or “a big-city thing,” or even “a Vancouver Island thing.” Homelessness is also here on Cortes, where a recent survey found that about 50 people rated their housing situation as “unstable,” and 11 were living rough (with no permanent shelter, in tents or other makeshift accommodation).
Although “housing” might sound like a single issue, it has has knock-on effects throughout our community.
Homelessness contributes significantly to the “derelict boat” problem haunting Cortes’ harbours and other waterfronts. Lack of affordable housing contributes significantly to the difficulty island businesses face in hiring adequate staff. Lack of affordable housing contributes to a shortage of the basic support services that many of Cortes’ older and more secure residents need as they age in place: firewood, gardening, gutter and roof cleaning, etc. Lack of affordable housing closes off options, leaving some women unable to leave abusive domestic situations. Though a relatively small number of Cortes residents are housing-insecure, the phenomenon of housing insecurity affects us all.
In Campbell River, homelessness increasingly impacts the downtown area, troubling shoppers and frustrating business owners. Some homeless people suffer from mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and/or PTSD. Their behaviour can be erratic and sometimes alarming. They are, on the other hand, also uniquely vulnerable to theft, harassment and violence — as in the recent, scandalous incidents in which Campbell River teens attacked homeless people.
Throughout BC, municipalities are struggling with “the homeless problem.”
Photo by Nachelle Nocom on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Efficiency Canada has just released its 2022 Canadian Energy Efficiency scorecard and British Columbia leads the rankings for the fourth year in a row.
“BC’s updated climate plan includes several nation leading policies. Now the province needs to implement them,” it states in the report. The province scored 55 out of 100 possible points. It was followed by Nova Scotia and Quebec, which were given 50 and 48 points respectively. Alberta, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan were given the lowest marks.
The updated CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 calls for all new buildings to be net zero carbon and all new space and water heating equipment to be at least 100% efficient by 2030. All new home sale listings are to include an energy efficiency label and BC is adopting the PACE system, which allows homeowners to finance energy upgrades through their property taxes.
There is also an accelerated zero-emission vehicle mandate; and a proposed cap on GHG emissions from natural gas utilities “While BC scores high on buildings, transportation, and industry, it remains in the middle for energy efficiency programs.”
“Both BC Hydro and FortisBC (electric) opted away from the most aggressive cost-effective energy savings scenarios in their latest long-term resource plans, emphasizing the risk of missing these targets due to lack of participation. However, higher savings targets are in line with BC Hydro’s “accelerated electrification scenario” wherein the province meets its net-zero emission goals. Planned caps on natural gas utility GHG emissions should also call for a ramp-up in natural gas savings.
“There is a risk that utilities are not fully aligned with the province’s net-zero goals. The province’s electricity and natural gas savings goals are not high by Canadian or North American standards.”
BC’s average annual electricity savings target in 2021 were only half those of Nova Scotia, and far less than many American states. Similarly, natural gas savings from utility programs were only a quarter of the rate achieved by California.
“BC policymakers should be asking themselves how they can achieve more aggressive energy savings without creating undue uncertainty for utility system planners.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -A new report comissioned by the Wilderness Committee and Sierra Club BC found that Federal and Provincial government policy gaps have rendered their protection of species at risk ineffective.
“Our study looked at terrestrial and freshwater vertebrate species in BC We needed to refine the scope a little bit just because there are so many species at risk in BC In order to do this analysis, we had to sort of narrow in on a few species to be representative. In total, we had 64 species. Of the 64 species, only two of them have had their critical habitat mapped by the deadlines. The remaining 97% have experienced critical habitat mapping delays anywhere from two to 18 years. And then there's 16 of the 64 species that still don't even have their critical habitat mapped,” explained Charlotte Dawe of the Wilderness Committee.
“For example, the spotted owl: despite them requiring critical habitat maps over 18 years ago, they still don't have those maps and, because of this delay, logging has continued in their habitat unabated. There's now only one known spotted owl left in the wild. This is a very sad but obvious example of how delays in critical habitat mapping can drive extinction of a species.”
Dawe said that after the recovery strategy for an endangered species comes out, the government has one year to produce the critical habitat map. In the case of ‘threatened species,’ they have two years.
A spokesperson from BC's new Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship emailed Cortes Currents that they have not had time to study the report and it would be premature to respond to specific questions.
He reaffirmed the government’s intention to implement the 'Together for Wildlife Strategy' as well as all 14 recommendations of the independent panel’s old growth strategic review report, including Recommendation #2 to “declare the conservation and management of ecosystem health and biodiversity of British Columbia’s forests as an overarching priority and enact legislation that legally establishes this priority for all sectors.”
“We were hoping to do a deep dive into basically all of the laws in BC that can help protect species at risk. So this also included the Federal Species at Risk Act and how it is working to protect or not protect species at risk in BC, but then also, we know that the provincial government relies on saying that we have a number of different laws that add up to offer protection to species at risk under their jurisdiction of what they manage. What we found is that these laws leave huge gaps that allow species at risk to continue to plummet to extinction,” said Dawe.
“For example, the Forest & Range Practices Act is something that BC commonly says helps protect species at risk, but Companies aren't even required to survey for species at risk before they lay out a cut block boundary.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - Walk With Me’ returns to Campbell River on Wednesday November 16, 2022. Participants will sit in a circle, while the organizers descibe the project and explain the explain the context of the stories they are about to hear. Then they will go on a walk, listening to a 40-minute-long audio on a headset. (There are static options for people with mobility issues.) After the walk is over, everyone will return to Spirit Square and reflect upon what they heard.
“We exist in a public health emergency that has taken the lives of 30,000 Canadians and many of whom are my friends. I've dealt with friends dying for the last 10 years to the toxic drug poisoning crisis, and it's conducive society community to do what it is able to do to prevent the loss of life and to prevent suffering needlessly,” explained Christopher Hauschild, a Research Administrative Coordinator with the project.
Project Director Sharon Karsten added, “We’re building relationships across divides, inviting people to think about the gravity of the crisis and about potential solutions in these small cities. I think really key in all of this work are notions of collective health and wellness and how can this be achieved in our small communities? Certainly there's a rise in housing prices, a rise in numbers of people experiencing homelessness in these small places. With those numbers rising comes a rise in community tensions around downtown cores, and around public space. All of these tensions tend to sit under the surface and boil away. They need to be addressed in some way through a dialogue, through civic engagement, through better understanding, through human connection. That's the work of this project is to facilitate those understandings, those connections, those relationships that we hope will lead to transformation.”
This is not the first time they came to Campbell River. There was a walk in the fall of 2021.
Campbell River’s next ‘Walk with Me’ takes place from 10:30am-12pm, and 12:30-2 p.m. on November 16. Anyone wishing to participate is invited ito Spirit Square.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When temperatures plummeted to −20° last year, SRD Emergency Coordinator Shaun Koopman stepped in to make arrangements for Campbell River’s homeless population to be sheltered in the city’s community centre. The SRD intervened again last week, but at their November 9 meeting the Board decided this was a Campbell River problem.
As Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch put it, “When it comes to the shelters, then the direction we have is that the Regional District is not going to do anything. I'm not saying that these groups won't approach us and we'll communicate with the city, but we have no authority.”
Former City Councilor and newly elected Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl explained, “For the last four years on council, this has been a last minute thing every year and each year the SRD comes to the city and wants to use the community center. This year, same thing. I was hoping that maybe something had happened over the last year, but clearly nothing has. We had 24 hours notice that the SRD was asking if the community center could again be used as a shelter and programming that was already prescheduled had to be canceled to make it available.”
The SRD vote came in response to a Campbell River Coalition to End Homelessness request ‘that the Strathcona Regional District consider becoming the operator for BC Housing contracts for temporary and extreme weather shelters in the Regional District.’
Their letter states:
“Until 2021, Campbell River non-profit organizations have provided these services. As the population of unhoused individuals and families increases, our partner organizations no longer have the physical or human resources to open these critical services on their own.”
“These programs are periodic rather than ongoing, therefore existing agencies who are currently struggling with staffing and resource issues cannot meet this surge in demand. We believe the sustainability needed to operate Extreme Weather/Temporary Shelters lies with a government body.”
“BC Housing is eager to open these shelters — almost wherever capacity and need exists. The Campbell River community has worked collaboratively in the last two years to develop and coordinate a community response that is nimble, flexible, and meets all regulatory and safety requirements.”
“We hope the Regional District will consider becoming the Operator in Campbell River as a starting point to develop systems and expertise for any community in the region that needs to open a temporary shelter. This would include budget development, signing the contract with BC Housing, recruitment, training and hiring staff, and financial administration.”
Rene LaBoucane, SRD manager of Strategic Initiatives, informed the board, “The coalition is seeking a longer term sustainable approach and has requested that the SRD manage and coordinate contracts with BC housing and work with the community to deliver services. We've had some initial discussions and basically want to get some direction from the board as to our next steps and if we further research the request.”
SRD staff presented two options to the board: (A) They could give staff direction to prepare a report on the possibility of operating homeless shelters, or (B) The SRD could advise the coalition that the SRD is not prepared to take on the responsibility for operating homeless shelters at this time.
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island just passed a major hurdle on the road to adopting a 3% tax on short term rentals. In the first meeting of the new board, the Strathcona Regional District unanimously voted to write a letter of support, which will accompany the Cortes Community Housing Society’s application to the provincial government for a Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT).
“We won't know if it's put in place until the province approves our application, but we're hoping that it will be in place by June or July of 2023,” said Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.
Cortes Island's new Director, Mark Vonesch, explained, “This is a tax that affects all short term rentals on Cortes, whether you do that through Airbnb or other online platforms, or you rent your place out privately. It also applies to the ‘hotels’ on Cortes, which are the Gorge Harbour Marina, the Cortes Island Motel and Hollyhock. In order for this application to be submitted, you need at least 50% support from the ‘hotels’ on the island. We were really fortunate to have Hollyhock, the Gorge and the Motel all sign on. Part of my argument to the Regional District is, ‘Look, there’s the support from 100% of all the ‘hotels’ on Cortes!”
If the Government approves the housing society’s application, people booking a short term rental anywhere on Cortes will pay a hotel tax. This will be collected by the ‘hotel’ or Airbnb, which sends it to the government, who passes it over to the Cortes Housing Society.
Vonesch explained that he found housing was the #1 priority mentioned by most Cortes residents.
“We need more rental housing. We need affordable purchase options. If we want to maintain the culture of Cortes, we need to support our businesses and make sure that they have places for their workers to live.”
Wood added that the housing situation changes after tourists discover remote locations like Cortes Island. The Airbnb and vacation rental market is more lucrative than providing year round rental accommodation to locals. This has created a shortage of housing.
At their inaugural meeting on November 9, Vonesch told the incoming Strathcona Regional District Board that the proposed MRDT would help finance the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project on Cortes Island. The Cortes Housing Society has already raised $1.6 million from the community and purchased the land. They want to build 24 one, two, and three bedroom units. There is a huge demand for affordable housing on Cortes, and 150 people are already on the waiting list for the 16 units that will be rented out at below market prices. The other 8 units will be used for professionals.
“One of our challenges is that we have a clinic, but we don't have places to put doctors and nurses,” explained Vonesch.
He added while the Rainbow Ridge project seems ambitious, the Cortes Housing Society has already proven themselves. Units in the Senior’s Village which they completed in 2020 are currently being rented out for $535 a month, or one-third of the tenant’s income.
“What I'm asking is that the SRD provide a letter of support for the application that we're making,” he said. “My opinion is there's zero risk to the SRD for writing this letter of support. The worst case scenario is that this application goes into the BC government, and they say, ‘Nope, sorry, we're not going to implement it.’ Best case scenario, they're going to say, ‘Yes. We're going to raise an estimated $50,000 a year that’s going to provide a revenue for Cortes to put towards community housing.”
The new SRD Chair, Ron Kerr, was quick to endorse the proposal, “Thank you Director Vonesch for bringing this to us. It sounds like a great initiative. I think you presented it really well and I think this is an opportunity to really show what this board can do and not drag things on, but try and move them forward.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The new Strathcona Regional District Board was sworn in on Wednesday, November 9.
“10 of the 14 directors on the Stratcon Regional District Board are new. So there's been a huge changeover, you do have some folks with experience in there, but it's a new place to work and, my initial experiences with folks is that people are approaching this job with a really open mind, a willingness to work together, cooperative attitudes and it's really great,” explained Mark Vonesch, the new Regional Director for Cortes Island.
Prior to swearing them in, Judge Barbara Flewelling reminded the directors of the common issues throughout the district. The need for affordable housing is probably on the top of everyone’s list. Homelessness is a major issue everywhere. In many areas, long drives are involved to reach anything from groceries to a bank. Rural areas do not have adequate internet service, which is why the Connected Coast project came into being. There aren’t enough BC ambulance first responders and shortages of medical caregivers is resulting in many closures. There is a widespread labour shortage and climate change appears to be upon us.
“That's a pretty daunting list, but don't be discouraged. What I wanted to say was I was struck by the many common goals that you are all facing and shared by your districts, even though they each have their own unique needs and priorities. There are many challenges that such a large and diverse area presents, and it will require leadership and teamwork and collaboration to work together for the good of the land and the communities and the people who live in your areas who live in this land. I was happy to see there are many new faces with new ideas this year, and that's encouraging,” she said.
Mark Baker, the mayor of Sayward, is the new SRD Chair, “What’s important to me, that I stress up my council back in Sayward is that we work for the betterment of the unit for everybody. It's not ‘us’ that are important, it's the job that we do. That's what's important, and I think it's also very important that we have the opportunity to discuss resolutions and things brought forward to us here. When we have discussion, it's extremely important to view and to express our feelings about what that topic is in front of everybody. That, to me, gives you an open, honest, and transparent government.”
A number of business items were discussed.
Campbell River Director Ron Kerr is the new Vice Chair and will be representing the SRD at the Remembrance Day celebration in Campbell River’s Spirit Square today.
Staff is preparing a tentative 5-year contract between the Regional District and the South Quadra Fire Protection District for operations in north Quadra Island.
The Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness has requested that the SRD become the operator for temporary and extreme weather shelters in the Regional District. After a long debate, which Cortes Currents will report separately, the board decided to advise the coalition that the SRD is not prepared to take on the responsibility for operating homeless shelters at this time.
However the board agreed to write a letter of support for a proposed 3% tax on Cortes Island’s short term rentals. The final decision on this tax will be made by the provincial government, but Robyn Mawhinney, the new Director for Area C, was encouraged by the response this request for support received.
“I think it really sets a great tone for future meetings, that we can recognize when there is a community initiative that needs support and ensure that that happens.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than a third of the 'housing insecure' respondents to the survey on Quadra Island and 15% on Cortes Island were seniors. The percentage was lower throughout the Strathcona Regional District, but a significant number of residents are paying more for rent or mortgages than they can afford. In the second half of an interview with North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, she talks about ways the government can help seniors living below the poverty line.
(As there was room in today’s broadcast and they effect seniors as well as the wider population, she also spoke about GST rebates and carbon pricing.)
“We know across Canada we're definitely hearing from a lot more seniors, probably because we have, of course, an aging population. For Cortes, that's about 27% of people that are over 65 and for Quadra quite a lot higher than that,” Blaney began.
She considers couples earning $30,000 or less to be below the poverty line, ‘because it's pretty hard to live under that amount.’
One of the things that concerned her was the Government’s decision to only increase Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for people over the age of 75.
“The Liberal government has brought this forward and said, ‘Okay, we know that seniors 75 and older are struggling.’ They have a lot of statistics to back that up, and I don't disagree with them,” explained Blaney.
“The problem is it means that they're assuming that every senior between the age of 65 and 74 is fine and dandy and we know that's not the case. If you're a senior who has a severe disability, if you're a senior who has a very modest income, life is not getting better for you and you are really struggling.”
“So it's one of those things where I have to ask the seniors minister, ‘Are you not taking into consideration that if you leave people struggling between the ages of 65 and 74, their health outcomes are going to be a lot worse when they hit 75? So we're really encouraging them not to have a two-tier system. It doesn't make any sense. Just give people who are 65 and older the same amount of OAS as everybody else so that we can nip that in the bud.’”
Another one of the problems that Blaney is concerned about is the 25,000 to 35,000 seniors that are cut off from the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) every year and then reinstated after 3 or 4 months. The problem first came to her attention shortly after Blaney was elected. A woman in her 80’s, who did not know where to turn, phoned the constituency office and said she was about to be evicted from her home. She had been ill during tax season, was a few weeks late getting her taxes in and was consequently cut off from the GIS. Blaney’s Office was able to fast track her reinstatement with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and reassure the woman’s landlord that her rent money was coming.
Since then, every July when the tax assessments come out, Blaney hears from seniors across North Island-Powell River who have been cut off from the GIS.
So she filed a question on the order paper in parliament and received more information about the Canadian seniors who were being cut off.
“Most likely what was happening was seniors were getting their taxes in a little bit late for whatever reason. The stories that I've heard are: somebody is sick, a loved one passes away, they're caring for their partner who is very ill, so many different things.”
So Blaney is filing Motion 70, which calls for a year of grace before seniors are cut off from the GIS.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The situation for 57 boats tagged on the beach in Mansons Landing Provincial Park has changed. They were origiinally to have been destroyed if not moved within 30 days. That was before Lisa Ferentinos spoke with BC Parks Supervisor Thomas Porsborg. Now the removal order only applies to ’15 boats that have been determined to be derelict.’
Ferentinos emailed Cortes Currents,“Photos of the 15 boats will be made available soon through an announcement on Tideline with a link. BC Parks is interested in meeting with community members when they come to the island sometime around the end of November. They will notify us of the date. They can show us the boats to be removed before it happens. We can discuss with them potential areas for storage of boats adjacent to the parking lot. They also need to determine a strategy for reducing the number of boats being stored. Boats can't be kept anywhere they will destroy the coastal strand vegetation that protects the shoreline.”
Porsborg thanked Ferentinos for her interest in resolving this issue, writing “it’s much appreciated.” He also informed her that there are no other BC Parks that have a similar issue with boats being stored on park property, as storage of anything on park property is illegal. However, there are community groups that have partnership agreements with Parks to maintain trails and interpretive sites. Thomas can send us the standard language in an agreement.
If an organization were to make an agreement with Parks for a structure to hold kayaks and canoes, or an area for boat storage, liability insurance would be required and something like an annual registration fee might need to be charged to cover it.
He stated that eventually BC Parks will require that all boats be moved outside the park boundary, but they have no timeframe for this.
The Canadian Coastguard is aware that the derelict boats that may be creating pollution inside the lagoon and at some point they may beome involved in this issue.
Also, the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans is selling off wharves that are not primarily used for fisheries. This includes the dock at Mansons Landing.
Meanwhile BC Parks will be coming to Mansons Landing Prov Park for a walk-about towards the end of November.
You have been listening to a synopsis of Lisa Ferentinos email, which Park Supervisor Thomas Porsborg has seen and commented on.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - The inaugrial meeting of the new Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board occurs today. All of the incoming and re-elected Directors will be sworn in. Both of the two new Directors from our broadcast area, Mark Vonesch and Robyn Mawhinney, will be among them. Cortes Currents spoke to Mawhinney about her preparations to take office.
My days have been very full since the election. I had a seven hour orientation session at the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) office, and I learned from the many different departments what they're working on and how they intersect and can support Area C and Quadra Island. I've had other meetings with other staff members as well, including Tommy Yates, the corporate officer. I've been learning about the options and considerations as I work on how best to achieve the community advisory council that I spoke about during my campaign,” she explained.
“There are issues, of course, which continue from one director to the next, and I'm really grateful for Jim Abrams commitment to a smooth and informed transition. He and I have had several long conversations.”
She’s also been getting emails and phone calls from her constituants.
One of the ideas that she found particularly intriging was trying to come to a strategic alignment with the other Regional Directors, on the issues they want to prioritize over the next four years.
“Many staff decisions are filtered through these strategic priorities and initiatives. I understand that the board will be working together on these in spring 2023, setting the direction for the next four years, and I am looking forward to that,” said Mawhinney.
“It feels to me like each director really has the best interests of their community at heart, and each of the electoral area communities have very different needs and priorities within them.”
Gerald Whally gave the other rural Directors a tour of the Sayward Valley and village last week.
Mawhinney said she is enjoying getting to know the other Directors, and listed their top priorities:
Gerald Whalley (Area A: Sayward to Kyuquot/Nootka) - keeping taxes low and people as unfettered as possible by any sort of regulation. John Rice (Area D: South of Campbell River to Oyster Bay, from the Strait of Georgia to Buttle Lake) - water is important t the whole community Vonesch (Area B: Cortes Island) - who has been wotrking with the Cortes Housing Society on a plan to impose a 3% tax will be asking the SRD for a letter of support to impose a 3% tax on all of Cortes Island’s short term rental units.
Mawhinney was impressed by the fact Vonesch is ready to ask the SRD for a letter of support. If he gets it, the next step will be to approach the provine.
“It was great hearing how far Cortes has come in their work towards affordable housing. I think that here on Quadra we have a lot to learn from Cortes,” she said.
Mawhinney also spoke about Jim Abram’s assistance dealing with the Outer Islands. The SRD has completed a fire brigade study for the Surge Narrows Community Association. They are currentlly assessing whether it meets their needs, or if there's some other option which might meet their needs better.
The SRD is also about to install pumps on the wharfs at Owen Bay and Evans (Sonora Island), Evans Bay (Read Island), Surge Narrows (Read Island) and Port Neville (on the B.C. Mainland). This is a fire protection measure that that Mawhinney inherited from Abram. She learned about at her orientation meeting and the SRD engineer has agreed to let her come along when they do the installation.
“I’m really excited to see Owens Bay and Evans Bay. I visited Surge Narrows four times during my candidacy, but I haven’t had a tchance to explore further,” she said. about I believe that visiting and experiencing a location expands one's understanding and respect for a place, and that I'm really looking forward to it.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - The high school students from the Cortes Island Academy (CortesISlandAcademy.ca) join Folk U host Manda Aufochs Gillespie in a teen takeover of Folk U featuring their favourite songs of the day and a bit of commentary.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to data from the 2016 census, 20% of Quadra Island residents and 27% of Cortes Island residents are paying more for their homes in rent or mortgages than they can afford. More recent studies suggest that a significant number of families throughout the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) are so financially stretched that they are at risk of becoming homeless. 75% of the 'housing insecure' respondents to the ‘Collecting Stories of Where We Live’ survey on Cortes Island, and 33% on Quadra Island, are working. These are some of the people North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney is referring to, when she talks about the need for a bar of dignity.
“One of the things that I'm really passionate about working for in my constituency, and in fact for all of Canada, is this idea of having a bar of dignity. We can't let them go under that,” she told Cortes Currents.
“What we're seeing now is a lot of people falling between the cracks. We see it in our communities, we see it in people who are couch surfing. We see it in people in some of our bigger communities where they're pushing their carts around because that is their home. We're just seeing a lot of working families doing all the right things, just doing everything they're supposed to be doing, and they're not making enough to make ends meet.”
Blaney reiterated the idea that people should not be paying more than 30% of their income on housing.
“If it gets over that, it really leads to a lack of stability which is not good for communities and it's definitely not good for seniors and families,” she explained.
“If people have enough, things like crime go down and community well-being goes up.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Last April, Cortes Island became part of an international monitoring project for Dungeness crab larvae. There were 20 light trap stations stations in the Salish Sea and 17 in the Puget Sound. Three of these traps were within our listening area. Surge Narrows School had a trap on Read Island. The Hakai Institute and Quadra Island community had another on Quadra Island. Kate Maddigan and Mike Moore coordinated volunteers looking after the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) trap in Cortes Bay.
“Hakai and the Pacific Northwest Crab Monitoring Group are working in concert with each other to provide data as to what is happening to the larval Dungeons Crab populations. It's been happening in Puget Sound for a few years. They have about five years of data down. Dungeness Crab fishing is one of the most lucrative and important crab fisheries on the coast. Catches have been diminishing, this is an effort to find out why,” explained Moore.
He added that the first phase of this project came to an end in August.
“Our Cortes Bay trap had very promising results to start with, then the warm fresh water layer moved in. That warm fresh water layer is what makes Desolation Sound so famous and warm for swimming in, but it doesn't support marine life very well. In fact, if you jump into the water, in say July, and swim down sometimes 7 meters that's where you're going to find the moon jelly fish. They're not up in the warm, fresh water. Our trap that floats at the surface was encapsulated by this warm fresh water and our results really diminished.”
They only caught a handful of ‘statistically valuable’ megalope (the stage the young Dungeness Crabs become recognizable as crabs).
“The day we caught the most didn't count. We had pulled the trap, I'd taken off the bottom and emptied it into our container to count. We're looking at the Pipefish and the big Polychaete Worms and all that sort of thing, looking for crab larva,” said Moore
“We didn't find any and then (my son) Fergus Walker, who was with me that day, goes, ‘What's that?’ and I look on the outside of the trap and we counted, I think it was 44 Dungeness Crab megalope. Those are the first ones we caught, but they didn't count because they weren't inside the trap. It's not statistically significant because it weren't inside the trap, but for us it was pretty significant.”
According to the Light Trap Station map, on Hakai’s Sentinels of Change website, 11 Dungeness Crab megalope were caught on Quadra, 20 on Read and 74 on Cortes Island. The teams posted pictures of other larvae they captured on the Hakai website.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -A number of Cortes Island residents recognized a familiar face directing traffic at the Whaletown Ferry terminal last month. Mind you, Mike Moore is better known from the days he sailed the Misty Isles than as the Mate on a BC Ferry. He was in Alert Bay when Cortes Currents caught up to him, but let's go back to the beginning.
“I was waiting in line in Campbell River on a hot May or April day, when I saw in the media how BC fairies was struggling. I was looking over at Quathiaski Cove, seeing the two ferries there, one of which was not running. It's promised to be running, but it wasn't yet and the reason why it isn't is partially because of staffing problems. I just went, ‘Ah man, this is a good form of community service that I can step up to,’” explained Moore.
“I was professionally trained as a Mariner at the Canadian Coast Guard College in Sydney, Nova Scotia after quite a few years of fishing experience here on the West Coast. I did the four year officer Cadet program from 1986 and graduated in1990 and then worked as navigation officer on the Coast Guard ships out of Victoria until 1997, which is when I got out of the Coast Guard and picked up Misty Isles. I believe I received one of the finest educations in maritime science and navigation that you can get and I continue to use it. Celestial navigation just went into star talks for me, and in just navigating Misty Isles and other vessels. I've always had that ticket in my back pocket.”
There have been a lot of technological and even operational changes since Moore worked on a ship, but he still has a chief mate certificate and a 500 ton master certificate.
“Those are valuable, and ferries recognize that. It's been a very steep learning curve for me, but at this stage in my life, having let go of Misty Isles, having let go of a lot of things, I am in a position where I could just step up and go, 'All right, let's do this.’"
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Contrary to what a lot of people believe, Mark Vonesch is not yet the Regional Director for Cortes Island. That will happen on November 9, when he and the other Directors are all sworn in at the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) building in Campbell River. In today’s interview Vonesch talks about some of the preparations, the first things he hopes to accomplish as our director and his new Alternate Director.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A great deal has transpired in the decade since the city of Campbell River adopted its current transportation plan. Last Februray, Transportation Specialist Melissa Heidema informed Cortes Currents that they were drawing up a new plan. Phase one is now complete.
In today’s interview, Heidema and Long Range Planning and Sustainability Manager Jason Locke give us a peek into what they accomplioshed.
“It's obviously an exciting time to be looking at transportation in Campbell River and planning ahead for the future for 25 years and of course there's so much more of an emphasis on climate change and being better for the environment,” said Heidema.
“We're putting a lot more emphasis on how do we get people more people to walk, bike and bus. How do we build that safe and comfortable infrastructure to try to encourage that. Also recognizing that in Campbell River we still have a lot of people that either want to drive or need to drive. So how do we accommodate that as well?“
Locke added, “I think the primary goal for the review and update of the master transportation plan is to review, as residents, how do we move around the city, whether by walking, cycling, transit, or by vehicle? Making it safe and comfortable for people to move around the city. Continuing to address traffic flow, so we have efficient traffic flow and efficient movement of goods and services, but continuing to prioritize pedestrian movement and the safety of pedestrians.”
The city hired the WATT Consulting Group out of Victoria to do a study. Phase one consisted of reviewing existing conditions, and collecting data from the public. 404 people filled out a survey, which both online and at a booth in Campbell River’s Farmers Market. Another 45 came through the Ideas Fair at Campbell River Commuity Centre (July 6 - Aug 6).
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to Lisa Ferentinos, people were leaving their small boats along the beach in Manson's Landing Provincial Park before there was a park.
“I can't imagine there's ever been a time when people weren't putting their boats on that beach. It's been generations, and I can only assume pre-European contact there were many boats on that beach. I know, since the settlers have been here, it's been a very popular beach for many people,” she said.
Suddenly on Monday, October 17, a red sticker was put on every boat along the beach. The accompanying notices stated, “This item/vessel is being stored in contravention of Section 17(1) of the Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation. It is required that this item/vessel be removed from Mansons Landing Provincial Park within 30 days of the date of issuance noted below. Failure to comply with this order will result in the removal and destruction of the item/vessel as described in Section 3 (3) of the Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation.”
Cortes Currents contacted the BC Parks Area Supervisor, who asked that any media questions regarding the storage of boats at Manson’s Landing be forwarded to their Media Contact. Unfortunately, he was not able to respond in time for this broadcast.
However a possible explanation for Park’s attitude may be found in a report and largely forgotten public meeting at Mansons Hall just prior to COVID.
A boat owner, who does not wish to speak publicly at this time, emailed Cortes Currents, “Parks have their hands full. We need to build a good relationship with them.”
Another boat owner, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said he found the manner in which boats are being barred from the beach disturbing and stressed the need for more community input in these matters.
“There was no public notice given. I'm especially concerned about people that aren't here right now. Some are residents. A lot of ‘water access only’ people keep their boats on the beach, and they're gone for the season. They have no idea there's a sticker on their boat and I don't know how to contact them. That's why we put the notice on the Tideline to say, ‘Hey, if you've got a boat down there, you probably now have a sticker on it and you might wan to figure out what's going on,’” explained Ferentinos.
“The Rangers have been absent from the park for a while. I don't know if that's due to covid or staff shortages or both, but they seem to have just showed up back on the scene and are understandably concerned about a lot of the mess along the beach front. I'm all for cleaning up derelict and abandoned stuff and trash that's left along the beach, and would love to help out with that as long as we can have a dialogue about where to keep boats.”
“I just find that the way it was done was inadequate. There needs to be some public discussion about the park in general and how we can better care for the park. I think most people that keep their boats down there really love that place and want to repair any environmental damage that's happening there, but also want to be able to continue to enjoy it. We just need to figure out how, what's the balance there? How do we make this work?”
Ferentinos concluded, “That is going to require conversation with BC Parks about it. They didn't start off in the friendliest way, so there's people that are angry about it. I'm hoping that we can turn that into action and have a constructive dialogue with the parks folks.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to Linda Bernicki, Director of Rural Health and Wellness at the Rural Development Network, “Housing is a human right and just not housing, safe and stable housing is a human right. So if I'm in housing that doesn't have any heat or running water, then I'm denied a basic human right, and it takes all levels of government and all levels of society to work together to start to develop responses that is going to limit and homelessness.”
In the concluding episode of a series about the recent housing needs survey, Bernicki and her colleague Emma Wallace spoke about solutions.
Bernicki does not believe the housing crisis can be blamed on the government’s decision to stop building affordable housing back in the 1970s.
“That conversation continues to be had in 2022 and homelessness is increasing. So it looks to me like all levels of government, and society in general, haven't been doing a very good job at working together,” she said.
Wallace added, “Rural communities across Canada are struggling with issues of housing and homelessness. We actually were really thrilled and we really commend Strathcona Regional District (SRD) for taking the opportunity to do this assessment to get a better sense of the picture of homelessness in their area and really start to work to implement that. We're really thankful to the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness and the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition for their support in the project. To everyone who responded to the survey, the community members and residents in the SRD are entirely what made this project possible. Without their help and their information, we wouldn't be able to do a project like this.”
427 surveys were completed in the SRD. More than a quarter came from Cortes Island and there was a significant number from Quadra Island.
A number of Cortes land owners said they would need zoning changes and/or financial support for a secondary dwelling or rental unit on their property.
“Several people also noted that they would be willing if the tenant had their own tiny home,” explained Wallace. “Also high on the list, a lot of folks believe that more education around what a secondary dwelling would look like on their property.”
Most Quadra respondents felt more creative housing options were needed.
“That's tiny homes, carriage houses, dock homes and income based affordable rental units,” said Wallace. “Additionally, folks suggested an empty homes tax.”
These two answers — making it easier to have a rental unit and an empty homes tax — were mentioned throughout the SRD.
Wallace added, “We don't have an exact number of the people who stayed in transitional housing, but what we do know is that 49 people in Cortes and 13 in Quadra were either emergency sheltered or provisionally accommodated.”
This means anything from couch surfing, to staying in an abandoned building or some kind of shelter.
“There are not many transitional housing units open right now in the Strathcona Regional District. So I think it's fair to say that very few of those folks are staying in transitional housing. One of the goals of this project was to get a better sense of whether folks would be interested in staying in transitional housing. Once we have that information, service providers across the region can use that information to advocate for housing support,” said Wallace.
“One of the big things when we look at housing is actually also the services that we provide to folks who are struggling with housing. They go hand in hand. One of the things that we've recommended is to advocate for accessible and affordable community services.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The outgoing Strathcona Regional District Board held its final meeting on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. This is the first time that most of the Directors have met around the table since the pandemic began. They shared their thoughts about the election and the preceding term, at a Directors Roundtable.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -More than 11,000 Pink Salmon are said to have returned to the Ahta River this September. This is more fish than the river has seen for many years and Alexandra Morton believes this is because Glacier Falls and Burdwood salmon farms were removed from their migration route.
She is not the only one suggesting that this year’s numbers are a result of removing salmon farms from the Broughton Archipelago. In August, Chief Bob Chamberlain of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance told the Vancouver Sun they haven’t seen these numbers in decades.
Ruth Salmon, Interim Executive Director at the BC Salmon Farmers Association, calls this statement a mixture of ‘misrepresentation’ and ‘speculation.’
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - In the concluding episode from Noba Anderson's Exit Interview, she talks about 14 Years of Change on Cortes Island
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Housing Society has made some important steps towards making the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project shovel ready. They received a $99,000 grant for the associated trail network and are close to closing the sale of their Gregg Road property. They have applied for two more grants, the final report on housing insecurity in our area is now available and the new plans for the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project are about to be unveiled.
“I'll keep you posted as far as our town hall meeting for around the middle of November, when we want to share the new site plans, the dwelling plans, and the landscape plan,” said Executive Director Sandra Wood.
The Cortes Housing Society, Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) and Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) jointly received a $99,000 grant from the Community Foundations of Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.
“The plan is to connect those three properties more efficiently and beautifully so that people can walk from the Health Centre through the Rainbow Ridge property into the CCEDA property next door and ultimately to and from Mansons Hall. It's an east west corridor connection that doesn't exist right now and is a way to keep people off of Beasley Road if they want to have a more pleasant forest experience. We'll create a more vibrant village core and have more connection between our three adjacent properties,” explained Wood.
Some of the money will be used to renovate the old deck on Manson's Hall, which is starting to show signs of wear and doesn't have ramp access for people with mobility challenges. The SCCA is going to make improvements to their outdoor spaces.
Wood added, “We’re hoping that there'll be enough money, as well, to make improvements on the cemetery road end of the existing trail at the South end of the Rainbow Ridge property. We'd really like to reroute that to higher ground so that it's not so wet in the winter and to better connect with the Siskin Forest Trail head, so that people don't get lost when they're trying to get from Siskin Forest into Rainbow Ridge.”
The contract for this work has not yet been awarded, but Wood said there were a number of qualified contractors on Cortes Island. They may use gravel in sections that have drainage issues, but it is an expensive resource and most of the trail will be finished with wood chips. Wood said a lot of this will come from the trees and tree limbs that will be removed.
“The timing of that healthy community's initiative couldn't be better in that finally the rains have arrived on Cortes. That's going to reduce the fire risk, as far as dropping trees for the new trail route. It also means that the bird migration is almost over, as far as them heading south for the winter. Our plan always was to do the trail work through the winter months, so that we would not impact the bird nesting. Our plan is to have that finished by April 1, 2023, before they come back looking to build their new nests,” explained Wood.
Earlier this year, she informed Cortes Currents the Cortes Housing Society had been given a property on the corner of Gregg and Sutil Point Roads. They intend to sell this plot to raise capital for the Rainbow Ridge project. A prospective buyer has come forward and agreed to pay the $200,000 asking price.
“We are hoping that the sale is going to close this week. It's between the lawyers right now, and the paperwork is hopefully being completed. I should be able to tell you who the new owner is next week,” said Wood.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode 6 of Noba Anderson, the Exit Interview - Looking to the Future: Unfinished Business and What’s On The Way
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - In the fifth episode of her exit interview, former Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson talks about the Community Conflict of 2018-19, litigation, and her hopes for resolution.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When the rain finally started about 5 PM on Sunday, October 23, Cortes Island had received almost no precipitation for 97 days. The “Rain’ chart at Cortes Island School shows that 3.5 mm of rain fell overnight and I can hear the drizzle continuing to fall on my roof early Monday morning. Hopefully light rains will continue to soften up the soil before we receive a downpour.
“The 2022 drought is worse than people think, it's worse than scientists predicted, and its impacts up and down the coast are a lot worse than I had even feared when I started researching it,” said Forrest Berman-Hatch, author of FOCI Report: Climate Change and Drought.
Berman-Hatch prepared this study for the Friends of Cortes Island, but is also a member of the Simon Fraser University group RESET (Research for Equitable Ecosocial Transformation), which studies global health in relation to climate change.
The opening paragraph of his report states, “Cortes Island has been in a level 5 drought which weather forecasters predict will end soon. According to BC’s Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan, level 5 droughts bring ‘adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values’ which are ‘almost certain’ (Ministry of LWRS, 2022, p.16). Impacts can include the drying of shallow wells and wetlands, increased risk of wildfires and drying of streams during salmon spawning season. The plan recommends local water restrictions be put in place at stage 5 and warns regulatory action and even emergency response to be possible.”
Berman-Hatch said scientists are fairly certain that climate change causes droughts. The IPCC report states that there will be more droughts as a result of climate change, and they will be more severe.
“We had a student at SFU do climate modelling for Cortes, and what really concerned me was that the 2022 drought is longer, hotter and drier than was predicted for the year 2025 under a climate model that uses the precautionary approach,” said Berman-Hatch.
“Scientists such as Simon Donner at the University of British Columbia talk about how climate modelling is really good for averages, were fairly accurate, but they fail to capture the extreme weather events. For instance, the heat dome last year was also quite a bit worse than scientists had predicted the effects of climate change would be within this decade. So when we talk about climate adaptation planning, we need to remember that the models are good guidelines, but the extreme weather events may actually be worse.”
Q/Is this the worst drought on record?
“It's certainly the longest, worst is hard to say. This is a level 5 drought, which is the highest level in BC's scale. It's only the second time since we have been recording drought data that we hit level 5 and the first time was last year. That is a pretty concerning trend. Last year during the heat dome, we experienced higher temperatures than we experienced in this drought. So it may have done more damage than this drought. Certainly, the human impacts were pretty high — over 600 people died,” he replied.
“This drought is longer and drier, but less hot. It's the longest since we have begun recording weather data. In some places we have over a hundred years of weather data on the West Coast and this is the longest drought in that time period. It's certainly the longest since we've had weather data for Cortes and Quadra Island.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The fourth episode coming out of Noba Anderson's exit interview.
Photo credit: Hornby Island Community Hall – Courtesy HIRRA website
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - “I feel that the museum should reflect the community. It helps to strengthen our identity and strengthen our sense of not only ourselves, but what we can do for one another,” said Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives.
One of the mottos of the museum is ‘Reflect, Celebrate, Imagine.’
Boyle explained, “I’d like to think of it as reflect on the past, imagine the future and celebrate what we have today.”
“I look at the museum as a visitor's information booth and a museum, which automatically makes us a visitor's hub,” said Laura Balducci, the outgoing program and events coordinator.
Balducci does not want to leave, and the museum does not want to see her go. They have wanted to hire a program and events coordinator for a long time and a grant made it possible this year. They hope to secure funding to rehire her next Spring.
We were sitting around the lunch table in the back of the museum. Balducci seems like a pent up bundle of creative energy, ready to explode into action. Boyle appears to be more relaxed. She hopes that everything that happens in the museum looks effortless, as if it appeared magically — but it is really hard work.
Boyle attributes the museum’s accomplishments to funding, committed volunteers and community support.
Balducci added, “Come to our events. Have a good time and sign our guest book. The more signatures we get in the guest book, the better it is for our possible grants and stuff like that. We need people to come.”
Boyle expanded upon this, “We keep our programs free by donation, and there's a reason for that. We really want to make all our programming accessible. So that everybody can participate and enjoy. Please come and visit us. If you can make a donation, we really appreciate that. That helps us to keep the lights on, the doors open and be able to also offer more programming. It's just like a great cycle, isn't it?”
The Cortes Museum is always looking for new members, especially Board members.
“Check out our organization, and see if you would like to participate on any level,” said Boyle.
Balducci proceeded to list other areas where they need help, “We need more volunteers for setups, tear downs, baking, offering to put out posters for all of our events and programs and exhibitions. If you have any plants in your garden, you could offer some of your plants for our garden to keep things fresh. Volunteer online on social media. If you see us sharing a poster, feel free to share it. That's volunteering, that's helping spread the word. So there's many different directions for volunteer help. If we have events at the hall, we need help behind the concession. We need help doing dishes, cleanup.”
She also had a list of some of the smaller things that still needed to be funded, “We need art supplies, paper, toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, laundry supplies, treats to have at events. If we wanna have a liquor license, we need booze money to be able to serve. We need insurance money.
They also need funds to pay honorariums for the speakers, artists, and writers who participate in Museum events.
Boyle explained, “Minimal funding, you get a minimal museum. What we've been able to offer due to funding is new exhibitions and new exhibitions take a lot of work. They take a lot of material costs, labor time, all these factors, but at the same time, a new exhibition will generate a lot of new energy and around that new programming. The more support we have, the more we can offer in terms of new exhibitions.”
Without funding, the Cortes Island Museum would become another institution that does not change its exhibits for a decade.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “Last week, the Minister Fisheries, Joyce Murray, went on the road and she traveled the length of Vancouver Island talking to people, First Nations environmental organizations, scientists, about the transition of salmon farms in British Columbia. This is incredible. I've never seen a minister go on the road before, and I have so much respect for her for doing this,” said independent biologist Alexandra Morton.
A BC Salmon Farmers Association spokesperson a list of facilities emailed that Murray visited: Cermaq Canada’s Millar Channel farm and semi-closed containment site in Clayoquot Sound. One of Creative Salmon’s Chinook farms and their processing plant in Tofino. MOWI’s Shelter Pass farm in Port Hardy and their Big Tree Creek Hatchery in Sayward.
Murray is said to have met with industry and expressed an interest in co-developing a Transition Plan.
According to the industry spokesperson, “The Minister is focused on a range of metrics driving the ongoing transition to reduce or eliminate risk to wild salmon rather than push a specific type of technology. Innovations achieved to meet specific metrics will depend on the preference of each Nation whose territories we operate in.” Ruth Salmon, Interim Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, issued a press release stating, “Salmon farming is continuously evolving, improving, and innovating, which can come as a surprise to those outside of the farming community. It was a pleasure to meet with the Minister and her team to not only discuss these improvements but showcase them, as she visited several farm sites and a hatchery.”
Morton was concerned about the degree of industry influence:
“The meetings were run by the Director of Aquaculture Management, and this person was reprimanded twice this year by her superiors for failing to include the science that DFO is doing that is showing significant impact of salmon farms on Pacific Salmon.”
“She left this information out of a briefing to the Minister before she went in front of the standing committee on Fisheries and Oceans. She left it out of the report to the Committee of the Whole on DFOs 2022/2023 main estimates, basically the funding that DFO needs going forward. These are really high level government document that did not include important information about the salmon farming industry — that it is impacting, that it is harming, that it is spreading pathogens to wild salmon. One of these emails to this Director says, ‘This is a glaring omission that needs to be patched rapidly.’ Has it been patched? I don't know.”
“This person is now out on the road with the Minister. Is she filtering the information that is coming in from all of these people who are worried about the state of wild salmon and want these salmon farms removed from the ocean and put into tanks? We don't know.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A tiny education program on Cortes Island has been getting a lot of media attention lately
“We were featured on the National Observer with our local journalism initiative reporter, Rochelle Baker. She did a fabulous piece on This program that got picked up then by the Vancouver Sun and then was picked up by some Vancouver radio stations and by the CBC. So as nearby as Cortes Currents and as now far away as the reach of CBC,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, one of the organizers of the Cortes Island Academy.
Q/So what are you doing that's getting so much attention?
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode Three: SRD, the Regional District System, how it works for us (or doesn’t)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -In the Spring of 2022, Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness and the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition commisioned a series of studies of the housing crisis in our area. One components was a survey called ‘Collecting Stories of Where We Live’ conducted by the Rural Development Network. 110 Cortes Island and 43 Area C residents participated (all but two of the latter were from Quadra Island).
“The purpose was to provide a comprehensive picture of housing instability and homelessness in the area to help inform service providers and municipal, provincial, and federal policies, practices, and funding decisions. And then to elevate and incorporate the voices of folks who are experiencing homelessness in solutions to end homelessness,” explained Emma Wallace, Project Manager of Community Development and Homelessness Estimations at the Rural Development Network.
Key findings on Cortes Island:
77 of the 110 survey respondents lived in unstable housing situations. When the reported dependents and adults living in the same household were added, the number of people living in unstable conditions rose to at least 159. A further breakdown of the 77 ‘unstable’ respondents revealed: Only 51 of the 77 stated they were in unstable housing situations, 7 were ‘unsure’ and the remaining 19 were identified by criteria in the survey. 11 lived outside in the ‘unsheltered’ situations typically associated with ‘homelessness’ during this past year. 49 were couch surfed, stayed in an emergency shelter, or in an abandonned building at some point. 51 were ‘at risk’ of homelessness because they are paying more for their rent or mortgage than they could afford. (7% of housing ‘unstable’ respondents on Cortes own their homes and 22% are renters.)
The top five reasons for housing instability on Cortes
Low wages, Mental and physical health concerns, The inability to afford rent/mortgage, Housing in need of major repairs (i.e., no windows, no heat, water or mould damage, leaky roof), Their house is only available to them seasonally or they struggle to find parking for their mobile home.
"Less frequently noted reasons for instability included rent increases, job loss, domestic/family violence and/or family rejection, lack of transportation, COVID-19, death of a family member/partner, and conflict with a landlord.” - the study
Key findings on Quadra Island (and Area C)
41 of the respondents were on Quadra Island, 1 on Maurelle Island and the last in an unidentifed Outer Island. 30 were ‘housing unstable’ and this number rose to 69 after adding the reported dependents and adults living in the same household. A further breakdown of the 30 ‘unstable’ respondents revealed: Only 21 of the 30 stated they were in unstable housing situations, 4 were ‘unsure’ and the remaining 5 were identified by the survey. 12 lived in unsheltered situations this past year 13 were either ‘emergency sheltered’ or ‘provisionally accommodated’ at some point. 22 paid more for their rent or mortgage than they could afford. (14% of the ‘unstable’ respondents own their homes and 11% are renters. )
The top five reasons for housing instability of Quadra
Physical or mental health concerns; Inability to afford rent/mortgage; Low wages; Housing in need of major repairs (i.e., no windows, no heat, water or mould damage, leaky roof); Domestic/family violence, abuse, and/or rejection.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Noba Anderson was first elected as Regional Director for Strathcona Regional District Area B (Cortes Island) in 2008. She served 4 terms (two three-year and two four-year) for a total of 14 years in office, making her the longest-serving Regional Director in the island’s history.
Episode Two: The Political Life: how did Noba get into it, and how does it feel to get out again?
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Noba Anderson was first elected as Regional Director for Strathcona Regional District Area B (Cortes Island) in 2008. She served 4 terms (two three-year and two four-year) for a total of 14 years in office, making her the longest-serving Regional Director in the island’s history.
Some other Strathcona Regional Directors (notably those from Oyster River and Quadra Island) have held office for far longer, running repeatedly for decades without successful challengers. In 2022, however, Oyster River’s <a href="https://cortescurrents.ca/election-2022-the-new-strathconBrenda Leigh was defeated at the polls and Jim Abram of Quadra chose not to run again. Noba Anderson also chose not to run again.
Cortes Currents asked Noba if she would be willing to participate in an “exit interview” — a look back over her long run as our representative at SRD. She was interviewed in mid October.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - 130 Cortes, Read and Quadra Island residents completed the Quadra ICAN rideshare survey, and another 36 responded to specific questions.
“Ride sharing is a really interesting alternative. It wasn't the transportation solution that everyone is really looking for. I think it's just a small part of trying to tackle this larger issue. If it works for a few communities that's great, but it's not the answer,” explained Aaryn Perreault-Laird, who is overseeing the program.
She is currently studying in Ontario, but is a Quadra Island resident who once lived on Cortes Island.
“We are going to probably take a break over the winter and revisit it when I return the next summer. There has been talk of a trial run in that corridor from Read Island, Heriot Bay area to Quathiaski Cove, along the ferry route. This would likely start sometime late next year. We've talked with someone about creating a webpage to facilitate communication between riders and drivers.”
Cortes Island passengers will have to make their own way to Heriot Bay. Perreault-Laird explained that when she lived on Cortes, people dropped her off at the Whaletown ferry terminal.
She explained that the surveys for the three islands were pretty much the same except that Quadra residents were also asked what part of the island they lived in.
There were 94 completed surveys from Quadra residents, 29 from Cortes Island and 7 from Surge Narrows on Read Island.
A breakdown of the answers:
Are you interested in ride sharing on Vancouver Island? - 61% of the Crotes responces, 55% from Surge Narrows and 42% from Quadra wrote ‘Yes.’ How old are you? - Most respondents were between 25 and 65 years old. Most respondents were permanent rather than seasonal residents. How frequently would you request a ride? - most respondents said a few times a year or once a month, when it was most convenient. (This was the question that led Perreault-Laird to conclude that ride share isn’t ‘the’ answer to the area’s transportation problem, but it could be one of several answers.) Are you willing to share a seat in your car? Overwhelmingly, ‘yes’ - Surge Narrows 71%, Cortes 69% and Quadra 64%. Would a contribution to the cost increase your interest in sharing your vehicle? - the responses were divided between Yes, No, and ‘Maybe.’ How often are you willing to offer a ride? - Most people were willing to offer a ride about once a month. What is your preferred source of ride sharing information? - Responses varied from island to Island. Everyone in Surge Narrows wanted to use Facebook. Quadra respondants were divided between Facebook and a mobile or computer app option. Only 24% of the Cortes residents wanted Facebook, but 50% wanted a mobile or computer application. Would you support a fee for service? - equally between Yes, No and Maybe.
Perreault-Laird did not know how many of the respondents were drivers, but said the 29 people who were willing to share a seat in their car would have been.
She also was not sure how much of an improvement this would be ovber the Tideline for Cortes residents.
“I really like the Tideline. I wish that Quadra had the Tideline, but they don’t. For Cortez residents, I guess the Rideshare would be in one place. On the Tideline, your post might not get missed,” responded Perreault-Laird. “Maybe you would encourage more ride sharing because it's a designated platform.”
She added, “This survey was created to get the general sense of what people were interested in. It doesn't seem like there's an overwhelming desire for a ride sharing service. There is some interest for sure, and I think that there would be a corridor where it would work well, but I also think that there needs to be other options.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday Oct 14 Manda Aufoichs Gillespie welcomed Quadra Island based sound gurus Jim Thievin and Dylan Alps to Folk U Radio. They are the creators of a Quadra compilation cd we will be hearing more about in the coming months and years. It was born during the pandemic, when the music industry was essentially dead. They had a few rules: the music had to be original and under 5 minutes in length.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -More than 69% of the electorate in Area C chose Robyn Mawhinney as their new Regional Director on October 15. She learned this from an unexpected source. Mawhinney and her team were sitting in the Heriot Bay Inn, while they waited for the election results to be announced on Saturday night. The scrutiner from her team had not yet arrived and they were enjoying a nice glass of wine.
“I got a phone call from Mark Doll who congratulated me on my win,” she said. “I didn’t know the numbers yet.”
Someone photographed the moment that an ecstatic Mawhinney embraced her campaign manager. She received 823 votes to Doll’s 368.
“I want to say that this campaign and everything that has happened is because of the amazing team of folks who have had my back and been on my team attending meetings, editing, suggesting even chauffeuring me by vote. I'm so grateful to have had so many folks sending me messages of support and kind words of encouragement. I really have felt like the community was behind me and it kind of feels like that today too,” she explained.
“I definitely want to congratulate Mark Doll for his robust campaign. He proved his integrity in the way that he managed difficult situations and I look forward to working together with him on Island projects. I also want to congratulate his wife, Jen Doll. Mark had an amazing and dedicated campaign manager, which was his wife, and she did great work and there were many thoughtful conversations which were had.”
Marc Doll sent a written statement: “Robyn and I talked on the phone once we had the election results, and I know Robyn’s commitment to our islands is heartfelt and founded on goodwill for all community members. Best wishes to you Robyn, as you take on this new role.”
“We saw such an impressive level of community engagement during the last few months, and I encourage everyone to continue to stay involved in the community conversation – no matter who you thought was the best candidate for Regional Director.”
“Thanks to everyone who got involved in the election campaign. If you hosted an event, attended an event, read articles or watched all-candidate debates, contacted the candidates with questions and suggestions, or discussed the future with your neighbours, you were participating in our democracy. Way to go!”
“Thanks to local news outlets for providing news coverage. They play a vital role in keeping people informed.”
“Thanks to my campaign team for their advice, support and encouragement – and for living up to our pledge to keep things positive.
Doll concluded, “And biggest thanks to my wife, Jen, my daughters and my parents. You amazed me with your stamina and creativity that kept the farm running and made sure we had time for family fun during this campaign.You are brave, strong, and wonderful – and I love you with everything I’ve got.”
Mawhinney commented on the larger picture, “This election has brought change to Strathcona Regional District board and to the Campbell River Council, which holds five seats at the SRD table. That is significant. I'm really excited to collaborate with the other Electoral Area Directors and community representatives to tackle big issues that will be for the betterment of all of our communities and our homes.
“I'm really happy that there are gonna be some people there that do have that experience. Gerald Wally is still retaining his seat at the Electoral Area Services Committee and as an electoral area director, and I think that's gonna be really invaluable, otherwise, there's three new directors in the Electoral Area Services Committee. So, to speak to the great amount of change that we're seeing, I guess folks are ready for some new faces and some new energy, and I'm happy to be one of those. It'll be interesting to see how everything unfolds.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Half of the familiar faces will not be returning to the SRD Board this term. The former Chair and Vice Chair, Brad Unger and Claire Moglove, were both defeated in their bids for re-election. So were Regional Director Brenda Leigh and former Campbell River Directors Charlie Cornfield and Colleen Evans. Neither Jim Abram (in Area C) or Noba Anderson (Cortes Island) sought re-election. Seven of the 14 directors will be new this term.
“It’s the biggest change of faces at the Regional District, certainly since I have been there. I would submit the board could really use some renewal. There’s a lot of faces that I don’t know who are coming in, so I really can’t comment much on good or progressive or cooperative of a board it will be,” commented Anderson, who was originally elected as Cortes Island’s representative in 2008.
“It will at least give Mark Vonesch who is joining the board from Cortes, an opportunity to build relationships with other people that are new. I think that’s a really positive thing for him going in rather than inheriting a lot of the dysfunction of the old dynamic.”
We are going to be seeing a very different Electoral Areas Service Committee (EASC) as a result of the October 15 election. Gerald Whalley is the only one of the former Regional Directors to be re-elected. He was on the first SRD board, elected in 2008, and served as Vice-Chair. Whalley received 96.4% of the vote in Area A (Kyuquot- Nootka/Sayward).
“I’m really happy that there are gonna be some people there that do have that experience. Gerald Whalley is still retaining his seat at the Electoral Area Services Committee and as an electoral area director, and I think that’s gonna be really invaluable, otherwise, there’s three new directors,” said Robyn Mawhinney, the new Regional Director for Area C.
“To the great amount of change that we’re seeing, I guess folks are ready for some new faces and some new energy, and I’m happy to be one of those.”
Mawhinney was elected in Area C, defeating Marc Doll 823 to 368. Mark Vonesch was acclaimed on Cortes Island. John Rice was elected Regional Director in Area D, defeating incumbent Brenda Leigh – 707 to 587.
“I have certainly noticed that when people are in office for a really long time, there’s a possibility of getting stuck in that role and the community getting stuck in that particular director being in that role. Jim (Abram) and Brenda (Leigh) have both provided decades of service and worked really hard for the communities, and I appreciate that, but I really do think that some renewal is super healthy at this point,” said Anderson.
Campbell River sends 5 directors to the SRD Board. This is where Kermit Dahl and his band of ‘like minded candidates’- who insist they are not a slate – were swept to power. Dahl was elected Mayor and is joined by all of his associates: Susan Sinnott, Ben Layon, Sean Smyth, Ron Kerr and Doug Chapman.
The only new Councillor not in this group is Tanille Johnston, a member of the Wei Wai Kai Nation and the first Indigenous candidate elected to Campbell River’s city council.
The Mayor and four Campbell River Councillors will also serve on the SRD Board. Ron Kerr has served on the board since 2012. Dahl and Smyth both served as alternates on the board last term, but will now take their seats as regular board members. This will be the first term for Susan Sinnott and Ben Layon.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The legitimacy of Regional Director Jim Abrams expenses was once again discussed at the last meeting of the SRD board prior to the election.
When the auditor submitted his report to the SRD Board at their May 11, 2022 meeting, Campbell River Director Claire Moglove, pointed out that there was a significant difference in what Directors were being paid.
“I think for the sake of transparency in particular to the public, that we have a more of an explanation as to how that comes to be. So in particular, on the remuneration side, at some point I would love to see a breakdown of what is the regular stipend for directors and what are the meeting fees that have been incurred,” she said.
Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield subsequently objected to the idea Directors were receiving compensation for attending meetings.
“Compensable meetings are supposed to be there to compensate you for loss of the day or time, or you’ve gotta travel and you’re gonna attend a meeting just like you came to attend this one. That’s fair enough, but it’s not there to generate revenue. I look at every single one of the virtual meetings that we attended, and I never once thought about claiming for one of those.”
Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River added, “I’m going to move that an independent audit of the SRD Board members renumeration and expenses be conducted immediately to confirm the variances outlined in the report from the CAO.”
Director Abram received substantially more than the other Directors. For example, in 2021 eight of the fourteen SRD Directors had meetings with external agencies and were eligible for enumeration. Only two of them are mentioned applying. An unnamed Campbell River Director received $320. Jim Abram, Director of Area C received $4,800.
There is also specific compensation for Regional Directors attending public hearings, parcel tax hearings, select or committee meetings, et cetera. Only two Directors made claims. Abram, who looks after the largest area in the Strathcona Regional District, received $9,120 for attending 57 meetings. Gerald Whalley, whose area stretches across from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sayward claimed $160 for one meeting. There were no claims from Area D or Area B (Cortes Island).
After a thorough analysis, the auditing committee determined that Abram, should repay $8,640, which Abram agreed to do ‘without prejudice.’
However, after the meeting, he told the Bird’s Eye, Quadra island’s weekly journal, “This was a complete miscarriage of justice, as far as I’m concerned. It resulted from a re-interpretation by our CAO of a bylaw that’s been in place, in writing, for over three years. We as Electoral Area Directors have been using that as our guide as to what can be claimed. I met the bylaw on every single one of those meetings. And I was paid after the scrutiny of the finance department after every one of those meetings. And now with a re-interpretation of what the bylaw meant I’m being told. Well, this one doesn’t qualify, or this one. Therefore you owe.”
He told the Bird’s-Eye that he had enough stress in his life.
“I’m quitting this job because of stress. I don’t need another stressful situation.”
Director Abrams subsequently printed an apology and retraction in the October 5, 2022 edition of the Bird’s-Eye.
In his Chair’s Report for the October 12 meeting. Brad Unger said, “The statements made in the Bird’s-Eye article by Director Abram after the board meeting were false and misleading to the public. Director Abram has subsequently now placed an ad in the October 5 edition of the Bird’s Eye, retracting his statements, apologizing to both the board and the CAO.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As of Monday, October 24, the Cortes Playschool will be open four days a week.
“We'll be open Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM. This expansion is largely parent driven, especially by parents that have to work and being open for four days gives people an opportunity to actually make a living and have access to affordable childcare,” explained Hannah Schwartzentruber, Playschool Facilitator at Mansons Hall.
“Since we decided to open up more days, I've been very touched by the feedback that I've had. This is making a huge difference for families on the island. They've been telling me that. They've been responding and it's really exciting to be meeting community need.”
Schwartzentruber said parents sometimes respond to her emails with a simple ‘Thank you so much.’ Others drop in to Mansons Hall after hours to let her know exactly what they are looking for and how they feel the Playschool may be an option.
“From my perspective, a large part of what group childcare is about is responsive care and peer to peer interaction. It's a lot about social development. Kids being comfortable with expressing themselves, advocating for their needs, navigating their environment, and their interactions with each other,” she said.
“In terms of your standard learning domains, we spend a lot of time singing and storytelling and just communicating with each other and that builds language. We talk about numbers a lot. The kids are learning to count, but it's so much about those social interactions. I think that's really the benefit, because once kids become comfortable in a learning environment like this, it awakens that innate love of learning and it supports them as they continue to grow and learn about the world around them, whatever that looks like.”
Schwartzentruber doesn’t know when the Playschool was founded, but its license was issued in 1991.
“It’s definitely multi-generational. We've got several kids whose parents attended this play school.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Evidence of climate destabilisation -- aberrant weather -- is now everyday news. "Record-breaking" has become a routine description of wind speeds, rainfall, flood levels, mudslides, wildfires, high temperatures and drought.
The drought which afflicts BC this October of 2022 is a record-breaker and a tragedy; near Bella Bella, tens of thousands of salmon have died trying to return to their breeding grounds in streams now too warm and shallow for them to survive in. Over the last few summers, BC has lost millions of hectares of forest and entire towns to wildfire; "fire season" and multi-day smoke palls are becoming business-as-usual in mid to late summer. In December last year, flooding destroyed livestock and crops in the lower mainland. These events are happening more frequently and their severity is ramping up, slowly, year by year.
As we discussed in Part One of this story, logging plays a significant part in accelerating the ongoing slow catastrophe. For decades, the logging industry has been destroying old-growth "carbon sponge" forest, burning slash, destroying soil ecosystems, destroying the forest's water-retention and -respiration capacity -- the damage is so profound that BC's forests which were once net carbon sinks, are now net carbon emitters. So, despite its claim to exploit a "green and renewable" resource that ensures a prosperous and healthy future for BC, the logging industry today is a major contributor to BC's status as a world-class carbon emitter... and hence to climate disaster.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The government of Canada, and the BC government, state publicly that they are committed to carbon reduction and proactive responses to climate change; yet both Canada and BC remain consistently among the world’s top carbon emitters per capita. In 2019 Canada was the world’s highest carbon emitter per capita.
On the one hand, our government proposes initiatives that would improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions — in sectors like transportation and construction. But on the other hand, they continue to subsidise existing and new fossil-fuel projects such as LNG Canada and the Coastal Gaslink pipeline — to expand fracking.
Canada’s Liberal government spent $4.5B to purchase the Trans-Mountain Pipeline in 2018, only to announce in Spring 2022 that no further funding would be allocated to the project as cost overruns neared 70%. But wasting money may be the least of our problems. These fossil-fuel projects have huge carbon impacts.
Says Jens Wieting of Sierra Club BC, “[with pipelines and LNG] We’re talking about millions of tons of, of emissions from methane leakage, from processing gas and its transportation. And then we also have to consider that the emissions will be even higher — if we consider the climate pollution from burning these fossil fuels after exporting them to other countries.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “A lot of the places people want to go and visit are either down a beach access or they are a park. We've got large areas of unfragmented forest in Ha'thayim or Von Dominic Park. Mansons Landing Provincial Park is a really bio diverse lagoon full of marine life. Those parks together make up quite a big parcel of land that's set aside for conservation and for nature to thrive. There's no development pressure, that's really important. We have those permanent resources protected, and obviously there's a lot of really interesting ecosystems in them too,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI).
“It's just a wonderful collection of fantastic places that we've got protected on this island, and I think we should celebrate that. The parks are there, not just for nature, but they're also there for people to enjoy and learn about nature. They're very popular on Cortes.”
FOCI’s involvement began about 20 years ago, before there was a Strathcona Regional District (SRD). Hall is not sure whether FOCI approached the Comox-Stathcona Regional District, or they approached FOCI, but the the society has been maintaining Kw'as Park since then. Their next maintenance contract was for Carrington Bay Park. We were managing those two parks for a number of years. Then, shortly after the SRD was created in 2008, they were entrusted with the beach accesses to:
Gnat Beach access, in Squirrel Cove, Moon Park, near Hollyhock Beach. Seascape Park, at the end of Seascape Road Hayes Park, at the end of Hayes Road.
Three or four years ago, FOCI took on Siskin Forest Park and Trails, the and the new Whales Rest Park (which everyone used to know as the park down by the ferry) and Whaletown Commons.
“So we've got quite a big collection. The only one of the regional parks that we are not looking after is Hanks Beach. Friends of Cortes actually maintains, I think it's nine regional parks and trails,” said Hall.
They also look after Mansons Landing Provincial Park, Smelt Bay Provincial Park and Háthayim Marine Park [a.k.a. Von Donop Marine Park] in the north of the island.
“We've had a maintenance contract with the SRD for quite a number of years now, where Ryan Harvey and Alex Bernier will go out every month. They walk the trails, clear any trees have fallen, pick up any garbage that's been dropped and basically keep the parks in really good shape. They're doing that under contract with us and that's a year round job. so they're out walking every trail every month, which is quite phenomenal really. There's a lot of trails,” said Hall.
“The other thing we've done is partnered with BC Parks at down at Manson's Spit/Manson’s Lagoon, and we've done a number of things down there. We're trying to get the Broom out of the spit, particularly out of what's called the coastal sand ecosystem, which is that sort of grassy looking ecosystem that grows along the beach. It is actually quite rare. We tried to get the broom out of that so that the plants there can flourish. We've been doing that with volunteers. We installed a new sign, which was celebrating all the marine life in the lagoon and informing people how to take care of it and not tread on things and not to take things away. So we had a little education piece there as well.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The drought conditions settling throughout the West Coast are another example of what Fisheries and Oceans Canada has identified as the #1 threat to BC’s endangered salmon population.
“While there are many stressors that affect Pacific salmon survival, climate change is rapidly superseding these threats,” DFO media spokesperson Lara Sloan emailed Cortes Currents.
A recent twitter video shows thousands of dead salmon in spread out across the bottom of an almost dried up creek. Their corpses are so think that you cannot take a step without treading on them.
Sloan explained, “On October 4, 2022, the Heiltsuk First Nation identified the death of approximately 63,000 adult Pink and Chum salmon in Neekas Creek which is located approximately 25 km north of Bella Bella.”
On Wednesday, October 5, the City of Nanaimo released water from its reservoir to help the Chinook run stranded in the tidal portion of the Nanaimo River. The augmented flow will enable them to reach their spawning grounds. It will taper off on the weekend of October 8-9.
It may be a little early for the Chum to return to Basil Creek on Cortes Island. They seem to have arrived towards the end of the month last year. In 2020 Christine Robinson wrote they ‘began to come into the creek on October 17.’
There were no signs of any fish, when I walked along the bank this morning. To my untrained eye, it is difficult to image salmon passing through the immense bed of rocks at the creek’s mouth. There is only a narrow trickle of water.
“Vancouver Island has been experiencing an extended period of dry weather. Coupled with warmer water temperatures, current conditions for salmon in smaller river systems are generally poor, and there is unlikely to be sufficient rain to improve conditions in the next week to 10 days,” wrote Sloan.
“A small number of river systems where water flow is controlled are experiencing water levels more typical for this time of year (e.g. Cowichan, Campbell, Qualicum and Stamp Rivers…).”
Rochelle Baker of the National Observer recently donned a wetsuit to swim among the abundant Pink Salmon run in the Campbell River.
Sloan warned that it may become necessary to reduce the flows of these less effected rivers, if drought conditions persist.
“In general, we are not seeing fish moving into systems in the area, rather they are staging in front of rivers, or in deep pools in rivers where accessible. Some species have commenced spawning (e.g. Pink Salmon or early-timed populations of Chum and Chinook Salmon), but their eggs are likely safe, provided they remain moist through groundwater or subsurface flows,” she wrote.
“The planet is warming, and the most recent five years have been the warmest on record. In Canada, the rate of warming has been twice the global average and is even greater at northern latitudes. Stemming historic declines and rebuilding key Pacific salmon populations are the overarching goals of the historic $647 million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) launched in June 2021. PSSI represents the largest-ever Government of Canada investment to save Pacific salmon. We need to take action toward stemming the declines now, while helping to rebuild adaptable populations over the longer term.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There were at least 159 Cortes Island residents living in ‘unsheltered’ or ‘at risk’ conditions when they responded to the housing needs survey last spring. There was a smaller response on Quadra and the Outer Islands, so only 69 were identified. These are both low numbers. At one point during our interview Emma Wallace, who oversaw this project, suggested the actual number for Cortes might be 10% higher. So I am going to guesstimate about 175 people in a population of about 1,100. (I do not believe there is enough data to make a serious guesstimate in Area C.)
Wallace is employed by the Rural Development Network, which was commissioned to do this study by the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness and the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition.
In today’s program she gives a demographic sketch of the unsheltered and at risk population. Some will find this episode a little dry, but Wallace scatters nuggets of insight throughout.
“One of the things we do is we break down demographics of all of our survey respondents. So we ask them a series of questions that helps us identify who they are and what their experiences might be and how their experiences affect their housing,” explained Wallace.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There may may be more than 1,200 ‘housing unstable’ people in the Strahcona Regional District.
This figure arises from a comment that Emma Wallace, of the Rural Development Network, made when she relased the comments from the 'Collecting Stories of Where you Live' data collection project.
Wallace’s organization was commissioned by the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness (CRDCEH) and the Urban Indigenous Housing and Wellness Coalition (UIHWC) to conduct the housing and service needs estimation in the Strathcona Regional District earlier this year. The ‘stories’ her organization collected were written responces to the housing needs survey.
Wallace spoke at the Thursday, October 6 meeting of the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness
“We identified 427 surveys that were suitable for analysis and that is the focus of this report and today's presentation,” said Wallace.
311 of these responces surveys came from ‘housing unstable’ people and, after you add in their spouces and dependents, the number of people known to be in ‘unstable conditions’ rose to 801.
“It's really important here to emphasize or remind folks that there are likely many more people experiencing homelessness in the region,” said Wallace.
Cortes Currents asked,”Do you have any idea of how widespread the problem really is?”
Wallace responded, “What we often say is that we likely have captured 65% of the folks who are experiencing homelessness in an area.”
That works out to 1235, but as it is a guesstimate it is probably more accurate to say there could be more than 1200.
The regions highlighted in the Rural Development Network report are:
Campbell River, We Wai Kai (Quinsam), Wei Wai Kum First Nation, SRD Area D Cortes Island and Klahoose First Nation Quadra Island and the Outer Islands Gold River, Tahsis, Tsaxana and Sayward
50 of the respondents were ‘unsheltered,’ 15 were in emergency shelters, 97 were ‘provisionally sheltered’ and 211 were in situations where their housing was ‘at risk.’
The top five reasons for housing instability were: an inability to afford rent or mortgage payments low wages housing needs major repairs increasing rent prices illness or medical conditions
One of the surveys shocking findings is that 65% of the ‘unstable respondents’ are employed.
In addition: - 107 people don't have heat in their home. - 55 lack indoor plumbing. - And 37 don't have access to safe drinking water.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The two candidates running for Regional Director of Area C, in the October 15 election, appear to have very different visions of how to govern.
Robyn Mawhinney explained:
“I'm very focused on creating a Community Advisory Council to support the Director's decision making process, a community advisory council with a broad spectrum of community voices. The other candidate, Marc Doll, is really focused on using his directorship as an opportunity to build a Community Association from the ground up. I'd like to talk about the difference between a Community Association and an Advisory Council and why I think there is quite a big difference.”
“There are several benefits to an Advisory Council. The Director receives input from a broad spectrum of community voices. It has geographic and demographic representation. It also does not add a complex layer of work to Area C’s already limited volunteer base. The Advisory Council is meant to support the decision making process of the Director, brainstorm and discuss island centric solutions to big issues as well as sharing opinions on land use and zoning applications. A Community Advisory Council is a no cost process.”
“It's really important that it has representation of the many diverse areas of Area C as well as representation of various areas within Quadra Island. The ages I would like to be represented: under thirties and elders, as well as those in between. I think it's really important for various interest groups, or important groups on Quadra Island to have a voice at the Advisory Council as well. Those voices or areas I would consider to include would be tourism, silviculture, First Nations, business interests and environmental advocacy. I think all those voices are really important.”
“As a Director, I intend to support the community and our established island institutions that we already have. Things like Quadra Island Recreation Society, ICAN, Quadra Circle, Quadra Foundation. These groups are already doing great work on Quadra Island. There are so many islanders who are busily engaged in community volunteering, and I'm grateful that the Quadra Community Center provides an umbrella of support for many of these groups and committees.”
“On Read Island, there's the Surge Narrows Community Association, which manages important projects. They've mentioned that they would love to find a way to have a paid community recreation organizer, something I'd look into researching as Director. My point is that there is great work being done in these organizations and through these organizations, and I see my role as director to support and strengthen this work.
“An Advisory Council is intended to provide the Director with a range of thoughtful opinions while not adding a complex layer of volunteerism work to our already busy involved community. I think it's important to tap into a range and intentionally broad spectrum of representation.
Historically, in my memory, a previous community association that was formed on Quadra Island was frequently in opposition to the Director. Apart from the costs and logistics, the Director is being elected to do the work, to take responsibility for decisions. I am unequivocally committed to doing the work.
To taking responsibility to listening to the community and reflecting that at the board level. I'm also dedicated and committed to amplifying community driven projects and advocating on important issues with other levels of government on Quadra Island.
There have been various residents and Community Associations over the years, and if there is an appetite for organizing as an association I think that's fantastic. As a Director, I would never stand in their way of organizing, and I would definitely attend and listen to the ideas and concerns being discussed.
I would say that it sounds like a time consuming process to create such an organization and the work of the Director is already a substantial job.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the key points that Marc Doll keeps mentioning, in his campaign to become Regional Director of Area C, is the need to form a community Association. In today’s interview he explains why.
“There’s significant differences between a Community Association and an Advisory Council,” explained Doll.
“It’s created by the Regional Director, for the Regional Director. It is an attempt to give the Regional Director some input from a select group of people on the island.”
“A community association, on the other hand, is created for the community by the community. It is independent of a Regional Director, but it’s process of how it proceeds with discussions, how it attacks issues informs the regional director while it’s doing the work of the community association at the same time. So it’s more of a parallel process, it’s independent, it’s democratic. Those are some of the significant differences.”
Q/Why is this important?
“Well, I think it’s incredibly important on basic democratic principles, on community building and community organizational principles. The other thing is in terms of effectiveness, a regional director is one person who has, in our case, two votes on a council with 35 votes. There is limited power that comes with the voice of one.”
“However, when a community is engaged and working on issues, its voice is more than just the Regional Director table. Its voice extends out beyond that. It also adds weight to the voice that the Regional Director is bringing to the SRD table. Instead of saying, ‘Well, I’ve consulted with my people, and we believe this is the way to go,’ you’re now, ‘hey, the community has put the work into this issue. We’ve gone through a democratic process. Discussions were had. This is the way that Quadra Island and the Outer Islands wants to go.’ Weight really helps move community issues forward.”
“Another important aspect of a community association is it isn’t all about working on the next problem. It’s also doing the work of making a community better, of getting groups together, of making collaboration possible, of creating partnerships, of engaging people, getting people to focus on their community. Its reach is much more than just advising a Regional Director. It does the work of community building and making a community better.”
Q/How would you go about forming a community association on either Quadra Island or Area C?
“We already have a community association in Area C with SNCA, Surge Narrows Community Association on Reed Island.”
So we know that it is possible. We have examples on Hornby Island with HIRRA and Denman Island with the Denman Island Residence Association. So we have examples to fall follow. We’re not going to be inventing this from scratch. Like all not for profit organizations, there’s a basic template that needs to be followed. How it’s going to come about is actually already starting. One of the big parts of this campaign is finding those who have the passion for this community, that have the energy, that want to step up and make this happen. And as I’ve spent the last four months talking to people, the number of people wanting to jump on board is significant.
Getting messages like we got just this week from somebody saying,’ my chances of being appointed to an advisory committee are small, but I will join a community association in a heartbeat to make this community better.’ Those are the type of messages that we’re getting.
We know the interest is there and it’s simply engaging in and harnessing the skills and passions that we know people in this area and on these islands.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - United Way British Columbia awarded an Emergency Preparedness and Response grant of $25,000 to Quadra Circle.
“We're pretty excited about it. We are a group of various social service and community organizations on Quadra,” said Maureen McDowell, President of Quadra Circle.
Quadra Circle’s 'Better at Home Program,’ the Quadra Island Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP), Quadra Island Seniors Housing, Quadra Legion Branch 154, Quadra ICAN, Old Age Pensioners and the Quadra Island Medical Clinic are all involved.
“On Quadra, we have a very good Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program. There are volunteers in each neighborhood who know who the more vulnerable people are, and are able to reach out to them and see if they need help. They would plug us into those seniors if the seniors are willing to accept some extra help, or equipment in their homes. So we can make stronger, more efficient use of those resources that we have already in a more coordinated way.”
“We'll have a coordinator, at least for this project, who will help us take those action steps and make sure that all the systems are operating together and sharing information.”
McDowell said the situation was already on their minds, “Especially during the heat dome. Then in the winters when it's been extra snowfalls and power outages combined with storm after storm, after storm. We've certainly seen how difficult it is not for ourselves, as younger seniors, but especially for those who have more health problems or are more frail, can't get out, don't drive, whatever. They are really in a very stuck place that can put their life in health at risk.”
The B.C. Chief Coroner’s Report found that 67% of the 619 decedents during the recent heat dome were 70 years old or older. Most lived in homes without adequate cooling systems, such as air conditioners or fans. More than 60% had seen a medical professional within a month of their death.
“I do know of one situation where the person was very, very ill and when there was a request to find a fan, there was no fans left to be bought anywhere and the person did pass away. The heat played a big factor in it at the time. That’s the only one that I, personally, am aware of,” said McDowell.
“As islanders we do what needs to be done when an emergency comes up. We're already doing some of those things, but in some cases the financial resources to purchase equipment or to be able to coordinate and think ahead, et cetera. It's all been very add hoc.”
“The exciting part for us is to be able to work together with so many different community groups who are all doing good services, so that we don't overlap each other. We check in and know that somebody is helping Mary or Fred or whatever and it doesn't necessarily have to be Quadra Circle. It could be their friends, or their family, or their neighbourhood. It pulls the community together and in a way that maybe makes everybody, volunteers included, feel like they're making a contribution and giving back to the seniors in the community. Hopefully they know that they'll be able to get similar help when they need it and can't manage. I think that's the motivation for all of us that are working on this.”
Quadra Circle was already looking into the logistics of setting up a cooling or a warming center on Quadra, Cortes, or some of the Outer Discovery Islands. They were sudying the heat dome in particular and used this information to apply for the grant.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Jason Johnson has been the General Manager of Qathen Xwegus (QXMC) for a little over four months. He took the helm of the Klahoose First Nation’s management corporation during a busy tourist season. Johnson was back home with his family in Sayward when Cortes Currents interviewed him over ZOOM.
“I first wanted to acknowledge that I'm talking to you today on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, and I'm calling in from my home office in the unseated territory of the Comox First Nation,” he began.
“I wanted to first thank the community and all of our returning guests. We had an amazing season at the Gorge. It was also an opportunity for us to do some learning, and it was definitely a difficult start at the Gorge. We had a lot of support though, from the community. Gorge Harbor is a unique blend where tourism meets local, and plans are to continue this. I'm pretty excited about where things are going in that regard, but yes, we had the opportunity, to take a look at what worked and what didn’t."
Johnson emailed, “We welcomed a great many people to the resort arriving by vehicle, boat (and the odd plane!) There was live entertainment at least 5 days a week, great offerings at the Floathouse Restaurant and our store had another very busy season. RV sites were busy and the pool is always a hit.”
While he did not have the statistics, Johnson knew there were many nights when guests could not book a table at the Floathouse Restaurant. They were sold out. QXMC is looking into ways they can improve services and serve more guests. The restaurant is currently closed for repairs.
“When we reopen the doors there, the community will see some of the work done. It'll be very obvious,” said Johnson.
QXMC is also responsible for the drone recently flying over Squirrel Cove. It carries LiDAR, to assist with the planning and development of the 14 acres that Klahoose First Nation acquired in Squirrel Cove.
“We are leaning into the concept of camping facilities there. As that unfolds, I'll definitely have more to share on that. We are looking forward to the potential to bring another location to Cortes for the enjoyment of our residents, community, as well as building up another part of the tourist space for Cortes.”
2022 has been a strong season for the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, which is still in its peak season.
“We had the pleasure to welcome a lot of guests this year, much more than we had last year. We've had many nights as well on those three and four day tours that were completely sold out. Very successful season all the way around. We've had a lot of great feedback about the cultural immersive experience that our guests are enjoying,” said Jonson.
From all reports, the Bear Tours have been exceptional. Johnson has heard this from partners like Campbell River Whale Watching, Eagle Eye Adventures and West Coast Grizzly Bear Tours as well as staff.
“We've established that there's need for some more programming at the resort. Guests are wanting to see more excursions and we're looking really forward to building that out as we start planning our 2023 season.”
Klahoose Wilderness Restort is in operation mode until the end of October, after which QXMC intends to enlarge the trail network and seeing what other investments are needed.
“Our mandate with QXMC together with the Klahoose First Nation is long term sustainable financial security for the nation, but also to provide employment to the community and members of KFN,” explained Johnson.
“There's going to be so many positions available at the Gorge for this upcoming season. So I welcome anybody to think about employment with us. We will be actively recruiting again January, February for the season and looking forward to another successful season in 2023.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Housing Society have a number of updates to announce as they work towards having a town hall meeting for their Rainbow Ridge project.
“We're very much looking forward to having this town hall meeting, potentially near the end of October, but please stay tuned. We'll announce the date, the time, and the place as soon as we can get all the parties together and have all our documentation and designs ready to exhibit,” said Executive Director, Sandra Wood.
“We've been waiting for the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) to approve our subdivision plan for more than a year. It's been a long process.”
The full service surveying and engineering firm J.E. Anderson was employed to design Rainbow Road, which will come into the housing project.
Miranda Cross, Project Director of the Dillon Creek Wetlands Restoration, designed their stormwater management plan. She came up with a plan of bioswales, ponds and creeks to help capture the stormwater coming off Rainbow Ridge. The nutrients, like the nitrogen and phosphorus, will be absorbed by plants and the soil.
“Building on that preliminary work that Miranda provided us with in 2020 and 2021, we have now hired a company called Kinship to take it to the next level. They are still working with our engineers at J.E. Anderson, to adapt the routing of the water to accommodate the new layout of the townhouses. We've moved them in different positions on the property. So the site plan has changed and therefore the routing of the stormwater has changed. That's the piece that Kinship is now working on and building on Miranda's original framework,” explained Wood.
The Cortes Community Housing Society has drawn up a covenant to do any final finishing work, so that the new occupants of Rainbow Ridge will not have to wait for everything to be 100% completed before moving in.
While the society has to pay for the road into Rainbow Ridge, MOT will maintain it in the future.
Iredale & Associates was hired to reduce development costs.
“In rural BC, and especially on these islands, there's no public water system to plug into. There's no public sewer system to plug into. Not only that, but you have to build your own roads on your own property. So that's what we're faced with on Cortes Island, and that obviously is a huge expense for our community to provide infrastructure for Rainbow Ridge.”
Iredale is working with the contours of the land, to position the future town homes so that they nestle more naturally into the land. This eliminates the need to spend a lot of money moving soil around for foundations and buildings.
“Our main focus over this past year is finding ways to more inexpensively locate the parking lots, driveways and the houses, including all of the infrastructure, like the sewer, water, and the power that has to get to each of those buildings.”
After this is completed, the new site layout and plans for the townhouses will be unveiled in a town hall meeting.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Carol Titler served on the Friends of Cortes Island Board (FOCI) during some of the society’s formative years. She was not one of the founding members, but joined in FOCI was still meeting in people’s homes and hauling its records around in boxes.
“Then Hubert Havelaar built an office space and it was moved to downtown Manson's Landing where it put us right there in the public eye. People began to really want to see what we were up to,” she explained.
“I think I joined at a really great time because there was a wonderful group of people there. They had these great projects that were really interesting and I felt were really great for the island. Ralph Nursall, who is no longer with us sad to say, was the president of the board. He brought all of his skills from being a marine biologist and a professor. He put together contracts to work with people because sums of money would be donated for something like forestry, large sums of money, and we needed to make sure that was all accountable and so forth. Our office person was Kathy Smail, who was really wonderful about devoting a lot of time to setting up the actual organization … Kathy was always there working away at her computer. She was a great person with the members of the island and the public.”
Now that FOCI had an office, they started putting together a library. They purchased a lot of books on sustainability, the environment, gardening or orchards, pruning, beekeeping, mushrooms, botany and anything else that seemed relevant through Marnie’s Books. Nursall contributed books from his years at the University of Alberta.
A discussion of various programs follows - photo courtesy FOCI
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are probably a dozen abandonned boats on Cortes Island right now, and Dominic dos Santos would like to have them towed away.
“A lot of them are floating. Some of them just have no names on them. People just leave them there. it's just been 15 years of 'not my problem.' we got fiberglass shards on every beach now because they abandon the boats and let 'em get destroyed on the rocks . All this stuff is gonna wind up on the beach in the next five, 10 years?” he said.
“Let's get them off the island while I have someone that is willing to take any boat that we can give them. They're going all the way to Victoria. Brittany and her partner from Victoria are willing to take any boat that we can give them. I arranged the date, which was before the 30th.”
“All the harbours are full of crap boats. It's gotta be like at least five or six boats that can be removed from the Gorge. There's the two at Squirrel Cove, that concrete boat at Mansons, and I just brought two from Cortes Bay.”
Cortes Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick could only speak about the abandonned boats within the Harbour Authority area, but there are more in Squirrel Cove than dos Santos was aware of.
“There's actually three vessels that are sitting on the beach in front of the Squirrel Cove dock. All three have been surveyed by the Coast Guard within the last month and the process has been started to have them removed.The Coast Guard also assisted in the removal of Emily, which was the fish boat, which went down on the boy that was located outside of the Squirrel Cove government dock lease area and they are also currently looking into one of the boats that's sitting at the Squirrel Cove dock as well,” she explained.
Dominic dos Santos said, “People have been trying to give me the boats in Squirrel Cove. I'd love to take 'em. I need written permission, or can't do it. If I got the paperwork for those on, it would've been today.”
Harbourmaster Jenny Hartwick has not met do Santos and was not previously aware of his initiative, but is concerned about the situation he is dealing with.
“Unfortunately, the number of abandoned vessels is growing, and that's not just for Cortes Island, It's up and down the whole coast.”
So far, dos Santos has only obtained the paperwork for two boats, which he moved from Cortes bay to Gorge Harbour.
“I paid a dollar for each boat. I got the paperwork, I got 'em all signed over to me. They're my liability.”
He has received a number of complaints since they arrived in the Gorge.
“I'm just more surprised at the negativity surrounding what I thought would be a positive activity. My phone keeps going. If that's the case, I'll just do it on my own. It's a problem that I could fix and in the meantime I can grab a couple of anchors, or maybe a tube. This and that, some extra parts.”
“From my perspective, I'm doing a local that's been here for a while, a huge favor. If anything happens, he doesn't have to worry about it. Then also cleaning up Cortes Bay. I paid $250 to get a move to the Gorge, they’re going to pay me $200 for both boats.”
“I would love just a little bit of support from the community, if they want to help me tow a boat. It would seem that it would make more sense for more than zero people to step up and say, ‘Hey, let's get these boats off the island before they sink and go up on the beach and ruin oyster leases.’”
As dos Santos puts it, the two boats he currently has in the Gorge will ‘get Frankensteined’ after they reach Victoria.
“Brittany and her partner have a huge plot of land. They get all the boats together and they piece 'em together. They make something livable and then they sell it cheap for people that need a cheap house. It's kind of like a trailer park.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s new high speed internet system could be live as early as December, otherwise early in 2023.
Randy, from CityWest, gave Cortes Currents a very graphic illustration of what this will mean.
I am currently downloading data from the internet at a rate of 21.35 megabits per second (Mbps) and uploading at 6.50 Mbps. Randy discussed plans for 100 or 500 Mbps, download and upload, depending on how much I wanted to pay. He also said there are no limits for the number of gigabytes I could use in a month, hence no overage charges.
Dino Tsakonas, the Regional Manager for our area, said he does not anticipate any changes to CityWest’s rollout now that TELUS has taken over our local provider, Twincomm.
On their website, Twincomm states, “For the foreseeable future, all products, services, prices, and billing will remain the same. Any updates on service changes will be well advertised.
CityWest crews have been very active around Cortes in the last few weeks, so Cortes Currents asked Tsakonas about the crews working in Smelt Bay and Squirrel Cove. He described those as landing sites.
“The cables are already running around the island. A bunch of the landings are ready, the fiber optics to the island is pretty much done. We just have some finalization of getting power to those sites and connecting all those fiber optics in between the landing sites,” he explained.
“Right now as we're doing the cold installs, that's bringing the service from the outside to the inside of your home. We're trying to be live by the end of this year or by win winter. That's going to happen in Manson's Landing, Seaford and for the Klahoose First Nation. Whaletown will come later becuase we don’t habe the main line set up yet.”
People who have signed up for this service will be notified by phone or email when it is time for them to receive updates prior to going live. This should occur in December. Meanwhile crews are working on Denman Island right now, but have not arrived on Hornby Island, Quadra Island or Sayward.
“ I'd like to add for people of the surrounding areas in islands is just to be patient a little bit, but not so much because we are coming,” said Tsakonas.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - ortes Islanders Celebrated Life on Glorious Earth & Create Culture on Folk U last Friday with live music from the Awakeneers, interviews with the Creative Culture Guide Website development team, and discussion of Creative Culture and Sustainability on Cortes Island.
They met for this in person live event at the CCEDA Village Commons. This was the official launch of the Creative Culture Guide, the grand opening of the Community Village POD, and enjoy live music and inspiring conversation.
The Creative Culture Guide has been five years in the making, the website provides an evolving mandala of guiding principles, best practices, primary sources and regional resources for an enlightened, regenerative, and sustainable society.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Image credit: courtesy Manda Aufochs Gillespie
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Both the Campbell River Mirror and National Observer reported how the tiny Surge Narrows Community Association (SNCA) purchased 20 acres on Read Island in 2019.
“We just couldn’t bear to see yet another clearcut,” said Read Island resident Lannie Keller. “It was a beautiful piece of treed land along the main road where people travel to get mail, to the school or the dock.”
A Strathcona Regional District (SRD) staff report states, “A public walking trail passes through a variety of unique ecosystems on the property, including mature/old growth forest.”
This is the third year that the SRD has waived the property taxes for Lot 302.
Rosie Steeves, one of SNCA’s Directors, described the 2019 purchase as a game changer, illustrating how a handful of determined residents can save their environment.
Some people hope to emulate this on Cortes Island, purchasing the 2,681 acres owned by Mosaic Forest Management. The forestry giant had intended to start logging operations this month, but recently posted notice in the Tideline that they will defer operations until the beginning of 2023.
In his post, Land Use Forester Colin Koszman cited, “Several factors, including contractor availability, ongoing assessments and planning work, and continuing discussions with the community and our partners.”
Cortes Island residents have a respite of at least three months.
How much money would it take for Mosaic to part with its extensive Cortes holdings? Is there enough time to raise it?
This is the second time SNCA has purchased property on Read Island, but it took two or three years to raise the $78,000 for Lot 309 in 1992.
Ralph and Lannie Kellar offered to put up $50,000 and guarantee the full $150,000 purchase price for Lot 302. There was no need. SNCA raised the funds in four months.
The Kellars are among the 130 residents of Read, Maurelle, Rendezvous, and Sonora Island residents who belong to the charity.
Lot 302 is now a green corridor, stretching from the Surge Narrows dock to the island’s Fish and Forest Reserve.
The SRD Board cited Section 391(4)(a) of the Local Government Act when it waived the taxes:
“The following property that is in an electoral area may be exempted under subsection(a) land or improvements, or both, owned or held by, or held in trust by the owner for, an athletic or service organization and used principally for public athletic or recreation purposes”
Lot 302 is meant to be as public park in perpetually.
There was no discussion at the September 21 SRD Board Meeting. It took a little more than a minute for the SRD Board to waive the need for three readings, and the taxes for 2023.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the core beliefs of the Campbell River Vineyard is that God is speaking to us. There is a Rama Space in their church. People who receive a word, vision or relevant scripture reference can explain to the congregation what the Lord has put on their hearts. So Cortes Currents asked Senior Pastors Barry and Nancy Kaardal, ‘How does God speak to us?’
God speaks in multiple ways
“Well, actually God speaks to us in multiple ways,” replied Nancy.
“Sometimes we know that this is Him, because there's such a strong presence in the room. It's so quiet that you know it's God. Sometimes you just think it's your own voice talking. Each person is built different and each person hears the way God has made them to hear.”
She proceeded to list the ways God speaks to people: A verse that stands out when you are reading Scripture, that might even bring you to tears because it went so deep a dream, a picture that enters your mind, or a vision seemingly random thoughts
“Sometimes I will say things and I actually don't know it is God's speaking. I just say things to people and random stuff comes out of my mouth,” she explained.
“They say, ‘How did you know that?’”
“I said, 'Well, I didn't, but you confirming what I just said means that it's God that has just spoken to you and this is a word from him.’”
Is it God speaking?
Nancy said that when she gets ‘a word,’ she usually seeks confirmation from other believers.
Barry agreed, “Especially if it's a directive word for the church or for a person's life, we would counsel them to get the whole community helping to discern what God is actually saying to them.”
He added that our primary way to hear God's voice is through ‘His word,’ the 66 books of the Bible.
“In his word though, it talks about what we call Rama (Rhema) words or words where God will speak to us today. Jesus says my sheep hear my voice. I speak to them and they hear me and they know me and they follow me. So we know by the Holy Spirit, which has come to the church at Pentecost, that we have this ability now to communicate with God,” he said.
“God wants to talk to us, but it always has to line up with the character and with the will that we see in the scriptures. The scripture tells us what God's character is like, what His will is, what His plans are, what our commission is - all of those things. So to me, when God is speaking, it can't outright contradict the Biblical text.”
He gave a number of examples:
God would not tell you to do something that is dishonest Nor would He tell you to leave your spouse so you could be with another woman (or man). God does want us to clean up our lives.
“He convicts us of sin, but it's usually for redemption. God is a forgiving and loving God who will speak that love and forgiveness into us and that's also a way in which we recognize the voice of God.”
Another test of the word is truth.
“The first step would be, does this person confirm it? Or does it happen? For example if I say, ‘God says this is going to happen in the next couple of days’ and it doesn't happen. Then I wasn't hearing God. There was a bunch of Christians that really believed Trump was going to be re-elected in the last election and then he wasn't. My view would be they have to repent and realize that they did not hear God,” said Barry.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - Transport Canada (CT) transferred administration of the wharves at Owen Bay on Sonora Island, Surge Narrows on Read Island, and Port Neville on the northern shore of the Johnstone Strait, over to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) in 2014. The SRD was also provided with $2.9 million for maintenance and upgrades that were to be completed by 2024. These upgrades have not yet occurred. Nor has a service to carry out operations and maintenance been established for Area C. In the face of local opposition, the SRD deferred discussion of this issue until next January.
At the September 21 board meeting, Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained, “Throughout the years, at every budget meeting that I've been at, we've been trying to establish a work service to put these in. The lack of establishment of the wharf service has delayed us in doing the capital works to these. It occurs greater liability and finally this year we had support from the area director as the other electoral area directors were adamant this year that they wanted that the liability removed from the admin function. So the Area C Director made the motion, supported all the votes on it and then for some reason we'd seen articles in social media that the director was supporting a referendum of the folks and subsequently, saying that there was gonna be increased cost of the service, lack of control and that is what we believe inspired a petition process that basically caused the service vote to fail.”
In their report drawn up for this meeting, staff presented two options to the board: Option A - seek elector agreement through a vote Option B - abandon the service proposal and return the $2.9 million to Transport Canada.
Jim Abram, the Regional Director for Area C, took exception to Leitch’s description, “First of all, I have to say, our CAO, with respect, is completely wrong on his assessment of why this failed. It had nothing to do with me. It had to do with a number of people on Quadra Island mainly, and on Reed Island, that were completely incensed by the fact that I had put it through to move to approval process. I was the target of the negative comments, not the SRD and it further moved to the SRD later, of course, but I have to say that the opposition to this proposal was due to a community lack of understanding and feeling that the service was being pushed through without proper consultation. That came from one local media, one of our local media and a few organizers, not me. I first heard about it when I was called by disgruntled constituents and in a letter. It was community driven period.”
He explained that no money was being taken from any electoral area, including Area C. Only Transport Canada money had been used.
“The service establishment could be dropped at this time and reintroduced at a later date with a better information campaign to assure approval. At that time, the service could be established for the three TC wharves,” proposed Abram.
“There's no need to return the wharves to Transport Canada along with the funds. Transport Canada would not want, nor would they take them back. The money has been spent on the wharves and would be part of the return of the wharves should that take back piece happen, which it won't. I know it won't from having talked with Transport Canada.”
Abram suggested this project be forwarded to either November or January, after which the meeting descended into a disagreement as to who should make the motion.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When the auditor submitted the 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the Strathcona Regional District board last Spring, it showed one director biilling significantly more than his colleagues.
“I received more money than other directors,” admitted Regional Director Jim Abram of Area C (Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets) at the Strahcona Regional Dirstrict’s May 25 board meeting.
A subseuquent reviewing of Abram’s renumeration payments for 67 meetings during 2021 and 2022, determined that 54 of the meetings did not meet the criteria laid out in the SRD compensation bylaw
Consequently, at the Wendnesday Septermber 22 meeting, Abram announced, “Without prejudice, I'd like to agree to pay back the amount in the report from the finance department of $8,640 for meetings that were said to not meet the criteria and I hope that this will put an end to this issue. I will submit the check in full today. Sorry.”
Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River responded, “I want to preface this by saying that this is not, personal in any way, shape or form, but more a fiduciary responsibility. The motion will be that the CAO will be instructed that failing receipt of payment in the amount of $8,640 by September 22nd, 2023, no further monthly stipend expense or meeting pay claims be paid to director Abram until the balance has been fully repaid to the S R D finance department.”
Abram objected, “The date is unreasonable. I have to mail that check today. It will not go out until tomorrow, which is the 22nd and it would not be received until probably the 23rd, possibly the 24th of September and I believe the amount is incorrect, so I would have to vote against the motion, although I have already totally agreed to the concept.”
Chair Brad Unger said, “$8,640 is the correct amount if I'm not mistaken. As far as the dates and that …”
Abram agreed, “yes. You're you're correct. You're correct. I'm sorry.”
Chief Administrative Officer Davd Leitch said, “Mr. Chair, the date is moot there. I think the 22nd is fine. We don't regularly make payments till the end of the month anyways. So as director Abram said, if the check's mailed in takes a few days, we would certainly get it before the end of the month. Anyway. So I don't think the date is an issue in this resolution.”
Regional Director Gerald Whalley objected, “Mr. Chair, in my opinion, I think this is inopportune. I believe what the directorate is doing to Adams is calling the question, the integrity, the honesty of director Abraham into question. I think that's out of line. Director Abram is giving his word that he's going topay. I think we should take that and if in the future there was some untoward thing that was to happen, we can look at this item again, but at this point in time, I think this is disrespectful.”
Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield added, “Wouldn't it be more reasonable to put by the end of September, is when we normally issue payments, distribute money, et cetera.”
Adams agreed, “I’m fine with that. I'm leaving it at the discretion so that our finance department and the CIO have that ability in the unforeseen circumstances that that would be required if it's not, then it becomes mute. This is A fiduciary responsible motion and then nothing other.”
Unger said, “Okay. Thank you. So if it's okay with a mover, then we'll have a friendly saying September 30th.”
The following motion carried, with five Directors (Whalley, Abram, Leigh Davis and Kerr) voting in opposition:
“That the SRD CAO be instructed that failing receipt of payment in the amount of $8,640.00 by September 30, 2022, no further monthly stipend, expense or meeting pay claims be paid to Director Abram until the balance of $8,640.00 has been fully repaid to the SRD Finance Department.”
Image Credit - Cover of the Strathcona Regional District 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been numerous reports of BC ambulances being understaffed recently. According to Prince Rupert Northern View, the Bella Coola ambulance was only in service for 52% of July. Quadra Island volunteer firefighter Marc Doll recently informed Cortes Currents there are times when no paramedics are available on Quadra and ‘any firefighter that currently has a class four license is basically being put on standby because they no longer have the ability to have two people scheduled to keep the ambulance going.’ After receiving a couple of anonymous tips on Cortes Island, Cortes Currents asked BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) for an update on the local situation.
A BCEHS spokesperson named Cindy described the situation on Cortes as very different from Quadra Island.
“Cortes Island is well staffed with all 4 Scheduled On-call (SOC) positions filled and 3 on call staff. SOC shifts are 24-hour shifts. Paramedics are at the station from 8am to 4pm, and carry a pager outside those hours,” she said.
The report that a ‘Cortes firefighter’ has driven the ambulance is true, but only because ‘BCEHS has a staff member who also works as a duty officer for the Cortes Island Volunteer Fire Department.’
“There have been instances where the staff member was available by pager while on duty for the Fire Department. In those instances, the staff member was paid, as a BCEHS employee, for each time he drove the ambulance.”
Fire Chief David Ives added, “I can confirm that the Cortes Island Fire Department works very closely with BC Ambulance service and intends to further improve this relationship via additional joint training sessions as well as the fire department broadening the types of medical calls we are automatically dispatched to. This initiative has less to do with BC Ambulance shortfalls – either perceived or real and more to do with the fire departments’ drive to provide an ever-evolving and ever-improving level of service to Cortesians and their guests.”
Cindy confirmed a report that paramedics were brought up from Courtenay when there were no local paramedics available.
“Once in August, the Cortes Island crew timed out. A Courtenay crew was brought over via water taxi to respond to calls on Cortes.”
She added, “Cortes Island is not facing any significant staffing issues.”
“On Quadra Island, BCEHS has asked for the assistance of Firefighter First Responders to act as drivers at times, and we greatly appreciate their assistance. Between May 1, 2022 and September 6, 2022 our records indicate that the Quadra Fire Department drove an ambulance for BCEHS 17 times.”
She said that this relationship is not unusual:
“BCEHS has agreements with many fire departments throughout the province. Firefighter first responders can provide basic first aid and emergency health services, such as CPR and defibrillation while paramedics are on route to a medical emergency call. The program is voluntary, and each First Responder partner agency determines which types of medical emergencies they are able to respond to and when.”
According to Doll, ”There are periods of time where there is no one scheduled and there is no ambulance available on Quadra Island.”
Fire Chief Sharon Clandening told the National Observer that there were 6 occasions where there were no paramedics on duty this past summer.
Cindy admitted that Campbell River paramedics have responded to events when there were no paramedics available on Quadra.
“Currently, there is one projected shift vacancy for the month of September on Quadra Island and we are working hard to fill this shift.”
photo credit: Man in front on headlight – Photo by Eugene Triguba Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - Over the past 20 years, Christian Gronau has documented 149 fossiliferous rocks in our area.
Fossil #144 was recently installed at the Cortes Island Museum, but the German-born and trained palaeontologist said, “Palaeontology became a question for me when I was settled here. I looked around, of course was interested in the local geology, and realized that Cortes is just a big pile of granite with very little exceptions to that rule and started wondering what I was going to do with my interest in fossils.”
He moved to Canada in 1972 and met his partner, Aileen Douglas, while working in the mining sector.
Regarding their decision to move to Cortes Island in 1978, he explained, “it's a winding path, a complicated path, but a happy path that led me here and palaeontology didn't feature into the decision making. More the landscape, the political climate of Canada, people of Cortes. This was a long time ago.”
He and Aileen moved to a water access only property without hydro or telephone and became shellfish farmers, but palaeontology is very important to Christian Gronau.
“It's one of the major aspects of defining our existence, explaining our origins, putting us in some context and giving us an identity on this planet. It gives us a real sense of deep time, because we can trace our ancestry as far back as life itself, which I think is pretty profound, pretty important.”
Everything changed after fossil #1 turned up in Gorge Harbour.
Image credit: The important pieces of evidence in support of Bute Inlet having been the main conduit for the transport of Buchia erratics from the Potato Range to Cortes Island. Fossil #129 found by Barry Saxifrage, Fossil #130 by Christian Gronau - photo courtesy Christian Gronau
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Saturday, September 3, 2022, Christian Gronau installed a 130 million year fossil on the Cortes Island Museum porch.
This is the third rock from his collection on display, and fossil #144 of a series.
“I believe this quest for fossils, the erratics that he's been searching for has been a 20 year project,” said Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives.
Gronau added, “It's a very fine specimen, different from the other two specimens that are already there. So it makes a very nice combination.”
He wrote, “Every one of the fossiliferous rocks (containing Buchia spp. bivalves) found around Cortes and neighbouring islands, is an ‘erratic.’ They have been transported by glaciers of the last Ice Age all the way south from the Potato Range in the Chilcotin - a journey of roughly 200 kilometres. The main travel route was down the Homathko River and Bute Inlet. Once the glaciers escaped the confines of their respective valleys (fjords), they spread out and deposited their rock loads as far as West Thurlow Island and as far south as Smelt Bay, Cortes Island.”
He described finding fossil #144 ‘as a collaborative effort in the widest sense of the word.’
It came to his attention as a result of a conversation during which his neighbouor told a visitor from Vancouver there are fossils on some of the local beaches.
The girl responded, “Oh, I've seen one on Marina Island. It's much bigger than what you are talking about.”
She had a photograph of the general location, but said the boulder was too large to move.
So with his partner, Aileen Douglas, and regular collaborators, Carrie and Barry Saxifrage, Gronau set out in his boat to find to find the boulder.
“We did find it fairly high up the beach on the really bad side of Marina Island, where the boulders reach out about a quarter mile in very erratic patterns and it's tricky boating. We realized that we would have to time the tides and correctly,” explained Gronau.
“One beautiful summer day which was very hot, so it was good to work half underwater, we approached the location with our boat. One old trick that every old timer who ever cleared a patch of beach knows, it is a lot easier to move rocks when they're underwater because their buoyancy cuts their weight roughly in half. So we were able to move this boulder underwater onto a wooden ramp that led onto the back transom of our boat and walk the rock, which we estimate was about 300 pounds, up onto our boat. We took it to a boat ramp, onto a dolly to our car and onto the porch of the museum, where it has since been properly installed and on a base and cemented securely so that it won't tip over. It's a very specimen different from the other two specimens that are already there. So it makes a very nice combination.”
Boyle added, “Christian’s done this beautiful hand painted sign that will track the progress of these erratics and I'm hoping that more and more people will stop by and explore. There's a wonderful binder chronicling the whole quest with his team,His friends who've been on the journey with him and lots of the young people who were inspired by this research, who've probably gone on to careers in geology or palaeontology, many other things.”
She added, “Christian has had a long relation with the museum and he has so generously offered off his knowledge through this project, but also just generally.”
Gronau also curated the ‘Curiouser & Curiouser’ show at the museum in 2018. He has posted 17 blogs on the museum website so far.'Living With (Paper) Wasps' (2015), ‘F stands for Fossil’ (2021) ‘The Mystery of the Perambulating Clam’ (2022) are among them.
This is part one of a series about the erratic fossils found in this area, in part two Christian Gronau describes his research in greater depth.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Whaletown may get its name from an old whaling station, but Europeans really did not settle in the area for about 15 years. In today’s program Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum, traces the modern community back to a logger named Moses Ireland.
First Nations people were using Whaletown Bay before that and a fish trap is believed to have once stretched across entrance of the lagoon.
The whalers came for 18 months, in 1869 and 70.
“It wasn't very many years after the whaling station left, in the mid 1880s, that Moses Ireland moved into the area as a logger and set up camp where the whale station had been,” explained Jordan.
That is where the ferry terminal is today and Ireland also preempted a number of other properties around Whaletown Lagoon. He stayed there until about 1893, then relocated to what was then called Camp Island and now the Subtle Islands. Ireland was in his 50s when he married a widow and they built a hotel on the Northern island.
“His saloon was very popular. Loggers often stayed there when they were between jobs or on a holiday from a camp. There was not a wharf to start with, but a float where the Union Steamships could stop. They often were dropping loggers off, or picking loggers up and taking them to other places,” said Jordan.
A lot of little camps and communities were starting up all around the Discovery Islands.
Whaletown’s post office made its official debut around 1894. William and Laura Drinkwater had bought the property across the bay from Ireland.
“There was a little dock, and at the top of the dock was a small building. That was a store that had not too much in it, just small items and the post office. it wasn't officially a post office until I think it was 1894. Mail was being delivered on the Union Steamship,” said Jordan.
“Post was very important in those days. There was no other communication, no telephones, no radios back then. People ordered things to come up on the boats by mail. They, kept in touch with their families and friends. When you got a letter, you kept it and you reread it many times in many cases. So there's actually a lot of saved handwritten letters, business letters too, that were typed on the old typewriters.”
The Drinkwaters house became a community centre, where there were dances and other events.
Meanwhile Ireland sold the Subtle Islands to Charlie Strange, who came out from London with his two sisters. The two women were used to an urban lifestyle and brought trunks full of fancy dresses for dances, teas and going to the theatre. They also brought hats, matching purses, fancy shoes and magazines from England, like Vogue and The Ladies Home Journal. Most of this remained in their trunks when they moved into the old building in the Subtle Islands.
Charlie Strange pre-empted 160 acres, at the bottom of Sawmill Road, around 1902. He ordered a big round saw, which came up on a Union Steamship.
Whaletown had spread out from Von Donop Inlet to Gorge Harbour by this time. A lot of people lived in float houses. The loggers used to move their house from bay to bay, as they were working. They sold a lot of logs, but at that time most buildings were log cabins.
“When that saw arrived, it was big news that spread over the whole island because now people could come to Strange and have lumber made for them to build their houses,” said Jordan.
“Charlie Strange built one of the largest houses at the time on Cortes, it had three stories.”
Sawmill Road was named after his mill.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “One of the core messages and core reasons that I am running for Regional Director is because I want decisions to be centered on island values. To me, island values are respect for First Nations, long term sustainability, also the rural nature that we all love. That's why we live here. Quadra Island has a rich history of volunteerism. The role of the director is really to be an advocate for the majority of the community at the Strathcona Regional District (SRD),” said Robyn Mawhinney who hopes to be elected Regional Director of Area C (Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets) on October 15th, 2022.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The fish farm industry does not want to leave British Columbia’s coastal waters in 2025.
In a recent press release Andreas Kvame, CEO of Grieg Seafood, said, “Our industry is in continuous development with new technologies and innovations, and in Grieg Seafood we are committed to improvements that strengthen biological control and reduce interactions with wild salmon.”
David Kemiele, Managing Director of Cermaq emailed Cortes Currents, “Our new protocol extends to the end of 2025 and we are using that time to refine what our operations will look like moving forward beyond 2025 and definitely innovation plays a critical role in that plan.”
Dan Lewis, executive director of Clayoquot Action, explained, “They call it an SCCS semi closed containment system and what we're seeing with the consultation that DFO is running is the wording the ministry is using is things like we want the industry to leave the way with technological change and is becoming more and more clear that what they're talking about is these semi-close containment systems in the water.”
Stan Proboszcz, senior scientist with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, added, “There aren't any proven semi-closed containment projects that I know of anywhere that work. I know a few of the companies have been trialing that technology in British Columbia over the last several years and all I've heard about are failures. If they're talking about it, I honestly believe having worked on this issue for so long that it is just talk to maintain the status quo, which is open nets."
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is in the midst of consultations about the immediate future of fish farms in the Discovery Islands and transitioning the open net pen industry out of coastal British Columbian waters by 2025. But DFO approved the expansion of Cermaq's farms at Bawden Bay, Millar Channel and Dixon Bay in Clayoquot Sound.
Interviews with Dan Lewis of Clayoquot Action, Stan Proboszcz from Watershed Watch, Robyn MaWhinney and Marc Doll, who are both in the race for Regional Director of Area C in the upcoming October 15 election, and an email from David Kiemele, Managing Director of Cermaq Canada.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Squirrel Cove was much more important during the first part of the 20th century. Union Steamships tied up at the long wharf twice a week. There is still a Squirrel Cove General Store and post office, but there were once log boom, a sawmill, boatyard, machine shop, community hall, church and a school. Much of this infrastructure disappeared during the years that steamships were supplanted by motor boats and floatplanes. However Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum, has another explanation for Squirrel Cove’s decline.
It starts back in the years when there were no roads on Cortes Island.
“For the longest time, there was no connection from anywhere in Whaletown to the other side of the island. There was a wagon road to where Robertson road is now, then it became a walking trail. You went up over the hill and down into Squirrel Cove on a very rugged rocky trail that more or less follows Whaletown Road,” she explained.
There was a road connection from there to Mansons Landing, but anyone travelling between Whaletown and Mansons had to pass through Squirrel Cove.
Jordan explained that this changed during the late 1950s, when the Hansen brothers started construction of what is now called Gorge Harbour Road.
“Everybody could bypass Squirrel Cove and go to Manson's Landing if they wanted to, rather than the long way around. That made a big difference to Squirrel Cove, because it was a major place that people went to from both Mansons and Gorge and Whaletown,” she explained.
Jordan believes the Squirrel Cove route was still important when BC Ferries arrived in 1969.
“In the first few years I think you had to drive all the way around to get to Mansons. You had to drive through Squirrel Cove. When they put the shortcut through, Squirrel Cove kind of died.”
Construction of the Gorge Harbour Road also changed the face of Whaletown.
“Between where the post office building was and the library, there was actually a little tiny bay. When the connector road was built from Gunflint over to whale town road, the loose rock was used to fill in that bay. Also just below the church on that road, above where the library, is that road had on both sides, rock that kind of narrowed the road. They blasted and all that rock went into that to fill in that bay. It's now a parking area between the old post office and the library.”
You have been listening to part of an interview with Lynne Jordan, who is writing a history of Whaletown for the Cortes Island Museum.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Food security is very important to Marc Doll, a candidate for Regional Director in Area C during the upcoming election.
“Climate change is here. Its effects are here and they're getting worse. When it comes to our food production, the things that we've depended on for the last 40, 50, 60 years are just not there anymore,” he explained.
“We're in a world of climate crisis. We're in a world where the food systems that we have relied on for at least since the end of the Second World War are in big trouble. Look at Lake Mead and the irrigation that supplies the California Central Valley. If you follow the news at all, you're realizing how in jeopardy that particular water source is, and that's not just limited to that. We can go to the groundwater that feeds and irrigates most of the Great Plains. That's where our food comes from.”
Prior to the Second World War, Vancouver Island grew about half of its food. Now Doll believes this statistic is closer to 4%-5%.
“We need to really focus on getting ourselves together. We have the ability to do that and we definitely have the people here with the knowledge to do that,” he said.
“The change can come very, very quickly. The culture of gardening, self sufficiency and independence is present in our [Discovery Island] communities. That's what we can draw on. The percentage of the people here that have started gardens or have had gardens for years is well above what would be the average of a major urban center? Our desire to pay for the value of food isn’t there yet, but that is changing.”
Doll and his family are the stewards of a 40-acre parcel of Quadra Island called the ‘Foot Forward Forest Farm.’
According to the description on his website, “Every animal and garden system is designed to add more life to the soil:
Animals are carefully managed through a holistic intensive grazing system that emulates the patterns of bison and thereby sequesters atmospheric carbon and adds life to the pastures. A young food forest of nut and fruit trees, growing above berry bushes, herbs, and low growing edible and medicinal plants, models a natural forest and produces food without needing any irrigation. The Farm practices the principles of no-till gardening, and lots of homemade compost and Actively Aerated Compost tea add life to the soil and fertility to the gardens. These are practices that Marc learned through his extensive studies with and visits to the farm of renowned social biologist Dr. Elaine Ingham."
“I produce sheep, goats, chicken, ducks and pigs on this farm. So we have quite a lot that we offer and our prices are going to be higher than what you have in the grocery store because we raise them with a regenerative model. We raise them without genetic modified organisms and that raises the price. There is enough demand just on this island that I can't keep up with it,” said Doll.
“As inflation is creeping into the grocery stores on our islands, people are seeing the value of food and are starting to be not just willing, but actually having to pay a closer percentage of their income towards what food actually costs to produce in a responsible way.”
British Columbia may be the only province, or jurisdiction, in North America that gives farmers the ability to legally process meat and sell it directly to restaurants.
There is also a movement to allow raw milk sales.
“We need to look at how onerous VIHA [Island Health] regulations are to food production,” said Doll. “There are a lot of policy changes that need to be made to help us move forward. We need politicians that understand what those policy changes are and who will go to the table and push for them.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Earlier this week, one of the Quadra Island candidates in the upcoming election spoke of the need for a single political organization that represents the entire island.
This isn’t the first time this concept has been expressed. Two and a half years ago, Regional Director Noba Anderson unveiled a similar vision for Cortes Island.
While she and Marc Doll both expressed frustrations with the Strathcona Regional District, they are not calling for separation from it. Their proposed community organization gives their respective islands a chance to speak at several different tables: local, regional and provincial.
“Quadra is a community in and of itself, but doesn’t operate so much as a community. It operates as a bunch of really motivated, organized people in silos. From a community development perspective, we need to bring them together,” said Doll.
“We need to have an organization where Quadra Islanders can come together and focus on the vision for our future. How do we want to deal with development? How do we want our voice to be heard at the provincial table, and at the SRD table?”
While Doll is proclaiming his vision during an election campaign, Anderson has been Cortes Island’s Director since 2008. (She is not seeking re-election.)
At the time of our interview she was about to leave for Hornby Island, which has had a functioning residents association since 1979.
“I’m just really curious what other communities like that do and what version of that might be palatable and functional here,” she explained.
“I want to built community council, really simply put. City has a mayor and council. There is a group of people that are elected by the community to discuss matters of interest to the community and make decisions that pertain to the community and communicate the city’s will to outside agencies. I’m interested in building something here that is complementary to the Regional District structure and certainly in no way would supersede or replace it.”
The way the SRD is structured, Anderson said, “I am inherently a minority. Structurally, we don’t know things about each other. We don’t know each other’s communities even with the best intentions, which aren’t necessarily always there.”
Doll describes the SRD as a board in which the 5 municipalities, 4 electoral areas and single treaty First Nation of the SRD are ‘almost in competItion,’ rather than working together. Worse, when it comes to budgetary matters, the city of Campbell River is ‘governing Quadra, Cortes and all the other rural areas on Vancouver Island.’
They both believe their respective islands would be harder to ignore if they had a single political body expressing their collective wishes.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are not enough family doctors and the shortage of paramedics has reached crisis levels. Some people would like to see better fire services in North Island. In the third of a series about the issues he will be facing if elected Regional Director on October 15, Marc Doll spoke about emergency services on Quadra Island.
“I'm a volunteer firefighter on the island and the ambulance service is currently relying on firefighters to be the driver. Any firefighter that currently has a class four license is basically being put on standby because they no longer have the ability to have two people scheduled to keep the ambulance going. Even with that, there are periods of time where there is no one scheduled and there is no ambulance available on Quadra Island,” he began. “It is as bad as I have seen, and it is getting worse.”
Doll knows three people who have ceased to serve Area C as paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) during the last three years. One was a female paramedic who worked in the Outer Islands, but unless there was an emergency she only received $2 an hour standby pay. This was not enough to meet her family’s needs, so she reluctantly moved to Vancouver where paramedics are better provided for.
“We're in a crisis situation and you couple that with our ability to get off the island when the ferry isn't running. There's solutions that are being worked on right now, but it has been over the last number of months where there have been people that just couldn't get off the island in a respectable period of time,” said Doll.
“The Regional District doesn't have ambulance services under its purview, but there is influence. There is storytelling. There are relationships that need to be built and that is the role of a Regional Director to get those stories out there.”
The Strathcona Regional District Board can collectively lobby for better wages at the provincial level.
Doll’s family is among those that have been touched by a related issue, the island’s shortage of doctors. Their doctor left Quadra and they have not been able to find a replacement.
“One thing that we can do as a community is focus on our housing question. When you look at communities that have been successful in attracting family doctors and have been successful probably in keeping ambulance attendance working, it sometimes comes down to their housing options,” he said.
“There is work that we can do through the SRD as a regional director and through community organizations. I'm proposing to ensure that we have appropriate housing available for people who are making wages of an ambulance emergency service worker, or even doctors, to have that housing availability there.”
The suggestion that fire protection be extended over North Island is more problematic. It is currently served by BC Wildfire Service, whose mandate is to protect forests but not buildings. In 2019, the Quadra Island Fire Department made a proposal to extend their coverage over the island — but they would need two additional fire fighters and a truck. Quadra’s Fire Depart is separate from the SRD, and in 2020 the SRD sent out a survey to find out of North Island residents wanted it to provide fire service. 50% of the respondents said they were not willing to pay any additional taxes to support this.
“The cost of another fire hall serving a wide area with few people, makes that an untenable choice,” said Doll.
“However there are people organizing in the areas that are more at distance from the population centres on Quadra Island. Community organizations are making good progress getting the pumps, and getting some of the training. That's something I know that the Quadra Island Fire Department is willing to work with people, and help with training.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are only seven ‘catch and release’ aquariums in British Columbia, and one of them is in Campbell River. The Discovery Passage Aquarium is also in the first building dedicated to this purpose in British Columbia.
“This job is very interesting and engaging, but it's all a means to an end. We want to work hard to change our relationship with nature, because in its current state it is unsustainable,” explained Ricky Belanger, Manager of the Discovery Passage Aquarium.
“It's hard to get people interested in changing their ways if they don't know why they're doing it. So taking these animals out of their natural setting and doing our best to recreate their natural habitats in a captive setting, we can engage with them and learn about them while the animals are still in a comfortable setting. We're working towards healthier oceans. One of our goals is to work towards a world where aquariums aren't actually necessary.”
This is the aquarium’s 10th operating season.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the second of a series of articles outlining what he would like to bring to Area C if elected Regional Director, Marc Doll spoke about tackling the housing crisis.
While the issue at the top of everyone’s mind right now is housing, he pointed out the solutions are not easy.
“The principle that I'm standing on is saying that one person, me or anybody else holding the regional director position, isn't in a place to be able to say, 'okay, this is what we wanna fight for.’ Whether it be the vacancy tax, some type of licensing for air for Airbnbs, whether it be how we approach the development. These decision are more complicated than any one person sitting on a small committee can come to any conclusion on. Every one of these examples has a downside,” explained Doll.
“The only way forward is for that discussion to be had to within communities, so that the community says, 'we understand that we've examined the downsides, but this is the way that we Quadra Island, or Read Island and SNCA (Surge Narrows Community Association), or Cortes believe is the path forward.”
He added, “Having it preached from on high by any one person is not going to get the buy-in that's going to be required to take this on.”
Quadra is currently losing its workforce. According to the Rural Housing Needs Report, it shrank 16% between 2016 and 2021. Doll believes the actual number is closer to 25%.
The only demographic that is growing is people over the age of 65.
The number of people under 44 is decreasing.
“Vibrant communities, communities that function, need all age demographics. You need an active workforce. You need young families. You need kids to populate your school. You need all ages across the board,” said Doll.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Marc Doll was a high school social studies teacher, a community specialist realtor and the president of a communities association back in Calgary. He, his wife Jen and two daughters left that life behind in 2016. Now Doll is regenerative farmer and volunteer firefighter on Quadra Island. He hopes to be elected Regional Director for Area C on Saturday, October 15, 2022. The tagline on his websites is ‘empower community’ and in the first of a series of articles exploring his positions, Cortes Currents asked what this means.
Doll was President of the Marda Loop Communities Association, which governs a community of 20,000 people in Calgary, for 5 years.
“That's really the experience that I'm probably using and drawing on the most for this campaign,” he said.
“What's amazing is when you get people behind a vision and you get the people in a neighborhood wanna be connected and have the drive to make things better it just absolutely is impressive what can be done. So in this particular instance, we took something that had just become a rental hall and turned it into a community hub where we rejuvenated an outdoor pool, got millions of dollars in grants for infrastructure renewal. Brought a board that was hardly populated into completely full and where every position had people volunteering for it. We started a farmer's market, the list goes on and on and on.
This is a model of the kind of change he'd like to see Islandbrought to Area C, especially to Quadra Island. Reed Island is already further down that road, thanks to the Surge Narrows Community Association (SNCA).
“They are getting things done that are absolutely mind blowing. They just received a $2 million grant for a foreshore rejuvenation project. They completed a gorgeous pavilion for community events. That's the type of thing that can get done when people are working together,” said Doll.
“Quadra is a community in and of itself, but doesn't operate so much as a community. It operates as a bunch of really motivated, organized people in silos. From a community development perspective, we need to bring them together.”
Doll gave the example of a $12,000 food security grant that he, the Quadra Garden Club, and Quadra ICAN worked on.
“We are realizing that there was a hundred thousand dollars that we didn't even know about, because we didn't have the organizational capacity to keep our head up to go looking for that food security and climate change type of grant.”
“There's also folded into that, a political narrative that the Strathcona Regional District [SRD] is what I call the absolute worst way of organizing around community.”
He said the 5 municipalities, 4 electoral areas and single treaty First Nation of the SRD are ‘almost in competItion,’ rather than working together. Worse, when it comes to budgetary matters, Campbell River is ‘governing Quadra, Cortes and all the other rural areas and on Vancouver Island.’
“There are 35 votes at the table. Most of which are held in the hands of the directors from Campbell River or the counsellors from Campbell River who are sitting on the regional district committees,” explained Doll.
“That means our islands don't really have the ability to act as individual communities. We are enveloped by a larger urban municipality. A lot of the decisions that we're looking at are going to be largely made by the 20 votes that come out of Campbell River instead of the one vote from Cortes, or the two votes from Area C (Quadra Island and the other Discovery Islands).”
He added, “We need to have an organization where Quadra Islanders can come together and focus on the vision for our future. How we want to deal with development? How we want our voice to be heard at the provincial table, and at the SRD table?”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Union Steamship Company served communities along the West Coast up until they were supplanted by airplanes and small motor boats in 1956. Few would have guessed that as little as a generation earlier, when they were still the main way of transporting people and supplies. In the conclusion of her segment about the Union Steamship company, local historian Lynne Jordan talks about the company’s twilight years.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When the Union Steamship company started operations, in 1889, there was a single ship servicing Burrard Inlet. Three years later they expanded their market to include the canneries, logging camps and small communities springing up along the coast. The first reference to a ship stopping in Whaletown is found in an 1899 story in the VANCOUVER PROVINCE.
“There was an elderly gentleman from Whaletown who had come down on the ship for medical reasons. He'd been ill for some time. His name was Hitchcock and I have actually found no listing of him in the gazettes or the early census listing. I have no idea what his occupation was, whether he was a logger or a farmer,” explained Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum and author of a manuscript about Whaletown’s history.
She mentioned steamships with names like the ‘Comox,’ the ‘Coquitlam’ and the ‘Chelosin.’
A lot of people called the latter ‘Charlie Olson’ because it was easier to say than ‘Chelosin.’
Most ships came to in Whaletown at some point, often going to Mansons Landing either before or afterward. Other ships serviced Squirrel Cove and the Eastern side of Cortes Island.
Big wharfs were built to accomodate those big steamships, in many rural coastal communities.
Whaletown was no different. There was a small, long wharf when Moses Ireland owned the property. After he left, in 1893, the Drinkwaters added a small store and post office off what is now Bayview Road.
The Thompsons “ … built a bigger wharf so that the ships could come in more easily and safely to unload In downtown. It was considered downtown because so many things that were there. There was the store, of course, and eventually there was fuel supplies, but there was also the post office, the library, the church, the clinic and the school just up the road,” explained Jordan.
“The Union Steamships really were a necessity of life for all those living along the coast. They were the connection to the outside world and they delivered supplies that had been ordered from stores and places in Vancouver.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Some Cortes Island residents are concerned about a proposed logging road through the wetlands between Anvil and Gunflnt Lakes on Cortes Island.
The Cortes Forestry General Partnership (CFGP) posted notice of its intention to log in the Anvil Lake area on its website in 2021, and at a public meeting in February. This was also discussed at the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative AGM in March. They also led a small group of local residents through the Anvil Lake area on Aug 13.
Between 15 and 20 Cortes residents held their own meeting at Mansons Hall on August 5, which was also attended by one CFGP Board member (Bruce Ellingsen).
On Friday, August 21, Nick Reed escourted Cortes Currents through the proposed logging route. He also produced a note stating the CFGP should be carrying out an ecological survey to assess the potential impact of this proposed logging:
on the wetland, which Reed refered to as the last surviving wetland in southern Cortes Island, and stated it supplies Anvil and Gunflint Lakes with water on Anvil Lake, and the water supply for some of the neighbouring wells. for possible impacts on the forest Reed also mentioned sightings of three bird species at risk and the Northern Red Legged Frog.
Cortes Currents forwarded Reed’s concerns on to the CFGP.
Steve Brown, Interim Chief of the Klahoose First Nation and a member of the board, immediately responded, “Good afternoon, Thank you for your concerns. The decision has been made and we are continuing with our operation plans.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Erin Robinsong and Merlin Sheldrake discussed water, mycelium, creating, poetry, science and their recent books on the Friday Aug 26 edition of Folk U Radio on Cortes Community Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM.
Erin Robinsong is a poet and interdisciplinary artist originally from Cortes Island whose work focuses on ecological imagination. Learn more: https://erinrobinsong.org/
Merlin Sheldrake is thinking about fungi and looking at the world differently because of it. Learn more: merlinsheldrake.com
As always, listeners were invited to call in during the live show breaks at 250-935-0200 to join the conversation or send your questions in advance to u@folku.ca.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 12 years of research lie behind local artist and historian Judith William’s exhibition, which opened in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery on Friday, August 26. In an interview with Cortes Currents, three months prior to the Bute Inlet landslide, Williams spoke against the installation of power lines in that area because it is too avalanche prone. The Bute Inlet slide is featured in ‘Water/Colour,’ but the exhibition really focuses on a series of paintings she made using the water she has been collecting in that region since 2010.
“I spent a lot of time in Bute Inlet. When I heard that they wanted to put 17 run-of-the river projects in there, plus seven people were applying to take water off the waterfalls like Raindrop Creek, I felt that their applications were too big. It was too much for that inlet because it's so volatile and landslides at just a flicker of the eyelash,” explained Willliams.
“I started in 2010, collecting the water from as many places as I could. And also I was helped by a group of people who were concerned.”
She added, “It’s difficult sometimes for an artist to know what to do that is relevant to the issue and still remains art. This exhibition is called Water/Colour because it is an attempt to make art out of my desire to collect the water from all the waterways, creeks and rivers and the Inlet that were under stress, also the waterfall, and paint with the water itself.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Jen Stevens left this world on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. In today’s program, her daughter Darshan Stevens talks about Jen’s life, her medically assisted death (MAID) and the changes that came about throughout this process.
“My biggest grief was when my mom received her diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer and my longest grief is probably what I was going into now, after she's passed,” explained Darshan.
“That initial shock and devastation of finding out what my mom had, I've never had a moment like that before in my life! I guess I've been quite privileged and lucky to not have any other close family members die. I was absolutely wrecked. I was incoherently babbling. My mom told me on the phone and she didn't know what it meant, and I just held it together when she told me. After I got off the phone with her, I looked it up. Then I knew how bad it really was, that there was very little chance that she would have more than two years.”
Jen lived in a cabin on her daughter’s property during the last decade of her life. They were very close, almost like partners. You can hear that intimacy in Darshan’s voice, as she lists some of the things she appreciates about her mom in the podcast above.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Janeen Sutherland has been the Wilderness Tourism Association’s (WTA) Executive Director for close to three months.
She became the WTA’s Executive Director at the end of May and is about to embark upon a new strategic plan for them that will focus on areas of advocacy, marketing support and really building community.
Sutherland did not know how many tourism businesses there are in the Discovery Islands, but last year Breanne Quesnel (President of the WTA and co-owner of Quadra Island based Spirit of the West Adventures) said there are more than 60 whose combined revenues are between $40 and $50 million a year. They are on Quadra, Cortes and the Outer Discovery Islands, but are not all members of the WTA
“We have about 55 members total as part of our organization and most of them are actually coastal and Vancouver Island, A lot of them are. We're picking up more interior members and that's actually one of our goals of our strategic plan. We love to have more partners up north and more partners in the interior and also two more indigenous partners as well,” explained Sutherland.
“Our vision is to create a sustainable future for BC's wilderness tourism industry.”
How is that going?
“We're obviously coming out of COVID and recovering from that. I would say most of our members are really quite thrilled with this summer and how bookings have been and how business has picked back up. Things are going quite well in that regard.”
She added, “We really feel that tourism is the way of the future.”
Sutherland quoted some stats:
“Tourism brings in $20.3 billion per year and 130,000 jobs. That is more GDP than any other industry in British Columbia.” “There's 149,900 tourism jobs and there are 1,291 BC fish factory jobs.” “There are 19,748 BC owned tourism businesses and only half of one BC based fish factory is owned by British Columbia.”
“All the rest are foreign owned, and so why are we allowing that in our waters?”
Sutherland said the two issues that kept her membership up at night are protecting wild salmon and new regulations for the forestry industry
“Those are definitely two hot topics, At the WTA we recognize that both of those industries are very important employment for many folks, so it is a sensitive topic.”
“We are all about protecting the wild salmon and the Discovery Islands is the most important migratory route in the world for wild salmon. We know salmon are a keystone species. Without salmon, we won't have forests. They are just such a key part of all ecosystems. We really feel strongly that things are moving right now, the announcement that was made by the honorable Joyce Murray in the spring, are very positive steps in the right direction. We support responsible land-based aquaculture and we really hope that our government can make a shift in that direction.”
They would also like to see some of the forestry regulations changed, so that the industry did not have such a negative impact on tourism.
“Some of the wordings to some of the regulations really are not effective in protecting fragile ecosystems. Why do we need to log some of these pristine areas where some of our operators are going to pull up their kayaks? Why do they need to log that little patch right there by the water?”
Sutherland said the WTA will continue to advocate for change.
“We're really tuned into protecting these wild places and keeping them wild,” she explained.
“We have a pretty bright future ahead of us. Canada now, in the international marketplace: I'd say we are the hottest wilderness destination out there. So I think we've got some really important work to do in the years to come.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On August 17, Cortes Currents published a review of David Broadland’s report ‘Land-use planning on Quadra Island has been undone by the Ministry of Forests.’
Broadland wrote that while all of the other Quadra Island woodlots leave big trees standing, Okisollo Resources fells a substantial number. In before and after satellite images from one of their cutblocks at Hummingbird Lake, he showed that 35 out of about 50 were logged in July and August of 2019.
In fairness to Okisollo Resources, this also means they left about old growth 15 standing. Cortes Currents visited a couple of their cutblocks last March and can also attest that they do leave some big trees.
Never-the-less, Okisollo Resources states that they only cut old growth to build roads, or for safety reasons.
To get some perspective on this issue, Cortes Currents contacted the Cortes Community Forest to find out how many big trees they find it necessary to cut for roadbuilding or safety reasons. In the eight years they have been in operation, the Community Forest has felled a single old growth tree and that at the express command of a WorkSafe board officer who ‘deemed it a danger tree and said it had to go.’
This is the same ratio Broadland cited among the majority of Quadra Island woodlots.
Prior to publishing its review, Cortes Currents wrote Okisollo Resources, “This seems like quite a difference, given that you both have a stated intention of increasing the number of old growth in your areas over time. Can you explain why your numbers are so different?”
Okisollo Resources finally replied by email on August 24:
“Mr. Hales, We are sorry to hear that you believe a topic as complex and rich as forest management can be summarized in a single statement.” “With regards to the experience of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative regarding individual old trees, it is impossible for us to have an opinion, based on the fact that we know nothing of the stands, terrain, or history of the areas that they are working in. Nor do they know anything about the conditions on our woodlot licence, and are thus in no position to make informed comparisons.” “The removal of a limited number of scattered individual old trees pales in comparison to the permanent retention associated with the identified old growth stands within our woodlot licence area. As a reminder, the majority of the permanent retention areas include recruitment areas - mature forests that will develop into old growth stands. Additionally, there are multiple riparian reserves associated with lakes and streams which will develop into old growth forests over time.” “You should be aware that this concern about scattered old trees has been raised by Mr. Burns not once, but at least 5 times to 4 different forest governance related bodies, and reviewed by multiple forest professionals. Each time it has been found that we are meeting or exceeding all our legal obligations with regards to the treatment and protection of old growth stands and old trees in our woodlot licence.” “We encourage you to contact the provincial government if you have questions about forest management policies in BC.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -BC Ferries has announced that, thanks to $1.5 million in funding from provincial government grant, they have been able to provide WiFi in an additinal 14 small terminals. Whaletown and Heriot Bay are among them.
Daniel McIntoish, Communications manager with BC Ferries explained, “Now they will be able to access WiFI at the terminal. Previously they would have had to either pick up a signal from somewhere or use the roaming feature. So now when folks are waiting at the terminal, they should be able to access WiFi at that terminal free of charge.”
McIntosh pointed out that the provincial government put in $1.5 of the $1.7 million used in this project.
“Prior to this program, you really could only get access to WiFi at some of the larger centers. A lot of the smaller communities would go to their terminals, there would be no WiFi access and then you kind of lose that connection either with friends, family, but also business as well too,” he said.
“We know that obviously WiFi is a service that many customers and quite frankly our staff, as well, are appreciative to be able to access in our culture. It's become the standard that you can walk around and access WiFi at business sites and coffee shops, places where you hang out. It's a gathering point. So this is a real good service that we can offer and we're happy that we can bring it.
“Sometimes the logistics of offering this kind of service can be tricky. Obviously we know that when we live in some remote areas, and it's not always easy to get this stuff going. Thankfully through this partnership with the province of British Columbia, we have been able to bring WiFi to 14 different terminals and we hope that our customers and our staff can enjoy it.”
The installations were finished on July 28, but only announced today. This brings the total number of terminals with free Wi-Fi access to 21.
BC Ferries does not ask for credit card details or personal information to use Wi-Fi networks at terminals or on board vessels.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is developing an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) for Area C. the Discovery Isalnds and Mainland Inlets.
Meredith Starkey, the Manager for Parks and Planning, described this as a broad level vision plan which can lead to more specific policies and regulations.
“For instance, building permits are currently not required on Quadra Island but they are in other areas of the SRD. Those are community level decisions, to say how far down do we want to take these ideas and codify them into legally binding and enforceable regulation,” she explained.
“The Outer Islands have a local area plan, but they don't have an official community plan and they don't have zoning bylaws.”
An ICSP could lead to the the creation of an official community plan for the Outer Islands.
Starkey said the SRD received a grant to create an ICPS for Area C in 2018.
“That project wasn't concluded, so we do have some remaining grant budget and a lot of consultation information from when that project started. We're relaunching now with a different approach. We are trying to piece together what we've heard and confirm and collaborate with community a little bit more, to make sure that the final plan actually reflects the will of the community.”
“We've initiated this with a sort of a targeted focus group, calling it a task force. We've been soliciting interest from residents in the Outer Islands and on Quadra to serve as our working group in order to provide the content and confirm the material.”
Ideally there will be about 16 members, half of which come from Quadra and the remainder from the Outer Islands. The SRD wants representation from across demographic groups: the business community, parents, seniors etc.
Starkey and Aniko Nelson, Senior Manager of Community Services, will represent the SRD.
Shannon Gordon, from the Whistler Centre for Sustainability, has been hired to facilitate the process.
The ICSP must be completed by the end of 2022.
“It's a very quick tight timeline for us. We are hoping to meet at least probably three or four times with task force over those over the next coming months,” explained Starkey.
“There will be an opportunity for the community more broadly to take a look. We're calling it a plan on a page, but the idea is that there would be something that we could share easily with a wide range of people to get some comments back that will probably be I want to say November early December.”
There is a lot going on at the SRD right now. They are looking into the housing crisis. The Connected Coast project is underway. Starkey, herself, is working on transportation plans. On top of all of that, there will be a regional election on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
“I would encourage anyone who's interested to check in with the SRD website and social media platforms from time to time,” said Starkey.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Orien Lee Johnston described her Cortes Island book launch, on August 4, in the Cortes Museum’s Heritage Garden, as a perfect fulfillment.
“There we are in the heritage garden of Cortez museum and archives. I counted afterwards probably more than 65 people were there and I'm standing there looking out at my friends and neighbours who are happily attentive and all smiling felt wonderful,” she said.
“Now I know what performers feel like. We were a bit of a performance because Paul Kahn played in mbira to begin, oo to bring in the ambience of Zimbabwe. Mbira is the musical instrument of Zimbabwe. Then Priya Huffman read an elephant poem related to a scene I read about elephants. Zach Sukuweh played his didgeridoo exactly like the elephant. It was fantastic! My son Devin told some stories from the time that he joined me over there to see what life was like.”
Johnston’s book, ‘The Geography of Belonging: A Love Story’ was published by Cortes Island’s own Salmonberry Arts and Publishing in July.
Ann Mortiffee wrote in the preface, “"Having been born in Southern Africa, I love The Geography of Belonging, travelling in my imagination with Oriane Lee Johnston on her amazing journey with Zimbabwe. She opens us to many questions about class, race, nature and the courage to follow love beyond our comfort level in order to discover the heart of another culture. The svikiro, a spiritual medium of the Shona people, said to her: 'To see our traditional ways kept alive with your interest and your writing. That is what you can give us.' Oriane Lee has indeed given that gift to all of us."
The week before our interview, Johnston did a book reading at Nhemamusasa North, a Zimbabwean music festival on Vancouver Island.
“Everyone there was interested in Zimbabwe, so it was super fun!” she exclaimed.
In September Johnston will do a book launch at the Fortune Gallery in Victoria.
“My book is now available at Monroe bookstore, the iconic bookstore in Victoria that is around the corner from my grandfather’s apparel store, that he had there in the 1940s and 50s,” she explained.
“I'll be doing a podcast interview with Banyen Books founder/owner, Kolin Lymworth, Who's a dear friend in a share giver at Hollyhock. The publications in which I've published excerpts from the story, as it was in process, they will also do reviews or interviews.”
Johnston said she never imagined she would fall in love with Africa, in a country that had once been the breadbasket of the continent. She described the collapse of the agricultural economy as Robert Mugabe’s grip on power tightened - but that is not what her book is about.
During her second or third visit she asked, ‘What could I do as one foreign visitor?’
“To a person my Zimbabwean friends - whether they were Shona, White, Tonga or Ndebele - said, ‘Show the world what the news media does not. That our country is beautiful, our people are generous and happy. Our culture is rich and alive.’”
Johnston takes the reader beyond the typical stories of corruption, poverty and a devastated economy presented by the media.
Her story began during a three month volunteer experince with a ‘horseback riding safari. The Genesis of her book is a daily record of what happened.
“The last week I went on a wildlife safari on horseback in the wilderness of Zimbabwe. That week absolutely changed everything about me, about my life, falling in love with Africa, finding perhaps a person that would draw me back there. Being under those stars, sleeping on the ground, riding 30 kilometers a day does something to your body and your mind just falls open,” she said.
“Can you imagine being on a horse coming up close to giraffes and elephants? The horses are trained so well to override their instincts as prey and to listen to what their rider is asking. So there we are, standing there in the pulse of the wild.”
That is where she met Stephen Hambani.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District Board (SRD) expressed its frustrations with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) consultation process at the Aug 17 SRD Board meeting.
Although they were among the parties invited to a series of meetings about the transition of open net pen fish farms out of the ocean, there have been last minute scheduling changes.
Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River said, “It's extremely disappointing that the dates for these important discussions are constantly changing at the last minute with no consultation. I can't help, but think that this is to limit the engagement for these sessions, which are extremely important.”
SRD Chair Brad Unger, the Mayor of Gold River, responded, “I agree, 100%.”
Mayor Mark Baker of Sayward added, “I found this process to be, almost as director Adams has pointed out, deliberate. The dates in the emails that were sent, especially to us north island mayors, the dates have been off and on and changed and a bit confusing. There were a couple of north island mayors waiting for the meeting today because of the confusion.”
Regional Director Jim Abram, of the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets, disagreed, “I think you're giving DFO too much credit in saying that they have purposefully changed these dates. I'm not defending them believe , I would say it's ineptness, rather than intentional and I've witnessed it over and over and over again, where all of the leads are set up. Everybody gets all lined up. And then nothing happens and we get a notice, oh, by the way, we changed it to another date. And then we get another notice and blah, blah, blah.”
Aquaculture is one of the principal industries within the SRD. While there are no fish farms in Campbell River, Cermaq Canada, Mowi Canada West and Grieg Seafood all have local headquarters in the city. A number of support industries are also in Campbell River. There are fish hatcheries in Gold River and Sayward. Fish farm sites are in the Okisollo Channel, which runs between Quadra and Sonora Islands, on Raza Island, off the northern tip of Cortes, and in numerous other locations throughout the Discovery Islands.
Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield said, “This has a huge economic impact to our entire regional district to the entire north island and I appreciate the work that the chair has done in the past in conjunction with the other mayors from the North Island. I think we need to be there in person included with staff as well to make sure that we hear the presentations. We can question it, we can then it response back. I think what we've got as a pseudo attempted engaging, and I know director Abram and myself at various Marine planning. Processes on the coast have been pushing and including at the ocean's protection plan, we made it quite clear that there had been no consultation with local governments and it is unacceptable. We need to continue making and carrying that message forward.”
Director Abram registered for the August 19 meeting.
“This is going to be mostly information out. The minister will be there. I've been told along with all of these other dignitaries and then there will be some discussion,” he said.
In addition to the advertised sessions, there will also be opportunities to post whatever and however much they desire online.
Abram said there will be at 4 more opportunities for the SRD to make its views known.
The SRD Board passed a motion to ‘formally participate in the transitional planning process from open net pen salmon farming in British Columbia.’
Podcast Photo: Decommissioned fish farm in the Okisollo Channel - Photo by Roy L Hales
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Heather Wolf and Nicholas Moon of Wild Revival joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for wild music, tasting wild ferments, and an opportunity to ask the wild questions.
Everyone was welcome outdoors under the CCEDA tent in the Cortes Commons and simul-cast on Cortes Community Radio at 89.5FM CortesRadio.ca.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Changes are coming to curbside garbage pick-up on Cortes Island.
The charge to the island’s 692 units will be rising 50 cents from $97.75, currently, to $99.25 as of April 1, 2025.
There are also some changes to the contract.
Apparently the Strathcona Regional District was not aware that VEM Contracting has been picking up recyclables.
As a staff member explained, at the August 17 SRD Board meeting,“That's something that we just discovered that is being done, and we want to keep doing that as well.”
The SRD has noticed an increase in the number of eligible buildings over the past couple of years.
They are also concerned that VEM Contracting is sometimes dealing with volumes exceeding the 80 litre per unit specified in their contract. The SRD is developing a process to deal with excesses.
VEM Contracting has reviewed the new contract and agreed to the proposed changes.
Cortes Island’s Regional Director, Noba Anderson agrees with the proposed changes, but has some questions about billing. She has been receiving complaints from some constituents who claim they are being billed for buildings that are not residences.
“I expect in this kind of situation, where extra dwellings are being counted for these purposes, is inevitable. But I’m just wondering what the rectification process would be,” she said.
SRD staff replied they have had similar complaints. They have attempted to visit Cortes a couple of times, but the ferry line-ups were too long.
“We missed the ferry, and we're planning another trip once the busy season slows down. So we're planning a trip for the second week of September. We are responding to all these requests and we're letting residents know that if we find out that the dwellings that they have on Corte Island, don't meet the language of the bylaw we will remove those bills from our system,” explained staff.
The SRD Board passed a motion authorizing the Chair and Corporate Officer to execute the proposed modification agreement with VEM Contracting.
Waste containers - Photo by Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單, own work) - via Wikimedia Commons - (CC BY-SA 4.0 International).
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mosaic informed the SRD Board of its intentions to log Cortes and Quadra Islands in a presentation at the August 17 SRD Board meeting.
“Earlier this year, we were really happy to announce that Way Kay Ventures, a newly formed company owned in part by the We Wai Kai First Nation is providing us with our timber harvesting services on Quadra island. So great to see that nation, working with us on our crown tenures, to participate in the forest sector in their traditional territory,” explained Molly Hudson, Mosaic’s Director of Sustainability. “We've been talking a lot with the community on Cortes about upcoming harvest plans, which we intend to launch this fall.”
Hudson outlined some of the ways Mosaic has been providing Cortes Island with benefits: They opened up the Gorge Harbor access terminal, which is now used by both the Kalhoose Forestry and Cortes Community Forest. They have been working with the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes island on a carbon project and the potential sale of the Children’s Forest They provided the Cortes Island Fire Department with some new water tanks.
She also described some of the ways Mosaic is of value to Campbell River and the Strathcona Regional District: They spend $80 million a year on local purchases Mosaic pays about $13 million a year in property taxes to the various municipal and regional districts where it operates. They have given funds to local organizations like Greenway's Land Trust and the Campbell River Salmon Foundation. North Island College, in Campbell River, is one of the institutions to benefit from the $125,000 Mosaic provided First Nation scholarships and training programs.
“All of the wood that we produce is offered first to local Millers before it can be sold overseas. That surplus check ensures that local mills are offered our wood first,“ said Hudson.
“We were really proud last year to be recognized as one of BC's top employers and one of the things that was recognized by BC's top employer association is that we've embedded a comprehensive diversity and equity and inclusion strategy into our business now. So really supporting a diverse range of folks in our industry and encouraging others to join us in the forest sector on the community front.”
Mosaic partnered with the Pacific Salmon Foundation and has committed to be net zero by 2035.
Hudson reminded the SRD Board that Mosaic has deferred harvesting 40,000 hectares of its private timber lands for 25 years.
“80% of those lands are mature in old forests,” she said. “This is a voluntary market initiative so any other company globally who has net zero commitments could be reaching out to us to buy these carbon credits to support their own path to net zero.”
Some of the Directors had questions.
Forestry is one of Campbell River’s three economic pillars and Director Charlie Cornfield asked, “If you reduce that, then you reduce the harvesting. That's the employment of loggers road, builders, contractors, and everything else. So the company might make more, but what about the impact to the communities?”
Hudson replied that Mosaic’s holdings were so vast that she did not forsee any ‘negative economic impacts to our labor force or to the communities who support that labor force.’
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Lynne Jordan, former curator of the Cortes Island Museum, is writing a history of Whaletown. Her manuscript is already 300 pages long. In the first of a series of interviews about her research, Jordan describes the history behind Whaletown’s name.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - David Broadland recently wrote a devastating critique of the old growth logging at Hummingbird Lake on Quadra Island. As there are conditions when it is necessary to cut down an old growth tree, I wrote some of the people involved with the Cortes Community Forest to find out how often this occurs in their operation.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - An exquisite scene hangs outside of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery for the 2022 Annual member’s Show. A hummingbird is depicted flying upward to sample the nectar from a cluster of flowers. Izabelle Perry’s piece is actually a gateway, which some members hope will become a permanent exhibit. The price is $2,500,
Kristen Schofield Sweet agreed the gate is remarkable, but the membership would have to agree for the gallery to make an investment like that.
“I'm pretty sure the gallery itself is not the only ones who are going, 'well, I wonder if we could afford to put that somewhere.' Certainly that gate is probably going somewhere,” she explained.
“I was visiting at the gallery with some friends yesterday and we were sitting out on the picnic table. Several people came to the show and without exception, each one stopped in front of that gate and said, ‘wow!’”
Gerri Davis spoke about the Member’s show, which opened on Friday, August 12.
“I was at the opening last night of the Cortes Island Art Gallery in the Old Schoolhouse. And it was well attended the variety of paintings and the quality is amazing. I was here from about six to seven. There was about 30 people here and there was snacks and stuff outside. It was lovely.”
Two of Davis’ pieces are in the show.
She believes all the members present, when Cortes Currents visited the gallery, are displaying their art.
Iyame Stryck was one of the four women who set up the show, “It's nice to have the praise that are people comfortable to bring your peace to open to the community.”
Schofield-Sweet said 23 artists exhibited.
“There's a number of new artists this year, and that of itself is wonderful and remarkable. It is like the whole show gets an uplift of energy when you see work that you haven’t seen before.”
She proceeded to list some of them: Brooke Anderson,Tanya Krahn, Filipe Figueira, Leona Jensen, Izobel Perry, and Madhurima Braaten.
There were also a number of artists who had been exhibiting with the gallery for a decade or more: Brigid Weyler, Donna Naven, Kathleen Pemberton, and Lisa Gibbons, etc.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Kayaks bioluminescence tours have been setting out from Mansons Lagoon every Friday and Saturday for the past month.
There were about a dozen people in our group, which was mostly composed of off islanders from Vancouver, Victoria or the Cowichan Valley. The only experienced kayakers were our guides, Jolaine Boucher and Maria Francis. However most of the group had some experience and the only rookie was me.
“How can you live on Cortes Island for twelve years and not go out in a kayak?” asked an astonished Boucher.
This is her fifth season as a guide and she has not lost her enthusiasm.
It was in her voice as she squealed with pleasure, paddling close to the phytoplankton covered marine vegetation along the west bank of Mansons Lagoon. A milk-like bioluminescent trail followed every stroke.
Or when her awestruck voice came through the darkness, “Did you see that shooting star?”
Boucher was our principal guide, who we followed.
Francis kept to the rear, where she could come to the aid of any stragglers. Not that there were many stragglers. Our trip from Mansons Landing to the mouth of Gorge Harbour was punctuated by periodic regrouping, as Boucher ensured all of her flock kept together. This is Francis’ first season as a guide, and I suspect she will soon be leading groups on her own.
Assembling at Mansons Lagoon about 8 PM on Aug 13, 2022 – Photo by Roy L Hales Our session began with an introductory lesson of everything from a ‘bum drop,’ as you are entering the kayak’s cockpit, to how to hold a paddle.
“Never stand up in a kayak,” explained Boucher. “98% of all flips occur when you are entering or leaving the kayak.”
The only thing I found difficult was sitting in the kayak with my legs sticking out in front of me. I blamed this on my 71-year-old body’s loss of flexibility. While it is more efficient to paddle sitting erect, I could only do this for short distances. Googling this later, I read, “the muscles used to maintain erect posture are out of tone.” I slouched back in my seat throughout most of the trip.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was much more than artwork in the ‘Sacred Dreamscapes’ exhibit at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery in July. Both of the artists, Kira MacDuffee and Majie Lavergne, are psychotherapists who have described their work as depictions of their ‘inner worlds.’ I was off island at the time, but requested an interview. MacDuffee consented to describe her pilgrimage when I returned.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third of a series of interviews leading up to the October 15 election, Area C candidate Robyn Mawhinney describes some of the challenges emergency services face on Quadra Island.
“Every month on Quadra island, there are multiple days where there are no paramedics available and as well as no after hours emergency ferry,” she explained.
While BC Emergency Health Services is pretty tight lipped about the shortage, Mawhinney has friends who are paramedics and has learned of whole weekends when there are no paramedics available.
“I have a friend who had an emergency in the woods and when he called 9 1 1. They told him that they couldn't come and get him. He’d have to find his own way to the hospital. I don't have a stat on how many days. I think it probably changes every month, but it's definitely a significant number of days,” said Mawhinney.
Cortes Island was facing a critical shortage of paramedics last year, but the situation appears to have resolved after Emergency Services increased the number of scheduled on-call paramedics to four.
Mawhinney described a different scenario on Quadra:
“What I understand about the paramedic situation on Quadra island is that there are some very wonderful individuals who have homes here and have chosen paramedic as their employment, but the number of folks that live on the island does not meet the need for paramedics on the island. We need folks from off island to come here and support us.”
“It really circles back to the housing issue because there could be more paramedics on Quadra if housing was more affordable, but it's not. People that live on a paramedic salary are probably not gonna be able to afford to live here.”
While finding housing will not solve all the problems in the BC ambulance service, Mawhinney said this is one component that the Regional Director and Quadra Island community ‘can work towards.’
The housing crisis is also impacting ferry service between Quadra Island and Campbell River. At the June 15 SRD meeting the current regional director, Jim Abram, said BC Ferries was not able to find accomodation for the crews that would man the new hybrid electric ferries meant to operate between Quadra Island and Campbell River. There is also a petition with 2,265 signatures on change.org calling for a restoration of after hour emergency services to transport ambulances to Campbell River. It states that this was available for 40 years, but recently cancelled.
“The housing crisis, if you wanna call it that, or the housing situation is playing a big role in our after hours ferry availability as well because, the folks that do work for fairies are often able to be called out to an overnight emergency, but they have rules about how many hours they have to have off before they can work again,” explained Mawhinney.
“So if there aren't enough ferry employees that are on the island, it's gonna affect the scheduling for the next day and keeping our ferry running. Then they're not going to be able to do a call out at two in the morning.”
A month or so ago, one of Quadra’s paramedics posted a warning, for people having late night health issues at night, on Facebook. She advised them not to wait and see if it gets better, catch the last ferry to Campbell River. It was not certain that the ferry will respond to a 2 AM call, and they might end up waiting in an ambulance until the first ferry at 6 AM.
“That is a pretty significant message from one of our local health providers,” said Mawhinney.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Robyn Mawhinney identified housing as the #1 issue in this upcoming October 15 election.
“There are already two levels of government, federal and provincial, which are working on housing. I'm not sure that we can ever completely solve it, but it's really important that we tackle it and there's many small shifts that could happen,” explained the candidate for Regional Director in Area C.
“We're going to require community engagement and community buy-in so that we can agree what type of development is adequate and appropriate for our community. We really need to be mindful of local resources, the diverse economic needs of our community and maintaining our unique rural nature.”
While funding for affordable housing comes from the Provincial and Federal government, Mawhinney outlined steps communities can make:
Cooperative housing models, land trusts, seniors housing clusters. ‘How can we integrate tiny homes into our island?’ ‘Float houses are a historic piece of coastal culture.’
“My mom and her seven siblings were raised on a float house in Blackfish Sound. Once upon a time, I lived on a float house in Gowland Harbour. Right here in Quathiaski Cove we have a waterfront location with access to the sewer system. Yes, it would require community meetings and changing our community plan, our village plan, but it would provide a place for legal long term live aboard homes.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Currents learned that Jason Johnson was going to be Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation’s (QXMC) new General Manager back in June, but at that time he was busy finishing up as Sayward’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Around the time Johnson took over the helm of the Klahoose First Nation’s economic development corporation, I was on vacation for three weeks. We finally sat down on Monday to talk about Johnson’s first five weeks at the helm of QXMC.
His wife is still at home in Sayward, while Johnson lives in an RV on Cortes Island for five or more days a week.
Johnson said a former work colleague with Destination Canada brought the job opening to his attention.
“I looked at it and I thought, ‘Wow! There's so much growth with the organization and so many good things going on that it was hard to pass that one up,’” he said.
Johnson described his first week as a very action packed introduction to QXMC’s operations. He was quickly introduced to Klahoose Forestry, Aquaculture and the Water Taxi before focusing on the two resorts.
“When you're joining at peak season, particularly when it comes to the resorts, you're jumping in on very busy times with lots going on. In the case of Gorge Harbour, as an example, some great volume, but also some, dated infrastructure and things that need a bit of care and attention,” he explained.
“You’re also getting to know a whole brand new team and the dynamics of that team. And so I always take the first couple of weeks to be a sponge and learn how things are done.”
He interviewed all 59 of his colleagues at the Marina, to obtain an in depth perspective of the potential and challenges of that operation.
That was at the very beginning of his tenure.
Johnson sketched out his previous employment in the podcast above:
CAO for the Village of Sayward General Manager for Nootka Marine Adventures (two floating resorts, one roadside and a couple of properties under development) Director of Food and Beverages at the Vancouver Aquarium Regional Manager with Northland Properties
“I'm putting together five year plans now for both resort operations and looking forward to working with the board on what that may look like,” he said.
“A lot of planning is going to go into place come October, November. Those shoulder months where we can really spend some time and really plan things out.”
QXMC purchased trailer units for the staff at Gorge Harbour earlier this year and they will soon be moving to a more permanent location.
“We are also exploring moving some of the community infrastructure. The gas, the groceries, that sort of thing closer to the road. That is something that is going to require a lot of planning, a lot of engineering.”
There are also some buildings in the lower part of the resort “that at some point will either need a lot of love or a lot of replacement.”
Some finishing touches are also needed at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, especially kitchen operations and staff housing.
“So lots of work in the off season for both resorts.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra Island designer, print maker and graphic artist Robyn Mawhinney will be running for Regional Director in Electoral Area C (Discovery Islands and Mainland Islets) on October 15, 2022.
The incumbent Jim Abram, who has been a director since 1988, recently announced he will not seek another term.
Mawhinney explained, “I have been speaking with a lot of neighbours and community members, and I have heard that it is time for generational change. I am deeply committed to this area, the community and the land. And I want our community and Area C to continue being led by islanders, with island values.”
She was born in Black Creek and moved to Quadra Island 28 years ago. Mawhinney raised her children on Quadra, built a farm, and has worked on a variety of professional and passion projects.
She served on the boards of several local organizations. Mawhinney was an instigator of the Quadra Island Fall Fair and oversaw the activities of over a hundred volunteers. She also served on the board of the Quadra Island Childen’s Centre.
“I call myself a rural community enthusiast because I really appreciate the community that we have and the energy that it has. There's lots of ways to be engaged,” said Mawhinney.
“I am currently on the trails committee, which is great because I also call myself a lover of the wilds. I do really love forests and outdoors, and I find soul medicine in the forest and I love building trails. Making them even better or creating trails for folks to have opportunities to access the wild switch can increase people's understanding and love of those places.”
After completing a Tourism Management Program at North Island College, Mawhinney went on to work for several local companies. She has been the in-house designer and marketer of the Heriot Bay Inn and currently sits on the executive as secretary. She has also brought her creative touch to local companies like the Gathering Place and Tantrum Seafood.
“I think that working as a designer, I've learned that collaboration yields better results. And I will be bringing that philosophy with me into my role as director, if I get it,” stated Mawhinney.
She added, “Many folks probably know me as Robyn Discothistle. That's the name that I've been using for my art practice for quite a few years, and also most of my social media handles.”
Mawhinney sells her prints through the internet and at the Quadra Island Farmers Market.
She said the top three issues people mention are housing, emergency services availability, and community engagement.
“I've heard from many folks that they would appreciate more engagement and communication with the directors so that it can feel like we are making community based decisions.”
“Something that I'm very keen to do, if, or when I am elected would be to establish an Advisory Planning Commission. It's something that is already happening on Cortes and also in Area D. I really appreciate the concept and of an Advisory Planning Commission. I've talked to people that are surprised that's even an option. I think that as a director, having community input would be really helpful and it really connects with a diverse spectrum of Islanders to give input on development or land use decisions. It's really important for our community to be able to be engaged in that way.”
Q/Why should we vote for you?
“I'm prepared to take on challenges and stand up for what's right. I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and commitment to this community. I've lived here for a really long time, and I'm really deeply committed to our community area, the land and the land.”
Upcoming broadcasts with Robyn Mawhinney will deal with:
- Quadra Island’s housing crisis
- emergency services
Mark Vonesch/ Cortes Currents - The Electoral Areas Housing Needs Report identified an immediate demand for 75 rental and 40 retail units on Cortes Island.
In a previous interview, Mark Vonesch from the Cortes Community Housing Society, said, “I hear stories of people having to quit their jobs because they can’t find housing for the summer. I know people that are living under a tarp. I know seniors that are living in a tent.”
However a quick scan of the real estate pages turns up three homes, for between $890,000 and $2.7 million, and it will probably be at least a year before Cortes Island’s affordable housing development will be ready. When Rainbow Ridge finally does accept tenants, it will meet a little more than a quarter of the current rental need.
In the last of a series of articles about his running for Regional Director, Vonesch describes affordable housing as the #1 issue on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Rainforest Trail, near Tofino, is much more than a simple path through the woods. Massive western red cedars and western hemlocks tower over visitors as they follow the twisting boardwalks through an enchanted landscape full of the ferns, lichen and fungi typical of an old growth ecosystem. The oldest inhabitant of this stand is a red cedar that was reputedly a sapling when Marco Polo set off for the Orient in 1271. This means it is about 950 years old today. A series of information plaques transform the +2 kilometre hike into an educational experience.
One of them explains how BC’s rainforest came into being. Giant conifers spread across the landscape 15 million years ago, during a time of global cooling. Prior to that, they were largely restricted to alpine environments. However the landscape was changing. Clouds of volcanic ash blocked out the sun. The rise of coastal mountains changed local weather patterns. Summers were cooler and wet, winters were mild.
Another describes the rich soil, which plays host to the rainforest today:
“The soil — a world of perpetual night where miniature life forms roam a maze of roots, soil particles, and rotting wood. The surface layer, a thick mat of decaying plant and animal matter, is the food bank of the rainforest community. But it doesn’t release its wealth easily. Material rots slowly in this acidic soil and heavy rains carry nutrients deep beyond the reach of many plant roots. Soil fungi thrive in acidic conditions. A thimbleful of soil may contain several kilometres of microscopic fungal threads. These are grazed on by mites and springtails, consumed in turn by larger organisms. The health of the entire forest depends on this ballet of interaction beneath our feet.”
If they are allowed to remain, fallen trees play a vital part in soil creation. Ants and beetles carve out elaborate channels in the bark. Fungi and bacteria follow. The branches rot within five years, the bark sloughs off in ten years. The rotting wood becomes home to a vast variety of organisms, including saplings. Around 10% of the saplings can be expected to grow into trees.
Of course industrial logging changes this scenario. Much of the timber which would have fertilized the forest is removed. A fraction of the nutrients remain in the form of branches and other debris. Instead of living for hundreds of years, trees are harvested when they are between 40 and 80 years old.
According to David Shipway, Vice President of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, “In a very young tree, most of the stem is sapwood, whereas in a mature tree, most of the trunk is heartwood. In trees that are now being cut on so-called “economic” rotation silviculture regimes, it’s at best about 50/50. In other words, half the “wood” harvested isn’t even real wood yet, it’s compost. What sort of “economics” does such pre-culminate liquidation really create?”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to BC Parks, Campbell River is home to “the only significant stand of old-growth Douglas Fir north of Macmillan Provincial Park [Cathedral Grove].” Yet the city seems to be virtually oblivious to the “towering old growth Douglas Fir and Cedar trees” in the 3.5 kilometre Riverside and Old Growth Loop trails.
While only minutes from downtown, the Riverside and Old Growth Loop Trails are not listed in the ‘Top 10 things to do within one hour of Campbell River.’
A single sentence is devoted to the forest giants in the Best Trails in Elk Falls Provincial Park:
“The old-growth forests in the area are comprised of giant Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, with many in excess of 60 meters [197 feet] tall and hundreds of years old.”
They scattered throughout this section of the forest.
Elk Falls Provincial Park was created in 1940, ‘to protect rare old growth forests and related ecosystems, as well as the Elk Falls waterfall and the related canyon.’
A large number of the trees along the Riverside and Old Growth Loop Trails are more than 330 years old. Many appear to be much older.
There are five trails in Elk Falls Provincial Park: A 0.4 km path takes visitors from the park entrance to the Millennium trail. The Millennium Trail, connecting the Canyon View Trail (and John Hart Generating Station) to the network of trails around Elk Falls. A 0.2 km path to Elk Falls. The Riverside Loop Trail runs along the bank of the Campbell River. Visitors pass through large stands of old growth, as they pass Elk Falls, Deer Falls, the Dolphin Pool and Moose Falls. The Old Growth Loop Trail takes you through even thicker concentrations of old growth
All of these paths are easy walking, but the Canyon View and Elk Falls Trails have extensive stairways.
There are some old growth trees in both the Canyon View and Millennial Trails, but they are not as numerous or as large as those above the falls.
Walking amidst these giants, one can imagine what the West Coast forests looked like before the age of industrialized logging.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Is the end nigh? Sara Dent from the Young Agrarians joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss the future of farming in Canada, the role of the Young Agrarians, and innovative solutions happening across the country. Tune in Friday July 29th on cortesradio.ca or 89.5FM (repeats Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6 a.m.) and call with your questions about agriculture in Canada at 250-935-0200 or email in advance to u@folku.ca.
The Young Agrarians is a network for new and young ecological farmers in Canada. Learn more at YoungAgrarians.org.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Large numbers of pink salmon are returning to our area this summer.
“I am seeing these pink salmon return – their numbers appear huge, they are leaping everywhere, finning along the surface for hundreds of kilometers,” emailed independant biologist Alexandra Morton.
Lara Sloan, a communications advisor with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), wrote they are expecting a strong return to the Campbell River, based on the strong outmigration from the 2020 brood, cooler ocean temperatures and better food.
She added, “The numbers of pink salmon in the Campbell River are similar to 2020 at this stage.”
Streamkeeper Cec Robinson pointed out that there isn’t a pink run on Cortes Island.
“Sometimes on a big pink year, a few ‘vagabonds’ stray into our creeks, but not on a regular basis.”
A few showed up in Basil Creek during 2015.
There have been some good pink runs on Quadra Island in recent years.
A couple of dozen fishermen were strung out along the banks of the Campbell River, when Cortes Currents dropped by on July 28.
One of them remarked that the pinks seemed unusually small.
Sloan disagreed, “the fish are bigger than last year and 2020.”
“The 2022 Return are from the 2020 Brood who went out in 2021 where ocean conditions had significantly improved and more conducive to improved salmon survival. Pink fry leaving the Quinsam in 2021 were estimated just under 11 million natural production along with just over 4 million of hatchery supplementation (Total Production of ~15 million contribution to the 2022 return).”
Morton pointed to the removal of fish farms from the Discovery Islands, “These are the first generation of salmon to return after swimming through the salmon farm clearances in the spring of 2021. I counted the lice on pinks that spring and issued the huge thank you to Bernadette Jordan because they were so clean.”
She added, “Clearly ocean conditions were exceptionally good, so this (strong Pink Run) is a combination of factors.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The most popular story on Cortes Currents is ‘Where are Germany’s Bears, Wolves and Eagles?’ There were more than 14,000 views. As the written version of this interview was published six years ago, I did a quick Google Search to see if the information is still relevant. The results:
There are no bears in Germany, they were driven out more than 150 years ago ago. After being virtually wiped out in the 19th century, wolves have returned and there are believed to be several thousand today. And Yes, there still are eagles in Germany. One of my wife’s fondest memories of Germany is the well maintained trails going through idyllic forests. She was visiting relatives during the late 1960’s and early 70’s. My impressions are both much later, and connected to the development of renewables. After my second trip to Germany, last year, I asked Andreas König, Head of Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Management at the Technical University of Munich, ‘Where are Germany’s bears, wolves and eagles?’
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mark Vonesch hopes to bring a new kind of politics to Cortes Island if he is elected Regional Director on October 15, 2022.
“One of the biggest things I want to do with this campaign is bring people together who think differently than each other,” he explained. “What I can do is initiate conversations and get people talking about them.”
He then went on to outline the same issues that our current Director has been wrestling with: housing, climate change, ecosystem protection, economic development, land use planning, parks and recreation, and truth and reconciliation.
Cortes Island is one of the more left wing areas of the Strathcona Regional District (SRD). There is a small minority who oppose this.
The division was illustrated in the 2021 Federal Election, when 60% of the respondents to a Cortes Markerter 'Fun Poll' said they would vote Conservative. This reflects the opinions of a few readers. In reality, the Conservatives received a little more than 7% (40 votes). Despite a very weak campaign, 138 Cortesians voted Green (26%) and a whopping 273 (51% of the voting electorate) chose the NDP. Close to 77% of the population voted NDP or Green.
A similar proportion of Cortesians (75%) voted in favour of funding the island’s two community halls through property taxes when, after a decade of sometimes bitter debates, a referendum was finally held in 2019.
The numbers will change in specific counts because of our human complexities, but a basic trend remains.
“The top two issues that I hear most common from people are housing and protecting the environment (ecosystem protection and addressing climate change),”` said Vonesh.
While there are things the SRD can do at the local level (personal incentives, waste management), Vonesch believes the most effective thing the board can do is lobby the provincial and federal governments.
“Obviously there are things we can do and it takes bravery for us to do things differently, as individuals. But the biggest impact we're going to have is looking at the big picture of climate change,”
“Where are the big polluters? And what can we do to transition our economy and transition the way we live as humans on this planet into a way that is just really facing the facts and dealing with the reality of the situation we've created?”
“… We have to push and advocate provincial governments to stop giving subsidies to oil and gas developments and to eventually phase them out. The reality is we are facing a climate crisis that is growing and growing
Vonesch is encouraged by the prograss being made in the Cortes Community Forest and the broad consensus Cortesians have about protecting the forests.
“The other side of this conversation is that forestry is part of our economy. We live in wooden houses. We need wood. It's about striking the right balance of having forestry jobs and doing forestry in a sustainable way.”
Forestry is one of Campbell River’s three economic pillars. Fish farms is another one and both of them are threatened by environmental policies. Most of the people in the SRD live in Campbell River and are concerned about the prospect of massive job losses in their community.
Vonesch pointed out that these are economically uncertain times. We have to find better ways of managing our forests and utilizing the wood that comes out of them.
“I'm really encouraged by the local mills on Cortes and the willingness for Cortesians to purchase local wood and to make the smart choice of using the wood that we have here,” he said.
Moving forward, Vonesch hopes to find “that fine balance of building not consensus, but widespread support for moving forward.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It is almost two months until the October 15, 2022, election. So far, Mark Vonesch is the only one to put their name up as a candidate for Cortes Island’s Regional Director.
In the fourth of a series arising from an interview with Vonesch, he was asked what he would bring to the office from his years of experience working in Cortes Island’s volunteer community.
It has been 17 years since Vonesch founded Reel Youth, a non-profit that uses filmmaking to teach youth how to use filmmaking to speak about the issues they care about. He has facilitated a series of films that bring youth and seniors together.
During this time Vonesch has also played an active role on the boards of organizations like the Linnaea farm society, the Cortes Island Parent Advisory council, Cortes Literacy Now, the Friends of Channel Rock Society, and the Southern Cortes Community Association.
“I know how to work with people. I know how to participate on a board level in a way that allows us to come together and create solutions,” he explained.
“Volunteerism is a key part of being in this community. I hear from a lot of older folks in the island Cortez used to be a place where everyone volunteered and we were really in this together. We did things together and we made things happen through volunteering. I think that's really important.”
Vonesch added, “I also think we live in a different time now in that families are more stressed out and it's more challenging for everyone to play a significant volunteer role in the island, especially when they have housing instability and/or job insecurity.”
While he finds it encouraging that folks are asking ‘what can you do for this community?’ Vonesch said we also need to recognize that a lot of the challenges we face are not necessarily going to be solved through volunteering.
“We need a whole broad way of solutions to deal with our challenges.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Dr. Suzanne Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree, forest ecologist, and professor shares her reflections from her time on Cortes Island and her work on understanding forest ecosystems.
Dr. Robin Hood of the Mother Tree Network interviewed Dr Simard.
This is a special Folk U recording by Bill Weaver, with an intro by host Manda Aufochs Gillespie.
The program was originally broadcast Friday July 15th on cortesradio.ca or 89.5FM and repeats Monday Jul 18 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday Jul 20.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Islanders will be going to the polls on October 15th and Mark Vonesch hopes they will elect him as their next Regional Director. In the third of a series of interviews, he talks about how the example of former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson inspired him to enter politics.
Vonesch’s connection dates back to the years Robertson was living on Cortes. For a number of years prior to entering politics. His kids went to the schools and he was part of the local community.
“I initially got connected with him while he was living here on Cortez and as he got into politics, it opened my eyes to like, oh wow, people I know can run for politics and make a difference and make a positive impact. I was really attracted to that,” explained Vonesch.
“When he announced his candidacy to run for the mayor of Vancouver, I volunteered on his campaign.”
Vonesch did everything he could, from signing up volunteers to making politcial videos.
Robertson became the longest serving mayor of Vancouver, serving from Dec 8 2008 until Nov 5, 2018.
During those 10 years Vancouver adopted the Greenest City Action Plan, and put in bike lanes.
That kind of leadership that shows that things could be differently. Despite status quo of doing things was a great example on that front.
“Vancouver was the first city to call itself a city of reconciliation and actually make significant impact on recognizing that we're living on the unceded lands of indigenous people and doing active things towards reconciliation,” said Vonesch.
Robertson showed him how politics works: how ugly it can get and what can be accomplished.
“It really left me with a belief that making positive change through politics can happen, especially building a coalition of voters that have shared values around the key issues that are important to the community. There's a lot of work to be done in Cortez and there's more common ground between us than we might think.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the second of a series of programs about his running for Regional Director of Cortes Island, Mark Vonesch talks about growing up in the farm and what his rural background could mean when it comes to representing Cortes on the Strathcona Regional District Board.
His family operated a dairy farm, with 50 cows, outside Olds, Alberta. Mark is the oldest of six children, which he jokes may have been a strategic move on my parents to have lots of help on the farm!
“You know, what I gained from that experience: a hard work ethic. When crops need to be sewn or hay needs to be made, or the cows need to be fed or milked, it needs to happen and family has to step and do that,” said Vonesch.
His love for rural living began about 2003, when Vonesch came to Cortes Island about 2003, as a volunteer at the ‘Power of Hope’ Summer Arts Camp on Linnaea Farm. He was experimenting with engaging young people to use media production as a way to speak up about issues that they care about.
“I volunteered for the summer and fell in love with the place and eventually moved here. I started Reel Youth. We have an office here. We have a staff in Vancouver and Cortes, and I've really made a life for myself here and just feel really privileged to be able to call this place home,” said Vonesch.
He served on the Board of Linnaea Farm for six years, as President, Vice President and a Director.
“I think my involvement there really speaks to my farming roots, appreciation for people that work with the land, grow food and look after animals. They provide a really important and a growing essential service on this island, which is food security and locally produced food that is adaptable to climate change.”
As food costs continue to rise, he believes there will be more opportunities for local farmers to play a key role in the market.
“I don't think farmers get enough credit for the endless hours that they put in, and generally at a pretty low pay rate,” said Vonesch
“I think the role of Regional Director is to understand the island, speak to people and represent the island on at the Regional District.”
This includes supporting local farmers.
“Being an advocate for buying local for supporting our local farms is one of the biggest things I can do. If we can increase the revenues generated on Cortes through food production, it makes sense for consumers, it makes sense for farmers and I'm gonna be a strong advocate for that.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Part 5
- Breaking new ground: dealing with a care facility. Sharing information, web site.
- How can people help if they want to? Volunteering, donations?
- Training and mentoring available.
- Mailing list.
- Benefits of facing death realistically instead of with denial and avoidance.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a week since Mark Vonesch announced that he would be running for the position of Cortes Island’s Regional Director in the October 15th SRD election. In the first of a series of stories, he told Cortes Currents about his desire to bring a new kind of politics to Cortes Island.
“We are so fortunate on Cortez to have a real community where we still drive down the road and wave at each other. There is a sense that we're all in this together, despite our differences and that's part of the reason why I call this place home and I want to continue playing a positive role here,” he began.
“One of the biggest things I wanna do with this campaign is bring people together who think differently than each other. I think it's one of the most fundamental, revolutionary things we can do an example and an example that we can set for other places in the world.”
In the podcasct above he talks about divisions within the community and says it is time for everyone to accept the fact we have different opinions and let gto of past grievances.
“We're gonna have to break through some of the challenges that we have, but the number one issue for me on this campaign is bringing voices together and finding solutions together.
“The Regional Director is not the person to be an expert on everything, to tell this community what should be done. It's up to this community to come together and work through our differences and find a find common ground,” insisted Vonesch.
“Part of democracy is not getting your way, all the way, all the time. I think that's the reality. I think why so many people are disillusioned by politics is that they expect their view of perfection all the time, really living in a society, living in a community means that we need to listen to each other, find common ground and make solutions that most of us can agree with.”
Last week Vonesch saw an example, of what he believes politics should be, outside Manson's Post Office. Someone asked about his campaign and before long there were five people discussing the housing crisis: ‘What do you think about this? What is this? The solution?’
“That’s sort of the old style of politics, where we are talking to each other. We are involved in the political process, not just at the polls and voting every four years, but actually playing a role in our community to have conversations and bringing the diversity of opinions and ideas together and moving forward,” said Vonesch.
“I think it's gonna give us strength and I'm hoping this campaign can be an example for the way that politics can be.”
Vonesch insists that there is way more common ground than we think.
“If we can get past ourselves and be willing to look each other in the eye and see the humaness of our community, we can make progress.”
This is the first in a series of posts that will talk about:
- Mark Vonesh’s roots on the farm and what this could bring into Cortes Politics
- his connection to former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson
- his previous work with some of the non-profits on Cirtes Island
- what does he believes is the #1 issue in this election and what he can do about it as Regional Director?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 30 people trekked through the spit into Mansons Lagoon, during the July 12 ‘Gumbooting the Lagoon.’ While Jane Newman explained the site’s human history, marine biologist Deb Cowper and FOCI’s Autumn Barret Morgan introduced everyone to intertidal life forms. One of the many topics that arose was the loss of marine life.
After the tour, Cortes Currents asked Cowper further explanations.
“I haven't come and done any firsthand studies or seen any data sets that people have been monitoring over time. I can't give a definitive answer that such and such a population is in decline or what the trends are, “ she began.
Then Cowper proceeded to make some personal observations. The parts of the shortline shorelineusually covered by water looked pretty healthy, but there appeared to be less biodiversity and numbers in the more exposed upper region. This appeared to also be true in the inner lagoon.
“There's probably no one smoking gun on here. You could talk about impacts of people trampling or collecting. You could talk about shifting climate, that’s probably a really big one. You could point to a number of different things and without proper studies, it would be kind of wrong on me to try and figure out exactly what was the cause,” explained Cowper.
Tokin Wakefield has observed the lagoons crab population virtually disappear during the 40 years she has lived by the edge of the lagoon. She and Cowper discussed the species during the gumboot tour.
“They used to be everywhere And now we can hardly find them in the inner lagoon,” said Wakefield.
Cowper also noted that, while it could a coincidental, she saw a much higher proportion of sea stars with wasting disease.
“They seemed to be more on the rebound before the heat dome. This year I was surprised that probably a quarter of the individuals that we did see were impacted, which is concerning that it seems to be happening again,” she said.
While some species are recovering better than others, Cowper said she has not seen as much biodiversity in the lagoon since last year’s heat dome.
While thousands of barnacles perished in the heat dome, there is also “lots of the spat of the little babies on the rocks.” So she expects to see a full recovery providing there isn’t another heat dome.
The number of sea stars is so reduced that Cowper suggested they need imported plankton born replacements.
“I'm quite worried about the sand dollars though, I really expected to see more this year. Last year, I saw an absolutely beautiful crop of sand dollars before the heat dome. I saw the devastation immediately afterwards, but it really doesn't seem to have rebounded that I can just see from our tour today. That's a bit of a concern.”
She added, “If we've got a lot of those heat dome type episodes as climate change progresses, I think we might be in trouble and see lots of shifts in the ecosystem.”
Providing heat domes are once in a lifetime events, or not particularly frequent, she expects the Marine life to rebound.
“What we're all very concerned about, and I think what we're witnessing unfold, is that climate change is going to bring these significant changes at a far greater rate and the frequency of those is going to ultimately impact species attempts to recover,”
“Different species on the intertidal zone have a different range of tolerance. Those who are really adapted and do well, or live in a habitat like those gaper clams fairly well protected and deep where it's cool, they will continue to do reasonably well. But those species that are not as tough to do with changing temperatures in particular, salinity perhaps, and so on, they will quite likely shift in terms of their distribution. They might well lose numbers and potentially lose their foothold on this area.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents Part 4
Choices in dying: the idea of a “good death.” MAID, alternatives. Importance of planning. Limits to choices: legal restrictions on burials. Rehearsing one’s own funeral. “Perpetuity” of grave sites, green burial meets conservation?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the 13th annual cycle for Dr. Emily Ellingsen Memorial Bursaries. She passed away on February 19, 2010 at the age of 31. Applications for two $2,000 Bursaries will be accepted until midnight on August 15, 2022.
Her husband, Aaron Ellingsen, explained, “I think it was actually her dad, John Woolley's idea, but the two of us felt the bursary just represented her attitude and her enthusiasm for life and for just grabbing the world and doing things. It seemed like a good way and very much in the spirit of her education and approach to life.”
He added, “She was one of the most incurable optimists I've ever met, not in an unrealistic way, but just in a ‘living in the moment’ kind a way.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents -Part 3
What inspires a person to take on this emotionally demanding work? Natural Burial: what is it, how does it work? How is it different?
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Part 2
Finance, relationship with other Cortes organisations; not a BC nonprofit society. Transport of bodies; bodies often released from medical care in distressing condition. Industrial vs humane practises. Challenges of “alternative” practise. Hope for wider acceptance, becoming the norm not the alternative.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Author, leadership coach, and therapist Deena Chochinov joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss her new book HomeWork: How to be a Leader in the Boardroom and the Living Room on Folk U Radio. Friday at 1 p.m. on 89.5 FM and CortesRadio.ca (repeats on Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m.).
Are leaders born or made? Can leaders transfer their skills from family to work and vice versa? Deena brings years of experience working with leaders well known and less known to demystify what makes effective, sustainable leadership. She brings lessons that everyone can practice to become more integrated and whole leaders.
Send your questions to u@folku.ca or call with questions day-of at 250-935-0200.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Part wo contains: Part 2
Finance, relationship with other Cortes organisations; not a BC nonprofit society.
Transport of bodies; bodies often released from medical care in distressing condition.
Industrial vs humane practises. Challenges of “alternative” practise. Hope for wider acceptance, becoming the norm not the alternative.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are many stories of tree hangups, but one of the most colourful comes from Cortes Island. According to local tradition, the Survivor Fir would not be standing if it were not for a steam donkey’s explosion in 1923.
The tree is hundreds of years older, but there are evidences that support this identification. Olsen & Mundigal logged this area back in the era when loggers chopped a notch into the trees they chose to cut. A wooden springboard was inserted into the notch, to stand on. They used a crosscut saw to fall the tree. Look closely in the photo above and you will see both the notch and, above it, where they started to saw. They may have stopped after the explosion, because it was no longer possible to haul trees to the lake.
A second, possibly separate, component to this puzzle is a dead cedar hung up in the Survivor Fir’s branches. This tree has stood there long enough for the bark to become spongy rather than firm.
Has this tree been hung up since 1923?
A steam donkey used to haul the logs out of the bush to the edge of Gunflint Lake.
They were dragged through the narrow channel into Hague Lake, then floated across to the creek that drains this watershed. Another steam donkey dragged them to a ‘Fore & Aft’ chute that emptied into Manson’s Lagoon. At that point they were in the ocean.
A few days before the accident which brought this operation to an end Harry Hazel, the donkey’s engineer, visited a machine shop at Squirrel Cove. He wanted a caulking gun and some advice on how to fix a leak in the boiler.
The explosion took place between 10 am and 11 am. Parts of the boiler were blown out into the middle of Gunflint Lake. Hazel was so badly scalded that he died that night. One of the especially sad parts of this story is that in a week Hazel was supposed to leave for Vancouver, where he was to be married.
The Survivor Fir and remains of the steam donkey are in Cortes Island’s Kw’as Park.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - For the last several years, a small but dedicated group of Cortes Islanders have been taking practical steps towards an ambitious goal for themselves and their community: a healthier relationship with death and dying. Their projects include regular meetings for discussion and support, humane and family-led funeral arrangements, and green (natural) burials in our local cemeteries.
In Part One: Part 1
What is the death care collective; what’s a regular meeting like? How did it begin (history from 2016-today) — Denman, Quadra, Salt Spring, Cortes An alternative to the funeral industry. Death-phobia in our culture. Catharsis and grieving. Kinds of help the collective can offer to bereaved families. Costs involved in a community-led funeral?
Photo credit: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There appears to have been a recent in increase in the number of violent crimes reported in Campbell River.
According to Cst Maurey Tyre, “For the last three or four years, we have seen a general spike in calls for service in Campbell River. One of those years actually saw roughly a 12% increase. A lot of those increases based on things like calls for service, checking wellbeing and things like that. But effectively, when there is an increase in calls for service, you're also going to have an increase in violence.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes (FOCI) have just released their summer program of daily offerings for 2022.
“It's about educating people about the natural environment, but also really having people getting out there, having fun and enjoying themselves. So whether it's locals or visitors, we’re really pleased to welcome anyone who's who wants to come along,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.
Their program starts on at 1:30 PM on Friday, July 8, with a four hour exploration of the rich intertidal life in Mansons Lagoon and neighbouring islets. This is the first of two activities that FOCI is offering in partnership with Cortes Kayaks.
On Tuesday July 12, marine biologist Deb Cowper and history guide Jane Newman will be leading another ‘gumbooting the lagoon’ There were extensive die-offs, especially amongst sand dollars, during last year’s heat dome.
“It will be interesting, to find out if people can still see the effects of the heat dome,” said Hall.
On Saturday July 16, the Hakai Institute’s Kelly Fretwell will be teaching people how to use the iNaturalist program in Mansons Lagoon.
“This is an app you can get on your smartphone, which allows you to photograph plants and animals and up tho load them to a website and a data set that you can share with other people,” said Hall. “We're hoping people might use it through the summer because we'd love to get more data collected from the island.”
FOCI’s monitoring technician, Autumn Barret Morgan, will be leading another ‘Wonderful Wetland tour’ of the Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration on July 18.
She will be “showing people around the wetland, explaining how it was constructed and seeing how much wetland wildlife people can spot.”
On August 1, Cortes naturalist George Sirk will be leading people on a hikle through Kw’as Park. He’ll be teaching people how to identify birds and discussing the natural history of the park.
There is a tour of the gardens and the farm at Linnaea Farm on August 8.
“It gives people a chance to get out and see where all the veggies from the Friday markets come from,” explained Hall.
At 8 Pm on August 13, FOCI and Cortes Kayaks once again team up for a ‘Bioluminescence Tour’ of Mansons Lagoon and the surrounding islets.
There will be another ‘Gumbooting the Lagoon,’ with Deb Cowper and Jane Newman on August 27.
“Quite a lot of the activities we have are already fully booked. It's a great way for people visiting the island to learn about the natural history and get out to do some fun stuff, said Hall.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island will be holding its very own film festival in Mansons Hall on Sunday July 17, 2022.
George Sirk produced Cortes Cinema’s films, all but one of which was originally shown either at Mansons or Gorge Halls during the 1970s and early 80’s.
The exception is a video made of Ann Mortifee’s performance at Manson's Hall on October 23, 1981, which has never been shown in public.
Doug McCaffry came up with the idea of a film festival, when he was digitalizing Sirk’s films for the Cortes Island Museum.
“Once he saw the films, he was so tickled by them he said, ‘You gotta have a film festival,’” explained Sirk.
“I thought, ‘okay, that'd be interesting. A film festival with only one film producer: myself, right, one producer.’ So I thought, ‘Well, why not?’ We approached the museum and the museum were totally on board.”
Cortes Island Museum is hosting and promoting the festival.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Cortes Kayaks has a lot of bookings this season.
In May, they took out groups from 'Adventures in Leadership' and 'Teen szene.’ Then there were three 5-day-long lodge based trips running from Hollyhock in June.
"Two of those were kayak and yoga retreats, which I really enjoy facilitating with my co-guide and co-facilitator Jolen,” explained Kai Harvey. “Next week we are doing our first multi-day kayak expedition of the season. That's a kayaking expedition where we are camping and kayaking.”
This is on top of the company’s regular daily tours, in a season that also brought the return of US and international tourists.
“It is a different demographic of people and a lot of the summer residents who have homes on Cortes are coming back now. It's nice to be connected to that community for sure,” said Harvey. She added, “We do have a 10% discount for locals. If you email info@corteskayaks.com, I'll send you a locals discount code because we really want to get more locals out on our tours. So few people who live on Cortes actually get to go out on the water. It's sad, So I want to encourage as many people as possible to join us.”
That said, Harvey did enjoy the downtimes during the pandemic.
“I really loved having that opportunity to just go kayaking in my free time, or to just be out on the water, to spend more time with my family and friends. Now with everything ramping up again, that time to spend time with family and friends is definitely dwindling. So I feel like it's a mixed bag, with everything changing back to normal,” she said.
“Also, with things changing back to normal, we have to remember that things aren't normal. We still have to be very aware of those around us who are immune compromised. It's easy to think that the pandemic is over because we're all so tired of it, but I think it's really important that we all continue to remember to take care of our neighbours and to remember that there's many different perspectives on all the issues that are presenting themselves nowadays.”
This coming fall, Kai and her brother Tosh will be teaching a high school kayak program with the Cortes Island Academy. They are in an ongoing discussion about the curriculum.
“The bottom line is that we have so many ideas and it's gonna be hard to narrow it down, to find something that is concise and flows really well throughout the five weeks,” she chirped.
“I think that it's such an incredible opportunity for youth on the island to be able to attend this program, through school basically, and get a lot of outdoor experience: a lot of guiding experience, a lot of skills and also just to acquaint themselves with our local ecology in a more intimate way. That often isn't facilitated in a lot of spaces. I feel so tremendously lucky to be able to offer that to the youth of Cortes and to youth from elsewhere as well.” She did not want to talk about specific trips, which are dependent on tides, weather, the group’s experience level , etc.
“Maybe ask me in September.”
For anyone else who simply wants to go kayaking , there are a variety of day tours, evening tours, and overnight adventures offered through CortesKayaks website. There are also single and double kayak rentals. “You can book those tours on our website corteskayaks.com. If you just push ‘Book Now’ you'll be able to see live availability. Then for locals, you'll be able to put in your little coupon code and get a discount through there,” said Harvey. “I love our online booking system because you can actually sign your waivers on there and add your PFD sizes and all of that. It's very awesome. I've become nerd for our booking.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A group of Cortes Island residents want to make a documentary about the Cortes Children’s Forest Trust.
“It's going to be around five to seven minutes long. We want to capture the social and ecological spheres of the children's forest and present that in a film for people to know more about it and connect with the forest if they haven't been there. Then maybe more people will want to go and experience the beautiful trees and the beautiful ecosystems,” explained Kai Harvey.
She is one of the Children's Forest Alumni, who were all involved in the 2010 Forest Alphabet documentary film.
Harvey added, “It comes full circle. We have all either graduated from university or are working now, but our love for the children's forest and for the island here and the community here has not faded.”
The alumni are planning the film, but are hoping to interview a variety of community members: children, elders, scientists, and members of the Klahoose First Nation.
“We want to represent a wide range of perspectives and show how many people love these forests and the ecological significance of them, especially considering that we are so vulnerable to the effects of climate change on such a rocky small island that we live on.”
They want to show the ecological significance of the old growth trees and mature second growth forests that are just starting to serve the ecosystem functions normally performed by old growth trees.
“So we can't be taking them away now,” said Harvey
“I think all of us are realizing that we don't have enough media that really tells the story of the children's forest and shows the community's connection to the place.”
"It is also very inspiring for other communities in this area to be able to look at what is happening here. This is a model that could be adopted by other communities. it is amazing really what the community has accomplished in the last decade and we really want this film to tell the story,” said Harvey.
“I think all of us are looking for a way to give back to that community and to this forest and continue our stewardship with the skills that we have now, compared to the skills that we had when we wrote our short poems for the Children's Forest Alphabet Book. We're just looking for a way to continue to be involved and to continue to give back and to steward this forest in the ways that we know how.”
The alumni are hoping the Children’s Forest Trust documentary will be finished by September and hope to have a Cortes Island community screening event.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Laura Balducci calls herself an artist supporting artists
“I still make my own art. I'm doing a solo show in February 2023, but I also have a little bit of extra energy and I'm not shy. I'm on a mission. The mission is to get as many artists out there, either in person or on the walls to share with the world. I really enjoy working with the artists and trying to get their work out there so that they can maybe spend more time in their studios and make more art to inspire more people,” she explained.
“I help curate, design and put together different art shows or websites. If they want me to curate their website for them, I do that for all their pictures. I'm also a host for the artist. I try to get events or programs where I'm hosting an artist for something on the island, or off the island.”
On June 24, Balducci helped put up Jane Newman’s exhibition ‘Ordinary Magic’ at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery.
Then she set off for Lund, where Balducci helped curate Judith William’s exhibition ‘Water/Colour’ at the Tidal Arts Centre.
Returning to Cortes Island, she helped install Lisa Gibbon’s artwork in the Floathouse Restaurant.
On Tuesday, July 5, she will be in the Cortes Island Museum, for the opening of Art in the Garden.
“‘Art in the Garden’ is at the museum in the heritage garden every Tuesday, starting July 5th to August 23rd, I have eight artists featured in the garden this summer season,” said Balducci.
“They'll be working on either a medium inspired by the heritage garden, or a piece that they're working on in their studio. They'll be working on that piece from 12 to 3 every Tuesday. Visitors and locals will come and they can interact with the artist. They can bring their sketchbook and work alongside the artist. They can bring their lunch for a picnic in the gardens while the artist is working. And the artist is there to answer any questions.”
Balducci talks about the three artists she most recently worked with in the podcast above:
Jane Newman is a relatively new resident of Cortes Island and worked at the museum for 4 of the 5 years she has been here. She just retired to work full time on her artwork. While she has shown some of her artwork at Hollyhock, this exhibition at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery is her first solo exhibit on Cortes. Judith Willliams has been working on her current show for the past decade. She collected water samples from the Bute Inlet area prior to the recent landslide, and returned to gather more samples after the catastrophe. The resulting imagery, when this water was painted on paper, is striking. There was only room at the Tidal Art Centre for part of her collection, which will be unveiled in its totality at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery on August 26. Lisa Gibbons has been an artist all of her life and has a studio in Mansons Landing. “A lot of her work is inspired by the environment. She works mostly, but not exclusively, in acrylic, collage, gold leaf, and sometimes oil paints.” There is a sample at the top of this page.
As regards her own art, Balducci said:
“Right now, I'm working on fiber art. I've been making yarn and I would consider my yarn art yarn. It's very texturized. It's thin, it's chunky, it's everything in between. I've been making a lot of yarn. I've been designing and kniting items to wear.”
“I've also been making buttons recently. I just got into making buttons made out of polymer clay. Each set of buttons is totally different. I have them for sale at the museum and also at the Townsite Public Market in Powell River.
She will be the artist in residence at the Tidal Arts Centre in February, 2023.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Campbell River’s bear problem is escalating. Reports of their raiding garbage cans doubled in number this year. Sergeant Mike Newton, a Conservation Officer with the Ministry of Environment, went to the June 27 city councill meeting with a couple of suggestions.
They hinge upon changing human behaviour.
He explained that North Vancouver Island is prime bear habitat. Many communities are bulit along the salmon baring streams where they naturally geo funnel.
“Our zone looks after all the communities north from Fannie Bay up to Bella Bella. We see the wide swath of bigger centres like Campbell River, Courtney, Comox and smaller towns like Tahsis, Gold River. It's the same issue, in all community sizes,” said Newton.
Hopefully Cortes Island will continue to be an exception. It has been two years since there was bear problem. While the ‘Whaletown Bear’ had to be put down, his Squirrel Cove counterpart appears to have eluded conservation officers and what seemed like certain execution. The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has been educating islanders about bear proofing their yards. There were no reports of bears raiding garbage cans, compost or fruit trees on Cortes in 2021. A bear was spotted in Squirrel Cove a little over a week ago, but there have been many sightings on Cortes over the years. They normally do not become problems.
Newton told Campbell River’s city council, “Whether the bears are seen or not, they are there in every area of Campbell River. You can bet on that for sure. The dogs will quite often keep them more sneaky and nocturnal. People think, oh, you can use a bear banger to chase a bear off of your garbage and it won't come back. You cannot haze a bear off of an attractant once it's getting into that food source.”
He explained that because of the mild weather this year, the bear’s natural food (grass, dandlions, etc.) is still abundant. They have had no reason to leave for higher elevations. The bears are still in town.
“We play a role in trying to keep the bears safe from people, people damaging the bears by leaving attractions available and causing the bears behaviour to change. Then we try and keep people safe from the bears,” explained Newton.
“We get called to the worst cases. When bears are breaching houses, breaking into cars, acting in the threatening aggressive behaviour towards people and in the worst of all, when they actually do attack people and cause personal injury.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the winners in NexStream 3.0 comes from Cortes Island. The Gathering Place was awarded $10,000 “For running an exceptionally community-minded business, that never compromises ethics for gain. Their ethically imported spices and regionally grown herbs are of exceptional quality. They are the epitome of what a local business can be.” This is the third year that Campbell River has held a NexStream Competition. According to Mayor Andy Adams, “NexStream 3.0 highlighted the innovation that’s happening right here in Campbell River and throughout British Columbia. In addition to its core challenges, this year’s competition also offered a community stream to showcase local, community-focused businesses. We’re proud to have a competition of this calibre to shine a spotlight on our incredible community and enrich the growing innovation economy. The competition is funded and administered by the Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG), with support from the city of Campbell River.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sandy MacKay, of M’akola Development Services, presented the Electoral Areas Housing needs Report to the SRD Board on Wednesday.
“Collectively working with federal provincial entities and advocating for more non-market housing, will be key to reducing the gap between what people can afford and what is available in your markets. Non-market housing tends to be dedicated, affordable, and appropriate. It usually takes on the form of something called secured affordable housing, which is secured at an affordable rate in perpetuity, typically funded by senior government and operated by a non-profit,” he explained.
“There's not a ton you can do to support those uses at a local level, but what you can do is make it easier to develop them when the opportunities do come.”
- He pointed to the need to educate communities, to lessen the stigma that is often connected to affordable housing.
- Partnerships need to be forged between the various levels of government and First Nations.
- Priority should be given to development by non-profits when land becomes available.
Director Claire Moglove responded, “In Campbell River we had a report from our planning department about a month ago, indicating that based on our housing needs reports, we're building way more housing than theoretically we need. It's because we're not building the right kind of housing! The housing needs report identifies the kind of housing that is required or needed in the community based on the demographics, based on the research. so the question is how do you get developers to build the kind of housing we need? ”
This was the second time that the four Regional Directors heard Mackay’s presentation, which was also given at their June 15 committee meeting.
Regional Director Jim Abram said, “Thank you Sandy, for your presentation a second time. I enjoyed it both times and you did a wonderful job, I think, of presenting everything that we needed to hear, except for one thing.”
He began, “I’ve always been a supporter of reducing the number of Airbnbs and increasing the number of stand alone rental housing to take care of all of these issues you're talking about. Workers coming from off island, small families, and aging in place, et cetera, et cetera.”
Some of the landlords and homeowners in his district had been phoning Abram.
“(Renters) have a lot of rights, more than the people that own the house. (Landlords) can't raise the rents. They can't evict people for certain reasons, et cetera, et cetera. Anyway, it's just another piece that I think maybe needs to be looked at here. Rental housing is being discouraged at the level where people are most willing to do it. They're actually willing to set aside rental housing on their property, but yet they see these other models where it didn't work and they're withdrawing their support for it.”
Some key points gleaned from Mackay’s presentation: - 40% of the population are seniors and that number is increasing. There is a need to house them. - Some seniors are supporting family; others are concerned that their children will not be able to find an affordable home. - 45% of the renters who responded to the survey said they were paying higher rents than they could really afford. - This is especially true on Cortes and Quadra Islands, where there are large seasonal populations. - The number of short term rentals has increased from153 to 625 since 2016. 70% of them are in rural areas. - The gap between house prices and what people can afford is greatest on Cortes Island. It is almost as bad on Quadra Island. Area A is the most affordable Electoral Area. - Many homes within the SRD are reaching the end of their lifespan. - The cost of replacing them is highest on Cortes and Quadra Islands.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Many of you have probably seen the real estate adds in the Tideline. Two significant parcels of land are being sold as part of a much lager vision. Cortes Community Housing intends to have the Rainbow Ridge project ‘shovel ready’ for funding by 2023.
They have previously applied for funding from BC Housing three times.
“Twice for Rainbow Ridge and once for the Senior Society expansion. What we're doing now is getting ready for our third attempt to win funding from BC Housing for Rainbow Ridge,” explained Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society. “We're also working with Vancity credit union. They are helping right now with preconstruction expense.
“So we have an opportunity to partner with Vancity credit union. We have an opportunity to partner with BC housing. Once one of them says, ‘Yes, your business case for Rainbow Ridge makes sense based on what it's going to cost to build and the income that's going to come in once it's fully occupied,’ then we can also get CMHC, which is the federal government Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to be a co-investment partner. They will only join the project once we've been select buy a bank or by BC housing.”
She explained that all of the communities on Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands are competing for the same pool of funding from BC Housing.
“The next intake from BC housing has not been announced, as far as when they will accept grant applications, but we believe it will be sometime in 2023. We hope it will be the spring of 2023,” said Wood.
“What we're trying to do right now is make Rainbow Ridge a shovel ready project, so that it's a really easy decision for BC Housing to choose Cortes island.”
Rainbow Ridge is currently in the Design Development phase and hired Iredale Architects to find less expensive way to build 24 townhomes.
They are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Transportation for the 6 acre subdivision’s road design.
The project contractor is preparing an up to date budget, which will be costed in the autumn.
The new plans will be shared with the community at a Town Hall meeting in October.
“In addition to coming to BC Housing with those plans, we also need to come to the table with some cash. I know it's gonna be a big, expensive project and the more money that we can bring to the table, the more attractive it will be to BC Housing or any other funder,” said Wood.
This is where the real estate sales come in.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new study UBC study found that the endangered southern resident killer whale population isn’t getting enough to eat.
As lead author Fanny Couture explained, “The study goes from 1979 to 2020. We were trying to understand whether the Southern Resident Killer Whale population had enough food to eat to sustain their energy needs. So a human needs 2000 calories a day, a killer whale will need about 170,000 calories a day. What we found is that they were in energetic deficit for six of the last 40 years. Some of them are spread out throughout the study period, but three of the last year, so 2018 to 2020, they were in full energy deficits. So did not have enough food in the spring, the summer and the fall.”
This study is important to the Discovery Islands because we are close to the boundry between Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales, which is just south of Cortes Island. Many Southern resident killer whales swim through our area, as does one of the major Chinook salmon runs they feed on.
Couture added that it would be good to apply the same study methods they would like to apply the same methodology to the Northern Resident Killer Whale population.
“There are evidences that they are also getting skinnier, that they are also potentially lacking food. It's possible that the different population trends that we observe for the Northern Residents and Southern Residents come from other seasons that we know less about, such as the winter,” said Couture.
“We need to understand the causes for the decline of those food resources. There are several hypothesis, several factors that might impact those food resources and the salmon population. One of which could be predation from other marine mammals, including Stellar Sea Lions, but there are other factors to look at as well, such as climate change, prevalence to diseases for those salmon populations. More research is needed and there is an urgency to try to understand what's happening to those Chinook populations.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been twelve months since billions of marine animals along the West Coast of British Columbia perished during a record breaking heat wave. Temperatures of between 35°C and 40°C were recorded at the Cortes Island School during the last five days of June.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Jane Newman calls the exhibition, that she is bringing to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery, ‘Ordinary Magic.‘
“What I find that I'm trying to do, since I've been living on Cortes for the last five years, is express the energy of the land, or the energy of nature. I'm very much connected to the leaves and the birds and the ocean and even the underworld of the ocean. I'm trying to see it, feel it, hear it, sense it — in every way. I really try to re-express that. It's very challenging. I don't feel like I'd ever express it as beautifully as it is,” she explained.
“I'm trying to breathe new life into forgotten, overlooked and discarded items. I've got a vast collection of rusty metal and wire and some natural objects from the land like shells and tree branches and stones and all manner of detritus that I found in junk stores or at dump sites and things like that. With that work, I really feel like I'm just trying to sort of resurface the magic of these ordinary things that have been overlooked and discarded and give them a new life.”
Newman has been working on this current exhibition for the past two or three years. It was originally scheduled for the gallery’s 2020 season, then cancelled because of the pandemic.
She and her partner Brian live on a two acre property, where Newman has been collecting rusty metal for years.
Brian helped her rehandle some of the garden tools used in this exhibit.
Newman also developed a new mixed media technique. She reformatted some of her paintings and printed them on art media paper. Then she reworked the images with stitching, paint, water crayons or pastel—, etc. Newman also incorporated natural objects, like leaves from the garden — photographing, printing and reworking them.
She is very excited about the gallery once again hosting receptions.
“I was worried that maybe even this year, I would not be able to have an opening reception. It's such an important part of the process for artists, but also such a lovely occasion to showcase the work in a celebratory fashion,” said Newman.
The day she started setting up the exhibit, three people dropped by the gallery to ask ‘What’s going on?’
“People are really looking for things to go to and things to experience here on Cortes,” exclaimed Newman.
There will be free food and non-alcoholic beverages at her reception but she will be charging $4 for a glass of wine.
The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery is now an incorporated society.
“This year, for the first time and for my opening, we're required to apply for a permit for $100 and actually have this training, which is another $20 to have a server. We have to have a cordoned off area where alcohol can be consumed out of doors,” she explained.
“Putting on an exhibition is a relatively expensive endeavour, which I totally am embracing and love. The process is fantastic, but I decided it would be really helpful for me if I could recoup some of the costs of the permit.”
The Gallery is open from 6 to 9 PM on Fridays and from 2 to 6 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ordinary Magic will run until Sunday, July 10.
The next reception will be Friday, July 15, when KIra Macduffee and Majie Lavergne bring ‘Sacred Dreamscapes’ to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery’s 2022 Season kicks off at 6 PM on Friday, July 1, with Jane Newman’s solo exhibit ‘Ordinary Magic.’
This is also the first season in which the gallery has a manager.
Bianca Lee explained, “The gallery manager gets to see behind the scenes of the artists presenting their work and that's kind of special. You go to the gallery and see everything in its finished state, but I get to actually see what happens as they're setting everything up. I was doing that today as Jane Newman was bringing in all her works and deciding where things would go.”
She is really looking forward to the return of Friday night receptions.
“It's very exciting for the artist, and for everyone to see the unveiling of their work. There's a special energy about those nights. I'll get to see all my neighbours again, who've all been in hiding for the last two years. It will spark a lot of interesting conversations and a lot of interesting connections with people,” said Lee.
“Sometimes you know somebody as an acquaintance and you have no idea the talent that they have, or the special interest that they have, or the interest that you might share and never have known about. So I'm looking forward to getting to know people on a deeper level.”
This will be the first reception in two years.
“Now that we have been denied that opportunity, we'll appreciate it in a new way,” chirped Lee.
The food and beverages will be outside, where people can talk to the artists and socialize.
Lee believes this will also cut down on the number of people in the make viewing area and make it more intimate.
“You can go outside and talk to the artist and talk to friends and neighbours and go back in if you want to look at a piece again. I just think it expands the space a bit more.”
‘Ordinary Magic’ opens on Friday, July 1st. This show has been delayed for two years because of COVID. Jane Newman has been an artist for close to 40 years and has a huge collection to draw from. She uses found objects in her artwork, which will also be exhibited in the Cortes Museum’s ‘Art in the Garden’ series.
Kira McDuffy and Maji Laverne will be bringing ‘Sacred Dreamscapes’ to the gallery on Friday, July 15th. McDuffy is a psychotherapist who lives on Cortes Island. Her friend Laverne is a professional artist, who visits every summer. There is a lot of personal symbolism in their work.
David Ellington's show ‘Falling Boundaries’ opens on July 29th. His family has been on Cortes for generations and he lived here before moving to Victoria to pursue a career in photography. The theme of his show is the relationship between the land and our colonial past.
The Annual Members Show opens on August 12th. Every artist is invited to submit two pieces of art.
“There's no theme this year, so we'll get a wide variety of work. That's really a way to engage the membership and also encourage people who maybe don't have enough work to do their own solo show, but they are able to share what they are working on and make connections with other artists in our community and get some encouragement and feedback,” said Lee.
Judith Williams show, ‘Water/Colour: a mirror of water’ opens on Friday, August 26th.
“This is a show about water. It has been 11 years in the making. Water from Bute Inlet was collected to paint with. There was a major landslide in November 2021. And what caused the landslide was interesting and horrifying. There are seven permits pending for water extraction and 18 hydroelectric systems. The paintings are minimalist and there's a cabinet to engage people with rich historical background, including photographs” - Judith Williams
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - Another logging confrontation may be coming on Quadra Island.
On Novermber 15, 2021 a little group of Quadra Island grannies, calling themselves the friends of Hydcinthe Creek, shut down Mosaic’s logging operations in Tan Creek.
“We said they could take out the logs that they've already cut. My goodness, they got so many first day and a half before I found them and we stopped them. This was cutting the headwaters above the headwaters of Tan Creek that goes into Mud Lake and coho spawn in the bottom,” said Eileen Sowerby.
She emailed that, “The lower reaches of Tan Creek are a nursery for coho fry, but, due to the creek drying up in the summer in recent years we have had to rescue the fry from creek puddles and move them to the lake.”
Mud Lake feeds into Hyacinthe Creek. “I think mosaic waited for us to die off because the average age of the four grannys was 73, but I am still able.”
She expects Mosaic to return.
“Mosaic are huge. They are the largest private landowners in BC. They own 8% of Cortes Island, I'm sure you know that, and it's different there because they own the land. This is just a tree farm license,” explained Sowerby.
In May, the logging giant signed a harvesting agreement the We Wai Kai First Nation and Roga Contracting to form a new company, Way Key Ventures.
“They're going to train We Wai Kai to log and sell them thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment to do it. To me, it doesn't matter hho's doing it, the survival of the coho come first. So if I have to, I will blockade with my Cedar hat on and my blanket,” explained Sowerby.
She was referring to the ceremonial hat and blanket the Homalco First Nation gave her last month. Sowerby and two of her friends had been the title holders of 47 acres on Read Island.
They never considerd the land it theirs. It was originally purchased for a project that did not work out. Twenty-five years later they decided that as Read Island is part of the traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation, they would give it back. The Homalco responded through a special celebration at their centre in Campbell River, which was where Sowerby and her friends were given ceremonial hats and blankets.
She has been watching Mosaic and its predecessor, TimberWest, log the Hyacinthe Creek water shed for over 20 years.
“They're very, very nice about it and very polite, but the Creek is drying up and in 2021, for the first time in my memory, was absolutely dry,” said Sowerby.
She believes there are three reasons for this: climate change, a new road through the wetlands and logging.
“The lack of water is due to probably mostly climate change, but we can stop the logging. There's no way that continual logging will help salmon in any way.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - At approximately 11:30 PM on Tuesday, June 21, Quadra RCMP received a report of a single vehicle motor vehicle accident on Cortes Island.
Their subsequent press release states, “The driver was pronounced dead on scene and the passenger was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The passenger is currently in stable condition. Speed is believed to be a factor in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.”
Cortes Currents received a tip that the passenger was taken to Campbell River Hospital and the incident occured at the corner of Thunder Road.
Proceeding to the alleged accident site, there were four plastic cones close to to the intersection of Thunder and Gorge Roads. The bark was scraped off several of the trees beyond this and debris was scattered on the ground.
A credible source, who does not wish to be identified, said he had known the deceased man for three months and he had come to Cortes to work.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District’s rural Directors responded to the Housing Needs Report at the Electoral Areas Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 15.
Sandy Mackay, of M'akola Development Services, gave the Directors a presentation.
“We began earlier this year and continued throughout winter and spring of 2022. The study was extensive. It included a selection of key informant interviews, which I believe almost all of you participated in, as well as a community survey that garnered responses from 437 households. Which is, to be frank, quite remarkable given the size and geographic spread of your regional district,” he began.
The situation was not as bad in Area A, but the study found that housing prices had risen beyond the reach of most buyers throughout much of the Strathcona Regional District, and especially on Cortes and Quadra Islands. 45% of the renters who responded to the survey could not afford to pay their rent. This situation was exasperated by the growth of the short term rental movement, especially Airbnbs, and the large number of summer homes that remained vacant throughout the year.
Jim Abram, the regional Director for Quadra Island, thanked MacKay for his excellent presentation, adding that part of the problem was all the red tape imposed by senior government.
He cited two examples from Quathiaski Cove:
The two years it took to build the 16 unit Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society project. After 5 years of discussion and three years of development, plans forQuathiaski Cove have ground to a stop because Vancouver Island Health is demanding a new water system.
“That puts it on our shoulders to come up with the money, come up with the approvals, and which basically means a hell of a lot more advocacy and lobbying to the provincial government to try and make these things happen. They're in control! So we've got the left hand not knowing what the right hand's trying to do properly,” he said.
Regional Director Noba Anderson said that the situation is similar on Cortes Island. They raised $1 million, purchased 50 acres and formed a non-profit society to provide affordable and seniors housing. After building four units, Cortes Community Housing needs more funding to proceed and BC Housing doesn’t apper to have it.
“Even if we were to get those funds, it is so astronomically expensive to build to their standards per square foot it's bordering on criminal,” she said. “Not only is there a massive, massive rental housing crisis, but we don't have a place for our fire chief, our doctors, our ferry workers.”
Anderson added, “I'm quite frustrated with our own lack of ability to actually even do the things that you're recommending. I haven't read every detail in the report, and I certainly will dig into it more.To be honest, looking at your recommendations was quite disheartening because even though theoretically we can, I don't know in practice, they're gonna work. If out of all of this Gut wrenching reality that you've demonstrated so beautifully we can find a couple of places that the regional district could actually take action on, I'd really appreciate that.”
McKay promised to identify some low hanging fruit that the Regional District could act on.
The other two Directors had a different perspective on the housing crisis. Regional Director Brenda Leigh does not believe there is such a thing as affordable housing, ‘it is whatever the market will dictate.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a two-year renewal of licences for marine finfish aquaculture facilities outside of the Discovery Islands.
“I have mixed opinions about the announcement. I think there's some good things and there are some not so good things,” said Stan Probosczc, senior scientist with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society. “They received a license for two years based on these conditions and those conditions are rules that the salmon farms need to follow. Part of the problem is, we actually don't have a copy of those rules yet.”
He has seen draft copies.
Probosczc identified the spread of parasites from farmed to wild fish as a key concern.
“We really know through observation over years and years, that the industry really isn't able to control the parasites on their farms. So that's something we're really gonna have to watch.”
He added, “I think this is good progress towards their federal promise to transition the industry out of British Columbia by 2025. I think the industry probably will not like this decision. It's gonna make their industry quite a bit more uncertain.”
Ruth Salmon, Interim Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, said, “While we were encouraged that the licenses had been renewed, significantly longer term licenses are really needed to encourage further investment in innovation and technology.”
She said that while the government says is it is looking looking for investment in innovation, short term licenses do not encourage investors.
“We remain committed to work with government, including our First Nation partners and their voices have been heard in this. That's very encouraging. I think together we can secure a bright future for salmon farming in British Columbia.”
“I think it's a positive first step because it gives us an opportunity to work with both levels of government including first nations, our partners that we work with on a path forward. So I think industry is encouraged by that.”
Details of a draft plan framework for transitioning from open-net pen salmon aquaculture will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
In its press release yesterday, DFO explained, “The transition plan will rely on input from the Government of British Columbia, First Nations, industry, local governments, stakeholders, and British Columbians. Consultations will run until early 2023. The feedback received during these consultations will be instrumental in the development of the final transition plan, expected in Spring 2023.”
While the press release uses the phrase ‘transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture’ in three places, Ruth Salmon is encouraged by the fact it does not actually state the farms must move onto land.
“They talk about a transition plan that involves innovation and reduces interaction with wild salmon. They don't actually say ‘land.’ So I think until we see that that framework and how they're defining transition. I think we probably can't assume what it might look like,” she explained.
On April 22, a federal court ruled that former Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan breached the rights of B.C. salmon farmers to procedural fairness when she ordered them to phase out operations in the Discovery Islands by June 2022.
Consequently, DFO will now conduct consultations with First Nations communities and current licence holders in the Discovery Islands on the future of salmon farm licences in this area. These consultations will inform a final decision expected in January 2023.
If the licenses are renewed, one of the first farms to go operational could be at Raza Island, just off the northern tip of Cortes. Cermaq Canada has reassembled the site and is poised to put its nets back into the water.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The fate of a proposal to develop 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks on Quadra Island may finally have been decided.
The public meeting for Rick Schellinck ’s proposed Gowland Harbour Views development was originally scheduled for July 28, 2011 and, after eleven years of delays, finally occured on April 20, 2022.
The controversial project may have finally been voted down at the SRD Board’s June 15 meeting.
As Gowland Harbour is on Quadra Island, the decision was left to the SRD’s four Regional Directors. They voted against it.
Regional Director Jim Abram explained that 8 of the 546 submissions for this project were in favour of it, all the others said no.
“We’ve never got numbers like that!’ he explained. “The people of Quadra island have spoken clearly that they do not want this proposal to proceed.”
Cortes Island Director, Noba Anderson said, “I concur that Quadra spoke very clearly on this one.”
Regional Direcror Brenda Leigh added, “It was there reasons for objecting that I really took to heart. Quadra just can't handle the amount of pressure that this development would pose for them in numerous areas, such as infrastructure, ferries … and traffic. They're all concerned about things that would really impact them on Quadra. I really took it to heart and I'm ready to vote on this.”
After that, the discussion turned to how could this proposal be brought to an end in a manner that made it impossible for the developer to resurrect it.
Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch said once the third motion for a project is defeated, it is dead.
Leigh pointed out that at the previous board meeting, a defeated motion was reconsidered and passed.
Leitch explained, “ That was a decision of the directors. You can reconsider anything. So if you defeat it and make a rescinding motion, you can rescind that. I would suggest putting the motion on the floor and voting as you will.”
All four Regional Directors then voted against the proposal, which is effectively dead - in its present form anyway.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be holding its 2022 convention in Whister on September 12 -16. Local governments tradionally seek interviews with high level provincial officials. The interviews can be up to 15 minutes long and cover up to 3 topics. The SRD chose their topics at the Wednesday June 15 Board meeting.
Regional Director Jim Abram suggested that they talk about putting more funding into affordable housing.
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson, added that there was a need for more funding for community based, or local government based, or a collaboration between social profit and local government, resilience planning.
“I think we would be very well advised to support community efforts to do deep adaptive resilience planning,” she said
Chair Brad Unger said he’d like to sit down with the Premier to discuss forestry and aquaculture concerns.
These have been divisive issues in the past. Fish farms and forestry are two of the three economic pillars of Campbell River. Several other Directors are supportive, but there are also Directors who take a more ‘environmental’ approach.
Anderson proposed that this topic be dropped from the list.
Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis agreed, “We do have some fairly different viewpoints. I advocate for large scale forestry reform. I want to see pieces of land taken out of the Tree Farm License so that we can create community forests from them. That will require major policy changes, which may be coming anyway. I'm not sure if everybody would be in agreement on all that. Also I do want to see the old growth strategy push through to a good resolution.”
Three of the Campbell River Directors, who have long supported the forestry and aquaculture sectors, spoke up.
Colleen Evans said, “I think this board has been clear in terms of support for industries that are driving the North Island economy. We had a presentation yesterday from both the forestry and the aquaculture industry, which is science based statistical information about the impact on the island.”
Charlie Cornfield declared, “I won't support a motion that doesn't address forestry, whether it is in favor or in opposition. This board is made up of many different communities and many different residents. It is important that we reference all of them and don't back away.”
To which Mayor Andy Adams added, “We know that there are diverse opinions and views on the board. While we certainly respect the differences of views, once a motion is made, that is the will of the board and it moves forward. And I would, with that, ask that the question be called.”
The motion before the board was whether to drop fish farms and forestry from the list of topics to be discussed with the province
The hybrid virtual/in-person vote itself was confusing. It had to be taken twice, with much discussion throughout the process, but the final result was clear.
Five Directors (Jim Abram, Noba Anderson, Gerald Whalley, Kevin Jules and Martin Davis)voted in favour of dropping forestry and aquaculture from the list of topics to be brought before Premier Horgan and the MInister of Municipal Affairs.
Seven Directors voted against removing them: Andy Adams, Charlie Cornfield, Colleen Evans, Ron Kerr, Director Dahl, Brenda Leigh, Martin Baker and Brad Unger
the board passed a motion “that a request be made with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Premier to discuss the following topics:
Interministerial cooperation; Community based/social profit resiliency planning; and North Island forestry and aquaculture concerns.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Heather Reimer took over as General Manager of Gorge Harbour Marina in February.
Her day usually starts at 6:30 AM with coffee as she looks through the emails that came in throughout the night. Two hours, and several cups of coffee later, Reimer will usually be in the office.
She and her partner Ron Quire are currently overseeing the activities of more than 50 employees:
10 in the Gorge Harbour General Store. 4 in the office 10 in the maintenance department that's taking care of the campground, RV sites and all of the maintenance needs of the property. 10 to 15 working part time and a few full time, in the Floathouse Restaurant. 6 in the marina, 5 housekeepers 3 more employees were hired this week
“Right now we're running at about 50% occupancy. In another week, we will be running closer to 90 -95%,” she said.
They have four rooms in the lodge, 14 RV sites, 90 tent sites and 1,800 linear feet of dock space to oversee.
Reimer works seven days a week, but they aren’t all 10 hour days.
“Some of those days are only four hours. I consider that to be a holiday.”
She likes to take long walks. That gives her a quiet time to think through the day’s challenges.
“I get a lot of problems solved on those walks,” she said. “I am pretty full on all of the time. My priority is the care and feeding of this resort. So it's always on my brain.”
Reimer started working in resorts when she was young and worked her way up the management ladder until 2000, when she was hired by TYAX Lodge & Heliskiing. They provided heliski holdiays in the winter and mountain biking in summer for up to 100 guests.
She and Quire went sailing from 2010 to 2016.
“We sailed all the way down to the Galapagos and had many, many adventures. The ocean is very much close to our hearts and that was the reason which really drew us to this place,” explained Reimer.
Their 53 foot trawler is currently in Port Townsend, but it will be coming up home to the Gorge. Reimer and Quire intend to explore Desolation Sound and the Disovery Islands.
“I knew some of the principles here at QXMC. They encouraged me to apply for a management position to run Gorge Harbor, and I very happily did so.”.
“Ron is my other half. He's been with me through thick and thin, on the seas and off the seas. We're running this place side by side. We also have another couple here, Lisa Argue and Zoa Scott. They are our assistant managers and we are very much a team in running this place together. I'm more of the spokesperson, but it's very much a team effort not only with them, but certainly with the entire group of employees that we've got here.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Forty-five percent (45%) of the respondents renting homes in rural areas say they pay more than they can afford, according to the SRD Electoral Areas Housing Needs Report.
Statistics from the 2016 census support this. 41% of renters and 9% of home owners in the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) paid more than 30% of their income on accommodation.
“This survey sheds light on an issue that is kind of hidden. People that are living in unstable housing aren't necessarily telling everyone about it because it can be embarrassing. ‘I can't afford the right housing,’ or ‘I'm living in an overcrowded place,’ or ‘I'm having to choose between good food or paying my rent,’” said Mark Vonesch from the Cortes Community Housing Society, one of the key stakeholders in this study. “I think it's the number one issue affecting Cortes. We're at a point in our history where we can address this or we can just let it slide and go the direction that Hornby has gone, or some of these other islands that no one can afford to live on anymore. They are retirement places, where people come to holiday.”
The housing survey identified retiring seniors as the #1 area of population growth throughout the SRD.
Anecdotal evidence points to a second demographic. During COVID, a large number of professionals also moved to the country and are now working from home.
“Electoral Area D is the largest by population and the fastest growing, increasing 18% since 2011, while Electoral Areas A, B, and C increased 9%, 8%, and 8%, respectively.”
There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of housing units used as short term rentals. In 2016, there were 153 Airbnbs within the SRD. By 2021, this number had grown to 635. This situation is worse in Area C, whose population centre is Quadra Island, and Area B, or Cortes Island.
97 of the 1,663 dwellings in Area C (5.8%) are used as Airbnbs.
34 of Cortes Island’s 804 dwellings (4.2%) are vacation rentals. Only 37 of the 1,853 dwellings in Area D (2%), south of Campbell River, are used as short term rentals.
13 of the 474 dwellings in Area A (2.7%), which stretches from Sayward to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, are Airbnbs. While the vacation rental situation has been the focus of much discussion, they draw on only about 4.2% of the housing stock on Cortes Island. Close to a third of the island's houses (253) were vacant when the 2016 census was taken.
This is more than twice the 75 rental and 40 retail units that the housing survey states are immediately needed on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation may be close to signing a treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada.
In an email to the Strathcona Regional District, dated April 26, Jessica Jamieson, from BC’s MInistry of Indigenous relations and Reconciliation, the Klahoose were to be provided with an offer of treaty land and cash this spring. This has been put on hold while the government works with the Klahoose to secure one or more private parcels for the benefit of the Klahoose community.
The email was included in the staff report for the June 16 SRD Board Meeting.
Neither the audio or minutes for that meeting have been released in time for this broadcast, but there was a motion to protest the province’s lack of respect for the SRD.
Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield moved, and Regional Director Jim Abram seconded a motion that a letter be sent to Premier Horgan, Indigenous Relations and the Klahoose Nation.
They wish to remind the Ministry that “Under the Community Charter, the local government is considered a level of government and we expect respectful treatment.”
The written version of this story will be updated as more details become available.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been many droughts in Vancouver Island’s history. A University of Victoria study of tree ring data found that some of them were worse than anything in modern records, but also predicted a future mega-drought. This year’s wet Spring may make a difference, but there have been reports of wells running dry every summer since 2014. Consequently, increasing numbers of people throughout the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, Quadra and Cortes Islands have turned to rainwater harvesting. No treatment is needed when this water is used for flushing toilets, watering lawns or gardens, and it dramatically reduces water consumption from wells.
According to the Strathcona Regional District, ‘about 70% of total water consumption happens outdoors in the summer time, mostly due to sprinkler use on lawns. Sprinkler or soaker hose use on other landscaping can also contribute to the high summer demand.’
Interviews about rainwater harvesting on Cortes and Quadra Islands
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island is experiencing a wetter than normal Spring this year, but Some of Cortes Island’s shallow well owners experience water shortages every summer, and scientists appear to agree that there will be more severe shortages in the future.
This is a global problem and there appear to be many causes: the depletion of forest coverage, growth of human infrastructure, natural drought cycles and on top of all that, the transition to a warmer global temperature.
Interviews with John Preston, Red Williams, Miranda Cross, Dr. Ashley Jollymore, Dr. Diana Allen and Dr Bethany Coulthard.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the level 4 ‘drought’ continues and some shallow well owners are concerned about their water supply, CKTZ News asked an expert about Cortes Island aquifers.
Dr Diana Allen is the head of the Groundwater Resources Research Group at Simon Fraser University. While she has not been to Cortes, Allen has been working on islands like Hornby, Mayne, Saturna and Salt Spring since 1996.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Last month, there was a celebration in honour of three women who returned 47 acres on Read Island to the Homalco First Nation.
“There's a lovely little sort of swamp on it, the bluffs and you can see the sea, but I live on Quadra and Helen lives in Vancouver and we rarely went out to it,” explained Eileen Sowerby.
Sowerby, Helen Turbett, and the late Su’zan Cook held the title for about 25 years, but never considered it as their personal property.
They were once members of a Quadra Island group that wanted to start a permaculture project with Central Americans. While this never came into being, they purchased 52 acres on Read Island. The founder of the group moved on, people dropped out along the way.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sometime in the next three weeks, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Joyce Murray, will decide whether the licenses for 79 fish farms will be renewed.
“I heard a rumour that the minister laid out her options or her ideas to cabinet and cabinet has the plans right now. They're figuring out what to do. We can expect that an announcement quite shortly on the plan around the transition of farms out of British Columbia and also the licensing decision,” said Stan Proboszcz, senior scientist with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society.
According to the BC Salmon Farmers Association, based in Campbell River, the province will lose more than 4,700 jobs and $1.2 billion in economic activity if the salmon farm licenses are not reissued.
The elected chiefs of the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum are among a small group of First Nations leaders supporting this industry, but Hereditary Chief Arnold Chickite of the We Wai Kai Nation campaigns against fish farms.
The Klahoose, Homalco, Tla’amin and K’omok are among the 102 B.C. First Nations that signed a joint letter calling for open-net pen fish farms to be transitioned onto land.
Bob Chamberlain, Chair of the First Nation’s Wild Salmon Alliance issued a press release stating, “We are deeply concerned that wild salmon runs in B.C. have suffered from the impacts of fragmented management decisions at both the federal and provincial levels, decisions that have contributed to the precarious extinction-level state of wild salmon and which must now be corrected if we are to see wild salmon runs successfully rebound.”
A growing number of scientists agree with them.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - An overview of what has led to the increasing number of derelict and dilapidated boats on the BC Coast.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr Chelsey Geralda Armstrong is an associate professor from SFU and the lead author of a paper, about the ancient forest gardens in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. While individual species do grow in the wild, forest gardens and orchards exhibit a sophisticated understanding of cultivation and are found adjacent to ancient village sites. In a related study, Armstrong and her colleagues wrote that forest gardens largely disappeared around the time of the smallpox epidemic that swept through B.C’s Indigenous communities more than 150 years ago.
(In the podcast above, Armstrong mentions three generations of a family that were still transplanting hazelnuts in the 1930s and 40s.)
She said it is difficult to say how long the province’s Indigenous population were tending forest gardens.
Some scientists believe that the Pacific Crabapple (Malus Fusca) is closely related to the Siberian crabapple, and may have been introduced to North America by the first people to cross over from Asia.
Armstrong responded, “People have been moving back and forth for millennia.”
She calls hazelnuts ‘the Swiss army knife of the plant world.’ It is a valuable food source that can be stored year round, a medicine, a dye, and a textile that can be woven or used in boat construction. While not native to the Tsimshian areas, it is found around ancient village sites like Kitselas. The people from that area used a Proto-Salish name for hazelnuts, which originated in southern B.C. 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
She and her colleagues have dug up the 400-year-old remains of hazelnuts, crabapples, Rubus species, and vaccinium species - “all the things that grow in forest gardens” - in Tsimshian territory.
They found 600 year-old remains in Coast Salish territory.
In the podcast above she talks about using oral histories as a key. Soapberries are native to the interior, but has been found on the central coast. There is an oral tradition that Raven introduced it back in mythic times.
“In the case of Nuu-chah-nulth territory, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, we have ethnographic records. Early settlers like Gilbert Sprout, in the 1840s, recorded that ‘natives are as careful of their crab apple orchards as we are of ours.’ And so we know that the cultivation of these things, at least predate that,” explained Armstrong.
“Nancy Turner, Dana Lepofsky and I recently wrote a paper on transplanting. We conclude that about 15 or 16 plants growing throughout BC are, in many cases, probably the result of ancient transplanting or historical transplanting events.”
While she has not specifically studied the Discovery Islands, much of what Armstrong said may be applicable here.
She's familiar with Judith Williams book ‘Clam Gardens: Aboriginal Mariculture on Canada's West Coast.’
“Clam gardens are showing up everywhere, which of course is a type of mariculture cultivation and so it would make sense that if folks are managing the intertidal in such extensive and long lasting ways that they would be also doing the same with plants.”
“Intertidal marsh gardens are another phenomena that have been studied and looked at. Those are a kind of Intertidal/ uppertidal systems of root cropping. Managing the landscape for things like Springbank Clover, Pacific Silverweed, and Wild Rice Root are a lot more common where you guys are. That would be another flag.”
Armstrong added, “I want to make sure folks know that it's not like I went out and did this research and discovered forest gardens. These places have been known by Indigenous communities, by folks who lived in the same place, for thousands of years. A lot of the stories that I've been able to put down on paper around forest garden management (come from Indigenous sources). Elders have always talked about old villages being good places to hunt, or good places to harvest. There's this understanding that these places exist.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - FolkU Field Trip Fire-scaping our Community!
Join Autumn and host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for this special Folk U Field Trip (simulcast on the radio) event where you will learn both the how and why of firescaping with native plants AND get a chance to see and learn how.
Friday June 3rd 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the CCEDA Tent at the Mansons Village Commons.
In this free workshop geared towards adults, Autumn will be sharing knowledge around Fire-scaping and talking about its importance in our community. This workshop will educate folks on how to decrease likelihood of fire-spread in our neighbourhoods and local ecosystems, thus empowering us to take action in Fire-scaping at our home and in our neighbourhoods! We will spend the last hour Fire-scaping and Fire-scape designing Mansons Hall, the Radio Station, FOCI Office and CCEDA Lands together!
The information in this workshop will help you achieve a lower Threat Assessment Risk. Once we've learned about Fire-scaping and put it to practice at the Hall, take your knowledge back home to your neighbourhoods and work together to get woody debris out to the roadside for the June 19th woody-debris pick up.
Come join us to learn how to take action in safe-guarding your home, neighbourhood and local ecosystems. Please bring pruners and gloves if you have them.
The first part of this program will also air on FolkU Radio on CKTZ 89.5 FM and CortesRadio.ca.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 /Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesdays at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The streets of Campbell River have opened up with a series of free, family-friendly events and entertainment that will continue until September. “We think that this is a great opportunity. Hopefully COVID is starting to leave us and we have the ability to return to a new normal. This whole set of opportunities with the downtown core is meant to bring us out of what we've been experiencing over the last couple of years in reduced ability to program and to get out and interact and socialize. This is really on the flip side of it. We want to be able to blow the lid off of this and get everybody downtown and enjoying what Campbell River has done. Campbell River has a lot to offer both the residents in the surrounding area and visitors to it,“explained Robin Mitchell, the city’s Manager of Recreation and Culture “These programs and the opportunities with businesses and the various partnerships that Royce and Karen and Linda have set up, in order for us to be able to run all of these events downtown over the next three months are going to be absolutely mind-blowing.” Karen Chappell, Adult and Community Special Events programmer, added, “We are offering a ton of stuff this summer. We have what is called our Campbell River Live Streets, which has six major events that happen every Wednesday evening in the downtown core, we shut the street and we offer a large event.”
This interview took place last Thursday. ‘Go by Bike Week’ is now over, but it is an example of the kind of event Campbell River is hosting. The associated activities included:
Thursday - a celebration station at Active Living Physiotherapy in Larwood Plaza. (bike maintenance, Track Stand competitions). Friday - celebration station from &-8:30 AM at Seymour Pacific Developments (breakfast) Saturday - Bike Swap at Spirit Square from noon to 4PM. All kids bikes sold for $30. Adult bikes for $60 and premium bikes for $100. Opportunity to test drive e-bikes.
Checking the community calendar on the City of Campbell River website, the next special events are both scheduled for Sunday, June 26: Greenways Loop Day and the Campbell River Buskers Festival. School gets out the following Wednesday, June 29, after which this calendar will be bursting with activities. These include: - Battle of the Brushes on July 20, 2022 - an Evening Street Market, - Chalk Art Festival, - Salsa & Latin Night, - Music in the Night - and Rockin' River Country Stomp.
“One of our big headliners this summer, which I'm personally really excited about is our finale of the summer for our large live streets. And we have Jesse Roper coming and he's a massive draw on Vancouver island. So we're, we had to really bump up our numbers for licensing and everything for that event,” said Chappell. There are also a lot of activities taking place every week:
- Concerts in Spirit Square, every Tuesday at noon and Thursdays at 7 PM.
- The Farmer's Market, Sundays from 10 am till 2:00 PM, in Shopper’s Row until September 11th.
- Lots of smaller events like yoga classes, in-line dance classes, and other daily activities
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Tickets for Lovefest 2022 go on sale this week. Rex Weyler is distributing them to stores throughout Cortes Island and will be selling tickets at Mansons Friday Market.
“The whole purpose of Lovefest, right from the beginning, is just a fun community day of people being together. Great music and giving a venue for the artists to sell their wares and have a good day in the sun,” he said.
Lovefest will be from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, Sunday, August 14th at Linnaea Farm
Early bird tickets are $25 tickets will be $30 at the door. $20 for people under 18. A family ticket is $60.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) reversed its previous decision and approved the rezoning of a property in Quathiaski Cove, on Quadra Island. Jonathan and Eliah Turkstra wish to subdivide their 5 acre property into two parcels.
In an Electoral Area directors only vote, the Turkstra’s application was turned down on May 11, 2022.
This decision was changed at the May 25 SRD Board meeting, when Regional Directors Jim Abram, Noba Anderson and Gerald Whalley voted first to reconsider the application and then to approve the bylaw that will allow the Turkstra’s to subdivide.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The connected coast is a joint communications project undertaken by CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District. They will bring high speed internet to 90,000 households in remote communities from Haida Gwaii to northern Vancouver Island. As of June 2, they have laid more than 500 km of the 3,400 kilometres of fibre optic cable that will come into being through this project.
They also released a series of prerecorded videos to the media. The connected coast is a joint communications project undertaken by CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District. They will bring high speed internet to 90,000 households in remote communities from Haida Gwaii to northern Vancouver Island. As of June 2, they have laid more than 500 km of the 3,400 kilometres of fibre optic cable that will come into being through this project.
They also released a series of prerecorded videos to the media.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - The Cortes Forestry General Partnership is currently focusing on wildfire fuel mitigation strategies.
While none have been large, there were recent fires on West Redonda, Read, Quadra and Sonora Islands.
“It’s highly possible that we can have a fire here,” said General Manager Mark Lombard.
Lombard has been working on wildfire and fuel mitigation strategies for Cortes Island.
He helped SRD Protective Services Coordinator Sean Koopman revise the Cortes Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
They identified four areas in the community forest as top priorities for fuel treatment projects.
Two, in the Anvil Lake area and the Carrington/Coulter Bay areas, are commercially viable as logging projects.
“That’s part of the reason that they’re a priority. Also, one of them has a really thick stand with a lot of the hemlock dying out. It’s a little bit of a fire hazard in that area. We’re going to do some small patches in areas that are really heavy with mistletoe hemlock, and then do some thinning in the rest of the areas,” explained Lombard.
Both the literature and people Lombard has spoken to, say that one way to do wildfire mitigation is to have a mosaic of age classes and types. So that it’s not just one homogenous forest where all the trees are the same age and species.
The proposed projects in Squirrel Cove and around the Cortes Island Recycling Centre are not commercially viable and depend on funding.
Lombard said that part of the Squirrel Cove area is “ full of dying hemlock and a real tinderbox area.”
“We won’t be able to sell any logs from those projects, but will make them available as firewood.”
After the General Partnership’s AGM, Lombard emailed some tentative thoughts about scheduling. If they can get access to the north island, VON2 will be the next project. If not, it will be the thinning project at Anvil Lake.
“ I think everybody also knows that if you have a major catastrophic canopy fire, it doesn’t matter what you do. It’s still going to spread. What we’re talking about is slowing down or stopping small or medium forest fires,” said Lombard.
There has not been a large-scale forest fire on Cortes Island since at least 1950. The two largest were somewhere between 4 and 10 hectares.
However as global temperatures continue to rise, wildfires will get a lot larger and more frequent throughout British Columbia. No one knows what this will mean on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is seeking legal advice about expanding the access road and parking lot at Hoskyn Landing, on the north east corner of Quadra Island.
Hoskyn Landing is used by foot traffic crossing from Quadra to Read and Maurelle Islands, as well as hikers on the Surge Rapids Trail and kayakers within Surge Narrows Provincial Park.
The SRD’s current tenure is for public moorage and a boat launch.
The access road and parking lot are on crown land, within the woodlot license of Cape Mudge Forestry Ltd.
This is also the traditional territory of the We Wai Kai First Nation, who own Cape Mudge Forestry, as well as the Wei Wai Kum, Homalco and Klahoose First Nations.
BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) staff informed the SRD they should apply for tenure over the access road and parking lot, as this is primarily used by wharf users.
This matter was discussed at the SRD Board’s May 25 Board meeting, where the Regional Director, Jim Abram of Area C, argued against this is addition.
He argued that the road belongs to the Ministry of Transportation and the parking lot to FLNRORD. There is no need for a legal opinion, which area C would have to pay for.
“I don't really have any great objection to receiving an illegal dependent, but I think it's a waste of our money when staff are completely capable of dealing with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI),” he explained.
Abram insisted that all staff has to do is look at their maps.
Staff does not agree with his assessment.
Senior Manager Aniko Nelson said, “It is a staff's opinion that the road is not a gazetted road, that it is not owned by highways. That is information that has been provided to staff by both FLNRORD and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It is an untraveled road at this time. It is not recorded in any of the databases considerations. When we approached FLNRORD about obtaining additional areas for parking as requested by the community and the director, the requirement was that we took ownership of that roadway, which is currently not dedicated to anybody and provide ongoing maintenance as part of that. In addition to obtaining a further area from the timber license holder for the additional parking.”
Campbell River Director Charlies Cornfield added, “Well said Aniko. I've worked on this particular road with Director Abrams for at least 25 years and it's not a dedicated highway. The ball falls under the Ministry of Forest, especially when it's in provincial forest land and it's their responsibility. They like to avoid that responsibility. If they can move it to someone else, I think that getting the legal opinion is the appropriate way to be absolutely certain as to responsibility.”
He agreed that the cost will probably fall to Area C.
Abram protested, “What is filling that road up now is not the outer island people. It's all the tourists that are coming to Quadra Island from all parts of the world that are completely plugging it up!”
When the vote was called, Abram was the only one opposing the motion.
The SRD is seeking legal advice regarding the proposed roadway and parking lot expansion at Hoskyn Channel Landing.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District will be conducting an independent audit of director remuneration and expenses.
“I received more money than other directors,” admitted Regional Director Jim Abram of Area C (Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets), who then proceeded to explain how this came about.
Chair Brad Unger explained, “There's no defending anything here. The motion is for an audit of director renumeration. There's no name of a director in that. It's directors, it is all of us.”
Regional Director Brenda Leigh of Area D (Oyster Bay-Buttle Lake) protested, “I see this motion and this whole initiative as nothing but political right before an election!”
When the auditor submitted his report to the board, at the May 11 board meeting, Campbell River Director Claire Moglove pointed out that there was a significant difference in the expenses directors were claiming.
Staff was directed to prepare a report, which Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch submitted at the May 25 board meeting.
There is a marked difference in the base salary the SRD pays municipal and regional directors. Municipal directors are already receiving compensation, and the stipend they receive is for the additional hours they put in as a result of sitting on the regional board. However Regional Directors do not have an additional source of income, this is their only salary.
These differences are expected, the variances Director Moglove was referring to are additional charges.
The first relevant chart is for attending additional board, committee, or public meetings. Jim Abram, the Director of Area C, was given the largest payment, $8,160. The smallest payment in the graph went to Kevin Jules, Director of the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, $2,880.
In 2021, eight of the 14 SRD Directors were eligible for renumeration for meetiings they had with external agencies. Only two of them are mentioned applying for compensation. An unnamed Campbell River director received $320. Jim Abram, director of Area C, received $4,800.
There is also specific compensation for Regional Directors attending public hearings, parcel tax meetings, select or special committee meetings , etc. Only two directors made claims. Gerald Whalley of Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward), whose area stretches across from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sayward, claimed $160 for one meeting. Abram, who looks after an even larger area in the SRD, received $9,120 for attending 57 meetings. There were no claims from Area D, or Area B (Cortes Island).
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Friday, May 27, a group of pro-fish farm scientists responded to recent testimonies before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans through an opinion article in the Globe and Mail.
Four of the authors are from British Columbia.
Dr Tony Farrell is a professor and Canada Research Chair for fish physiology, culture and conservation at the University of British Columbia. Farrell has previously gone on record stating he was 'absolutely delighted' that the BC Salmon Farmers Association funds research projects.
Three of his co-authors have past or present connections to the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences in Campbell River.
Prior to relaunching his consulting firm Fidelis Aquaculture Management in 2020, Dr Jim Powell was CEO at the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences for six years. At the time of his retirement, Powell told SeaWestNews, “those opposed to farming in the ocean need a stability to ensure their concerns are addressed, and the fish farmers need a stability to grow sustainably…we don’t have that now.”
Dr Ahmed Siah, a research scientist at the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, was the presenter of Marine Harvest Canada’s Environment Award in 2014. Dianne Morrison of Marine Harvest Canada (now known as MOWI) was one of the co-authors of Dr Siah’s 2015 paper on Piscine Reovirus. They were also co-authors of another paper on the same topic. Morrison is currently the Chair of MOWI. Dr Siah recently took part in a two year study of bacterial diseases in farmed and wild salmon. The DFO index page names John Paul Fraser, then Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, as a collaborator.
Dr Spencer Russell is an associate professor at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University. In the bio accompanying a recent lecture, it states Dr Russel provided ‘veterinary, technical and scientific support for aquaculture clients globally.’ He sits on the board of the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences. Two of his fellow directors work in the fish farm industry.
In their Globe and Mail article, Farrell et al. state:
“The House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans heard from an organized group of scientists and anti-salmon farming activists who alleged that the DFO withheld certain studies. The group also criticized recent Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat reports concerning potential risk to wild salmon of pathogens from farmed salmon as being unreliable, because the reports did not support the activists’ claim that salmon farming poses significant harm to wild salmon.
As scientists who have contributed to many peer-reviewed analyses on salmon conservation and farming for the DFO, we’re compelled to respond to prevent propagation of any misinformation. Canadians can trust the scientific facts and advice presented by CSAS, the science evaluation body of the DFO.
Home-grown, ocean-farmed salmon is a valuable food resource for Canadians. It is an affordable, highly nutritious protein with year-round access.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - ‘Climate Crisis: The Cascade Effect’ opens at Wild Cortes, in the Linnaea Education Centre, 1 PM on Sunday May 29, 2022.
Co-curator Donna Collins explained that this exhibit illustrates what the climate crisis is doing to our natural habitat, especially deer and the island’s apex predators.
Deer ticks are already a problem, but they will take a greater toll as temperatures rise.
“The yearlings are usually the ones that suffer. They can't get enough nutrition, then the ticks take over and the deer doesn't make it,” she said.
There have been two possible cases of Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease (AHD) on Cortes Island. This is a fatal blood disease that has been spreading throughout Vancouver Island’s deer populations.
“This disease also transfers to humans,” warned Collins. “The only thing that we're being told at the moment is to just leave the deer, don't touch it. I guess the animals will decide whether they want to eat or not.”
“The cougars are the ones that are going to be hit first and the hardest because they have to make fresh kills about every three or four days if they're taking care of kittens. If not, then they can go on a kill a week, two weeks, something like that.”
She described Cortes Island’s cougars as a transient population, which swim between islands.
So do bears, that’s how the grizzly arrived on Quadra Island last year.
Collins said last year’s heat wave burned a lot of the shrubs and berries that bears normally eat.
“Bears will probably start looking for apples and things like that. They're trying very hard to eat as much as they can so that they can make it through the winter.”
Collins mentioned the problem Cortes Island had with the Whaletown and Squirrel Cove Bears two years ago.
People will have to be careful. Don’t leave compost or garbage out and definitely do not feed wild animals
“You don't want animals getting accustomed to equating humans with food. And that's where you start getting problems between humans and predators, even the prey,” she said. “If the deer are all around and you keep feeding them, then next thing you know, the wolves are thinking, ‘Hmm. A lot of deer over here, let's see what's for lunch.’”
Cortes Island’s wolves may be especially hungry this year. Between 75% and 85% of their food normally comes from the ocean.
“The heat dome baked a whole bunch of shellfish and other things that the wolves normally would have been eating. So now the deer will probably be more impacted by the wolf pack,” said Collins.
She explained that everything is out of balance because of the rise of global temperatures.
New species of insects and animals are entering our area.
Barred Owls, for example, were originally found on the east coast.
“The owls that normally inhabit our island have absolutely no defences against this rather large owl. The Barred Owls are predating on the smaller owls like the Saw-whet and the Pygmy Owls,” said Collins.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Two Cortes Island expenditures were approved without any opposition at the May 25 Strathcona Regional District Board meeting.
A staff report described the footbridge in Kw’as Park as ‘nearing the end of its useful life’ and ‘a safety hazard.’
It has been 27 years since volunteers built the 22 foot arched cedar 'bridge' over the creek connecting Hague and Gunflint lakes.
The $67,000 needed to replace it will come from the provincial gas tax.
As regards the second item, Regional Director Noba Anderson explained, “The fire department here on Cortes found a really great deal and acted very quickly to purchase a fire truck. We just didn’t have enough set aside. This is an entirely in Cortes Island funds, wanting to add an extra $15,000 for the repayment of that capital purchase they made.”
A letter from Chris Walker, President of the Cortes Island Fire Department was attached to the associated staff report.
“As you may be aware the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association (CIFFA) has an acute need for a replacement water tanker/pumper for our Hall 1 in Manson's Landing.
We have successfully procured an excellent replacement vehicle (pictured below). Our invoice is attached. We purchased the truck in Ohio for $53,000 and spent an additional 29,000 to deliver, import and certify, for a total of $78,242.48.(12% PST will also need to be paid when the SRD insures the vehicle).
The truck is in excellent condition, has all the features we wanted and has only 30,000 km on the clock. Our research indicates that this is an excellent value for the money. There is nothing comparable under $120,000 and that is before delivery, importation and certification.
In our financial plan $72,500 was authorized to be spent on this capital item. We would like to request that an additional $5742 (purchase price shortfall) plus $9,389 (12% PST on $78,242.48) for a total of $15,131 be made available for this truck purchase at your earliest convenience.”
There weren’t any firemen on duty when Cortes Currents dropped by the Mansons Landing Fire Hall on Thursday afternoon. However the fire truck pictured in the SRD press release was in the field out back, beside the Cortes Museum.
One of the paramedics inside the station mentioned that Cortes Island’s new Fire Chief, Dave Ives, has also arrived.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra ICAN is trying to gage the public support for a ride share program on Quadra, Cortes and Read Islands.
On their website, it states “Ride sharing is essentially carpooling. A driver offers a seat in their car to other community members seeking a ride to a similar destination. It is an environmentally conscious, cost effective, ferry line reducing and community building alternative mode of transportation.”
“Especially on these islands, it is a cheap and low maintenance way of getting across on the ferry and making your day a bit shorter instead of waiting in line for a long time. We'll reduce carbon emissions and in my opinion it'll make biking safer on the island because there'll be less people driving and it might make walking a little bit safer,” added Aaryn Perreault-Laird, who is in charge of this program.
Some of you may remember her from the Cortes Radio program Aaryn and Levi, Songs of Love and Hate. She woofed at Blue Jay Lake farm before moving to Quathiaski Cove with her boyfriend.
Perreault-Laird joined the transportation committee after heard Leona Skoovgaard, Chair of Quadra ICAN, on Cortes Radio.
“I think Leona was doing an interview with you about transportation,” she explained.
There are only three people in the transportation committee. Some are looking into cycling options.
“I had initially wanted to do a survey about transportation in general and then my group encouraged me to focus in on something and kind of gauge the interest. You don't want to just do a whole bunch of stuff and then no one actually used the systems that you've implemented,” explained Perreault-Laird. “So I develop a ride share survey to see if people are actually interested in ride sharing in these communities as a talking point and a jumping off point about how can we better address some of the problems for transportation in the communities?”
Someone wrote that there is already a Facebook group for ride sharing, but Perreault-Laird found it didn’t come up when she googled for local ride share.
“I figured that if we can get it under the ICAN umbrella, then it would be a bit more publicized.”
She has had personal experiences of the need. Coming home from Courtenay, the line-up at the Campbell River ferry terminal was so bad that she left Levi and crossed as a foot passenger. He had to wait for three or four ferries. On another occasion, they wanted to press apples over on Cortes Island, but aborted the trip because of the line-up at Heriot Bay.
There was an attempt to set up a ride sharing program on Quadra before, but some of the Quadra ICAN people told Perreault-Laird it wasn’t advertised well enough.
This service might prove to be invaluable for people living on north Quadra or Read Islands.
Some Cortes residents want a bus to carry them across Quadra Island, and this idea has been tried on other islands.
Perreault-Laird responded, “I think it's a wonderful idea but there's something a little bit smaller, that takes less overhead and where people kind of organize themselves.”
After our interview, Perreault-Laird emailed that so far there have been responses from 40 Quadra, 17 Cortes and 9 Surge Narrows (Read Island) residents.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The trip that 10 Cortes Island resident took with Wild Waters Adventures
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cst. Rebekah Draht of the Quadra RCMP released a report of 10 incidents that occurred between May 17 and 22nd, 2022. Seven of these reports either mention a boat, or a ferry terminal.
Photo of ramp at Campbell River Ferry Terminal by Roy L Hales
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Believe in the power of stories to bring community together? So do we!
How would you like to have thousands of books for free at your fingertips? Come together to choose and discuss books? Folk U & Cortes Literacy has partnered with Kobo Rakuten to bring up to 20 loanable e-readers to Cortes Island.
How it works: You join our Folk U (Kobo E-reader) book club by sending an email to bookclub@folku.ca
You get: to borrow a Kobo Rakuten waterproof e-reader with access to the entire Kobo-Rakuten book catalogue as well as the Vancouver Island (or other library card) catalogue. All for free!
The book club: meets monthly in person. Attendance is optional. Try it out for a few months. No commitment. If it's not for you, return your e-reader and someone else gets a turn.
The Kobo Rakuten e-readers: stay in our community and will continue to be lent out through Folk U/Cortes Lit. These little e-readers are designed for heavy duty use, come with training to get you started, and have different lighting options, font sizes, and other ways to help with visual barriers.
Hate electronics? No worries, we will pick books in advance and then you can order through Marnie & Juli’s book store!
Sign Up NOW! The first 20 get priority on the first e-readers.
(Borrow for the summer even and then it can pass on to someone else for the fall. Traveling for the summer? Great! Take it with you and read while you are away.)
Let's get the books in our community and start reading. Ready? Ask questions or sign-up by June 4th to reserve your spot, get updates, etc. at bookclub@folku.ca
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Recently the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island (HACI) decided to stop offering garbage disposal services on our docks. This news sparked a flurry of discussion on Cortes Island Facebook groups. Some people were upset at the HACI decision, while others supported it. Most people agreed that there is a “garbage problem” on our docks, but opinions varied about who is to blame and what should be done.
On Saturday, May 21st I visited the Whaletown Government Dock to interview Billie Fleming, who has worked for HACI as a garbage collector. Billie is now offering her own garbage pickup service at Whaletown dock from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday.
Real Dufresne wasn’t simply emptying bins, he cleaned up the whole area around the docks – Photo by Ben Bailey via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the questions raised at Mosaic’s Cortes Island ZOOM meeting, last January, revolved around the environmental impact that reactivating the log dump will have in Gorge Harbour. While they were not permitted to speak, community members could use the chat box. Local diver Mike Moore typed that he had observed a thick layer of wood debris and sediments, covered by ‘bacterial mats.’ He suggested that any disturbance of the sediments could pollute nearby shellfish operations.
The question arose again last week. In a post to the Cortes Tideline, Dr Brian Hayden cited scientific studies from 1977 and 2011 to substantiate his concerns about the log dump.
“This is a recipe for disaster for the marine environment – the benthic environment, the sea, the seabed floor – for Gorge Harbour, and it’s had a bad impact from the time they started dumping logs here until the present,” he said.
Cortes Currents forwarded Dr Hayden’s objections on to Mosaic.
A company spokesperson replied that the log dump site has been in use for 40 years and their operations will only be a fraction of the size that occurred historically at this location.
“The rate of use of a site like this is an important factor. We’re planning a few truckloads a day when active, which is only a portion of the year,” she emailed.
“Over the last few decades, various science and standards, including environmental standards, legislation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Best Management Practices (BMP) and professional requirements, have evolved to improve and to ensure environment values are managed appropriately. Today’s standards ensure environmental values are considered, and Mosaic Forest Management follows or exceeds all legislation. Our team of independent professional biologists, qualified marine biological professionals, engineers and forest professionals have assessed the site to ensure all our activities comply with or exceed federal and provincial legislation. We have completed an environmental assessment (including an underwater SCUBA assessment) that meets or exceeds the DFO requirements.”
“We have positive working relationships with our neighbours that hold aquaculture tenures directly adjacent to our Gorge Harbour facility.
The was essentially what Colin Koszman, Mosaics’ Land Use Forester said last January, except in more detail.
So Cortes Currents asked Mike Moore for a diver's perspective
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A total of 92 species were listed in Cortes Island's Spring 2022 Bird count. More than 20 birders participated, including local naturalist George Sirk who started the day off as a guide on board the Misty Isles.
So this year’s count was expanded to include Mitlenatch island, where Sirk served as a naturalist in 1969 and 71. He remembers when there were about 450 pairs of Pelagic Cormorants, no Double Crested Cormorants and no Eagles nesting there. Since then, the Pelagic population has dropped to about 250, 25 Double Crested Cormorants have arrived and a pair of eagles has taken up residence.
“The Pelagics nest on the sheer cliffs on the Western side of the island. They find any kind of small shelf that will just hold them. And then they make their nests out of eel grass. It primarily is what I've seen up there and guano, and they glue these things together. The nest must be about 18 inches across or so and they build them up over years. Some of them are two feet high. It all withstands the Southeast winds in the winter time. I guess all that guano was just like cement holds them together,” explained Sirk.
He added, “we used to have 3000 pairs of Glaucous-winged Gulls and I bet the population is down to about a thousand pairs. I believe it is primarily going down because of the garbage dumps. Back then, we used to just make gigantic garbage dumps: Delta, Campbell River, Nanaimo, Victoria, even on Cortez right? All the garbage was jumbled together, including all the foods and composts and everything. So the gulls could survive the winter when fishing is very hard cause the low tide is at night. They survived on the dumps, but then we cleaned up the dumps. All that wonderful recycling and then covering it up as soon as possible with soil. Then scaring the goals away too! And because they take four years to mature, the gulls really suffered when we cleaned up. That's my theory behind that, and I think it's a pretty sound theory.”
When Sirk first arrived on Mitlenatch, eagles used to fly over from Cortes and some to the surrounding islands to pick off the young gulls. That ended when a pair of eagles took up residence. While they eat some of the gulls, more survive because they keep the other eagles away.
Returning to Cortes Island, Sirk spotted some Western Grebes.
“Fishermen used to call them hell divers, because they are the largest of the Grebes and they can dive the deepest. They're the furthest off shore. You can see them two or three miles off the coast of Cortes and that's their habitat. They can go hundreds of feet deep and hunt their fish,” he said.
He lists five different types of Grebes and a number of other species in the podcast.
Some of this year’s highlights on Cortes: Autumn Barret Morgan and Cory Dow spotted a Sandpiper at Linnaea Farm John's and Sherry Sprungman observed a Golden Plover at Sprungman's pond. right there off of Bartholomew. And that's a super bird.
“This cold snap that's gripping north America really seems to have affected birds. They're holding off a little bit in coming north. They somehow sense that the Arctic is still frozen. It's still cold up there. All their ponds and lakes are still frozen and so they're a little bit delayed. I've noticed that on Cortes too. Birds seem to be like maybe a week late or so,” said Sirk.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are 62 community forests in British Columbia, but only one of them is a general partnership. This can be traced back 23 years, to a MOU in which the Klahoose First Nation and the Cortes Ecoforestry Society agreed to work towards a community forest. Then, in September 2013 the Ministry of Forests issued a Community Forest Agreement to the Cortes Forestry General Partnership.
In the third of a series of articles coming out of their 2022 AGM, Mark Lombard talks about the General Partnership.
He was a member of the Co-op Board, and one of the three appointed representatives to the partnership, from late 2011/early 2012 until Christmas 2017. Since then, Lombard has been the partnership’s general manager.
“The community forest on Cortes is a general partnership, 50/50 between the Klahoose First Nation and the Community Forest Cooperative, which was formed to be a partner in the partnership,” he explained.
“Now I know the co-op doesn't represent every individual on Cortes Island, but about a quarter of the full-time population are members of the organization, which is fairly representative, almost enough to get first past the post election Canada.”
There are 6 directors on the partnership’s board: 3 from the Klahoose and 3 the Community Forest Co-op. They are the policy and governance setting body and decide big picture items like:
profit disbursement, policies for staff interactions with government. Harvest levels, harvest intensity
“Operational decisions are made by the staff on a day-to-day basis. The big picture operations and financial analysis and information are compiled by the staff presented to the board. Once the board approves or modifies operations, then the staff carry out the operation,” said Lombard.
“The board is pretty hands off on a day-to-day basis, but they take care of the big picture.”
He added that decisions are made by a consensus.
“My hats off to the board of directors at how constructive, focused and positive that everybody has been over the years. We've had directors come and go but everyone who's been a member of that board has really maintained a high level of professionalism and constructive decision-making.”
The current chair is Aaron Ellingson, who was co-chair with Chief Kevin Peacey, who recently retired as chief and from his forestry duties.
“It was a real pleasure working with Kevin and the Klahoose as we were working adjacent to the Klahoose First Nation, and we use the road through their reserve to get to the community forest,” .
“It's a great team, the community forest board and it's not easy. A lot of people on Cortes would like us to log more or less, or differently or something, definitely something. The board manages to keep a level keel throughout all of the challenges of the industry that we're in. So it's a good board. I'm very grateful to the board and in particular to the Klahoose First Nation who's made this possible in to do this as a partnership.”
For further information go to: - the Cortes Forestry General Partnership website - the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative website - articles about, or mentioning, the Cortes Community forest on Cortes Currents
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -102 British Columbian First Nations are calling for fish farms to move onto land. The Klahoose, Tla’amin, Homalco and K’omox First Nations are among them. On May 12, Chief Bob Chamberlain, Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance, addressed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
He began by addressing them in his native tongue.
This is a recording of the rest of his opening presentation.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District will be inviting all First Nations in the district to Board meetings. Within the Cortes Currents broadcast area, this should include the Klahoose, Homalco, Tla’amin, We wai Kai, Wei wai Kum and Lay kwa First Nations. The motion was brought forward at the May 11 Board meeting, where the debate centred around the extent of their involvement
”What is the difference between sitting at the board table as an observer and, sitting in the gallery and the audience as an observer? I don't understand the significance of the difference,” asked Regional Director Gerald Whalley.
Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained that someone sitting at the table could participate in the discussion, while someone in the audience was not allowed to comment.
“What about in-camera (i.e.- meetings that are not in public), would they be absent from that or present?” asked Whalley.
“Absent,” said Leitch.
Regional Director Jim Abram objected, “The intent was that they could come to the meetings to observe the proceeding and if there was a need to speak, they could put their hand up and come to the table and speak. But to have them at the table is just almost like having them as directors.”
Leitch said, “In my mind, it is participation. That's an action verb. It's not to sit at the table, but it's to participate in discussions, but, again, happy to make modifications as per the board's direction.”
At this point the only First Nations member of the Board, Kevin Jules of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h (Kyuquot/Checlesaht) added, “I sat at the table as an observer for quite a lengthy time and, you know I was a part of the discussions as well. I needed to be a part of and that. That's how I see it. That's how it was. That's how it was for me as an observer. I came and sat at the table.”
Whalley responded, “I had understood in the past that the participation at the board and observer was for those First Nations that were in the treaty process and we're nearing near completion of that treaty and that would shortly be full members of the board. That was the whole purpose of it. But for those who aren't, or aren't even considering it a treaty process, I think it's inappropriate.”
There were only two director opposed when the motion to invite First Nations in the Regional District to participate as observers at Board meetings was moved, Abram and Whalley.
The motion carried.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cst. Rebekah Draht of the Quadra RCMP released a report of seven incidents that occurred between May 2 and 15th. While most were minor incidents, there was a car crash on Read Island which resulted in two people being hospitalized and someone lost a large sum through a computer scam.
On May 2nd the Quadra RCMP received a 911 call from a woman who was not getting any response when she called her brother. This was very unusual as carried his he always had his phone on him. After a few minutes the complainant phoned back to say her brother returned her call and all was well. On May 3rd, the police were informed that someone had trespassed on a construction site. There were multiple “doughnut hole tire marks all over the freshly packed gravel.” Officers investigated, but were unable to locate the culprit. That same day, the RCMP were advised of a possible shooting. This turned out to be fireworks which the homeowner set off for his daughter’s birthday. On May 4th, Quadra RCMP received multiple reports of an impaired driver travelling south on West Road toward that plaza at Quathiaksi Cove. The intoxicated driver was issued a 90 Day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. This was changed to lousing their license for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days. Roadblock On May 6th, Quadra members conducted a late evening road block. All of the drivers were sober, but two warning notices issued for other infractions. On May 7th, a respite worker in Campbell River called the Quadra RCMP stating that a youth in her care had gone to Quadra Island with his girlfriend and refused to come back. Officers located the couple at the local school. The youth were very cooperative and apologized for their actions. RCMP transported the missing youth to the ferry, where he were met by the respite worker. The girl was driven to her residence on Quadra. On May 10th, a woman informed the Quadra RCMP that she lost a sum exceeding $5,000 through a computer scam. The complainant was advised that her computer was hacked and advised to call “Microsoft” at a provided phone number, which she did. The fraudsters persuaded her to withdraw money from her bank account and deposit into a bitcoin machine. After the money was deposited, she realized it was a scam. She had never been talking with the Microsoft support team. The victim was advised to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its website at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm. Shortly after midnight on May 15th, officers responded to a motor vehicle crash on Read Island. The two occupants received head injuries and were were airlifted to Comox hospital via CFV Comox Cormorant Helicopter. They are now in stable condition. You have been listening to the synopsis of a press release from the Quadra RCMP, which serves Quadra, Read, Cortes the neighbouring Discovery Islands.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On Tuesday May 17th, a group of Mosaic (Island Timberlands / TimberWest) employees travelled to Cortes Island to host an "open house" at the Gorge Hall. They set up displays indoors and offered a casual one-on-one discussion period from 10AM to noon; at noon, they made a formal presentation which -- thanks to improving weather -- was held outdoors for better Covid safety.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At the May 12 session of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Stan Proboszcz, senior scientist at the Watershed Watch Salmon Society suggested that DFO covered-up some of its own research when it concluded fish farms pose ‘minimal risk’ to wild salmon. They reduced the number of science risk assessments from 10 to 9 because the evidence indicated sea lice harm wild sockeye.
This is the audio recording of his presentation to the committee
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Rex Weyler cofounder of Greenpeace International, author, journalist, and musician, joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie this Friday at 1 p.m. on Folk U Radio (89.5FM or CortesRadio.ca) to talk about the ongoing Chevron pollution case in Ecuador, how Chevron launches SLAPP lawsuits against the attorney’s fight for their victims’ rights, and according to a resent report on Chevron’s international crimes, has “created a legacy of genocide, death, torture, forced labor, rape, and violence against women.” We will talk about how powerful corporations get away with crimes by using massive legal budgets to overwhelm their victims and the smaller nations in which they operate. We will also talk about what the victims and their lawyers are doing to fight back against Chevron’s money, public relations hacks, private investigators, and battalions of lawyers.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been almost a month since 5,000 hatchery raised Chum fry were released back into Basil Creek, in Squirrel Cove. They were the survivors of 20,000 eggs harvested from wild salmon and later placed inside ‘in-stream incubation boxes.’ Most of their siblings perished when the rising creek waters silted up their boxes. This remnant were taken back to the Klahoose hatchery for a month, before being returned to the creek. Someone asked if using hatchery raised fry like these weakens the local gene pool? Cortes Currents passed the question on to Stacey Larsen, DFO’s Community advisor for our area.
She admitted there is a potential risk, depending on a variety of factors such as how large the fish are and how long they are weired in a hatchery.
“In this case, the benefit of the chum salmon program on Cortes is preventing the loss of eggs in the Creek during flood events,” explained Larsen. “The fry are only reared in the hatchery for short periods, so they will still be subject to most of the natural selection factors.”
She added that giving fry even a brief rearing and feeding greatly improves their chances of surviving.
“There are a lot of factors that are contributing to salmon decline. Healthy watersheds with good habitat, good water quality and supply are critical. Enhancement is a tool, but there are other dials that we can adjust. One of the major ones is also harvest,” said Larsen.
“With the stewardship, volunteers, monitoring stocks and habitat we have more information to make decisions as we move forward with enhancement and restoration in Basil Creek. The broodstock returning chum that we were able to use last fall are mostly returns from our very first year of trauma enhancement. The natural returns of that year were quite low. So the returning fish would have been a small component of the fish that were returning to Basil Creek.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -According to BC Hydro, more than half the province’s power outages are caused by falling trees. That number is probably higher on Cortes and Quadra Islands, which are heavily forested. Trees appear to be dropping on the power lines every time there is a storm. There are also large numbers of relatively young trees falling over in the forest, and in people’s yards. Some of them were critically weakened by root rot.
In yesterday’s interview, General Manager Mark Lombard said a significant number of the fir trees that Cortes Forestry General Partnership recently harvested were afflicted by root rot.
So Cortes Currents asked, “how do you recognize root rot?”
Lombard suggested, “Look at the fir trees. In a healthy fir tree, the crown will be green and typically fairly uniform and vibrant. It's very similar to a house plant or any plant that you have in the garden. If you look at a plant that has brown on the leaves or the leaves are curled up, or the plant looks yellowish, you can tell it's not very healthy as opposed to the really healthy plant that's green and flowering. It's the exact same thing with the fir trees, or any of the trees.”
Hemlock are particularly susceptible to mistletoe, and red cedar to drought.
Root rot is one of the principle threats to Douglas Fir.
Some of the victims are immediately recognizable among the wind blown trees in the forest.
“Sometimes you'll see a fir tree that has fallen over and there's just a little nub of a root. There’s hardly any lateral roots that came up and not much soil. That's a sign of root rot,” explained Lombard. “Another kind of root rot can make the tree rot in the stump and just up the first couple of meters of the stem. So sometimes you'll see a fir tree that shattered and broke off. If you look carefully, you'll notice that there's just the outer sapwood ring left, and the heartwood has rotted away. When it falls over the sapwood shatters. You can see the tree broken off, which is unlikely because fir is such a strong tree. Those are some of the signs of root rot, and it's not always easy to see.”
The BC Ministry of Forests handbook ‘Managing Root Disease in British Columbia’ lists a number recommended treatments.
Replant the area with species less susceptible to root rot ‘Stump removal has been shown to reduce root rot disease in the majority of cases where it has been applied.’ Pushover harvesting has been shown to be as effective as stump removal ‘Hardwoods are less susceptible to infection and more tolerant to disease.’ The roots of birch in particular ‘can form a barrier to underground disease movement.’ Biological controls are introduced agents that can displace or prevent colonization by pathogenic fungi and prevent the spread of disease.
Lombard suggested people wanting more information look up Suzanne Simard at UBC, who's doing the Mother Tree Project and Paul Stamets who has been researching fungi for years.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This has been the Cortes Community Forest’s most profitable year, but that is not the Cortes Forestry General Partnership’s only objective.
“I always start with what areas do we want to keep,” explained General Manager Mark Lombard.
He used a recent conversation to illustrate how Cortes is taking a different approach than the industry at large.
A well respected logger from Quadra Island asked why the General Partnership was leaving two healthy stands of cedar untouched.
“Why aren't you going to harvest the cedars? Cedar prices are really good,” the fellow said.
“How much of that is there on Quadra Island?” responded Lombard.
“There's none. There's not even one stand like that.”
“And I said, “That's why we're not going into that area.’”
The General Partnership set a goal of cutting only 15-20% of the forest’s mean annual incremental growth (MAI) in their harvest area. If allowed to continue, the part of Cortes Island under their control will eventually be populated by an old growth forest.
Lombard emailed the statistics after our interview.
The Ministry of Forest allocates the cut on a five-year basis and the community forests first year control period ended on March 31 of this year. At that point, the partnership has harvested 15.8% of the forests mean annual increment of 68,000 m3.
There is a year by year breakdown of this figure in the written version of this broadcast
Breaking the cut rate down into individual years:
2017 - 429 m3, 2018 - 1,783 m3, 2019 - 650 m3, 2020 - 1,012 m3 2021 - 2,500 m3 2022 - 4,400 m3
The cut was larger than initially planned for 2022 for a number of reasons, but the primary one is root rot.
“The thing that caught my attention when the first time I went through the forest was, ‘why are so many fir trees down?’ Everywhere you walk there were a lot of 100 -120 year old trees down on the ground,” he explained. “It turns out that there was a really high concentration of Armillaria ostoyae and Phellinus weirii , the root rots that are most prevalent on Cortes.”
“We have a chance to reforest it, and leave a healthy forest for the next generation,” said Lombard.
Log markets are strong right now. The General Partnership received about $900,000 in revenues for the 6,900 cubic metres of timber harvested in 2021 and 2022. This will replenish the partnership’s bank account.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Campbell River is a hub for Vancouver Island tugboat companies, but Reuben Buerge lives in Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.
“When I first started, I was the deck hand. At that time we were towing log booms up and down the coast. I worked locally here on a really cool boat called the Utah for a winter too. Then, I had a job up in Prince Rupert and it was all rock barges, they were building breakwaters and stuff like that,” he explained.
Now Buerge is a tugboat captain, working for a company in Vancouver.
He would like to stay in the local area, but is only aware of one tug that actually works out of Quadra Island. Of course, there are a number of boats in Campbell River.
“Vancouver’s only a 10 hour tow, or something like that, from Quadra,” he said.
He goes wherever his employers send him, towing anything from wood chips or rock, to a barge full of equipment for a remote camp.
Some days he’ll leave in the morning and return home that night, but there are also longer hauls where he is gone for a week or two at time.
It can get pretty cramped in a tug with a crew of four, but they work in six hour shifts.
“There’s a full kitchen on the boats. We actually eat pretty well. Sometimes I cook, sometimes a deckhand cooks.”
There is also a hefty food budget, so they can eat whatever they want.
Roy L Hales/ COrtes Currents - Some of Canada’s top scientists are being asked to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, While it is not clear exactly why this is happening, the common theme running through their presentations is the need for DFO to be more based in scientific evidences and less in the needs of industry.
In the third of a series of broadcasts gleaned from these reports, Dr Andrew Bateman from the Pacific Salmon Foundation talks about pitfalls in DFO’s current approach and points to an existing model that could replace it.
This is a transcript of his opening remarks.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The Hereditary Chiefs of the Laichkwiltach, We Wai Kai and K’omok First Nations will be taking a protest flotilla to the Raza Island fish farm on May 14.
“We three Hereditary Chiefs have jurisdiction and have the right to stewardship over the waters and lands of the Laichwiltach Nation, unceded waters and lands of the Discovery Islands,” wrote Hereditary Chief George Quocksister Jr of the Laichkwiltach First Nation on his facebook page.
“Who in there right mind would support this disgusting salmon farm industry when all the hard evidence videos and pictures shows they are not only killing off all five species of wild stock salmon, but all life in the waters.”
Cermaq Canada has maintained a salmon farm at Raza, just off the northern tip of Cortes Island, since 2004.
On December 17, 2020, former Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced that all fish farms in the Discovery Islands must be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.
The DFO press release states, “These facilities are some of the oldest sites on the West Coast and are located on the traditional territory of the Homalco, Klahoose, K'ómoks, Kwaikah, Tla'amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. Consultations with the seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands area provided important guidance to the Minister and heavily informed the decision.”
The Kwaikah, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum are Laick-kwil-tach Nations.
All of the fish farms in the southern Discovery Islands were subsequently decommissioned.
On April 22, 2022, Federal Court Justice Elizabeth Heneghan overturned Jordan’s order stating that it breached the fish farms rights to procedural fairness.
In her decision, Heneghan wrote, "I do not agree with the minister’s position that the applicants had either constructive or actual notice of her decision regarding renewal of the fish farm licences."
"The applicants were not privy to the concerns raised by several First Nations, as described in the summary of consultations. ”
Cermaq Canada promptly reoccupied its Raza Island site.
They emailed Cortes Currents, “We will not be entering smolts in our Raza Island site this Spring and we are awaiting the Federal Government and DFO’s decisions on license reissuance, including the Discovery Islands region.”
Hereditary Chief George Quocksister Jr and some of his supporters went to Raza Island on May 4. In his Facebook post the following day, Quocksister refers to the “two elected sellout chiefs” of the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations who support the fish farm industry.
Quocksister, Hereditary Chief, Arnold Chickite of the We Wai Kai Nation and Hereditary Chief Kerry Frank of K’omox Nation will depart from Campbell River at 11 AM on May 14. They will be onboard the MV Marinet and expect to arrive at Raza Island by 2:30. He mentions a rumour that Cermaq is going to restock the farm.
“That would be totally illegal. On the 3 Hereditary Chiefs behalf, we do not want any salmon farms restocked at Discovery Islands, period. We want them all out of the country, period.”
He extended an invitation to the public through Facebook, “See ya all there, thank ya all.”
The Hereditary Chiefs expect to be back in Campbell River by 6:30 PM on May 14.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the second of a series of posts gleaned from the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Dr John Reynolds proposes that DFO adopt a prime directive “where management objectives are expressively expressly prohibited from influencing science.”
Dr Reynolds is a professor of Aquatic Ecology and Conservation at Simon Fraser University, the lead or co-author of 183 peer reviewed publications and Chair of the Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (better known as COSEWIC).
This was taken from the presentation he made on May 5, 2022:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Close to 600 people died in British Columbia’s June 2021 heat wave. As it occurred during an abnormally low tide, billions of mussels, clams, sea stars and other invertebrates are believed to have perished. Some of the marine devastation was on Cortes and Quadra Islands. A new record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada was set, but a new study from the University of Bristol found worse heat waves in other times and places.
Lead author Dr Vikki Thompson, a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, talked to Cortes Currents about the study and what it says about future heat waves.
“The heatwave last summer in your part of the world, in Western Canada and the Western U.S., was a shockingly extreme event,” she explained.
“After that happened, we were thinking was that the most extreme heat wave that the world has seen? Have there been more extreme heat waves in other areas? And using models, can we look at how it's going to change into the future?”
Our primary aim was to see if that it was the most extreme heat waves and to do that, we needed to find a way to compare the heat wave to other parts of the world.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been three weeks since a federal court ruled that former Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan breached the rights of B.C. salmon farmers to procedural fairness, when she ordered them to phase out their operations in the Discovery Islands by June 2022.
Now Cermaq Canada is returning to its site on Raza Island.
This is just across from the northern tip of Cortes Island, and in the unceded territory of four First Nations.
“People who live and work in the Discovery Islands have been sending me photographs of the Raza Island farm, which for some reason Cermaq is setting up. They've got the pens, they've towed houses down from the Broughton Archipelago and hooked them up. So far they don't have nets, but they have invested a lot of money dragging that equipment in there and setting it up,” explained independent biologist Alexandra Morton.
A Cermaq spokesperson emailed, “We will not be entering smolts in our Raza Island site this Spring and we are awaiting the Federal Government and DFO’s decisions on license reissuance, including the Discovery Islands region. We have not received any clarification from DFO on their interpretation of the decision. Cermaq Canada wishes to seek agreements where possible, in any areas where we farm.”
Morton added, “I guess Cermaq is hoping that the minister is going to be pressured into granting them this license, but what is alarming to me is they're putting it in Homalco Klahoose territory. They decided to make this statement in territory where the nations spent a lot of money and time to get rid of them.”
The Klahoose and Homalco are among the 102 First Nations that signed a joint letter calling for a transition of open-net pen fish farms out of BC waters.
Cortes Currents asked what they think of Cermaq’s return to Raza Island.
Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco First Nation emailed, “We have said no, and we are getting our lawyer to send a letter telling them we do not want them there.”
The Klahoose and Homalco were among the seven Discovery Island Nations that Jordan consulted prior to making her decision about phasing out fish farms.
The other two First Nations claiming Raza Island are also in the group Jordan contacted.
“We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum were much more friendly towards Cermaq. Cermaq gave them the provincial tenures to their farms,” said Morton.
They are listed as members of the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship, which supports fish farms.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The most recent Quadra RCMP report mentions five episodes.
The most dramatic was about a man who went missing on Cortes Island a week ago, but the RCMP now assure us he has been found alive and well. They did not want to release any more details, for privacy issues, but did say he was located somewhere off island.
One of the other reports concerns a TELUS truck which tried to jump the BC Ferry line. When the driver was told to go to the back of the line, he “started swearing aggressively at the worker, drove his vehicle toward her, and stopped. The matter is still under investigation.”
In the early evening of April 25th, 2022, Quadra RCMP responded to a complaint that someone was camping out on Harbour Brook Road. “The complainant stated the male had a complete set up, including a tent, chair, and stove and was currently brewing himself a cup of coffee. Members attended and requested the male move as his tent was situated on the road and blocking local traffic. The male was cooperative and packed up right away. The male appeared to have been able to successfully finish his coffee before departing.” On April 26th, the RCMP responded to a call of suspected mischief to a vehicle in the Surge Narrows parking lot. The driver found it hard to believe that the brake lines for all four of his tires would fail at the same time. “A few days later, the complainant called back and advised after a very thorough mechanical inspection in the shop, the brake lines had all rotted at the same time and no foul play was suspected.” Lastly, there was a 911 medical emergency shortly after lunch on April 28th, 2022. Someone was choking,”however, they were able to dislodge the obstruction from the person’s throat and no longer needed medical attention.” After perusing the Quadra RCMP’s reports for several weeks, Cortes Currents emailed Cst. Rebekah Draht for further details.
“Due to privacy issues and because this area is a small town (even with the Islands), I don't put everything in my reports as I want to keep parties anonymous. I will answer what I can, but I have to be cognizant of what I am releasing keeps people anonymous.,” she replied.
There has not been a single arrest mentioned since Draht started filing weekly reports on April 10, so Cortes Currents asked, “When did the Quadra detachment last arrest somebody?”
Cst. Draht emailed,”As we are four separate members working, I can't confirm this information.”
There weren’t any tickets mentioned during that three week period either, but she wrote that one was handed out on May 5. Two men had a physical altercation on Quadra Island three weeks ago. Cst, Draht is not aware of any other recent cases of physical violence.
That same day, someone set fire to a trash can in Quathiaski Cove. This was the most recent incident of vandalism that Cst. Draht knows of.
There was a car theft five months ago. A 2005 Chevrolet Blazer was taken from someone’s driveway on December 28th or 29th, 2021, but Cst. Draht wrote that no subsequent car thefts have been reported on Cortes, Quadra or Read Islands.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Update 8:30 AM Monday May 9: Quadra Island RCMP say Leyland David Dowling-Ryerson has been found alive and well. They cannot give any more details due to privacy reasons.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A dozen volunteers removed two puck-up truck loads of debris, from the beach between Hollyhock and Seaford, on Mother’s Day.
“Cortes Island has been the beneficiary of a big clean up that was sponsored by the federal and provincial governments last year, where they put eco-tour ships and they're out of work crews to work cleaning the beaches all the way up to the central coast,” explained Mike Moore, one of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) volunteers.
“I had friends that were working out of the Goose Group and the west coast of Vancouver Island and the inside passage here. Spirit of the West worked the north and west side of Cortes Island and another group out of the Sunshine Coast worked the east coast of Cortes Island.”
Moore spoke to the need to keep cleaning this beach.
“We've had a winter's worth of storms, blowing things up, and this beach that we're working today from Hollyhock, basically up to Seascape Road. this is a huge collector facing the Southeast, the open straight of Georgia with Victoria, east Vancouver Island and all the Sunshine Coast communities. Anything that gets put in the water ends up right about here.”
There were isolated strands of rope, plastics and other debris, but the beach initially seemed relatively clean and expectations were initially low.
That was before some of the volunteers found piles of styrofoam, aquaculture debris and tires.
After the work was finished, the volunteers gathered around a campfire. Someone from the Hollyhock kitchen brought down some of the chocolatiest hot chocolate ever. There was also vegetarian and meat hot dogs.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Thursday, May 5, a top viral geneticist from the University of British Columbia testified on DFO’s failure to follow up on the findings of its own scientists, and those from the international community, regarding the threat Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) poses to the wild salmon population. The audio that follows is taken from Dr Gideon Mordecai’s testimony before the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
“ In 2011 POV was detected by Dr. Kristi Miller's lab and functional examined that was suffering from disease. Her work was the first sign, but PRV might pose a risk to Pacific salmon. I've recently reported in the Globe and Mail, the public were kept in the dark about risk research for 10 years. Had this work not being held back from the scientific community, perhaps some of the impact on salmon in BC from this virus may have been prevented. Since its discovery, PRV has been linked to diseases in salmon all around the world,” he said.
“PRV sent from BC to Norway has been shown to cause the same patterns of disease that occur on farms in BC, but DFO continues to ignore this results since the study was conducted in Norway. For some reason, DFO requires disease relationships to be proven within Canada. Can you imagine if we use similar thresholds in human medicine. The COVID virus would not be classified as a disease agent in Canada since the only human challenge trial was conducted in the U.K.”
Dr Mordecai questions DFO’s reliance on research from industry funded sources who claim PRV poses a ‘minimal risk’ to wild salmon.
“Our review this body of work in my written submission for you, but the take home message is that salmon farms are a source of infection to wild salmon and infections that linked to disease, poor health and poor survival. Despite all this evidence, most of which was gathered by DFO scientists themselves, DFO have largely proceeded as if these findings did not exist and conclude that farms posed ‘minimal risk.’ As a consequence, salmon have not received the protection that they need.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - Quadra Island RCMP are requesting the public's assistance in locating Leyland David Dowling-Ryerson, who was last seen on Cortes Island a week ago.
He was last heard from early yesterday morning (May 7) and may have driven to North Vancouver in a black 2002 Volkswagen Golf with BC license plate JN803G.
Police are very concerned for his health and welfare.
Dowling-Ryerson is described as: Caucasian male 40 years of age 5 ft 7 in (175 cm) 126 lbs (57kg) Blond hair Blue eyes
Anyone with information is asked to the contact Quadra RCMP at 250-285-3631.
If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit their web site at www.crimestoppers.ca. They are open 24/7. Crime Stoppers is anonymous and does not trace or record calls.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Bruno Pereira was back in Montreal, visiting his family, when Cortes Currents first interviewed him. That was two weeks ago, on Aril 22. When he returned to Squirrel Cove, Pereira spoke further about three of his ‘babies’: - the Klahoose forestry, aquaculture and tourism sectors. Then word came that Bruno Pereira is resigning and will no longer be Senior Manager of Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC).
So Cortes Currents asked Pereira, “What happened? A week ago we were talking about your ‘babies’ and now you are leaving?”
“It's not a decision that I took on the fly. We've done so much in the past three years, but there is also my family back east,” he replied.
In the podcast above, Pereira says that it came a little earlier than anticipated, but returning to his family in Quebec was always part of the equation.
He originally expected to be in BC for about 3 to 4 years
“I’m a very intuitive instinctive person. I read my environment. I listened to my emotions and I feel it's just the right moment,” he explained.
“A lot of factors weighed in my decision. It's not an easy one. You mentioned my ‘babies,’ it's mostly all the friendships and the people that I have worked with, the people that I brought in brought on the team - because I started alone.”
No one has been chosen to replace him yet, but Pereira said there are lots of good candidates and he will stay on until July 15.
“Obviously the new person will come in with their own way of doing things, their own vision, but they won't be asked to build a corporation from scratch, which is basically what we did,” he said.
“Now it's more of let's steer the ship a little bit, and make sure it doesn't hit anything. The ship is already going. That's what I'm really proud of, of us, of the team, of the people that were around me for three years.”
Pereira sketched out the growth of QXMC from one person, when he arrived three years ago, to close to 80 employees today. The corporation’s cash flow has increased about 700% and QXMC’s profits now exceed $8 million a year.
These are approximate figures.
The physical manifestation of this growth is seen in the acquisition of the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Gorge Harbour Marina, Goat 1 and a 14.3 acre property in Squirrel Cove. It is also evidenced by the expansion of the Klahoose agricultural, forestry and tourism sectors.
“A big thank you to everybody who accepted me, trusted me, and followed me. It certainly wasn't easy all the time. What we see on social media is usually just the highlights and the positive ones, but there was so much work in making this happen. The people that really supported the project and the vision know who they are. That's why QXMC completely overturned the situation. We did accomplish the reset of the corporation, as I was asked three years ago,” said Pereira.
“We have a solid foundation. We have quality assets, strategic assets, and the properties that we purchased and the equipment that we now own. It empowered us and allowed us to be able to basically not just dream but achieve our ambitions because now we have the tools and we have a splendid team. I can tell you the core of my team here, the QXMC people, are just amazing - second to none.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Recreational vessels are no longer permitted to moor at Cortes Island’s government docks for extended periods without prior approval from the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island (HACI).
“Just to clarify, it's recreational vessels that are looking for a month, three months or six months long-term moorage,” said Harbour Manager Jenny Hartwick
Boats can still ‘sneak in’ and use docks overnight, at places like Squirrel Cove, providing there is room for them.
“We're incredibly lucky we have five docks on the island. I think it is highly unlikely that boaters will come to Cortes looking for longer term moorage and we will not be able to provide this. It may mean that you don't get moorage at your first choice dock. We're doing our very best to make sure that everybody who is looking for moorage on Cortes will find it somewhere on Cortes.”
HACI was forced to adopt this policy because of the increase in recreational traffic over the past few years. Possibly as a result of the emphasis on local tourism during COVID, boaters have ‘discovered’ Desolation Sound. Destination BC is promoting this area as one of the best marine tourism destinations in BC. At the high point last summer, boats were rafted four deep at the Cortes Bay Dock.
“This makes it incredibly difficult if you happen to be the individual on the inside and you're trying to get out to go boating for the day. Or you are a commercial user who needs to access their vessel to get to and from work. You have to move three vessels simply to get your boat out!” said Hartwick.
She explained that HACI leases the docks from Small Craft Harbours, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) program.
“ The docks were put in place to support the commercial fishing industry and to support aquaculture, so that is the number one priority at all of the government docks on Cortes,” said Hartwick.
“Second is to support commercial usage of those docks. So maybe not for vessels that are used directly in aquaculture, but group boats that are running regularly or water taxis, and other types of vessels that are used for commercial purposes on a regular basis.”
HACI’’s mandate is to provide moorage for those parties.
“After we have met the needs of those users, we can offer any additional space at the dock to recreational moorage in our community.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In 2007, Chief Ken Brown purchased 50% of a 34 hectare sub-tidal geoduck farm off Squirrel Cove, on Cortes Island. In the years that followed, the Klahoose First Nation bought their partner out. They were 100% owners when Bruno Pereira became General Manager of Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC).
The next phase of Klahoose Aquaculture growth grew out of a series of discussions that Pereira had with Operations Manager Paul Muskee, more than two years ago.
“We were assessing our tenures and how we could improve the aquaculture operations within QXMC. We had geoducks, but we wanted more. We wanted to diversify. So, we basically decided to walk the beaches and go see what we have. Is there inventory there? Is there anything we can use, we can start,” explained Pereira.
This led to Klahoose harvesting clams and oysters, which they export to Vancouver and to Asia.
More recently, QXMC has started a pilot project for scallops and they sent the first little samples off last week.
Pereira referred to a DFO program called the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) which was set up to increase First Nations' access to the commercial fisheries in British Columbia.
“We had PICFI representatives coming to Cortes and looking at what we're doing. PICFI helps us a lot in terms of grants and support for our projects. They've been huge supporters of Klahoose for the last six years at least,” he said.
The geoduck harvest started maybe a month ago and was proceeding well before the Chinese market shut down.
“Stopping is not the end of the world but if you stop harvesting, then you need to start all over again, which is sending three weeks of samples to the government to make sure that there's no poisoning, no presence of any types of unwanted viruses, bacterias or any other element,” said Pereira.
He added that there is a modest market for geoducks in North America.
A little more than a year ago, QXMC ventured into the seaweed market through a partnership with Cascadia.
“It grows like weed,” said Periera. “It's something you hear as easier, very resilient and doesn't need a lot of maintenance.”
QXMC hopes to consolidate its venture into the seaweed market and develop an even closer relationship with Cascadia.
“Seaweed is something we should be involved in and leading,” he explained. “Between geoducks, seaweed, scallops, oysters, and clams, I feel that we're covering a lot of ground. Most importantly, we were diversifying enough to mitigate risks. If something goes wrong with one species,” he explained.
“it's a lot of work, a lot of learning. It's not something that brings results right away in terms of capacity, profits or sales.”
He described Klahoose Aquaculture as a modest operation, but “one that I don't want to let go.”
“Even if it is something that doesn't bring massive revenues, massive profits, I would be okay with this because for me it's important to be part of this,” he explained. “We should be involved, as humans, trying to protect and control what's happening in the oceans and in the waters and help as much as we can.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been six years since Klahoose Wilderness Adventures erected its first bear watching tower in Toba Inlet. Now there are six viewing platforms, but they are only for two months every year.
Cortes Currents asked Bruno Pereira, Senior Manager of Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC) which oversees Klahoose First Nation business activities, if there are plans to expand their tourism offerings in Toba.
“Toba has always been a playground that wasn't exploited properly or to the fullest,” said Pereira. “The bears are only there when the salmon arrive. So in August, September - and all the other months of spring, summer fall, we are thinking how we could be present in Toba and offer services and tours to guests interested in?”
There are many possibilities for future development. This could be a destination for people who want to camp in the wilderness. QXMC could build a few cabins for bird watchers, or animal lovers.
They tried kayaking from kilometre 16 of the road at Toba Inlet.
“We put the kayaks in the river and just drifted down for almost three hours. It was the most amazing experience and we were like, ‘yeah, this could be a tour. This could be an activity that we can promote, and we can sell. This is an experience of a lifetime,” said Pereira.
“The ideas are there. The ambitions are there, but it's like everybody else it's a matter of capacity. It's a matter of human resources, the staff.”
Heather Reimer and Ron Quire are the new resident managers at Gorge Harbour Marina.
Chris Tait and Suzanne Fletcher are taking care of the Klahoose Wilderness Resort and bear tours.
“It's time for them to build their teams. So again, baby steps. One thing at a time, but we're getting closer,” said Pereira.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a year since Autumn Barrett-Morgan was hired as a Biological Monitoring Technician at the Dillon Creek Wetlands Restoration Project. This is in Cortes Island’s oldest farm site, currently known as Linnaea Farm, but prior to the land being a farm, it was wetlands. Three years ago the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) and Linnaea Farm partnered in a project to restore the wetlands, to help reduce the sediment and thus reduce the nutrients flowing down Dillon Creek into Gunflint Lake. The wetlands are also meant to enhance the breeding and foraging grounds for wildlife, including Species at Risk.
Barrett-Morgan told Cortes Currents, “Wetlands are the watering hole where biodiversity interacts, providing food, shelter and water. It becomes this meeting ground for land and water animals, and there’s so much variability in the species who visit the wetlands.”
Project Manager Miranda Cross, the Linnaea Farm stewards and Barrett-Morgan are constantly monitoring the wildlife; both animals and plants.
“The best way to observe wildlife is to open your ears and your eyes and your nose, and really to be present with the environment you’re in,” she explained.
One of her favourite tools, especially for birds, is a recorder. This enables her to capture soundscapes, and also provides an invaluable database for future reference. This is especially useful when she does not recognize a call.
While it is difficult to see or hear bats, the project’s Biologist, Dusty Silvester, brought a bat detector to assist in performing a bat survey. The device they used picks up bat sonar and can identify the species via a database. This has enabled her, and her colleagues, to detect six different species of bats, right after construction was complete.
One of the ‘cool’ things about Linnaea Farm is that it has been keeping records of wildlife observations for decades.
“We’re starting to see some species that may have existed in that particular field back when it was previously a wetland, but have not been observed since,” explained Barrett-Morgan.
Some wetland species would spend time in the field, being that it was a wet portion of the field, but there are certain species that need open water. So, this wetland restoration is becoming a beacon for wildlife.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - SRD Approves proposed bicycle project in Blenkin Park, in principle
At their April 27th Board meeting, the Strathcoan Regional District (SRD) Board approved a proposed bike park at Blenkin Memorial Park in principle, but is withholding its endorsement until it can ascertain the implications of this action.
Regional Director Jim Abram of Area C, which includes Quadra Island, explained that the community was behind the project.
“ I went to the school myself and made a presentation to an assembly of the school kids and after explaining to them about the regional district and all that, I asked them, what would you guys like to see on Quadra Island? What's your number one? And about a hundred hands went up and every one of them said ‘bike park.’”
The problem being that the Quadra Island Recreational Society lease Blenkin Memorial Park from the SRD and did not seek the SRD Board’s consent before applying for and obtaining a $180,000 grant from the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program.
As title holders, the SRD would be legally responsible for an asset they have not authorized. They could be responsible for cost overruns during construction, and have not had time to consider oversight, maintenance or insurance costs.
The SRD Board was given three options in the associated staff report: A - they could endorse the project as submitted B - they could approve the project in principle, but withhold their endorsement until a report identifying the implications for the Regional District is prepared by staff C - they could withhold their endorsement until the staff report is prepared
In the minutes of the April 27th meeting, it states that director Anderson moved and Moglove seconded a motion, “that the Board conditionally approve in principle, the bike park project of the Quadra Island Recreation Society as submitted, withholding endorsement until such time as a report identifying implications for the Regional District can be considered by EASC and the Board.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ FolkU -Today’s Folk U is a live event field trip. .. And if you stay home you’ll be able to catch the Folk U Radio show on CKTZ 89.5 FM or CortesRadio.ca on The history of Cortes Community & Our Forests.
This includes numerous presentations by the likes of Bruce Ellingsen, Christine Robinson, Lovena & Kai Harvey, and more about the unique history of our island, our community, and previous logging efforts. A really incredible listen. Don’t stay home just to listen though because it will repeat Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. AND will be available on FolkU.ca/podcasts.
It’s a beautiful day. Let’s be in community! (And learn more about who we are and who we’ve been).
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - While they have had a forestry license in Toba Inlet since 2009, Klahoose Forestry has been going through some significant changes.
Bruno Pereira, Senior Manager of Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC) explained that when he arrived three years ago, operations were managed by a partner from Vancouver.
“The last few years have been transition years going from thinking of transitioning, to acting on transitioning,” he explained.
“With the help of two gentlemen, John Marlowe (from Quadra Island) and Josh Hiebert (formerly from Interfor), we are now able to say that we are basically running the entire operations on our own.”
Klahoose Forestry is now the liaison between the various subcontractors, government and silviculture.
This season started about two months ago. Pereira said there currently are not many Klahoose employed as fallers and they subcontract the heli-logging.
“These are big trades that require a lot of training and experience,” he said.
One area where Klahoose members are very active is the brushing team.
“The brushing team basically clean up the roads, and the towers of the Run of the River Energex up in Toba,” explained Pereira. “We have had this contract for many years and every brushing season, we train people. We make sure that this team is up and running. They're special and very interesting characters. This is the masterpiece of Paul Muskie. We're super proud. We got them a brand new pickup last year, with their own logo.”
Forestry is an important component of the Klahoose First Nation’s economy.
“We want to be successful at it, but in a sustainable way. It is of the utmost importance for us to reduce waste and to make sure that silviculture is done properly,” said Pereira.
“It's a time of change, of transition. It's going quite smoothly, but it doesn't mean that there hasn't been a lot of work. There's a lot of moving parts in such a big operation. Again, super proud of the team, super grateful for gentlemen like John Marlow and for having Josh Hiebert on board with us, allowing us to really take on and get that experience.”
“We have fallers, heli-loggers and drivers. We will have road building eventually. Why not take one of these operations, or train some employees and be able to place them in those different operations up in Toba. We are really excited for the future. So everything is looking positive, looking good.”
Top photo credit: Toba Inlet by David Stanley via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The public hearing for a proposed RV park on land owned by the Quadra Island Golf Course (Quadra Links) has been rescheduled to November 23, 2022.
This is a reversal of the decision made at the April 13 SRD Board meeting, when Regional Director Jim Abram had insisted the meeting be held on May 18.
Unfortunately Abram had not consulted with the golf course, which was not ready for a meeting in May and had been under the impression their meeting was to be in the fall.
They promptly wrote the SRD Board, “The arbitrary date of May 18th is not acceptable to Quadra Links. We want to be very clear. Quadra Links will not attend and will not participate in any way if the Area Directors move forward with that date. We expect the public hearing will continue to be scheduled for November 23 as previously agreed by Director Abram.”
They explained that a number of the public comments they received require more careful consideration than Quadra Links has time for at the beginning of the golfing season.
They ended their letter, “It’s completely unfair and undemocratic for the SRD to try and force an applicant to a public hearing when the applicant has clearly stated they need and been granted a later date.“
The matter was brought up for reconsideration at the April 27 SRD Board meeting and Abram withdrew his earlier motion.
He also explained that his earlier motion was not arbitrary:
COVID is expected to flair up again in the Fall There will be an election SRD staff will be busy with electoral matters Everyone will be getting ready for the Christmas break The results of a late November hearing will not even be looked at until November.
Abram called the applicants request ‘highly unusual’ and ”a complete departure from our normal way of setting public hearings” but said he was willing to go along with it.
Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River responded, “Thank you. I just want to say words of appreciation for the reconsideration of this. It has been a long process, but I don't think there's any reason to go against what is good for the SRD, good for the area, but also good for the proponent.”
There were no objections to the November 23 date, which carried.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Tim Pley and Associates has been hired to conduct a feasibility study for a fire brigade to serve the Outer Discovery Islands. The Surge Narrows Community Association (SNCA) requested the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) investigate the costs and implications of this project last September. A motion to hire Pley and Associates passed without comment at the April 27, 2020 SRD Board meeting.
The Surge Narrows Community Association (SNCA) represents the approximately 147 full time and over 120 part time residents of Read, Maurelle, North Rendezvous and southern Sonora Islands.
“Our residents are interested in pursuing a service that provides firefighting training, standardized equipment and responder insurance coverage. We are not currently interested in open burning regulations, large trucks or construction a large fire hall,” wrote the board of the SNCA in a joint letter.
Tim Pley and Associates is a new firm based in Port Alberni.
Prior to his retirement, Pley was was the Chief Administrative Officer for Port Alberni. He began his public service career as a fire fighter in 1990 and has served as a deputy fire chief and later fire chief for a total of 16 years.
All of the members of his team have extensive records in fire suppression.
They submitted a bid for $8,500 plus GST.
They intend to complete the feasibility study in eight days.
The project is to begin with Pley and Associates meeting with the SRD and SNCA teams virtually.
Two days are allotted for an onsite tour of the designated area.
They will prepare a draft report, with recommendations on how to set up a fire brigade for the outer Discovery Islands. These include: - Training and operations - Interoperability - Dispatch and communications - Fire suppression equipment costs (not including fire apparatus - Organization and administration structure - Other related topics identified by the proponent and discussed with the SRD
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents -Public opinion and Federal and Provincial policy are finally swinging (at the eleventh hour) towards protection of the pathetic remnants of BC’s old growth forest and possibly some reform of forest management practise. In response, the timber/pulp industry appears to be mounting a last-ditch PR effort to defend its traditional extractive model and discredit its most vocal critics.
One fingerprint of this effort can be found in a recent Times-Colonist opinion/editorial by Alice Palmer. Published on April 20th, the article reassures readers that
The supposed “fact” that less than three per cent of B.C.’s productive old growth remains standing, and the implicit suggestion that we’re about to lose that too, are both patently untrue.
There is actually much more old growth left, and the majority of it is protected from logging.
Ms Palmer goes on to define “old growth.” She then cites some statistics from “forestry consultants” — from reports “from 2020 and 2021” — but with no authors, titles, or links. One set of data indicates concern because only about 3 percent of our old growth still stands, the other is far more reassuring and claims it’s more like 25 percent, nothing to worry about.
Ms Palmer strongly implies that the first set of numbers was arrived at by outmoded methods, whereas the second set is state of the art science; and therefore “We can relax, knowing BC’s old growth is safe.” She ends with the now industry-standard condescending pat on the head for activists:
… before risking your life for the cause, I beg you: please read the science first. You’ll be glad you did.
Is this the best the timber industry can do to fend off its critics? A few quick clicks are all it takes to cast some shade on this sunny picture.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Unlike their Mainland cousins, Vancouver Island’s Black Bears make their dens almost exclusively in large-diameter old trees, stumps, logs, or root wads. Dens are normally left dormant for a while after use, due to parasite infestation and the need to escape predators. However a study in the Nimpkish Valley, south of Port McNeill, found that 72% of the dens were reused over a 15 year period. In one case, the den was occupied during four winters.
“Many bear dens are being destroyed. Helen Davis, the scientist that worked on this, did a survey in southwest Vancouver Island. In an area where normally she would have expected numerous bear dens to exist and to be used, there was only one den that was still usable after the logging had gone through. We are losing large numbers of bear dens, and they're not being replaced because the second growth forest that comes back is not being allowed to get big enough as old growth to accommodate bear dens. They need the big trees to have holes that are big enough for the bears to get in and out of,” asserted Calvin Sandborn, Senior Counsel at the University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre.
He is also the supervising lawyer of a report detailing what it would take to protect the bear dens in BC’s forests.
Three of Sandborn’s students prepared this submission at the request of Helen Davis and Sierra Club BC.
“The Environmental Law Centre is a class that is offered at the Faculty of Law at UVic where law students are learning to be advocates for the environment and to act for environmental groups and first nations community groups that are concerned about the environment. In this case, we were looking at the question of how the law could be changed to better protect bears,” explained Sandborn.
Mark Worthing, of Sierra Club BC, said, “Part of the reason we decided to take on this project is our field work mostly on Vancouver island, but also in the Great Bear Rainforest to a lesser degree in other places in B.C. Not only were we finding bear dens in at-risk forests that were slated for logging, but we were finding destroyed bear dens or lone single bear dens left in clear cuts and things like that. So we thought, dang, this is a problem.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was one Cortes and four Quadra Island reports in this week’s email from the Quadra RCMP detachment. None of these involved an arrest, fine or any police action beyond a warning. In one case, a group of youth were commended as ‘good citizens.’ With temperatures rising, the RCMP are receiving more complaints about cars speeding on Quadra Island. This has led to more police patrols and the Quadra Speed Watch Program is looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Judy Hagen at hagen.quadra@gmail.com. There have also been multiple calls an aggressive panhandler on Quadra the last few weeks. He has been banned from multiple businesses and the RCMP advised him that he could be arrested, under the Trespass Act, if he returns to any of those premises. The Cortes Island incident relates to a threat. On Thursday, April 21, a boat approached the government dock at Gorge Harbour too quickly, causing a considerable wake. This angered a local tenant, ‘whose dock and boat had been tossed about by the wake.” Harsh words were exchanged, but ‘the two parted on calm terms soon after.’ The man who caused the disturbance phoned the RCMP to advise them of the situation. On Tuesday April 19th, Constables Clelland and Draht completed a fraud presentation for the local seniors at Heriot Bay Inn. Their presentation included topics such as current phishing scams, new scams related to Covid, and various social media scams. The Quadra RCMP would like to remind the public that should they encounter a scam, to call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or go to the anti-fraud website at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm. That Saturday a group of young adults gave an on duty officer some loyalty cards they had found. The RCMP were able to locate the owner’s family and return the cards. This report ends with the police formally thanking the good citizens who located and returning the cards. And that was it from the Discovery islands, where there has not been a report of any physical altercations or petty vandalism for two weeks and no recent mention of theft other than phishing schemes.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When Cortes Currents asked the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) who to interview for more in depth coverage of ‘species at risk,’ they responded ‘Jenna Cragg.’ That was last January, which shows how busy she is. Sabina Leader-Mense described Cragg as one of FOCI’s key ‘go to’ species at risk biologists, who provides the facts that FOCI brings into the community.
In the emails we exchanged prior to this interview, Cragg specifically mentioned five species: the Marbled Murrelet, Great Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant and Western Screech Owl.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Are you ready for a major disaster?
Folk U joined Cortes Island’s Emergency Responders, Cortes Radio’s emergency communications team, & your neighbours on Friday April 22nd at 1 p.m. to learn more about what will happen in the case of a sustained, long-term disaster and what YOU can do to help ensure you and your family are ready.
The event took place under the CCEDA tent (behind the Cortes Radio station).
Cortesians were invited to bring their neighbours and ideas to a live broadcast under the CCEDA tent (behind the Cortes Radio station).
It was live streamed on FolkURadio @CKTZ89.5 FM and on the web at cortesradio.ca
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - On Friday, April 22, a federal court h ruled that Former federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan breached the rights of B.C. salmon farmers to procedural fairness when she ordered them to phase out operations in the Discovery Islands by June 2022.
Justice Elizabeth Heneghan pointed out that by September 2020, the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat produced nine scientific reports that concluded aquaculture in the Discovery Islands poses no more than a minimal risk of harm to migrating Fraser River Sockeye salmon.
“The reports were available to the Minister and DFO. DFO does not dispute this conclusion,”
”I do not agree with the minister’s position that the applicants had either constructive or actual notice of her decision regarding renewal of the fish farm licences.”
"I also agree with the applicants that they were denied the opportunity to meaningfully respond to concerns.”
Jordan made her decision after consulting with seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands, but Heneghan states the fish farms, “were not privy to the concerns raised by several First Nations, as described in the summary of consultations.”
On April 5, 2021, the court granted the industry an injunction that would have allowed them to continue stocking fish farms until the closure date.
Heneghan reversed Jordan’s decision to ignore the imjunction:
“The decision of the minister will be set aside and the injunction granted on April 5, 2021 will remain in effect,” she wrote. “The applicants have shown that the decision was made in breach of their rights to procedural fairness.” It is not yet certain what Heneghan’s ruling will mean to the future of the fish farm industry in the Discovery Islands, or the Canadian government’s decision to end open net fish farming by 2025. As of the end of March, only one of the 19 fish farms in the Discovery Islands was still operational. The BC Salmon Farmers issued a press release stating they are “encouraged that the Federal Court has set aside the Decision of the Minister to remove salmon farming in the Discovery Islands and has upheld the earlier injunction granted on April 5, 2021. This is a positive development for the coastal Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in which we operate, and the thousands of family-supporting jobs our sector sustains. We will be reaching out to First Nations in whose territories we operate to review this decision and will have more to say in the following days and weeks ahead.”
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - This January, at the Friends of Cortes Island Annual General Meeting, Bruce Harrison was awarded the Jo Anne Green Environmental Award. The Jo Anne Green award is an honour for leadership in community-based environmental awareness, protection and restoration. Jo Anne Green was a founder of the Friends of Cortes Island and an inspiration for many on Cortes to care for this place and imagine a reciprocal relationship with our ecosystems.
The letter that nominates Harrison reads as follows:
“ Bruce has been a resident of Cortes Island for about 30 years. He has always exemplified what it means to have a small footprint in terms of his own lifestyle (he is often seen commuting on his bike between Whaletown and Manson's) and over the past few years he has made significant contributions through the work he has done constructing and maintaining access trails which are now widely used by the community. His work on the trails at the Ester Rd. beach access, the Whaletown Commons, and the adjacent Crown land have all been a great benefit to the wider community and in fact have helped to secure the Crown land as protected park land. The trail access in the Whaletown Commons area has made Whaletown into a very walkable neighbourhood which has significantly decreased the need for motorized vehicles.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The Strathcona Regional District is in the midst of a 30 day survey of rural housing insecurity and service needs. The Campbell River and District Coalition to end homelessness emailed copies to every Vancouver Island Regional Library in the district. The coalition found a network of volunteers ready to work with them on Cortes Island and there were also some individuals on Quadra, but some areas can only be reached through social media. The survey comes to an end on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
“I would love for people to take a look at the survey. It only takes 10 minutes. It is geared towards those who feel that their housing situation is either unaffordable or inappropriate for any reason. Or those who feel that they have service needs that are not being met in their community,” said Stefanie Hendrickson, the coalition’s coordinator.
It was designed to identify the needs of people living in a seasonal rental, outbuilding, RV, or sleeping on someone’s couch. There are also multiple families who live under one roof to make it affordable, or in places that lack running water or plumbing, or refrigeration etc. Some people have accessibility or other physical needs that are not met where they live. Others cannot afford the rent, or are living in different communities from where they live.
Hendrickson said that the coalition has been in communication with the Cortes Community Housing Society throughout the whole process.
“We were initially going to do our own survey and then got connected to the Campbell River and District to End Homelessness and realized they were doing something very similar,” said Mark Vonesch, from the Cortes Community Housing Society.
So the two groups partnered on one survey.
Vonesch says that everywhere he goes on Cortes, the number one issue is housing.
“Whether you're talking to business folks who have trouble finding housing for their employees, or people who've been here all their life and can't find stable year round housing. The number of people, living in vans, on boats and in unstable housing is alarmingly high,” he said. “Since I've been on Cortes, you hear stories of single mothers and young families having to move out of their place in June and live in tents or shelter for the summer and then struggled to find housing again in the fall. That's just like an ongoing cycle for, for so many people on the island. I think we all know somebody who is dealing with that or has dealt with it in the past.”
He spoke from personal experience both as an employer, whose employees needed accommodation, and as a tenant.
A couple of community members and the local food bank helped promote the survey on Quadra Island, but the coalition did not have any contacts on Read Island.
There are some unique needs on islands, like Cortes.
“Things such as people having to leave the community to access educational needs when their children reach a certain age, or folks living on boats,” said Hendrickson.
She added that while a homeless person in Campbell River can camp out in Nuns Creek Park, but the islands don't have a designated area.
The coalition reached out to communities like Gold River, Tahsis and Sayward through the Vancouver Island Regional Library,
“Other than that, we are really relying on social media. The SRD has actually supported this, so they have a link up on their website where people can access it. We've been really relying on word of mouth, getting people to email the survey link to their contact lists and a few community newsletters have picked it up,” explained Hendrickson.
“It's just been very sort of a natural how it's come, which is quite unique way of doing surveying, but given the fast region and how rural and remote it is, it was sort of decided that that would, that would really be the only way to get the word out to as many people as possible.” Homelessness has surveyed the SRD’s rural areas.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the three years since they hired Bruno Pereira, Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC) has purchased the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Gorge Harbour Marina, a water taxi, a piece of ocean front property for a combined campsite/RV park and entered into the seaweed farm business. They intend to add another 20 rental units, a larger store and gas station at the Gorge. QXMC is also contemplating a hydroponic vegetable farm and electrifying their land transport fleet.
“I know there is a buzzword going around ‘Environmental Social Governance’ (ESG), and I do believe and I adhere to those principles a lot, but what does it mean for us in terms of daily operation?” explained Bruno Pereira is the Manager of Qathen Xwegus. “So every new project that we start, we try to make it right from the start. Even if it means a little bit more investments here, a little bit more investments there at the end it is what we will create for the future.”
It has been a little over three years since a ‘head hunting company’ asked if he wanted to help the Klahoose First Nation reset QXMC.
“That was the term they used ‘reset’ and I love a challenge. I said, “Yeah, let's move to BC and let's make things happen for these people.’”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There were two public forestry events, while Mosaic visited Cortes Island this week.
About 135 people attended the mixed in-person/ZOOM ‘Celebrating our Forests’ meeting at Mansons Hall on the evening of April 20, 2022.
Around 16 people joined Mosaic on at least one of the two field walks of proposed cutblocks the following day. (Someone went on both trips.)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 20 people gathered at the Klahoose hatchery in Squirrel Cove to watch around 5,000 Chum fry be released back into Basil Creek on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Six of them were women and girls from the Klahoose village, who came to sing a prayer song. Seven were homeschool students, enrolled in the Partners in Education (PIE) program, who came with their mothers. There were also a handful of Cortes Island streamkeepers, three Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) personal and two reporters.
The salmon fry were survivors.
Klahoose Fisheries Officer Byron Harry explained that close to 20,000 chum eggs had been inside in-stream incubation boxes, in Basil Creek, before a combination of heavy snowfalls and winter rains caused the creek to rise.
The water was too high for the Cortes Island streamkeepers to approach, the first time they tried to check the boxes.
“By the time that stream came down enough to get at them, they were in fact, mostly smothered with gravel and silt that had washed down the creek in I'd say, unprecedented amounts really,” said streamkeeper Cec Robinson. “Anyway, there was a rescue effort and, I guess it was closer to 5,000, perhaps that we managed to salvage from the silted in boxes in the creek.”
The fry have been at the Klahoose hatchery for the past four weeks.
They were about to be returned to the creek.
As everyone waited for DFO, a number of children and adults gathered to watch the fry school together in the hatchery trough.
“They're used to darkness because we have a cover on the troughs all the time. They're just trying to hide, and get away from any movement that's happening about the water,” explained Harry.
The fry were scooped up in nets and a relay of volunteers carried bucket fulls to where a fish transport tank was waiting.
A DFO truck had hauled the tank across, from the Quinsam Hatchery in Campbell River, on the ferry.
When the tank was full, everyone got in their cars and drove down to Basil Creek. Most of the vehicles parked close to the Squirrel Cove General Store, but the hatchery vehicle parked over the culvert at Basil Creek.
Two of the DFO proceeded to scoop the fry into waiting buckets, which volunteers transported to the creek.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) was something talked about in the past tense, when Delores Broten and Don Malcom moved to Cortes in 1987.
In the first of a series of posts about the origins of FOCI, Broten and talks about the 1990 logging blockade that inspired FOCI’s rebirth as well as the award-winning environmental magazine called ‘the Watershed Sentinel.’
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Reuben Buerge has been surfing sea kayaks in our area for the past 10 to 12 years.
This relatively new sport only reached North America during the 1980s and Buerge is not aware of reaching the waters off Quadra Island more than two decades ago.
“Surfing sea kayaks is a pretty kind of niche-y thing. You really only see it in a few areas in the world and we're lucky enough to have that amazing feature in our backyard that's perfect for us,” he explained.
“It's not something people do everywhere because There's not features like this everywhere in the world. There's one more on our coast called Skookumchuck, that's a really popular spot for whitewater kayakers, but surfing sea kayaks is a pretty kind of niche-y thing. You really only see it in a few areas in the world and we're lucky enough to have that amazing feature in our backyard that's perfect for us.”
There are two places to surf kayaks off Quadra Island.
Surge Narrows is only a 15 minute paddle from the government dock at Hoskins landing. A 3-4 foot wave forms during the flood, which makes this a relatively safe place to learn how to handle a kayak in fast moving tidal water.
“You wouldn't necessarily want to be going there alone. It can be hazardous still. You want to know how to roll your kayak and have a good group of people around you in case anything goes wrong,” said Buerge.
“A modified a sea kayak seems to work best in most of these waves, but every once in a while you see guys join the party with a shorter standup paddle board or even a surfboard.”
He explained that most sea kayaks are not ideal to surf. They’re about 18 feet long, straight and paddle well, but they ‘don't have much rocker.’
“The ones we use are around 15 and a half feet long and they have a whole lot of of rocker in them. They're shaped like a banana and it allows us to really be maneuverable in these waves,” he said. “You're totally locked right into your kayak. You got a spray skirt on, so your airtight, waterproof. Water can't enter your kayak.”
The biggest waves are the Okisollo Rapids, at Cooper Point on the northern tip of Quadra island.
“On a big flood tide, you usually need about nine knots of current to make a nice, big way for you. It'll get up to 5, 6 feet, with a deep kind of hole so that's definitely a lot more intimidating, a lot more consequence behind the wave and a lot more Water moving through,” said Buerge.
He has never heard of anyone getting hurt.
“The people that are coming to these areas are usually pretty well-prepared with immersion gear, but we're all wearing dry suits, PFDs (personal floatation devices) and we have rescue harnesses as well. So we can rescue friends that might've capsized and weren't able to roll up. We can get them back into their kayak pretty quick,” said Buerge.
He added that people can watch videos of kayak surfing on YouTube and local courses teaching people how to use a kayak safely and have fun.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Radio - In this Folk U Radio show Former Newfoundland Premier, the Honourable Brian Peckford, gives part history lesson and part current update on the state of Canadian civic life on Folk U Radio. Friday April 15th at 1 p.m.
Peckford is the only surviving drafter and signatory First Minister 40 years after the Canadian constitution was first patriated and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms created and adopted (in 1982). He was the drafter of the Newfoundland proposal which became the basis of the current Charter of Rights and sat at the table to negotiate. Ever heard the story about the Quebec minister not being there and wonder what really happened? This and much more revealed.
The history lesson leads up to today and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms lawsuit that Peckford and others have filed in federal court seeking to strike down the federal government's mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements for air, train, and other travel. Peckford discusses more about the formation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, why these laws set a dangerous and possible irreversible president that ought to concern all Canadians.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - As we get closer to June 30, when the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has to decide whether to reissue the licenses for 79 British Columbian salmon farms, independent biologist Alexandra Morton points to yet more problems.
A recent Global and Mail article revealed the existence of a decade old Department of Fisheries (DFO) report about the ‘transmission of the PRV virus from farmed to wild salmon.’
Morton said the fish farm industry has exceeded the three lice per fish threshold every week since the out-migration season began on March first. Two to five active farms have exceeded that limit every week, for the past five weeks. Morton claims that no sooner had the industry brought the lice on one farm under control, than another exceeds the limit.
“DFO recognizes that sea lice breeding on salmon farms is a threat to young wild salmon because in the conditions of license, they asked the industry to stay below three adult lice per farm fish to protect the young wild salmon,” she said.
A spokesperson for the BC Farmer’s Association emailed,” During the out-migration window, sea lice counts must be conducted within the first week of the window – and once every 2 weeks thereafter. The results of each counting event must be submitted to DFO by the 15th of the following month. If the sea lice count exceeds the threshold of 3 lice per fish, DFO must be notified within 48 hours – and a plan must be presented describing the sea lice management measures that will be undertaken to reduce sea lice levels below the threshold level within 42 days.”
Morton says this 42 loophole effectively eliminates the 3 lice per fish limit
Much more
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Regional Director Jim Abram appears to have pushed through an earlier public hearing date for the Quadra Island Golf Club (Quadra Links) rezoning proposal than the proponent wishes. Quadra Links wishes to rezone a portion of their property so they can develop a 30 spot RV park, but requested that the meeting be delayed so they could analyze some technical issues raised in recent public submissions. SRD staff recommended the hearing be scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, 2022. A number of Campbell River directors voiced their support, but do not vote in rural matters. The only Regional Director to oppose Abram’s wishes was Noba Anderson, and the public hearing will be at 7 PM on May 18, 2022 at the Quadra Community Centre.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their last meeting, the SRD Board approved a motion to keep the wood chips created by it Residential wood debris pickup in rural areas, but have yet to decide how they will be distributed
This pertains to the wood debris collected from local residences.
Nine organizations on Cortes, Quadra and Read Islands, have submitted applications for woodchips that have a public use component.
A second motion, “THAT the Regional District allocate woodchips to all applicants in accordance with the proposals received except applicants who are considered private entities.” was also approved.
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson was concerned that there is not sufficient chips, “probably any of those applications could probably take all of the chips offered.” She preferred the idea of “giving fewer applicants, more chips to do more with.”
Three directors opposed the suggestion that staff talk to the applicants about volumes,
Regional Director Jim Abram explained, “Every organization will most likely say they will take all of them.”
He said the proposal was inappropriate and the wood chips should be divided equally among the applicants.
The board decided that staff board will talk to the applicants about volumes, but all applicants who are not private entities will receive some wood chips.
The five Cortes applicants are:
The Cortes Community Housing Society’s trail initiative A community compost proposal from the Cortes Island Garden Club “to suppress weeds and invasive plants, prevent erosion, and help maintain soil moisture which will benefit the native plants” in the Dillon Creek wetlands restoration project And to increase the productivity at two community gardens, which will also increase the local food supply: The Cortes Island Garden Club and Gaia Tree Gardens
All of these projects have a public use component
The three Quadra Island Applications are all for composting projects:
Terra Nova Farm isa 100 acre farm which is classified as a ‘private entity’ but intended to use the chips for composting and public education.
The Quadra ICAN and the Quadra Island Community Garden Cluba are both to distribute wood chips to local growers to help increase the island’s food security.
The Read Island application comes from the Surge Narrows Parents Advisory Committee Application which intends to resurface the children's playground.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A lot of heat pump systems have installed in Campbell River and Quadra Island homes recently. Several companies offer this service, but Aerotherm Solutions also made close to 30 installations on Cortes Island last year. Tyler Woodward, of Aerotherm Solutions, was on Cortes recently.
He explained that Aerotherm is a relatively small Campbell River HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) business that also installs furnaces, natural gas, custom sheet metal and duct work, ‘and do any type of service work on that type of stuff and commercial refrigeration as well.’
“Everything is handled in-house from the design to the installation and we've also got a sheet metal crew. We're involved in any sort of duct work, custom sheet metal, residential commercial, and some light industrial,” he explained.
“We've been installing heat pumps now in Campbell River, with this company, since 2016. In terms of new construction, the most common type of system that we're putting in would be a heat pump for the primary source of heat, but also the retrofit market is quite large as well. That's specifically folks that are looking to improve the efficiency of their home.”
As the summers continue to get warmer, there has also been more interest in air conditioning.
Woodward said heat pumps are catching on in the islands, as people move away from burning wood as their principal source of heat.
In terms of environmental impact, he said wood stoves ‘can be a pretty harsh contributor to the particulate matter in the air’ and in some neighbourhoods there are problems with smog.
It is difficult to compare the cost of wood heat versus heat pumps because some people cut their wood, but it can be expensive for those who purchase wood by the cord.
While electric heat is relatively clean, heat pumps produce anywhere from two to four times as much heat per kilowatt (depending on the technology). Woodward pointed out that this translates into a similar reduction in your heating bill.
Oil heat is very common in Campbell River, less frequent on Cortes, and roughly twice as expensive as a heat pump.
The price of propane fluctuates, but is similar to oil.
Natural gas is more efficient and comparable in price.
There is a significant capital investment in acquiring a heat pump system. In the podcast, Woodward explains that systems can cost anywhere from $4,000 to more than $10,000, depending on the size of the area to be heated. In time, homeowners will recoup this through reduced energy bills.
“If you're comparing it to an electric baseboard, depending on how much electricity you're consuming, you could see payback in as little as three or four years,” he said. “Typically a new system that's installed by a certified contractor, should have a warranty of around 10 years and, with proper maintenance, I would say 20 years would be a reasonable life expectancy.”
The federal and provincial governments are promoting heat pumps and offering rebates to reduce the cost.
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Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation conducted grizzly bear tours in Toba Inlet for five years before their economic development arm, Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC), purchased the former Homfray Lodge in November 2020. Many of the packages are already booked for the Klahoose Wilderness Resort’s second season, which starts May 12th.
“This year, we have a full season ahead of us. We’re really happy with the number of reservations. We’re welcoming guests from all over the world and September is mostly full. We’ve got a couple of rooms left for the grizzly bear viewing season, and then May through August is filling up,”explained Chris Tait, the resort’s Tourism Manager.
“We’re a hundred percent Indigenous owned and the activities that you’re going to do will be Indigenous led. The most authentic tourism in Canada is Indigenous tourism and our Klahoose Wilderness Resort allows people to have that connection. We could tie it back to reconciliation, especially for Canadians if they want to have that piece of reconciliation, support Indigenous business and meet local people who live there.”
Tait explained Quathen Xwegus’ decision to purchase the lodge in terms of controlling the narrative:
“Not just having people in the territory, but actually guiding guests in the territory. Leading those tours, having the guests know the place names, having guests know the culture that they’re visiting, that’s really important as a business,” he said.
Guests come from Europe, Vancouver and the surrounding local communities like Powell River and Campbell River to ‘experience the Klahoose First Nation, the Indigenous people that live in this area that have always lived here.’
Many are picked up in Lund by the Klahoose catamaran ‘Goat1.’ Their experience begins with the trip up Desolation Sound, where they may see marine life like humpback whales, orca, sea lions and/or eagles.
Their arrival at the resort starts with a traditional Klahoose greeting on the dock.
“It’s a three or four nights stay. They’re going to be on the land or on the water with an Indigenous guide. They may go on a boat tour to Toba Inlet to visit the waterfalls and watching for more marine life, pictoglyphs that we see along the way in,” said Tait. “Back at the resort, they can go kayaking, they can do stand up paddle boarding, ocean swimming. We have nature walks into the rain forest where we even have some old growth forest tucked back behind the lodge.”
Grizzly Bear Viewing tours in Toba Inlet are included from late August to mid-October?
Guest all-inclusive packages start at about $2,895 per person for a three night stay, based on two guests sharing a room. This includes accommodation, meals and all activities (including passage on the Goat 1). A four night package is about $3,795 per person. (These rates do not include taxes.) Beer and wine are provided with meals, but guests will have to pay for extra alcohol.
“We’re really happy to have hired up to 15 staff, which are all Indigenous, from the Klahoose community, Tla’amin, Homalco or other nearby Indigenous people. They will lead our tours, serve food, work in housekeeping, as boat drivers and grizzly bear viewing guides.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Learn some of the stories of the biodiversity and resilience on the Pacific Edge as author and Hakai Institute chronicler, Tyee Bridge joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie Friday at 1 p.m. to discuss the research and writing of Heart of the Coast.
Learn more about this region in Deep Time, the archeology and geology, all the way to present day sea stars and kelp to subsidies, science, and students. And do you know how many viruses can be found in seawater? Learn all this and more.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cst. Rebekah DRAHT of the Quadra RCMP, which also serves Cortes and Read Islands, emailed an incident report for the week ending on Sunday April 10. There were no major incidents. Police responded to four calls and conducted checks of vehicles on land and water. Some warnings were given, but no arrests made and the only unresolved situation was an unclaimed paddleboard. On Monday April 4th, a male customer at the Heriot Bay Pub, on Quadra Island, refused to pay his tab. He then passed out and did not respond when staff attempted to waken him. The RCMP were en-route when they received word that the man was awake, had paid his tab and departed with a sober friend. On Tuesday April 6th, the RCMP were asked to make a well being check. The man’s brother explained that he was having some mental health issues. Upon arrival at the male’s last known location, police were advised that he has moved to another town. On April 8th, a SUP paddle board washed up near the Topcliffe Road area of Quadra Island. There was no serial number and the paddle board remains unclaimed. That evening Quadra RCMP conducted a roadblock on Friday, April 8th. Numerous vehicles were checked and three warnings given. The officers were happy to report that all drivers were sober. During a patrol of Open Bay and Drew Harbour, on Saturday April 9th, RCMP stopped a fishing boat which was not registered in the occupants name. The owner of the boat was given a CSA violation notice and informed that this offence could incur a $288 fine. The owner said he would register his boat right away. On Sunday April 10th, Quadra RCMP received a report of an abandoned 911 from multiple locations. The phone was traced to a bicycle, whose owner said the multiple dials were accidental. The cyclist was very apologetic, but thankful for the officers quick response.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Wild Waterways Adventures officially launched last year but for Jenefer Smalley it is part of a lifelong pursuit.
“My whole entire life, I've had an affinity and a connection with wildlife. I thought I would go to college to become a wildlife biologist or a fisheries biologist. Then when I finally went to college, I realized I wasn't really into running statistics and mathematical models, I wanted to be out in the field with wildlife. So when I graduated, just on a whim, I got a job in the field of ecotourism out of Campbell River,” explained Smalley.
That was sixteen years ago. She went on to become a guide in Haida Gwaii, and found it difficult to leave that electric beauty.
“I remember people saying ‘you're going to Campbell River, that’s not a very nice place.’ Then when I got here, I was just absolutely blown away. I'm like, ‘Well, these people don't know what they're talking about. They'd obviously never been in the Discovery Islands.’
Smalley and her partner Reuben Buerge met in Campbell River five years ago.
“We actually met at the fuel dock in Campbell River. He had one Zodiac for one company and I had a Zodiac for another company,” she said.
They were contracting a boat out to other tourism companies in 2018/19, when they decided it was time to start their own business.
The North Island Employment Foundation Society (NIES) helped them bring this dream into fruition.
“They work with you from your initial vision and your ideas all the way through to launch and they give you a little bit of funding. It's not much, but they give you funding so that you can support yourself and pay your bills while you're in the program,” explained Smalley.
She and Buerge originally intended to launch Wild Waterways Adventures in 2020, but waited another year because of the pandemic.
Five tours are described on the Wild Waterways Adventures website.
One of her favourite experiences is what some people call the ‘Eagle show’ during the hake run, between June and August every year. Hundreds of eagles dive bomb the fish when they are exposed in the rapids around Sonora and Stuart Islands.
“We literally sit in the Zodiacs and bop around in the rapids, while these beautiful bald eagles are diving for these hake all around us, all around the boat, they're all over the trees,” said Smalley. “Then when the tide switches to an app or a slack tide, the eagles disappear. You might see one or two.”
The show comes to an end in August, when the eagles start moving up salmon bearing rivers and streams.
The herring runs start in late February and early March. Sea lions and salmon follow the herring, and are in turn pursued by orca.
“It's like a potlatch for the Biggs Orca. There is an abundance of food. Some days we saw like 30 to 40 whales, that was just a couple of weeks ago. We never see Biggs Orca in these large numbers during the summer. It's just during this late winter, spring time,” explained Smalley.
“When we ID'd them we realized that a lot of them were actually siblings and sisters and cousins. They're very vocal this time of year as well. If you drop the hydrophone to listen to their acoustics, they are chatting up a storm and it is absolutely phenomenal. It literally sounds like you're on another planet when the Biggs are vocalizing. It's very metallic, very strange, so other worldly.”
In the podcast she talks about following orcas into Gorge Harbour, where they were hunting harbour seal.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Chief Bob Chamberlain, of the Kwi kwa sutin ow Howinus (one of the ‘Broughton Nations’) and Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance.
Representatives of 102 First Nations, from across British Columbia, voiced their support for the transition of open-net pen fish farms out of BC waters yesterday.
The First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance hosted a press conference in Vancouver. Many of the attendees were on ZOOM.
“We have to be mindful that migratory nature of salmon, and so given that reality, the DFO and the crown must consider all first nations who salmon pass these farms consultation site specific in one traditional territory is not well enough.The impacts are known from fish farms have far reaching infringement on Aboriginal rights, up and down, all the major water and river systems of British Columbia,” explained Chief Bob Chamberlain, of the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwa’mis (one of the ‘Broughton Nations’) and Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance. at a virtual/in-person press conference in Vancouver.
“We want to ensure that the minister is clear of the first nations food security needs, constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights, Supreme court of Canada law, which gives, the minister direction in terms of allocation and we also want to be clearthat the impacts that are occurring to wild salmon is one of the, in our opinion, the major contributor to the historical low returns we've seen across British Columbia for the past number of years, the lowest returns in all of history. Given that reality, it is time that every measure is taken to protect wild salmon.”
Chief Don Svanvik of the ‘Namgis First Nation (another of the ‘Broughton Nations’) said, “We just lost the chief in this past week and one of the things he said was, we need to speak for the salmon. That's what we're doing here today. Our salmon are on the verge of extinction. It's hard to believe that there are systems now in our coast that once flourished with salmon that have no salmon and other systems are down to single digit percentages of what they once were.”
“Salmon, wild salmon. (are) intrinsic to our way of life over the millennia. The Namgis creation story speaks of the very backbone of our being is our river and that for the rest of the time, you would have salmon.”
“We talk about what we have to do. There are many impacts on the wild salmon. The impact that we can affect the quickest and efficiently and effectively is open net fish farms. We need to transition these to land. It's that simple. It's time to act.”
Tyrone McNeil, President of the Sto:lo Tribal Council, added, “I started fishing just over 50 years ago. The first twenty-five years, anybody in industry got everything they wanted first nations commercial recreational, cause there's an abundance of salmon. Then about 25 years ago, with the introduction of the first fish farms, we started seeing the numbers going down.”
He said the Stalo people haven't caught a sockeye for three years and they only caught a handful of chinook.
“I'm compelled to send out a warning to Premier Horgan, to send out a warning to Minister Murray, not to pick a handful of first nations on the coast against a hundred plus first stations that are so reliant on the salmon stocks that go by that marine space,” said McNeil.
He encouraged the federal and provincial governments to work with the First Nations that are currently partnering with the open net fish farm industry ‘because they need an economy, they need jobs.”
McNeil added, “I encourage you premier to take into account that the declaration of rights indigenous peoples act applies to all of us, not just the small handful of first nations that are partnering with the fishing industry on the coast. We all need to be engaged.
Those last statements referred to the First Nations for Finfish Stewardship's proclamation in support of the fish farm industry two weeks ago.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Tamara McPhail was wearing her paramedic’s uniform, when she met with Cortes Currents over ZOOM. She was on call and the phone could ring at any moment.
“I often say that I had to get a job to support my farming habits because farming just doesn't quite pay. I mean, it pays in a lot of ways, but just in terms of the financial things: If you need to send your kids to university or buy a new car or invest in a new wood stove, there's just not a lot of extra at the end of the year,” explained McPhail.
She talked about the anxieties connected to running Linnaea Farm. During the winter it has been: ‘did we grow enough hay? Is there enough food? Is there enough sawdust to care for the animals? Now it is Spring and the weather is too cold for planting.
“Maintaining the farm is a pretty big job. There's a lot of infrastructure, livestock and people,” she said.
While McPhail is acutely aware of Cortes Island’s housing shortage, Linnaea needs residents who want to farm.
“Not everybody wants to shovel manure in the barn. Unfortunately all winter, that's what we do. So, we have some good folks living on the farm. We have some people that are convalescing from major diseases on the farm. We have a core group of us that work on the farm, and a few of us have jobs off the farm,“ she said.
Linnaea Farm has explored a number of different avenues the past couple of years:
they are members of the soil apprenticeship program, and take in WWOOFers (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms - a worldwide effort to link visitors with organic farmers) the Linnaea Farm Food Guild, which was launched after the pandemic hit in 2020.
They opened up the food guild to new members this year. There are currently about 60 members, who order whatever and whenever they wish.
Linnaea just had its first field day, with farm stock, seeds, kitchen goods, and more.
Once some of its freezers are empty, Linnaea will partner with other local farms to give guild members access to a wider selection of goods.
As she watches the prices of so many things rise, McPhail said “It's definitely going to impact us” - but also too early to say how.
So, what about the money that she and Adam Schick earn at the farm?
“Well, it's hard to break that sort of piece down into an hourly wage because it's darn right depressing. I think the last time Adam did it, he was making just under $7.50 an hour,” said McPhail.
“People believe that food should be cheap. I don't know how many times we sold this beautiful cauliflower that is over two pounds and we're like asking $5 or $6 at Mansons Friday Market and people are like, that's too expensive. It is hard for us to make people understand what it takes to produce the food, unless you've actively done it yourself. You have no idea because food has traditionally been so cheap and it's been brought from so many different avenues that most of the time we no longer know where our food comes from, who has produced that food, and what it has taken to get it onto our tables.” People still expect to pay $3 for that cauliflower.
She added, “I often think about what it would have been like years ago when you had family farms and the butcher and the family baker. We do have one of those on our island. We do have a lot of really skilled people and I would always really encourage people to source as local as possible because the further that food chain goes and the more it stretches, the less resilient and strong it is.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Seven adults and two children came to monitor wildlife in the Dillon Creek Wetlands, on April 1st.
Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) streamkeepers Cec and Christine Robinson and FOCI’s Autumn Barret Morgan led the educational event.
They began by listening to the birds, whose calls came from every side, and the gurgling flow of Dillon Creek.
The aroma of damp earth rose to everyone’s nostrils.
Gusts of wind pushing against the microphone produced the periodic rumbling in this recording. A drizzle produced the tinkling sound.
Morgan acknowledged that this is the unceded territory of the Klahoose, Tla’amin and Homalco First Nations.
Amidst the ever present cacophony of voices in the podcast, you can hear Morgan and the Robinsons discussing where they should put a live fish trap.
There were three traps.Two were placed in the creek. They decided to put the last trap in the middle of the wetland’s ‘fish pond.’
Morgan explained, “We have the stream keepers here with us. We're just testing for the fish presence and we'd like to see with this specific method that the streamkeepers use.This is the true way to truly document if we have fish presence in the wetland, other than through observations.”
“We have never done this before,” said Christine Robinson.
She immediately corrected herself, “I have never done this before. Have you put a trap in here?”
“Nope,” replied Morgan.
“So we're curious. When the winter rains have come and the creek is higher, then clearly there has been flow from the creek into the wetlands. So anything that's here came from the creek,” said Christine.
No fish were caught that day, but Morgan said she has seen them on other occasions.
“I have seen fish flowing in the inlet. When the inlet is actually dry, there is one pool that still remains wet and I've seen a fish trapped in that pool and we did bring it back to the creek. I got to see the size and see it up close, such a beautiful fish,” she said.
“Also, when the wetland is very still, I've seen ripples that pop up - like a fish scooping an insect off the top. That is more of a passive observation. I haven't seen the fish themselves doing that.”
A number of scientific measurements were taken in the water and air.
The group was beside the fish pond when Cec Robinson said the oxygen level in the water was ’10.8 parts per million.’
Morgan said the water temperature was 11.5 degrees celcius and the air 8 degrees.
That sparked a discussion. Why was the water warmer than the air? Could it be the fact that the pond is shallow and its’ water is not moving? Were the suns rays being magnified? Is that reading is correct?
Five year old Zyla Schmidt asked, “What are we doing next on the field.”
De Clarke & Mike Moore/ Cortes Currents - [researched and written by Mike Moore, edited and produced for radio by De Clarke]
Cortes Islanders are very aware that we live on an island. The landbase has a very defined perimeter with the ocean; but the way the land wraps around and encloses the island’s many harbours and bays means that the land has a very intimate and close connection with the ocean. We know that the land, lakes, creeks and ocean are all interrelated.
Standing on a Cortes beach allows one to see what is happening on the lands around us in a bigger perspective. From Smelt Bay, we could witness the clearcuts sprawling across the mountainsides on Vancouver Island. From either side of Sutil Point, we could see the pulp mills in Campbell River and Powell River belching steam and smoke into the sky.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Thursday, March 31, Regional Director Noba Anderson gave Mosaic Forest Management a petition calling for them to make changes to their plan for logging on Cortes Island
The petitioners are concerned that Mosaic’s plan to log between 6,000 - 8,000 m3 per year is more than Cortes forests can grow back.
They stated they will support harvest only within these guidelines:
“At an annual volume which is less than 20% of the volume of wood the forest grows each year in the Cortes harvest land base, so forests may increase in volume and age through time. No cutting or roadbuilding where winter water stands or where there will be harm to riparian areas. No cutting of trees presently older than 140 years old – these are irreplaceable.”
They are also inviting Mosaic to a respectful community meeting in mid-April.
(You can access an online copy of the petition here)
Anderson said that Molly Hudson, Mosaic’s Director of Sustainability, was understandably cautious about the proposed meeting when the two met on Thursday.
“I reiterated to her that although this community is very passionate and can speak out, we have a great history about doing really good, respectful community process and meetings. I assured her that I would do everything in my power, as would other organizers, to have it be respectful,” said Anderson.
She added that, “The petition is not my initiative. It has nothing to do with me and I have not signed it, but I certainly know about its existence and was in receipt of a copy of it last week. And again, I'm copied on the letter sent to Mosaic yesterday with, I believe, some 440 signatures.”
Hudson said she is thinking about the April meeting and will get back to Anderson this week.
“As is often the case with liaising between the Cortes community and external agencies, I take a position of process support. So what I have said to Mosaic Island Timberlands, and again, reiterated my conversation with Molly Hudson their community person, yesterday is that I'm offering my support to find a better community engagement process and way with the island. I will stay out of the content around forestry management, the sustainability content et cetera, but rather trying to support the dialogue,” said Anderson.
Mosaic is planning to take two groups of up to 12 people on field walks through some of the proposed harvest area near the Gorge on April 21.
Anderson asked them to expand the area to include the Delights Lake area.
She also said the current date for Mosaic’s proposed open house on Cortes Island does not work for the community.
“June doesn't really work well for the community here. We would like to see that sooner. She had no problem, in theory, moving that up till May and bringing her team at that time,” said Anderson.
“Then I indicated to her that the community was very interested in having a community meeting when they were up here in April to do their community walks and to share with them some of the community knowledge and history about our relationship with those private forest lands that are now owned by Island Timberlands Mosaic. We've had a long, long history, as a community, with those lands.”
Cortes Island residents have already done extensive mapping and ground truthing in the areas to be cut.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ FOLK U - Are You Prepared? In this part 1 of a 2 part series (2art 2 is a LIVE, In person event on April 22 at 1 p.m.), Shaun Koopman from the Strathcona Regional District will join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss what it looks like for Cortes Islanders (and others) to be prepared for a number of emergencies including fire, earthquake, multi-month power outages, and more.
How resilient are you as an individual? Are we as a community? What’s the role of the Regional District in big disasters? When do we evacuate and when do we shelter in place and what happens when the answers differ from person to person?
And, see you on April 22nd at 1 p.m. under the CCEDA big tent (beyond Manson’s Hall parking lot) for a Cortes-specific take on Preparing for the Big One with local emergency services, results from CKTZ emergency preparedness survey, and tips on getting truly ready for surviving and thriving through Big Disasters.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Monday a new study confirmed what environmentalists have been saying for years, sea lice have developed a resistance to SLICE the treatment fish farms most often use against them.
“in many ways, this paper mark's a new era. First Nations are very keen to manage their territories. One of the extraordinary things about this paper is two First Nation Chiefs are co-authors,” explained independent biologist Alexandra Morton. “They didn't write the science, but they made it possible for this science to occur, which is one of the measures of whether you can be an author of a scientific paper.”
The scientists who worked on 'Salmon lice in the Pacific Ocean show evidence of evolved resistance to parasiticide treatment’ said this paper would not have been possible were it not for the Namgis, Mamalilikulla and Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis Nations. This is the first time have been given access to raw bioassay data and it was only possible because First Nations were given a monitoring and management role over fish farms operating in the Brought Archipelago.
“In a province with a long history of industrial exploitation of resources in Indigenous territories, these agreements and their outcomes represent a compelling example of Indigenous self-governance that may become more prevalent as First Nations endeavour to gain more control over industrial operations in their traditional territories,” wrote one of the authors.
Brian Kingzett, Science and Policy Director for the BC Salmon Farmers Association, emailed, “Despite activists trying to paint this as a conspiracy the information has never not been confidential and has been reviewed and discussed with regulators for a long time.”
In the recent BC Salmon Farmers report about sea lice monitoring in the Discovery Islands, Kingzett claimed, “Five years of sea lice monitoring has demonstrated that sea lice levels have been low with most out-migrating salmon not infected by sea lice. Additionally, we did not see sea lice levels change after decreased production of salmon farming in the region.”
Morton said, “Wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago have been in a population nose dive since salmon farming moved in and we all know why. Yes, climate change is catastrophic but these little fish are not making it to sea. They are covered with sea lice and we also now know they have been infected.”
“These nations in the Broughton have hired some of the best scientists: pathologists, sea lice researchers.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes CUrrents - Food security is a big issue on Cortes Island. There has been papers, studies and round table discussions, but as the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) COVID recovery coordinator, Filipe Figueira has to deal with practical solutions. Specifically, what projects can CCEDA achieve in a year?
He recently sat down with Cortes Currents in a wide ranging discussion about the first steps towards food security that touched upon local farmers, the food bank, meals on wheels and food storage.
Along the way, Figueira also touched upon longer range questions, like how a food hub would work within the island’s local economy.
According to the Strathcona Community Health Network’s 2019 profile, Cortes Island’s median household after-tax income is $20,000 less than the Strathcona Regional District average. The Strathcona Housing needs Assessment states that close to a quarter of the Cortes Island children and youth under the age of 17 are living in households whose income is below the poverty line. “That data is now old, it's 2018,” responded Figueira. “Housing costs have increased significantly since then. Inflation has increased significantly since then and I think the need is going to be grow greater over the next couple of years, post-COVID I think we're facing a situation where there's more people who are likely to be food insecure going forward.” The challenges are complex: people who are food insecure; the stigma attached to reaching out for help; local food producers competing with imported goods that have a fraction of the production; rising food costs; being able to respond in emergency situations. Figueira said housing costs for some of the rural poor have now risen to as much as 80% of their disposable income. “That's only going to increase, which means people have less money to feed themselves. They have to make difficult choices and it becomes a real poverty trap where they can't really move forward,” he explained. Figueira added, “There's been some fantastic efforts in the past on Cortes to address food insecure folks. The food bank has been running on a volunteer basis for 20 years with some sterling work by Samantha Statton.
Then we've got some new initiatives like meals on wheels, some wonderful work being done by Desta Beattie in family support, but I feel that the true need is bigger than is really being served and we've got the resources to serve.” CCEDA identified some easy steps towards food security: thanks to a $9,000 grant from the Strathcona food hub, they purchased three large upright freezers - which makes it possible for the food bank and meals on wheels to store large amounts of food. CCEDA is working together with Linnaea Farm to help the Cortes Island food bank become a member of Food Banks BC. As Linnaea is already a registered charity, this association could spare the food bank from all of the paper work and organizational changes needed to obtain charitable status. If they succeed, a whole new level of funding could become available. “These are pretty easy wins, and I think that's the first step in this food security thing,” said Figueira.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra ICAN sells 250 gallon water storage tanks at cost ($200 each).
According to Kris Wellstein, from the ICAN water security team, they have sold about 200 so far. She connected Cortes Currents with two Heriot Bay residents to get further details about their installations.
“Were you around last summer? I think water is a big topic now. Such a dry hot summer. It was a real eye-opener. I think, to a lot of people - if you do garden, you're going to be taxing your well,” said Kathryn Manry.
She and her husband grow all the vegetables they need in their garden.
“I do it because it feeds my soul. It gives me joy. I like feeling that I've produced the food we eat. It's probably more nutritious food, I know where it came from. It just seems the responsible thing to do. It is a lot of work, but I enjoy it - So it makes sense.”
Manry added, “It seems absolutely ridiculous to be using well water if we can store what's coming out of the sky the rest of the year.”
Jason Overend has a shallow well which was ‘pretty low’ last summer, luckily “the five or six tanks we have up at the house fed our garden all year.”
While he has not yet become food self sufficient, this is Overend’s goal.
He would like to use rainwater for household needs as well, but there are alders by his house.
“I've been trying to figure out how to filter out some of the debris that comes off the roof, all of their little pod droppings and whatnot,” explained Overend.
In the podcast above, they describe their respective water storage systems.
Overend and his wife had water tanks installed on their property when they moved to Quadra Island, four years ago.
Manry has a dozen tanks. Half were installed last summer and she recently purchased the remainder from Quadra ICAN.
“I feel that this is a responsible thing looking forward, and it's something that can be done incrementally. The task would be depending on your configuration of your land, how to use gravity. If you don't have a slope, it's going to be more challenging. And if you don't have a system where your gutters drain, you'd have to figure out a way to continue that, but that's not a monumental thing to overcome,” she said. “it is just a lovely feeling of security. We enjoy using and it makes us feel good when we do water our plants this way.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Regular water taxi trips between Lund and Cortes Bay are only one of services that the Access Point Marine Group is bringing to our area. They are transforming Finn Bay, a two minute walk north of Lund, into a hub for water transportation and tourism
The water taxi started making scheduled trips to Cortes Island last November, but went to charter service at the end of February because of low volumes.
Sue Bossley of Access Point Marine Transportation says regular service will resume in May.
“Our target is for that to open on the May long weekend,” she said. “We are going to be offering three runs to Cortes and back per day in the peak summer months, June 4th to September 5th. Starting in May, there will be a morning and late afternoon run on Mondays, Fridays and possibly Sundays.”
Access marine continues to offer day trips to the wharf on Savary Island and this year are adding hourly drop-offs at South Beach. This is Savary’s most popular beach, but up until this point tourists have had to hike across the island to reach it.
“Also groups or individuals can book charters at any time. We can take up to four people with their bikes on our smaller landing craft, and that's $200 an hour for the boat, but there's also an extra fuel surcharge of $50 an hour right now because of the fuel prices. We also have a larger landing craft that can be chartered for $300 an hour, and that can take up to eight people,” said Bossley.
They can drop people off at any ‘marine access only’ campgrounds in Desolation Sound.
“We also can drop people off at Sarah Point, which is the Sunshine Coast Trail drop off point. We've got fishing adventures in the Salish sea. We've got a new 44 seater boat and we're going to be taking people on Desolation Sound cruises to see the wildlife.”
The Access Point Marine Group has also developed a campground and two cabins for people to stay at Finn Bay.
While everyone is eating at the restaurant, the boat will be used for a Powell River Harbour tour. MOVED BELOW
They plan to offer a dinner and sunset cruise from Lund to the Seasider at Beach Gardens and back to Lund after dinner. During the time they are eating, the boat will also pick up folks at Beach Gardens and take them on a 90 minute Powell River Harbour Tour. Bossley said the details are still being fleshed out, but both tours ”will include a close up cruise by the famous hulks in Powell River. There are big concrete ships with a ton of history that are being used as a breakwater for that area. They're really cool. It's actually one of the top 10 things to do in Powell River.”
The harbour tour will be over by the time the group from Lund is ready to leave Beach Garden and the boat will return to pick them up
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -A number of questions have arisen in regard to the report of BC First Nations supporting fish farms brought forward last week Firstly the author of this very polished 20 page is not mentioned and while a great many facts are presented, few sources are given. There is some question as to who the First Nations for Finfish Stewardship actually represents. There were initially said to be 17 Nations, but their map only displays 13 names on their map. The K’omoks First nation is one of the 13, but on Facebook, Chief Nicole Rempel of K’omoks First Nation wrote, “previous Chief signed us up in 2014 or 2015 I think, without consulting community and I’ve been trying to get us out of it since 2017. Our community members do not want us to be connected with them.” They were one of the seven First Nations that DFO consulted prior to deciding that fish farms must be phased out of the Discovery Islands. The We Wai Kai were also among the seven and one of its members insisted that that’s nation’s name does not belong on that list. She wrote, “This has to stop. It’s all about money we will never see. We want to eat wild salmon that’s what we grew up on. My family says no to farm fish.” Two Ahousat expressed their disapproval of their nation being on the list and called for consultation. While these last references were from band members rather than chiefs, there are also questions about the land where the Tlowitsus Nation wants to see fish farms. Tlow it see They are not the only First Nation claiming it as their ancestral territory and the Ma’a̱mtagila Nation is opposed to fish farms. As Chief Ernest Alfred recently explained in a recent press conference given by the Maaamtagila and three other Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw nations, “The Ma’a̱mtagila own this area! They own this area, but it isn’t exclusive. You need to understand that this is disputed territory.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A Lund based company has begun working with The Harbour Authority Association of BC on Spill Response Training. Their first training course with the BC Harbour Authority will start in Tofino on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Successive training sessions will be on a case by case basis. Waterways Environmental is a 100% First Nations owned company that already offers spill response, swiftwater spill response, marine hazmat response, booming, on-water flammable liquid specialists, submerged vessel/vehicle recovery, shoreline clean-up, wildlife monitoring training and first and cpr training, as well as safety consultations. They are also under the umbrella of Access Point Marine Group, which is based at Finn Bay, Lund..
“I just obtained an opportunity with the BC Harbour Authority to offer spill response training for some of the harbour masters and their employees, as well as teams from Nation operated harbours along the BC Coastline . The objective is to properly contain spills until the professionals arrive,” explained Sue Bossley.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents- According to Luke, the pilot, there are usually sightseers on board when CorilAir delivers the mail in the Discovery Islands.
A man from Campbell River and his sister-in-law from Ontario were on the plane when it picked me up at Cortes Bay, on Wednesday, March 23rd. Neither of them had made the trip before, and they were busy taking pictures throughout the trip. So was I. Everything looks much different when you are sitting hundreds of feet up in the air!
I also took a recorder along and have an excellent recording of the plane’s engine, but abandoned the attempt to conduct any interviews after listening to the thunderous roar that a slight breeze can make.
That was in Refuge Cove, where the only person we saw was a local resident named Dave. He said that the general store, café and all the shops are closed during the winter months. The odd boat will fill up at the fuel dock once or twice a month.
This will change when the tourist season begins.
There are about a dozen year-round residents, but in the warmer months the population swells to about 20 families with hundreds of boaters stopping by every day.
“Everything goes crazy in the summer,” said Dave, who regaled us with tales of long line-ups and impatient customers.
We donned our face masks and climbed back into the ‘de Havilland Beaver’ for the flight to Read Island. Squirrel Cove, the Klahoose village and ‘Secret Cove’ spread out below us. There was a sailboat anchored in Von Donop Inlet and a dock-like floating aquaculture bed near the mouth.
Crossing over Sutil Channel, we observed our first clearcuts on Read Island and neighbouring Quadra.
The scenery throughout this area is still spectacular.
The postmistress met us at the dock in Surge Narrows, on Read Island. According to Canadian Stamp News, this floating post office also serves Maurelle, Sonora and Rendezvous Islands. In addition to the post office, the postmaster sells artwork, t-shirts and has two shelves of used books that are free for the taking.
There are about 65 full time residents on Read island and the postmistress said there are around 50% more people during the summer.
As there is no local store, bulk grocery purchases are made at Save On Food in Campbell River every two weeks and delivered by water taxi.
We flew north over the Octopus Islands and through the ‘Hole in the Wall” that separates Sonora and Maurelle Islands.
One of the headlines on the Sonora Island Resort’s homepage is ‘the ultimate in Wilderness Luxury.” There are blocks of vacant condos, houses and recreation facilities that could easily have been transported from Whistler. We circled around this ‘village’ to where the 68’ foot long charter vessel Columbia III (with 6 staterooms) lay at anchor.
Across the waters, Big Bay on Stuart Island is another example of the degree to which the local economy depends on tourism. According to the postmistress, there are a dozen full time residents, but the population grows to a thousand during the warmer months. Of that dozen that live on Stuart year round, she and her husband run the store and the rest are caretakers. CorilAir brought a shipment of swag for the summer. Aside from that, she said most of her stock currently consists of liqueur!
We picked up another passenger at Big Bay. He was a French landscaper who had just finished his ten day work shift and was about to start his ten days off. A camper was waiting in Campbell River. He likes to fish and mostly explores northern Vancouver Island during his days off, but has some friends in Vancouver and occasionally visits Victoria.
Our last official stop was Blind Channel on West Thurlow Island, where the Richter family has owned and operated a resort since 1970. Their website boasts ‘delicious food, creative artwork, and outstanding customer service.’
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The ‘aha moment’ for Sue Bossley arrived last Fall. Her employers, the Access Point Marine Transportation Group, started a water taxi service between Lund and Cortes Island. They had just bridged the final gap in a what was now a continuous loop running through Powell River, Cortes Island and Campbell River. The North Salish Cycle Route was born.
“You can start anywhere actually. People from Powell River can ride up to Lund and catch our Cortes water taxi across the desolation sound into Cortes Bay. Then from Cortes Bay, they can ride all around Cortes and then take the ferry over to Quadra and go to Campbell River, ride along the Oceanside route back to Comox and then back on the ferry again,” she said. “The whole area has really just been a huge community. We all have so much in common and I just thought that with everything that's happening right now and fuel prices high as well - how awesome to be able to just go for like a wonderful little biking holiday in our own neighbourhood!”
While some people may make the trek relatively quickly as possible, others may choose to spend a week or so checking out communities along the route.
Bossley won’t make the trip herself until April, but has seen posts on bikepacking.com and Facebook that refer to this as ‘the dream trip.’
She has been working with Sunshine Coast Tourism, Tourism Powell River and Tourism Vancouver Island to promote the route.
“On the sunshine coast, we have the Sunshine Coast Bike Route and in Campbell River they have the Greenways Route. All it does is just let cyclists know that they're welcome here,” explained Bosley.
She set up the North Salish Cycle Community Facebook Page before heading off for the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show earlier this month.
“I just encourage cyclists to use it as their own. They can ask each other questions, post their favourite photos, post their favourite stops along the way, and that kind of thing,” said Bosley. “It's really just a community page just the same way that you see a community page for the Sunshine Coast Trail or the Sarah Point Dropoff. People have lots of questions that are doing these types of things.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Our Heart Learning project is offering offering four learning opportunities to explore reconciliation, anti-racism and building a healthy community in Campbell River.
The first workshop is a virtual event facilitated by Mary Catherine Williams on Thursday March 24th. She described it as a journey of reconciliation for nonprofits.
This will be followed by a series of workshops about responding to racist incidents.
Finally Kathy Camilleri will be holding an in-person, or virtual, event about the building bridges to understanding.
“All the workshops are free and people can register online and they can do that through event. We have space in all our workshops. Everyone is welcome,” explained Williams, who is both an organizer of the project and Executive Director of Volunteer Campbell River.
“This is a heart journey and that's why the project is called Q̓aq̓uƛ̓aʔinē sa Noqe , which is the Laich Kwil Tach words for ‘learning in your heart’ or ‘heart and learning.’ And that to me is the essence of this is that we need to begin to understand from a heart perspective, from an emotional perspective, not a head's perspective necessarily, a way to move forward together, to be safe and healthy in our communities. It is about changing our ways of thinking and knowing on both sides.”
Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce, said, “Canada as a country came to an abrupt halt last spring with the news of the discovery of children's graves at former residential schools. I think for many Canadians while they may have suspected, that was the case, they didn't know for sure and it is easily set aside as hearsay. When it became abundantly clear that it was in fact true at not just one, but several locations across the country. I think the reality of the nations experience over the last 150 years came in to focus for those of us who are not first nations. The only way for us to move forward as a society holistically is to acknowledge what happened, to listen to those who are able to share their stories, acknowledge their truths, and only then can we move forward with the first nations towards reconciliation? These workshops will assist in that process.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Wondering what the deal is with this year’s BC Assessments… what does it mean to get a high assessment? How does it relate to the taxes you pay? Why can one community have so much variation? When and how can you contest your assessment. Bill Dawson of BC Assessment joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to answer all these questions and more live this Friday at 1 p.m. on 89.5FM or livestream from cortesradio.ca.
Stay tuned because after Roy Hales from Cortes Currents has a feature on understanding where our Cortes Island taxes go.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -Three months ago, Cortes Currents published a story about some old growth trees cut down in one of Quadra Island’s woodlots. It almost immediately became apparent that some of the information I had been given me was incorrect and there was more to the story. So I published a retraction. As the site was buried under two feet of snow, the woodlot licensees invited me to examine the site myself in the Spring. That was how I came to visit woodlot 2031 on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
I decided to not name my sources for this story, but they well known on Quadra and easy to identify.
The license holders have been in the industry since the 1980s and started actively logging Woodlot 2031 in 2014.
“Our dream is to manage this land base, all the resource values for the long term, and to be able to pass along a legacy for our children or for somebody else in the future,” the male licensee said. “We have harvest plans that take us out to 2070. They're rough because they're only map exercises. But by 2070. so another 50 years from now, we only account for about 35% of the total land base on this forest.”
(Their plans call for what appears to be roughly a 150-year-harvest rotation - my calculation, not the licensees - on the part of their land that is to be logged.)
In addition, they set aside ‘all of the stands that were identified as old growth’ and added adjoining second growth trees to the retention area. This will eventually all be old growth.
“As we go forward, we also plan to add more in terms of long term retention in riparians and other areas too,” he said.
There are also isolated old growth trees scattered throughout their cutblocks.
“We are targeting the harvest of the second growth, but there are places where the road location interferes with individual trees, or worker safety would be compromised if we left all of the old growth trees,” he said. “We have removed a small number. The total to date is about 2% by volume of the total number of trees that we've taken since 2014, so over the past eight years. It's a very small percentage of our overall harvest. We leave probably two-thirds to three quarters of the old growth trees standing either in or adjacent to the harvest areas. So the vast majority of those that we encounter with our harvesting are being left.”
He directed my attention to some of the old growth standing just outside the cutblock. These were not the massive cathedral like trees most of us think of when we hear the words ‘old growth.’ Some were simply dead spars. I remember some healthy trees, but do not see them in my photographs. Lastly there were what I am going to call mangled trees. In one case the top was missing. Many trees were missing their lower branches. In one case the license owner told me that if we were closer to what appeared to be a distant spar, some living branches would be visible.
He confirmed that some of the old growth were healthy and also made a reference to the fact that all the old growth in this area were survivors of Quadra Island’s great fire of 1925.
Last January, someone informed Cortes Currents that he found stumps on woodlot 2031 with rings indicating ages between 350 and over 500 years.
The licensee showed Cortes Currents two of those old growth stumps, in a cutblock from 2019.
The photographs above were taken from one of those stumps. Note the wood decay in both pictures. Cortes Currents pulled a chunk of decomposing wood from the side of the stump and placed it in the lower right hand corner of the lower image.
“Those two old growth were close to where the road was built and they were close to the work area that the loggers were processing and loading wood. They determined, based on what they could see of the trees, that they would be unsafe to leave in the long term. They took them because they represented a safety hazard” said the licensee.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Prior to embarking upon a literary career, in 1985, Ray Grigg taught English, literary history, fine arts and comparative world religions in British Columbia’s High School system. Since then, he has written a long list of books on Taoism, Zen and environmental issues. Grigg was also the author of a column called ‘Shades of Green,’ which ran in the Campbell River Courier-Islander for 15 years. A little over half a year ago, he started writing a series of articles called ‘the Quadra Project.’
“What I'm trying to do is revision the way in which we understand forestry taking place on Quadra Island. We have to move outside the notion of annual allowable cut to ecological restoration and also carbon sequestration,” explained Grigg. “This has been one of the primary recommendations of the old growth strategic review panel by Merkel and Gorley who were charged with the responsibility of redesigning what forestry should be like in British Columbia. That was in 2019.”
Grigg blames the subsequent protests at Fairy Creek on BC Government’s failure to honour its promise to implement this report.
He says the corporatization of logging has led to the decimation of the forest industry and gutted mills throughout the province.
Logs from Quadra Island, for example, are not processed on Quadra, but exported to foreign markets in Japan, China, Taiwan, the United States etc.
“The other, I think more pressing issue, is that we are in the middle of the six major species extinction in the history of the planet and we are also confronting an ecological climate crisis,” said Grigg. “What we need to do is we need to think in terms of carbon sequestration, and that is the greatest positive contribution that Quadra Island could make, and I think Cortes Island and many communities in British Columbia, towards solving the carbon climate crisis. We need to change our whole way of understanding how forests work.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Regional Director Noba Anderson unveiled some new information about TELUS's proposed Cortes Island cell phone tower in a report she gave the SRD Board on Wednesday March 16th, 2022.
Anderson reported on her own communications the Tla’amin Nation and mentions CityWest also reaching out to that nation.
TELUS appears to have aborted the proposed tower projects in Squirrel Cove and is instead putting micro cells on telephone poles. However the telecommunication’s giant may still approach the SRD about a tower in Gorge Harbour.
Only two of the more than 140 corespondents she is aware of were in favour of cell towers, which may speak more to the lack of a public forum for this project than the number of people actually opposed to cell towers.
Cortes Currents was hoping to delay the broadcast of this story until the SRD released the audio of that board meeting, but this has not occurred in time for today’s deadline and the next deadline for radio is Monday.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Cortes Island Air was based in Gorge Harbour in the 1990s. That was before Richard Godfrey sold the company to Mike Farrel in 2000. Farrel relocated to Campbell River, but preserved the company’s origins in its new name. CorilAIr is short for Cortes Island Airlines.
While the airline now flys out of Campbell River, it still serves Cortes.
Operations Manager Shannon Quinn explained, “Cortes Bay is our primary location for pickup and drop offs, maybe three times in one day. Gorge Harbour would be the second, we do a little bit with Mansons Landing, but not as much with Squirrel Cove as we have in the past.”
Later that morning, Farrel confirmed that the two or three flights coming into Squirrel Cove every year are probably CorilAir.
He added that most of the planes seen flying around Cortes are probably theirs.
“There's a lot of different companies in the summer months that come and go. In the winter time, it's probably us. Of course, if they're doing something you don't like, or making a lot of noise, it's not us,” he quipped.
The Klahoose Wilderness Resort was added to the list of destinations last summer, with customers flying in from Campbell River, Vancouver and Cortes Island.
CorilAIr is now based on the Spit in Campbell River.
They have four airplanes: two cessnas that carry up to three passengers and two Beavers that can carry six.
CorilAir carries the mail to Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island, Surge Narrows on Read Island and Big Bay on Stuart Island on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those last two days they also service Blind Channel on West Thurlow Island.
From mid May until late September or early October, they have scheduled local flights out of Campbell River. (9:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM).
“We drop people off on the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound and pick up anybody that needs to be picked up and return back to Campbell River,” said Quinn. “During July and August, we offer a Vancouver scheduled service out of Campbell River, which services the Islands and Desolation Sound, to take people back and forth to Vancouver.”
They set out from Campbell River at noon, pick up any passengers in the Discovery Islands and then proceed south to Vancouver airport in Richmond. The return flight leaves Vancouver at 4:00 PM and, after dropping off any island passengers, ends up at Campbell River.
Though CorilAir services most of the Discovery Islands, fights to Quadra are less frequent. Most of the traffic uses the ferry. However they do pick up and drop people off on the Vancouver run, often at April Point, and they sometimes do boat to plane transfers at Heriot Bay.
In addition to scheduled flights, people sometimes charter out an aircraft. This can be more economically viable for groups. In the podcast, Quinn mentions of Cortes family of four who saved a couple of hundred dollars by chartering an aircraft on the return trip from the Sonora Resort.
(There is a lot more detail about pricing and destinations in the podcast.)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Discovery Islands first homestay program will start on up Cortes Island this September.
Rhonda Teramura, the Homestay Coordinator for International Student Programs within School District 72 explained, “I think it's amazing that we're finally able to broaden out wider than the Campbell River core of the city. It'll be a wonderful experience for our district, our local Campbell River students and for internationals alike to expand and explore and connect with folks that are out in the Discovery Islands.” While School District stretches from the Oyster River to Sayward, and includes both Quadra and Cortes Islands, all of the 56 students currently enrolled in the homestay program are staying in Campbell River. A Quadra Island family almost agreed to host, but ‘life changes’ brought this possibility to an end. Now Teramura is looking for 15-20 placings for students wanting to participate in the Cortes Island Academy. The homestay program is offering $900 a month to Cortes Island families willing to take a student into their homes. This is meant to cover food and lodging. Almost everything beyond that comes from the student’s personal money. One of the exceptions is a change in diet. For example: if a vegan student boards with a meat eating family, the School District will provide an additional $125 a month so the family can provide vegan meals. Students will be looking for either 5 month or 10 month accommodations, depending on how much of their course load is on Cortes. Two families have already applied to be hosts and a third has indicated they are interested. “I'd like to have as many as possible because I will also be helping to place Campbell River kids in homestays,” said Teramura. Most of the students are in grades 10 and 11, so will need the same guidance, nurturing and support that any teenager does, ‘especially considering they've traveled abroad on their own.’ Potential host families will have to go through a criminal record check, a driver’s license clearance and an interview process. “We talk about all the various kinds of things that they can offer a student, and why they want to be part of the program,” said Teramura. “Then we really look at matching the personalities of what the student puts on their application, what they're interested in doing and the kind of family structure they're used to. We try to make the best possible fit.” They want students to fit into the host family’s day-to-day chores, activities and social engagements. “We really hope to see that a connection is formed so that the student is orienting to the host parent as an extension of their own family - and the majority of our students are,” explained Teramura. “Our homestays are expected to provide three meals a day plus snacks. They're expected to provide a bedroom with a door that closes obviously, a bed, some storage for clothing, access to bathroom and hygiene facilities.”
Max Thaysen/ Campbell River - Cortes Currents was in attendance at the March 12 “Just Transition Day of Action” event in Campbell River. Approximately 25 people attended the event, promoted and inspired by the international climate organization 350.org and hosted locally by the Campbell River Chapter of Council of Canadians, a national justice, democracy and human survival organization. The event was facilitated by MC Rich Hagensen from the Council of Canadians. Hagensen began his presentation by acknowledging the traditional territories of local first nations. Hagensen then indicated that he had a box full of election promises made by Justin Trudeau. From the box he pulled out a folder call Just Transition Act. He pointed out that the folder was empty – referring to the fact that the government has not yet written the act nor fulfilled the promise. There was a petition circulated at the event that listed the demands of the demonstrators. It read: “Canada must address the climate emergency NOW! NOW is the time to call on the Prime Minister and Government of Canada to pass a just transition act in parliament that: winds down the fossil fuel industry and ends fossil fuel subsidies creates good green jobs led by and including affected workers and communities expands the social safety net through new income supports, decarbonized public housing and fnding for affordable and accessible public transit expands public ownership of services and utilities reduces emmissions by at least 60% below 2005 levels pays for the transition by increasing taxes on the wealthiest and corporations and financing with a public national bank protects and strengthens human and worker rights and respects indigenous rights, sovereignty and knowledge by including them in creating and implementing the legislation” Presenters from the Council of Canadians read out the Just Transition Act demands and discussed the important role of government in transitioning to a clean and green economy. Rachel Blaney, member of parliament for North-Island/Powell River, was in attendance for the presentation. She then spoke to the crowd expressing support for the demands. Blaney stressed the importance of a local approach to the transition and ensuring that people have jobs in the new green economy. She has presented similar requests to the Liberal government in the past. In November 2020, she introduced a private member's motion that called for principles for pandemic recovery spending that included equitable distribution, supporting the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the prioritization of projects that sequester or mitigate carbon emissions and the storage of ground water, and the prioritization of projects that support local small business and economic diversification. 350.org Day of Action events were held across the country, in 47 communities.
De Clarke & Mike Moore/ Cortes Currents - Mike Moore reads out a presentation he gave to 30-35 Cortes Island residents on Saturday March 26, 2022.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the founding directors of the Cortes Community Forestry Co-operative says Mosaic is proposing to harvest its lands on Cortes at a rate that is roughly six times greater than what the island residents are used to.
This contradicts the Mosaic brochure released at the end of January which stated quote, ‘Our planned activities will look similar to the other forest managers activities on the island.’’
During the ZOOM conference it held with islanders earlier that month, a senior planner for Mosaic’s north island operations said their cutblocks on Cortes would be quote ‘similar in size and scope’ to those island residents are used to.
“No, it's not true. I do grant them the somewhat correct interpretation of the way that they're going to lay out their cut blocks, but their cut blocks individually are larger than what we have been doing except for this last one in Von Donop, where there was a lot of root rot,” explained Bruce Ellingsen.
The Community Forest’s normal annual harvest rate, on a land base of 3,800 hectares, is about 3,000 cubic metres. That is less than one cubic metre per hectare every year.
Mosaic is proposing to harvest between 6 and 8 cubic metres per hectare from its lands.
Expressed in percentages of the average annual incremental growth, the community Forest is taking about 16% - so they are actually adding to the forest timber base. Ellingsen suggested Mosaic is probably taking roughly 100% of the annual growth.
If the Community Forest continues to cut at its normal rate, he calculates the next harvest cycle will start in 500 to 600 years. That first cutblock will be full of ‘old growth’ trees.
Mosaic’s brochure states, “Each years planned harvest is <1% of our private managed forest lands on Cortes.”
At that rate, Mosaic’s next harvest cycle could start in 100 years.
(Ellingsen goes into these statistics in much greater detail in the podcast above.)
“I suspect that are testing the waters over here on Cortes, just to see what the community is willing to accept or go along with. If they get an agreement on what they're proposing now, whenever they come back to do some more they'll probably want to see if they can nudge [the cut rate] up a little higher,” said Ellingsen.
He added, “For them to claim that they're mimicking what the community forest partnership is doing is, I would say, grossly incorrect.”
Ellingsen suggests people look at what satellite images say about the forest loss in the part of eastern Vancouver Island where the two companies Mosaic is managing have been logging for the past 20 years.
“I would say it's well over half of the land base is coloured in,” said Ellingsen. “It's a vivid display when you look at it about how little is left and consequently, what relatively that's done in 20 years. So I'm guessing that it'll be, they'll be back to do it again in another 10 years or so.”
He said that after a clearcut, it takes 50-80 years for the epiphytes, that take nitrogen out of the air and into their tissues, to start up again.
“And it might take as many as 250 years for their full range of up to 400 different types of fungi and epiphytes to read properly reestablish themselves and put all that in free nitrogen into the system that they do in an old growth forest system.”
While Ellingsen has not seen any related studies, he suspects it may take just as long for Mycorrhizal fungi and lichens to recover.
“Those are the sorts of natural inputs that we missed totally miss out on with relatively speaking, short term harvest rotations,” he said.
Photo of a Vancouver Island clearcut courtesy the Wilderness Committee
De Clarke/ Çortes urrents - On February 9th 2022, Whaletown neighbours near the Robertson/Whaletown intersection were alarmed by an unusual sight: the old “Trude’s Café” building was on fire.
Trude’s Cafe Fire was Intentional Currents contacted Cortes Fire Department Board Chair Chris Walker, who confirmed via email that the fire was intentional, not accidental. However, the Fire Department was not notified in advance and received a call from a concerned neighbour. A fire truck was sent to the scene, but took no action after the situation was explained.
The site has subsequently been cleared, as part of a plan for expansion of the Gorge Harbour Resort facilities.
Cleared site where Trude’s Cafe once stood Trude’s Café has not been open for a few years now, but it played a central role in the social life of Whaletown for two decades (from the late 1990’s to the early 20-teens) and is fondly remembered.
Trude Allbright-Sweeney, Baker and Queen of Cortes Master baker Trude Allbright-Sweeney was trained in Austria and produced world-class pastries and cakes. She and her husband Sedley were longtime members of the Cortes community, active in local affairs and much loved. A potluck in their honour in 2005 was one of the biggest social events of that year…
… and served as the launch of the “Centre for Cortes Self-Sufficiency,” a coop dedicated to cultivating and preserving local skills and knowledge. This cooperative volunteer organisation managed the café for several years.
Inaugural Meeting of the Centre for Cortes Self-Sufficiency Trude still reigns as the “Queen of Cortes” during Cortes Day celebrations in the summer.
Queen Trude and Princess Abigail at Cortes Day In the colder months, the Café was a warm and cosy gathering place for neighbours; in the summer it hosted potlucks, outdoor pizza baking in a wood-fired cob oven, and an annual music festival.
Guest chefs would cook special dinners featuring international cuisines, sometimes raising funds for community projects. Trude’s cakes and pastries were famous not just locally, but also attracted summer visitors.
A summer visitor enjoys a quiet moment at Trude’s Remembering Trude’s Cafe Trude’s vision for the café was all-inclusive and communitarian: “That’s what I always wanted, that’s my favorite memory too. It’s a place where people could come and just stay and talk, you know, not a place where you have to buy a cup of coffee and leave, no. There’s a place for meeting. Yeah. That’s what I wanted. That’s what Viennese cafés are like, they are places to meet; like writers and musicians, you know, they all have their own little cafés.”
Lovena Harvey remembers Trude’s in its golden era: “And the thing I think I remember the most, what made me fall in love with Trude — for lack of a better word — was hearing her singing, you know, you could just hear her singing kind of operatic Austrian songs in the kitchen, and she just took such pride and love in the creation of these really incredible Austrian baked goods. Which mostly were beautiful cakes. She’s just the premiere cake maker.”
Trude’s Cafe around 2012 Trude remains proud of her culinary creations: “I grew up in Vienna and I say, and that’s the truth. I know what a cake supposed to taste like! every morning for my birthday, I woke up and there was a whole cake just for me. My mother made it and she was a good baker, and I know exactly what they’re supposed to taste like!
“My wedding cakes, the first one… My daughter got married in 1980 and I said, Why should I buy a cake? I know how to make cakes. I made a wedding cake and I made the first layer, you know, and I said, oh, that’s boring. So make each layer of different cake all the way up to the top. That’s how I made my wedding cakes. ever since. And it tastes better, you know? Chocolate lemon walnut was the first.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a month since the Quadra ICAN Energy Efficiency Team achieved its goal of having 14 solar panels installed on the roof of Quadra Elementary School.
According to Mike Gall, one of the participants in this project, they will only supply about 5% of the school’s needs - but that is not their purpose.
This solar array is meant to be an educational tool. Students and the general public, will soon be able to go online and monitor the performance of the solar panels that a typical house on Quadra or Cortes Island would need.
“The systems up and running. The only thing we're having to overcome right now is protocols for the school,”explained Gall. “That should be done shortly and we'll be able to release the address and link for people to be able to come in and have a look and see how well the solar panels are operating.”
While the stats are not yet available, Gall said that the solar panels should probably be performing better than originally expected at this time of the year. They had to set them up at a slightly higher tilt, which should give them an advantage when the sun is lower on the horizon. While they might receive slightly less solar energy during the summer months, that is the time of the year when sunshine is most plentiful.
“This is the first successful larger scale project that Quadra ICAN has done,” said Gall. “So I'm hoping it will be used as a catalyst to motivate people.”
Quadra ICAN partner with the Quadra Island Foundation and School District 72 to make this project possible.
Terratek Energy installed the panels.
and maintaining them will be a grade 5 and 6 science project.
Quadra ICAN partnered with the Quadra Island Foundation and School District 72 to make this project possible.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be no job action today in the Vancouver Island Regional Library strike, which began Tuesday.
A BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) spokesperson emailed Cortes Currents, “We do not want to be in job action so, in order to minimize impact on communities, we are making plans day-to-day based on what we hear from the mediator and will update the community as far in advance as we can.”
A picket line went up at the Duncan Library branch at 8 AM on Tuesday and the job action at that branch ended at 8 PM on Wednesday.
The spokesperson stated that job action, including picket lines, could resume at any one of the Libraries 39 branches as early as Friday.
The librarians collective agreement with VIRL expired 15 months ago.
Negotiations are stalled around two points.
As the 46 librarians who voted in favour of job action explained in a joint letter,“Our wages are not aligned with the cost of living in our communities, yet the VIRL budget indicates a surplus for BCGEU staff. Given VIRL’s recent decisions to build and renovate branches, and to hire multiple non-union management positions, we believe VIRL is able to invest in its librarians, by allocating some of that BCGEU surplus for reasonable wage increases.” They also stated,“VIRL management has refused to agree to many important proposals – including solutions to workplace violence and mental health impacts – without offering alternative solutions.”
Three of the librarians who signed that letter are the Manager, Customer Services Librarian and Youth Services Librarian for the Campbell River, Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis, Quadra Island and Cortes Island branches, which are all within the Strathcona Regional District.
In a press release the day before the job action at Duncan began, VIRL stated, “the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Local 702 has counter offered with wage increases greater than those the union had previously identified it would accept.”
Last night, the union spokesperson informed Cortes Currents, “At this time, the union is still awaiting a response to our counteroffer via the mediator.”
photo credit: Strike by Magnus Hagdorn via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) is holding its annual broom bash, in Mansons Landing Provincial Park, from 10 AM to 1 PM this Saturday.
“We've been doing this project on the spit now for five years,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.
This project started out as an attempt to protect the sensitive coastal sand ecosystem on the west side of the spit, facing the dock. Hall said some of the native plants are quite rare in BC.
“When we were first looking at working in the area, we saw that the broom had pretty much invaded the whole of that ecosystem and was shading out these plants. It was really important for us to get it out of there. So that's what started the project,” said Hall. “We ended up clearing it out of the entire spit because it was also shading out a lot of the native species in the forested area , and we didn't want it to recolonize the beach habitat.
She described broom as an invasive species that is found all over Cortes Island.
“I think it's an impossible task to get rid of it everywhere. What we're looking at is concentrating our efforts where we can have the biggest impact. We will be working to remove the broom that has regrown since last year and our task is to get it out of the entire spit - both the beach and forested area - again,” said Hall.
She is asking people to meet in the park’s parking lot at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning.
All of the standard COVID precautions will be in place. If you have any signs of COVID, or have been in contact with anyone who had COVID in the last couple of weeks, please stay at home. People do not need to wear a mask because it is an outdoor event, but they are being asked to socially distance. Bring your own tools and do not share tools. FOCI will be providing hand sanitizer.
It looks like it is going to rain, so bring rain gear and good boots.
Hall said the volunteers will probably split into groups. They will work their way around the outside of the spit and up the middle. While pencil sized pieces of broom can be pulled out, they will need loppers and clippers to remove the larger pieces. The broom is piled onto tarps and then dragged back into the parking lot.
“We have an agreement with BC parks that we actually stash it in the forest further up the road, as it doesn't regrow in deep shade” said Hall.
She described the broom bash as a good way, especially during COVID, to meet outside and do something really positive for the environment. “We do have a break in the middle of the morning and we're providing lots of goodies. I've just been ordering some brownies and cookies and all sorts from the co-op. And we're asking people to bring their own drinks,” she explained.
“We are really hoping that we get a good turnout and not only clear broom out of the spit, but we can start clearing broom around the lagoon, which would be really fantastic. So the more people who turn up to the better.”
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - Billie Fleming runs a local waste allocation facility – processing garbage and recycling. She has been collecting garbage at the Docks around Cortes for over four years.
Cortes Currents learned that there are some changes coming to the dock garbage collection service around
Billie gives us a bit of background: Real Dufresne was collecting the garbage for years for a very small fee. Billie started working with Real and they realized that the pay was too low and approached the Harbour Authority of Cortes Island (HACI), who collects fees and pays for collection. HACI agreed and raised the pay for collection services.
Billie adds that the Cortes community doesn't realize how much Real did. When he was at his healthiest, there were not beverage cans on the side of the road. Real did a lot of other underpaid and invisible work, keeping Cortes clean and greener.
Billie describes how much work it is to do the dock garbage collection.
“In the summertime, five days a week. And in the wintertime, one day a month”, she says.
Billie did the math on the amount of time it takes and the amount of pay the collectors get. She compared the results with the amounts of time and pay that are involved in the SRD contract to collect residential garbage and recycling from peoples houses around the island, which happens on Saturdays.
Billie says that the dock collection is nearly as much work as the residential collection, but only one-tenth the pay.
Billie wants to be clear that HACI did not know the extent to which the pay was low and when they found out they agreed that it was not sustainable. HACI realized that the fees required to cover a fair wage for collection would not be possible to collect – the fees are paid on an honour system and do not currently cover the expenses of even the low wage.
Billie goes on to describe the abuse of the system – she's had couches, chemicals, fuels, needles and human feces. This is from local residents as well as the transient boating community.
Billie points out that the abuse of the system (and the workers) by transient boating community is particularly egregious because they should be paying the cost of getting their garbage to the apprpriate places – historically this has been subsidized by the Cortes community.
Billie says it just couldn't go on, and so she came up with a new option.
The new option is modeled after a garbage service run in Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island. There, people pay by weight. Billie says her program will have different rates for those who sort their waste and for those who don't. The highest rates will be paid by those who contribute a mix of garbage, recycling and compost. The lowest rates will be offered to those who separate all those things.
This is tiered cost program will hopefully offer a way for local liveaboards to have an affordable waste option – if they sort their garbage.
The garbage collection will be focused on the long summer months beginning May 15. If people need garbage collection outside of that time, they are encouraged to contact Billie directly to make arrangements.
Billie doesn't want people to be throwing their garbage in the ocean and also believes that people need to take responsibility.
The new waste collection service will happen from 10am to 6pm everyday beginning May 15, at the Gorge Government Dock.
For more information, contact Billie at boneyardreusery@gmail.com
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - David Ellingsen will be giving the residents of Cortes Island two presentations of his latest fine art photography series this year.
“I'm going to be speaking at the Cortes Island Museum and Archives AGM on the 27th. It's a fairly short talk, probably about 45 minutes, and then some time for Q and A. So it's not a huge amount of time. I'm going to be speaking a little bit about the ‘Falling Boundaries’ series. I also am planning on exhibiting this series, the actual prints, in the summer time,” he explained.
The second exhibit will be at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery on the weekends of July 29 - 31 and August 5th-7th.
“Falling Boundaries” is an emotional response to the decline of British Columbia’s first growth forests. Ellingsen’s original inspiration for the series came from the stumps near his childhood home at Reef Point Farm on Cortes Island. The Cortes Island Museum gave him access to its’ ‘Von Donop Shed,’ allowing Ellingsen to take the old logging tools into the forest to be photographed.
The current project came into being after a biologist invited him to take ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of an old growth forest, north of Campbell River, that was about to be cut.
“It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say with these images and that's why I wanted to inject the historical, archival photos into these to speak to a span of time here. So then I worked with the Royal BC Museum here in Victoria, and almost all of the photographs are from Vancouver Island as well. I wanted to try and keep those close to the same area where I made my original photographs, and then installed those images into my original photographs. The result is as you see with the ‘Falling Boundaries’ series,” explained Ellingsen.
“I think most of us feel an incredible sense of loss just over the last couple of years, with the realization that we are down to less than 3% of the big tree old growth, as they call it.”
He described the recent logging protests at Fairy Creek as “an emotional response to the predicament that we find ourselves in.”
“I was really interested in looking at this from the perspective of what has happened since the arrival of the colonists, the settlers. Which of course is exactly my family history, and so my story to tell because that's the history of my family. We've been working in the forest, basically, since we got here.”
Ellingsen’s ancestors were among the first settlers to arrive on Cortes Island. The Mike Manson whose name persists in Mansons Landing was among them. Generations of the Ellingsen family were born on Cortes Island and remain there to this day.
“I live in Victoria, but still consider Cortes my home base. I probably will my whole life just because of being born and raised down on Reef Point Farm on the south tip. It's such an incredible place to grow up as a child and as a youth with the forest,” he said.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Could it be true? What does it mean? How can my kids or I participate/help/get involved? Jeff Lontayao, District Coordinator of Student Options and Opportunities, Rhonda Teramura, Homestay Coordinator, join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss the Cortes Island Academy and what this innovative high school program means for the Cortes Island community.
The school district is creating a unique pilot project in partnership with the Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University, and the people of Cortes Island to provide some high school programming on the island for grade 9-12 students.
The Cortes Island Academy will be piloted starting in September 2022 to try to address community feedback that the lack of high school programming on Cortes has been one of the largest barriers to keeping families on the island and creating a resilient local economy.
The academy will run for five months from September to January and feature four modules that run for five weeks each, in alignment with the secondary schools' quarter model. Students will get to experience the island and earn academic credits through experiential learning and a connection to the land.
Jeff Lontayao, the district coordinator for student options and opportunities, has been working with parents and volunteers on Cortes Island to develop this support for rural students.
The first module will be Leadership Outdoor Recreation and Local Ecology in which students will earn credits for PE and/or leadership through learning about food prep and planning, overnight hiking, camping and navigation, survival skills and edible plants, kayaking and marine navigation.
Our Oceans Aquaculture and Stewardship will be the second module and students will explore and learn about the marine environment towards a science credit. They will explore and research types of fisheries and aquaculture, marine ecology and climate change, and the Indigenous cultural connection with the oceans, stewardship, and resource use.
The third module, Creative Tools for Truth Telling, will study the basics of journalism, essay writing and oral storytelling through such tools as podcasting, and students will earn credits in new media and English.
Film Making with Reel Youth will complete the modules, using film as a medium for students to tell their story and the module will end with students creating a short documentary film about an elder or local older person with knowledge and wisdom to share. Students that successfully complete this module will earn media design credits.
The intention of the pilot is to create immersive hands-on, place-based learning that embraces Indigenous learning approaches and is connected to real life applications and offers personalized education planning.
The Cortes Island Academy modules will be featured as an option in the 2022-2023 secondary school course offerings and Campbell River or international students will be able to billet with families on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - 350.org, the Council of Canadians, students from Carihi Secondary school and other members of the community will be holding a ‘Just Transition Day of Action’ in from of MP Rachel Blaney’s office in Campbell River, on March 12th.
Similar demonstrations are taking place in cities, towns and villages across Canada, from Victoria to Halifax.
“We're gonna have a little demonstration around what we feel should be in the act. Rachel Blaney herself will be there to speak. The whole purpose is to call attention to the ‘just transition act’ that prime minister Trudeau and the liberals promised during the 2019 election election, but have not brought in yet. We feel it's imperative given the climate emergency that we're and given the need for transitioning to renewable energy,” said Richard Hagensen, from the Campbell River chapter of the Council of Canadians.
“Things are accelerating to the point where, unless we cut the carbon emissions and start looking very seriously at alternative sustainable energy sources we're going to be in deep trouble.”
He recited a number of recent extreme weather events as examples: BC’s heat dome last summer, the droughts, especially in California, the floods that happened in BC and elsewhere.
Hagensen believes Canada needs to:
wind down the fossil fuel industry, end the estimated $4.8 billion of fossil fuel subsidies that is being paid out by the federal and provincial governments reduce emissions by at least 60% over 2005 levels, expanding the social safety net through new income supports fund affordable public transit. Paying for the transition by taxing the wealthiest people in corporations and financing through public bank protecting and strengthening human rights respect Indigenous rights and include First Nations, their knowledge and sovereignty in the planning process for the Just Transition Act.
“Thus far, there has been pretty much silence from the liberal government in power when the issues have been brought up in parliament by various MPS across the country, including Rachel Blaney,” said Hagensen.
The rally in support of a ‘Just Transition’ Act will be held outside Blaney’s constituency office (427-10th Ave.) at 11:30 AM. of Rachel Blaney, North Island-Powell River MP.
“You are encouraged to join us! For more information, contact Council of Canadians, Campbell River Chapter surfdust@telus.net," said Hagensen.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The libraries in our area are preparing for a strike. Shortly after BC General Employees’ Union, which represents the librarians, issued a 72-hour strike notice, last Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) made a new offer to its librarians. This was rejected and the union responded with a counteroffer.
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith said, “Unless the employer comes back with a serious offer, pickets will be up at VIRL branches starting Wednesday, March 9.”
Her press release did not state how many, or which, branches will be involved, but indicated this would be the beginning of an ‘escalated job action.’
In a joint letter, the 46 librarians who voted in favour of job action stated “Our wages are not aligned with the cost of living in our communities, yet the VIRL budget indicates a surplus for BCGEU staff. Given VIRL’s recent decisions to build and renovate branches, and to hire multiple non-union management positions, we believe VIRL is able to invest in its librarians, by allocating some of that BCGEU surplus for reasonable wage increases.”
In a previous interview, Smith explained, “We're seeing 40 year highs in rates of inflation. And we just learned that the bank of Canada is going to be increasing interest rates and, and our members are falling behind when it comes to cost of living and MLA's have their wage increases tied through legislation to protect inflation and we believe that all working people should have the same.”
“Over the last two years, the pandemic has been very, very challenging for many working people. We represent thousands of BCG members who remained right on the front lines, providing vital services for communities and people sometimes don't react well to additional stresses. We've seen lots of incidences of people reacting very strongly to mask mandates, for example, or being asked to socially distance.”
The librarians wrote, “VIRL management has refused to agree to many important proposals – including solutions to workplace violence and mental health impacts – without offering alternative solutions.”
On Friday VIRL issued a press release stating, “It is regrettable that an agreement has not yet been achieved. VIRL remains focused on the mediation process. The latest VIRL proposal included two term options, each featuring compensation increases beyond those previously tabled, and an agreement would have included the numerous non-monetary provisions recently bargained.”
Taking notes - Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The tiskʷat Mill has been a cornerstone of Powell River’s prosperity for more than a century. While it no longer has a future producing newsprint, up until two weeks ago it seemed like the site was on the verge of being reborn as a hydrogen company. Then Paper Excellence refused Renewable Hydrogen Canada’s offer and listed their property with an International Real Estate firm.
Powell River mayor Dave Formosa said, “I was all over the news talking about Renewable Hydrogen Canada. So when Juergen Puetter (Chair/CEO of Renewable Hydrogen Canada) told me that he refreshed his offer, he went to refresh it, that his contact at Paper Excellence said, ‘we can't accept that, you got to give it to Colliers - I said, ‘I'm shocked.’ And he goes, ‘you're shocked.’ That was two weeks ago, but hey, it's still may happen.”
Mayor Dave Formosa - Photo courtesy city of Powell River
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Up until now, CityWest has been offering to install high speed internet to Cortes Island homes for free. They did not take some of the island’s long driveways into account. This has changed, CityWest says some people will need to pay extra.
As Regional Manager Dino Tsakonas explained, “We're talking thousands and thousands of dollars to get to one person sometimes. It's just not feasible, but if the customer can kick in a little bit and then amortize over two years, it definitely can work.”
While there is a grant for the Last Mile project, it only applies to the first 30 meters.
“We've got people with one kilometer driveways!” said Tsakonas.
Blue Jay Lake Farm’s driveway is three kilometres long, and the 6 to 8 homes there would like internet too.
Then there are the homes around Tiber Bay.
CityWest is still offering free installation for up to 100 metres. They will make that 250 metres, if customers want the last 150 metres on top of the ground.
“If you wanted it buried the whole way, there could be some costs for that too,” said Tsakonas.
However CityWest has agreed to amortize the cost over two years.
“If you have to amortize 500 bucks over two years, it's going to just make your life a lot easier anyway. I see it as a win-win, but it's a tough conversation to have when everyone thinks it's going to be free,” said Tsakonas..
He expects to be talking to a lot of Cortes homeowners over the next few weeks.
“If someone knows their driveway's already long, give me a call 250-202-6004.”
Meanwhile, crews are working in Squirrel Cove and Mansons Landing right now.
“We've got some more contractors coming to the island. So the drop is going to start happening a little quicker.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Picket lines could go up in front of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) branches as early as 8 AM Thursday.
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) served the Vancouver Island Regional Library board with 72-hour strike notice on Monday.
This does not mean they are going on strike. The union has 90 days in which to exercise its right to go strike, which goes into effect on Thursday. If there is a strike, it could involve the closure of some or all VIRL branches. Other forms of potential job action include work slowdowns or rotating strikes.
In a press release, BCGEU president Stephanie Smith explained, “Librarians don’t want job action. What they want is a fair collective agreement that recognizes the value of their work to the communities they serve, protects their wages from sky-rocketing inflation, and gives them the safe, healthy workplaces they deserve.”
Smith told CHEK News, “MLAs have their salaries, legislatively tied to address inflation. We think workers deserve the same.”
In some communities, the only public washroom is in the library. They are also a warm, dry place, which has led to what the press release describes as, “safety issues including workplace violence and mental health impacts, and disrespectful working conditions.”
The 48 Librarians working in 39 branches on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Cortes and Quadra Islands, Bella Coola and Haida Gwaii have not had a collective agreement with Vancouver Island Regional Library since December 2020.
According to a press release from the Vancouver Island Regional Library, negotiations have been ongoing since September 2021.
The BCGEU added that a mediator from the Labour Relations Board was brought in during January, but negotiations broke down in mid February.
quote the employer refused to provide cost-of-living wages and minimizing proposals to address workplace violence. unquote
Smith said all the Librarians have received from their employer is quote “unnecessary delays and proposals that can only be described as disrespectful. It's unacceptable." unquote
46 of the 48 librarians have voted in favour of job action.
CUPE Local 401, whose members work at more than half the librairies, issued a press release stating, quote “In the event of a work stoppage, it is our expectation that no CUPE member will cross a BCGEU picket line. This includes members working at home. If your regular place of work is being picketed, you should not be working.” unquote
CUPE members will be issued buttons saying, ‘I Support Librarians.’
Vancouver Island Regional Library’s 2022 operating budget is $31 million, 95% of which are fixed costs and 65% of those are wages and benefits.
The Library wrote, “We regret that VIRL’s service delivery will be impacted, though precise impacts remain unclear at this time. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and commit to continuing constructive efforts towards bargaining resolution with our valued colleagues.”
Smith maintains it is time for the board of trustees, which governs the Vancouver Island Regional Library, to get involved. The board is made up of elected representatives from 28 municipalities and 10 regional districts, including the Strathcona Regional District.
She said, "Trustees are responsible for guiding library operations and that includes hiring the staff who are at the table with our members bargaining this contract. These trustees are also responsible to the people who elected them. It's high time they got involved to help prevent the withdrawal of library services.”
Image credit: Reaching for a book - Photo by Guzel Maksutova on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Island’s newest citizen science project, monitoring Dungeness crabs, was announced last Friday. Local Project leader Mike Moore, Helen Hall from the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) and Kelly Fretwell from the Hakai Institute joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie on CKTZ’s Folk U Friday.
Moore explained that when he was diving around Hernando Island in the early 2000s, he saw hundreds mating in the sand flats at Stag Bay.
“I recently started diving down on Hernando island again, just in the last five or six years and was really shocked. I could dive all season and not see a single Dungeness crab,” he said.
Moore cited two possible causes for their population decline: crab traps and the “tremendous amount of fishing gear” in the ocean. Juvenile Dungeness crabs are finding in difficult to form a shell because of the acidification of the ocean waters in the Salish sea
FOCI and the Hakai Institute have partnered on a Dungeness Crab monitoring project. They will be putting be a light crab trap in Cortes Bay. Fretwell explained that traps are being deployed in an area stretching from Southwestern and Southeastern Vancouver island up to Quadra and Cortes Islands. All of the lights will be turned on during the evening of April 15th.
“It's just a very cool visual is having all these little lights popping up around the Salish sea at the same time,” she said.
Moore added, “These traps are about 35 centimetres in diameter. They go a meter deep and float at the surface, but they hang down into the water column. They have battery operated lights that aluminate the water column. Larva plankton creatures are attracted to the lights and they'll swim towards it. It's a live trap. They just get held there under the lights. Then every two days normally, the trap keeper will come and pull it up onto the dock. in hot weather, we have to pull this trap every day.”
This is FOCI’s most recent citizen scientist project on Cortes Island. Previous ones include monitoring water quality in Hague and Gunflint Lakes, recording bird populations and observing sea star populations.
The later was another joint project with Hakai. Fretwell observed that there were 21 people involved when this project launched on Cortes Island a year and a half ago. Now there are 100 involved in the Discovery Islands and they have collected 490 observations of sea stars.
Hall said, “Anyone can do this. You don't have to be a scientist. Anyone can take part and learn a lot more about the species and the habitats around you. it's a way of engaging people in the environment in a fun and interesting way,” said Hall.
Moore said he would like to see kids involved in the Dungeness Crab Monitoring program.
“If you want to learn more about the light trap project, you can go to https://sentinels.hakai.org/approaches/light-traps. You can also go to https://hakai.org/inaturalist/ to learn more about iNaturalist and there are links there out to our various iNaturalist projects that we have going on.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is Roy Hales with Cortes Currents
BC Ferry traffic on both the Cortes and Campbell River ferries were almost back to pre-COVID levels in 2021.
2,700 more vehicles sailed from Campbell River than the previous year and there were almost 4,600 more from Cortes Island.
According to a recent BC ferries press release, there has been a 26% increase in vehicle traffic throughout the province.
It looked like 2019 was going to be a good year, until COVID 19 arrived in the Spring.
The number of cars boarding the ferry immediately dropped by 50%.
On March 20, 2019, Quadra Island Director Jim Abram issued a press release stating, quote “We all know now that isolation and limiting travel are key strategies in fighting this epidemic. Our community is asking anyone thinking of visiting Quadra, for discretionary reasons, reconsider and make plans to come at a safer time when we look forward to welcoming our visitors back.”unquote
As southern Quadra is closely tied into Campbell River, ferry traffic bounced back when the restrictions were lifted that summer.
The Cortes-Quadra Island run did not reach pre-pandemic levels until September.
That was almost 18 months ago.
Things are getting back to normal now.
Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO, “This quarter’s numbers are encouraging given the pandemic’s ongoing impacts on travel and the uncertainty it added through the holiday season. While COVID-19 continues to present staffing and operational challenges I want to take this moment to recognize the continued commitment of our employees in delivering safe and efficient service to our customers.”
On Cortes Island, the numbers for November and December were better in 2021 than either 2020 or 2019.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A recent study suggests that incorrect reporting may be responsible for Southern Quadra Island, Tahsis, Gold River and Sayward not qualifying for funding under the Connected Coast High Speed internet program. As a result of this failure, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) had to arrange for loans of up to $12.5 million. BC’s Ministry of Citizens' Services, the Union of BC Municipalities and the Northern Development Initiative Trust hired TANEx Engineering to study reports that the amount of broad service available in rural communities is less than what servers like TELUS, Mascon Cable Services (a TELUS company) and Bell are reporting on the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map.
According to a summary of the findings, released by the Ministry, ‘there was medium to high evidence of possible discrepancies in 106’ of the 940 localities studied.
The SRD Board appears to have discussed this matter in the closed session of their Feb 23 Board meeting. A link to the summary of findings was in the minutes of that meeting. The SRD declined Cortes Currents subsequent request for an interview.
However some of the Directors have discussed the reporting problem at previous Board meetings.
According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), “Canadian residential and business fixed broadband Internet access service subscribers should be able to access speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload.”
The services in Southern Quadra Island, Tahsis, Gold River and Sayward were all reported to have met that standard.
However Tahsis is also one of the six communities that TANEx chose for case studies:
“Tahsis reports poor internet, does not appear to have 50/10 service available for purchase, and there are no CIRA tests within the municipality that reflect service at 50/10. This provides further evidence of a difference in what the Map shows and what the community is experiencing.“
At the March 24, 2021, Board meeting, Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis remarked, “I find it really disingenuous that they're throwing these numbers around about 50 down and 10 up for Tahsis because, well, I just did a test on mine and it's 6 down and 3 up. I've talked to many people in the community around these tests and that's typical. So I really don't know where the data's coming from and I believe it's incorrect. So I'm glad to see that they're looking into it.”
Mayor Brad Unger of Gold River agreed, “Same thing happening in Gold River.”
Regional Director Jim Abram reported the results of Quadra Island’s speed tests at the April 28th Board meeting, “200 or some odd people had to do speed tests and screenshots of what kind of service they were getting from TELUS, because TELUS had given the government information that was not quite correct, that we were covered to a degree of 50 megabits down, 10 megabits up on our internet speeds that is untrue and we proved it with our screenshots. The highest one we had was 38! Most of them were down in the 10s. So that in itself cut out a huge amount of our funding for the Connected Coast, which we're all involved and we just passed a huge motion to borrow a bunch of money!”
TANEx found that 50/10 can mean very different things for customers logging on to their hosting network and a service provider who is only accessing the Canadian Internet Exchange. Connection speeds can degrade as information passes through more parties. So what the provider experiences as 50/10, can be much slower for customers.
In theory, providers should deliver the connection speeds they advertise, but there is also a wide range of factors that are regarded as outside the control of the network provider.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to Campbell River’s Sustainable Official Community Plan, 12% all trips to work within the city were to consist of walking, cycling or transit by 2020. They hope to increase this number to a third by 2060. In today’s interview the city’s transportation specialist, Melissa Heidema, talks about Campbell River’s shift to alternate forms of transportation.
Her most recent data comes from the 2006 census, at which point 10% of the population used alternate modes of transportation: 3% public transit, 6% are walking and 1% cycling.
“The goal in the master transportation plan is to get that 10% up to 20%, which would be 10% walking, 5% cycling and 5% transit. Now, 5% biking doesn't sound like a lot, but our current mode share is 1%. So we're aiming to go from 1% to 5%, which is quite a big jump,” explained Heidema.
She admitted that more recent data will soon be available, and this could alter their perception of the situation.
In addition, Campbell River’s current master transportation plan was drawn up in 2012. The city is awarding the contract for a 2022 plan to the WATT Consulting Group out of Victoria.
“This will give our community a lot of opportunity to comment on how they feel traffic is going in Campbell river and what improvements they'd like to see over the next 25 years,” said Heidema.
Up until recently the city had a list of 37 potential projects that could improve the cycling environment, but only a $15,000 budget!
Heidema said that was ‘not enough money to really do anything.’
Thanks to the River City Cycle Club, the budget for 2022 is now $200,000.
“They really very respectfully asked council for more money and made them see that, ‘hey, there's a desire. There's a need for this in Campbell river.’ Cycling has a whole host of benefits. It's makes for healthier individuals, healthier communities, less reliance on fossil fuels, less pollution, less congestion, less collisions. It's just better all around in a community if you have more cyclists.”
Heidema is in the midst of trying to figure which projects are most beneficial fo rthe community.
“Hopefully we pick a project that will bring cyclists off of a major street and into a more local pedestrian cyclist friendly street that brings them downtown and into Willow point,” she said.
She described two projects: slowing down traffic on Birch street and making it safer for cyclists. Taking parking away from one side of Hilchey and adding a buffered bike lane
The city is also putting sidewalks onto more streets, to make them pedestrian friendly. Their next sidewalk installation project is Cheviot road, a narrow street that leads up to Ripple Rock Elementary School.
Heidema said Campbell River has an excellent transit system, with major ibus lines along Dogwood street, Alder and Highway 19 A.
“We are getting ready to implement the next ride system,” she said.
People will soon be able use their smartphones to find out what bus stop they are at and when the next bus is arriving.
“I'm thrilled that this is coming to Campbell river.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The licenses for all 19 salmon farms in the Discovery expire in June. There will be only 7 farms left in the Broughton Archipelago by 2023, at which point their tenure ends unless they can obtain First Nation approval and Department of Fisheries licences. That leaves an estimated 79 salmon farms throughout the province and all of their licenses come up for renewal on June 30, 2022.
A new ‘independent’ report, prepared for the BC Salmon Farmers Association by the consulting firm Rias Inc states, “The licence renewal process in BC will determine the fate of the remaining 4,700 workers and $1.2 billion in economic activity generated by our sector in BC, as well as the additional $200 million in economic activity and 900 jobs across the country.”
In a recent press release, Joyce Murray, Minister for Fisheries and Oceans, said, “We remain committed to responsibly transitioning from open-net pen salmon farming in all coastal British Columbia waters and introducing Canada’s first-ever Aquaculture Act, which will respect jurisdictions, and provide more transparency and certainty within the industry.”
Critics like independent biologist Alexandra Morton said the “handful of low paying corporate jobs” this industry provides as insignificant compared to the damage it causes to wild fishery stocks, communities dependent of fishing, and wilderness tourism.
The Wilderness Tourism Association calls the continued existence of salmon farms a threat to their industry, which is dependent on a healthy wild salmon economy.
The Rias’ report calls for: -“Immediate engagement on 2022 site licence renewals, and the 2025 transition plan, by senior government officials with industry leaders and Indigenous partners, with a clear timetable to address these issues.” - “Increased transparency in decision-making for the future — for example, obtaining a licence re-issuance is complex and closed. All three governments should consider a dashboard type platform that allows the public to see what information/data companies provide as part of the process.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - How can CKTZ best support its listeners during an emergency?
Cortes Radio is conducting an emergency communications survey, which you will find on their website.
“We're trying to find out what the community wants in terms of emergency communication, and what CKTZ can provide. I think that it's a really important project, so I hope that people will take the 30 seconds that it takes to fill out a survey and consider honestly what it is that they feel our community radio can offer them in a emergency event,” said CLIO FM, who's in charge of this project.
There are paper copies of the survey at the Co-op, as well stores across the island. There is also an online version at Cortes Radio.ca.
The survey includes questions like:
Do you have a battery or hand crank radio as part of your home emergency kit? How do you think Cortes Community Radio could best support local residents during an emergency or extreme weather situation? What information is most important to you in an emergency broadcast?
The Cortes Community Radio Society was established in 2004 and Article 2.g of its' constitution states that one of the station’s purposes is “to establish an ongoing community radio station that can broadcast important information to the community in cooperation with emergency services.”
On August 29, 2017 the station signed a Memorandum of understanding with Strathcona Regional District, stating its willingness to provide temporary usage of the station during emergencies.
As SRD Protective services co-ordinator Shaun Koopman explained,”the Strathcona Regional District has signed a memorandum of understanding with the awesome folks at CKTZ at 89.5 FM to serve as the Strathcona Regional District’s direct emergency operation center public broadcasting system. Information is aid. Messaging saves lives. So to have a method for our local government to send you and a message that will be broadcasted exactly as it is, exactly as we ask them to send it out at a community level, is an exponential aid to the residents that we intend to serve after a major emergency.”
One of the questions in the survey is ‘would you like to learn more about volunteering with Cortes Community Radio's Emergency Communications team?’
Clio FM spoke about the possibility that the stations DJs could step forward, but everyone is welcome.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Behind every great fortune lies a great crime.” — Honoré de Balzac
On the 21st of January 2022, a notice appeared in Cortes Tideline, from Mosaic (a “forest management corporation” which handles logistics for TimberWest and Island Timberlands). The gist of it was captured in one sentence: “As we have now been able to spend some time becoming familiar with our private managed forest lands on Cortes Island, we would like to share details of our draft three-year plan with those interested from communities on Cortes Island.”
Mosaic was careful to include the important word “private” in their announcement — a reminder that some 9 percent of Cortes forest land is still owned by private timber companies (not Crown land), and that (since 2003 at least) “privately managed forest lands” are a different kettle of fish.
Most coastal residents are aware, on some level, that vast tracts of BC are privately owned by timber companies, whereas other tracts of land are “Crown land” where logging takes place under licence. Few, however, are aware of how that situation — and the inconsistent policies and rules governing the two different land types — came about.
Back in 1871, BC joined the Canadian Confederation. At the time, rail was the dominant mode of land transport and essential to the prosperity of the resource extraction zone which comprised the entire coastal region. Mining and forestry in particular relied on rail transport to get goods to market. Clause II of the Terms of Union gave the federal government a huge swath of provincial land along proposed BC rail lines — locally, about 20 percent of Vancouver island.
A goodly chunk of these acres shortly afterwards became the infamous Esquimalt and Nanaimo (E&N) land grant (known to many as the Great Land Grab). This history should not be forgotten: it underlies today’s conflicts over land rights as well as forestry impacts and practise. Coincidentally or not, the land grant region coincides with the best Douglas Fir habitat on the island. How did a railway company get hold of such an enormous landbase full of the most valuable timber?
In order to “connect the seaboard of BC with the railway system of Canada,” the federal government agreed in the 1870’s to contribute $100,000 annually towards the construction of a railway. BC then agreed to grant about 800,000 acres of land, plus $750,000, to any company that would construct a railroad on Vancouver Island. Needless to say, this enormous carrot mostly benefited the wealthiest in the land: the man who scooped up the extraordinary sweetheart deal was none other than Robert Dunsmuir, the coal baron. (see End Notes)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Whiskey Point Resort overlooks the ferry terminal at Quathiaski Cove, on Quadra Island. It’s driveway comes off a road that is often choked with Quadra and Cortes Island residents, as well as tourists, waiting to board the ferry. Never-the-less plans to add a 90 seat meeting room appeared to be moving forward, before it was brought before the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) last June.
That SRD report staff states, “the planned development is being carried out in accordance with existing zoning regulations, including parking and signage, there are no zoning bylaw amendments being sought.”
They recommended that the Quadra Island development’s permit be approved upon the receipt of a performance bond of a little over $12,000.
That was last Spring.
At the most recent EASC meeting, on February 9th, the resort’s proposal was sent back to the Strathcona Regional District Board board with a recommendation that this application be referred back to the owner, Mr. Doo Yun Park, with the request that he thoroughly and comprehensively meet the Land Application Plan (LAP) policies and then bring it back to EASC for consideration.
That was the third time EASC has sent Mr Park’s proposal back.
Regional Director Jim Abram explained:
“A 90 seat Convention center is a new development. It should have been considered to be a rezoning to something like public assembly or one of our other zones that we have and change the zone rather than try and squeak it into a development permit situation.”
“This is not a small matter. This is a huge matter in the development of the mixed use, waterfront, whatever you said, the title was for that particular area. This area is the cornerstone that gateway to Quadra island, and it is extremely deficient in providing for the growth and the use of Quadra Island by members of Quadra and Cortes.”
“They have to use that ferry too. And you know, they have to deal with those traffics snarls at that intersection. So those kinds of things are definitely pertinent for both directors, myself and Noba, and definitely pertinent to the majority of Quadra Islanders. That I actually do go down there. Everybody uses that intersection at some point some every day, some once in a while, but it's not something we can just gloss over and say it doesn't count.”
SRD senior manager Aniko Nelson said,” What we're doing today is we are considering a development permit for a use that is already permitted within the Cove. We are looking to approve the form and character of the approved development, the policies that are outlined within.”
Chief administrative officer David Leitch added, “Staff have already acknowledged in reports and to the applicant that it meets all DP guidelines and policies. So we will not be responding to the applicant that it does not meet.”
He never-the-less did agree to faithfully pass on EASC’s recommendation to the Board.
The three other three regional directors, Noba Anderson, Brenda Leigh and Gerald Whalley, all supported Abram.
So Whiskey Point’s application will now pass to the SRD Board where, as only EASC directors vote on electoral area matters, the same four directors will decide whether to follow their recommendation
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The final numbers for Cortes Island’s Christmas Bird Count, which took place on January 5th, 2022, are in.
One of the key organizers, George Sirk, described his personal high point as watching the birds at Christian Gronau and Aileen Douglas’ bird feeder.
“I didn't count those birds because Christian handed those in. He has a variety of birds, several that weren't seen anywhere else on the island. Like House Finch's for instance. He's got them cornered there and then he has Chickadees and Red Breasted Nut Hatches. They're right outside the window. So there I was with a cup of coffee, nice and warm, watching about 12 different species of birds come and go,” he said.
The Bird Count numbers were average this year: 70 species. There were 82 one year and that number dipped as low as 57.
“When you start thinking about it, why do we have so many species? The reason is the diversity of our habitats here on Cortes!” explained Sirk. “We're quite unique at the top end of the Salish Sea compared to other islands. We're similar to Quadra, but not to the Redonda Islands, just to the east of us or to Hernando or Marina island.”
The southern part of Cortes, from Hague and Gunflint Lakes to the tip of Suitl point, bears the imprint of a mile thick pack of ice that rested there 10,000 years ago. It carved out the lakes and the shallow waters that stretch for a nautical mile out from the shore.
“Those shoals are full of clams as well other marine life, and you get huge concentrations of wintering ducks coming here off the shoals,” said Sirk.
There were close to 1,100 Surf Scoters.
“That's a lot of scoters! There's probably more than that because if we took a boat out to Marina, which we used to do in years gone by. Our numbers would probably double as far as the seabirds,” said Sirk.
“The ducks appear here in September, October, November. They come from the inland of Canada, even from the Arctic, because the Arctic freezes up. The lakes freeze up in the Prairies, in British Columbia and the Yukon. So all these ducks that nest way up there, come here and they feed all winter long. Then when spring comes, they're nice and fat and they can return in their long migration back up north and immediately start nesting as soon as the lakes and marshes and Tundra melts.”
There were close to 2,000 seabirds and 1,000 land birds this year.
Photo credit: a Marbled Murrelet - Photo by George Sirk
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What's the dirt on dirt? Caleb Summers joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie this Friday at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or livestream on cortesradio.ca. to talk about the hidden and magnificent world that lives just below the surface.
And calling all gardeners! What are you doing right now in your garden? How do you make soil in your garden? Call in and share your tips with me (and your neighbours) or ask questions and let's get them answered at 250-935-0200.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Telus’ new 73-meter cell phone tower in Drew Harbour, Quadra Island, is now operational.
Heriot Bay residents reported intermittent service when the system was being tested, close to two weeks ago.
“The new site brings dramatically increased cellular service throughout the Heriot Bay area, the ferry route between Quadra and Cortes Islands, and surrounding waterways to Read Island,” a spokesperson for Telus told the Bird’s Eye. “Residents and visitors are able to use their wireless devices (such as cell phones and tablets) to make phone calls, send and receive emails and text messages, easily stream videos, and use social media apps. Most critically, these improvements also enhance safety and access to emergency services throughout the area, as more than 70% of phone calls to 911 come from a cell phone.”
As the site is land owned by the We Wai Kai Nation, it is outside of the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) jurisdiction.
Never-the-less, on April 20, 2021, Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting emailed the SRD Board, “As you know, the land use authority in this instance is the First Nation however we wanted to send your team a copy of the upcoming newspaper notice as a courtesy to keep the SRD aware of TELUS’ plans in the area. We have full support of the We Wai Kai Nation Chief and Council and wanted to ensure that your team is in receipt of this notification as a courtesy.”
The first of two notices about this project appeared in the Bird’s Eye the following day. Residents were given until the close of business on June 4th to comment.
Looking out into Drew Harbour from Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island - Photo by Dale Simonson via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than a week since the Southern Cortes Community Association, or SCCA, put out a survey to find out what kinds of spaces, opportunities and events the community wants to see in Mansons Hall.
In today’s interview Cora Moret, secretary of the SCCA, describes what sounds like the society’s rebirth after a two-year-long COVID hibernation.
“The survey results are pouring in. Some people are like - ‘is the hall even open? I miss the good old days when we could watch movies!’ Others have imagined great creations like four tiered memberships, every night programming and office hours every day. We're like, okay, let's see what we can make,” she said.
Though the hall was open, it did not offer much in terms of programming and the recently elected Board feels like they are starting from ground zero.
“It is a time of transition. The board is genuinely interested in hearing what people have to say about what they want to see. Just come ask us. Everything we do is out in the open and we are welcoming comments and inquiries of any sort,” said Moret.
The new SCCA board consists of: Tammy Collingwood (President) - who put out the job posting for a new manager at the hall. Tony Toledo (Treasurer) Rebecca Thacker Joy Shipway - who is in charge of Friday markets Myrna Kerr, former President of the SCCA who brings a lot of experience to the Board Cora Moret (Secretary)
The SCCA has also formed a number of new committees
a governance committee, which will compile information about policies, the SCCA’s charter, constitution and bylaws a fundraising committee an ad hoc hiring committee for the new manager a market committee. A liaison committee to communicate with CCEDA’s ‘Village Commons’ project.
“It's natural that SCCA would facilitate the transition into using that area more effectively, to create a real community feel to the downtown. So that's an exciting part of being on the board particularly now,” said Moret.
They also want to revamp the website so that members can use it to access the minutes and other documents.
Moret and her family moved to Cortes in 2014, and have enjoyed events like the African drummers, Cortes Day and Friday Markets.
“It's been an important part of my family's life, having access to events at the hall and things that are going on,” she said.
Moret mentioned three ways that people can fill out to the SCCA’s public survey. There are forms at Mansons Hall and each of the three Cortes Island Post Offices, or you can fill out the electronic survey which you will find through the link posted on the Tideline or in the written version of this article at Cortes currents.ca.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their February 9th meeting, the SRD Board voted against setting aside $50,000 to support community climate action planning initiatives.
The motion was brought forward by Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson, who suggested the project fit into their strategic objectives for 2022.
“When I compare the budget commentary and service goals here to our strategic priorities, this was the one that really stood out to me as a strategic priority that could be very specifically budgeted in resource for in support of existing initiatives that are happening in our communities either that are undertaken by a municipality or social profit sector or some combination thereof that are struggling to find funds to do these climate action plans,” she explained. “If we were able to put aside a very modest amount for a original district of our size, that communities could reach out to the regional district for some collaborative matching funds to support their already ongoing work, I think that would be a very small way of leveraging excellent work that's already underway.”
Regional Director Brenda Leigh spoke against the motion, “ I think that if we are committed to climate action, then we should have established a climate action committee that would oversee how any initiatives are implemented from our regional district. I’m not in favour of what director Anderson's proposing, which is to just cast $50,000 out into the air for non-profit groups to access funding. To me that's just like grants and aid. There's no real control over how the funds are spent.” If they decide, say just an example on Cortes, if they want 20,000 to support the old growth flying squad or whatever it's called. Will they get that money? How will they spend it? And how will it be accounted for?”
She reiterated the need for the SRD to have serious policy, goals and objectives for a program like this. They need to prioritize the initiative and control the funds and prioritize the initiatives.
Since they started holding meetings online, the board found the quickest method of tallying votes is to start by counting people who are opposed.
The minutes of this meeting list 8 directors voting against the motion ( Andy Adams, Mark Baker, Colleen Evans, Ron Kerr, Brenda Leigh, Sean Smyth Brad Unger and Gerald Whalley).
If you listen carefully, you can hear one more opposing vote in the audio: Claire Moglove.
That leaves five five directors who were presumably in favour of the motion: Noba Anderson, Jim Abram, who seconded the motion, Julie Colborne, Martin Davis and Kevin Jules
The motion was defeated, by a 9 to 5 vote.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) prepares to amend its indebtedness agreement with CityWest, to pay for the installation of high speed internet, Regional Director Jim Abram is concerned that parts of area C are being left out. Later in the meeting he also mentioned which is o West Thurlow Island. The maps that SRD staff sent to the directors on April 19th last year do not show the Cape Mudge light house, Cape Mudge or Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge, on the southern tip of Quadra Island, within the service area. Nor did they include Surge Narrows, on Read Island, or Blind Channel, on West Thurlow Island. (Cortes Currents posted the complete set of maps on May 4, 2021.) At that point it was clear that only Cortes Island, the village of Zeballos and communities of Bold Point, Granite Bay and Open Bay on Northern Quadra Island would receive the 90% funding available through the Connected Coast Program. (The SRD is providing the remaining 10%.) The SRD agreed to borrow up to $12,540,255 so that CityWest could also install high-speed broadband infrastructure in Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis and most of Southern Quadra Island.
Now CityWest has agreed to amend the agreement, so that Regional District will receive 20% return of profits from Quadra Island, Gold River, Sayward Valley and Tahsis for a term of 20 years. In exchange, each community is to make a 5% capital contribution to its last mile construction project. The agreement will stipulate that the capital contributions on behalf of each community will not exceed the construction estimates that are outlined in the agreement.
When this document was discussed at the Wednesday, February 9th SRD Board meeting, Regional Director Abram expressed concerns about the southern tip of Quadra and the principal settlement on Read Island being left out.
“They should be in this written report, so that it carries them forward for future reports. So that we don't lose out,” he said. Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained that the Board had already approved the two funding agreements.
“Okay, but the Surge Narrows build should be in this agreement,” said Abram.
“These are the last mile agreements, these don’t have anything to do with the landings.” replied Leitch.
“How will it be paid, if it's not written up somewhere in this agreement?” demanded Abram.
Leitch explained, “The maps in that agreement identify the homes to be served.”
“I don't have that in front of me because it doesn't come up on my iPad,” said Abram. “Can you assure me, though, that last mile agreements exist somewhere for Blind Channel, Surge Narrows and the [Cape Mudge] Lighthouse?”
Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams asked for a vote on receipt of the staff report.
Chair Brad Unger called for the vote on receipt of the report.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A Strathcona Regional District motion to remove the term ‘unceded’ from acknowledgements of First Nations territory was defeated, in a 8 to 6 vote, at the Wednesday, Feb 9 Board meeting.
The motion arose during a discussion of the SRD’s First Nations territorial policy.
Regional Director Gerald Whalley, who made the motion, explained, “Our provincial negotiators don't use the word ‘ceded’ for a very specific reason. We shouldn't use it either. “
The seconder, Regional Director Jim Abram, added, “Traditional territory is very easily defined. It's what is defined by the First Nation and the province as the traditional territory of any First Nation. The ‘unceded’ part gets mixed up with the treaty process, which we shouldn't really be commenting on.”
Speaking as a former lawyer, Campbell River Director Claire Moglove described the word ‘unceded’ as ‘a statement of the reality of the situation.’
“Once treaties are finalized, the word ‘unceded’ will come off the table. This word unceded is hugely important to this process and in my opinion, if it's not there, our policy will not be worth the paper it's written on,” she said.
Mayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos agreed, adding that there are both ceded and unceded territories in the SRD.
“Anything that is not acknowledged and finalized under treaty retains that unceded designation,” she said.
Abram responded, “There is alleged and saying something is true. Unless you know it is true: then it’s alleged, It is not true. This is the same situation.”
The only First Nations Director on the SRD Board, Kevin Jules of the Kyuquot/Checlesaht First Nation, said, “It feels like we are beating a dead horse here. This has been talked about over and over and over again. It was brought to the First Nations relations committee. It was voted on and I don't see why it's why it's such a big problem.”
Chair Brad Unger asked if anyone was opposed to the motion.
Eight of the SRD’s fourteen directors (Anderson, Baker, Colborne, Davis, Evans, Jules, Moglove and Unger) voted against the motion to remove the word ‘unceded’ from territorial acknowledgements. The motion was defeated.
Image credit: Looking across from Campbell River to Quadra Island in the unceded territory of the First Nations - Photo by David Stanley via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Electoral Area C is the largest electoral area within the Strathcona Regional District. It spreads out over 10,650 square kilometres: from Quadra to Read, East and West Redonda Islands, East and West Thurlow Islands, Hardwick Island and some of the Mainland Inlets. In the second of five articles arising from the SRD Board meeting of Feb 9th, 2022, Cortes Currents is looking at how the tax dollars from this area were spent in 2021.
There has been an explosion of real estate values.
As SRD Chief Financial Officer Mike Harmston explained, homeowners “are willing to pay 30%, or 40%, or 50% more. That’s what’s causing the shift in the assessments.”
Regional Director Jim Abram pointed out that this rise does not necessarily reflect sales in your area:
“Right on my tax assessment bill this year it says there have been no sales of a property similar to yours in the last three years. So this is politics in Paris, used to be really more. They're just grabbing straws out of the air.”
The good news is that while housing prices have been going up, tax assessments per $100,000 have been going down.
The SRD’s component of the average property tax bill dipped about $10 in 2021 and is expected go up about $30 in 2022.
This total does not include money for the fire department, police, schools, hospitals etc, which other authorities levy through property taxes.
The wharves at Owen Bay on on Sonora Island, Port Neville on the Mainland and Surge Narrows on Read Island appear in the SRD’s books, but along with a notation that “operating costs for wharves are currently funded by Transport Canada divestiture funds.” The segment of the chart that would normally display tax requisitions for these projects displays a zero.
Close to two thirds of the tax revenues under the SRD’s control goes to corporate, regional or electoral area services.
The biggest ticket items in these categories are: A little over $204,000 for electoral Area administration $172,000 for planning $167,000 for the Vancouver Island Public Library $83,000 for corporate administration and general government
Some other items of interest: $41,000 for 911 Emergency Answering Service $29,000 Strathcona Emergency Service $27,000 towards Regional Broadband
Roughly a third of SRD’s tax requisitions in this area are actually listed under ‘Area C.’
The two largest entires in this category are: $190,000 for Parks $175,000 for the Quadra Community Hall
Area C also has a Grant in Aid budget of close to $41,000 a year, but has sufficient surplus from previous years to cover 2022.
You have been listening to an overview of how property taxes are spent within Area C, especially as pertains to sums under the control of the Strathcona Regional district.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The budget for 2022 was one of the principle topics at the Strathcona Regional Districts Board Meeting, on Wednesday, February 9th. Part of this process involved looking into the finances for 2021. So in the first of a five part series arising from that meeting, Cortes Currents is looking into how the SRD is spending our money.
Many Cortes Island residents have probably noticed that they are paying about the same amount for taxes in 2021 as they did the year before. While this will change in 2022, it is only by about $47 for the average home.
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson explained that this is ‘because the tax rate is going up, [and] the actual requisition per thousand is going down.’
SRD Chief Financial Officer Mike Harmsworth said, “Electoral area B had one of the highest assessment increases for any of our areas. So they're going to be the most effected by the shift. Area B is primarily residential, so there's not a big impact. We're looking at a total requisition increase of about a $33,000.”
He was talking about property values.
A homeowner whose tax assessment was $1,005 for 2020, saw that increase one dollar (to $1,006) in 2021, will probably find themselves looking at a $1,053 bill in 2022. That is a $47 increase, which doesn’t take into account deductions for people who are retired or living in our homes.
As might be expected in a rural community like Cortes Island, the three big ticket items are government services, the fire department and parks.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - At the January 20th Annual general meeting of the Friends of Cortes Island society, or FOCI, Arlene Tompkins gave a presentation on the Forage Fish Monitoring project.
Forage fish, also called prey fish or bait fish, are small pelagic fish which are preyed on by larger predators for food. Predators include other larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Typical ocean forage fish feed near the base of the food chain on plankton, often by filter feeding. They include particularly fishes of the order Clupeiformes (herrings, sardines, shad, hilsa, menhaden, anchovies, and sprats), but also other small fish, including halfbeaks, silversides, smelt such as capelin and goldband fusiliers. Historically they have been a commercially harvested order on this coast and globally still account for about a 3rd of the fish catch – which is primarily used for raising livestock. (credit - wikipedia)
Arlene described the goals of the project as intended to determine the location, timing and habitat preferences of spawning forage fish, especially surf smelt and pacific sand lance.
Additionally, the effort is intended to bring awareness to these important fish and encourage their protection from impacts by humans through pollution and habitat destruction through shoreline development.
The team monitors two sites at Manson's Landing provincial park and one at smelt bay.
Samples of sand are taken, reduced, filtered and then examined under microscope to find the eggs.
So far the team hasn't found any surf smelt eggs, but has found pacific sand lance eggs many times. The fish around Cortes seem to spawn a little earlier in the year than the rest of the Salish Sea.
The project has many contributing partners. World Wildlife Fund Canada initiated the effort, with UBC and DFO providing methodolgy and project watershed society out of Courtney coordinating monitoring groups such as the Friends of Cortes Island Forage Fish team.
Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Research Group provided much of the training to monitoring volunteers.
To get in touch with the project, contact the friends of cortes island – which you can do through their website friendsofcortes.org.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - New evidence suggests that First Nations people may have arrived in north Vancouver Island as early as 18,500 years ago.
Chris Hebda, from the Hakai Institute, is the lead author of a study that found that Topknot Lake, near Cape Scott, has been ice free that long. In today’s interview he also gives a tentative outline of our area’s history from post ice age settlement down to the First Nations that we recognize today.
“We looked at two different sites on Vancouver island. Topknot lake, which is within about two kilometres of the ocean and Little Woss Lake, which is basically right in the Northern portion of the Vancouver island ranges,” he explained.
Core samples taken from the bottom of those lakes illustrated how the landscape had changed throughout the millennia.
The first people to settle in this area probably arrived by boat. They probably hunted seals, harvested fish, shellfish, berries and cold climate plants. Vancouver Island probably looked more like modern Greenland than the forested landscape we are used to. There would have been lots of grass, daisies and some smaller trees like willows.
Hebda and his colleagues discovered that Topknot Lake was ice free at this time and possessed an environment similar to what the first settlers would have been familiar with.
“The key thing about our study is the demonstration that we have an environment in which people could live,” said Hebda.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At 9:08 AM on the morning of February 9th, 2022, a Squirrel Cove resident phoned the Coast Guard about a fire just north of Refuge Cove, on West Redonda Island. What she thought might be a house engulfed by fire turned out to be a 34 foot wood and fibre glass boat close to the shore. The Klahoose water taxi and boats from Refuge Cove responded to the emergency.
The boat owner is an oyster farmer, who is well known in Squirrel Cove. He escaped from the fire in a canoe.
Coast Guard Communications Advisor Michelle Imbeau said the ‘Cape St James,’ one of two Coast Guard lifeboats stationed in Campbell River, was tasked to attend. It escorted the boat owner to the Squirrel Cove dock by 11 AM.
Cortes Island emergency personal were quick to respond. Fire Chief Mac Diver was waiting on the dock. Overnight accommodation was found for the boat owner.
Imbeau said, “The Campbell River Lifeboat crew are now monitoring the fire from a safe distance. They will remain on scene until the situation is under control and the fire is out. The Canadian Coast Guard does not fight vessel fires. Once the fire is out, the vessel will be assessed for next steps, up to and including salvage.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is the latest First Nations group to speak against the so called truckers ‘Freedom Convey’ which pulled into Ottawa on January 29th. According to the BBC, what began as a protest against truckers needing to prove they have been vaccinated before entering Canada, appears to have become a cry for all pandemic measures to be repealed.
The organizers have allegedly pledged to keep going "for as long as it takes... until Canada is a free nation again". in his morning facebook broadcast from Ottawa, a trucker calling himself ‘the crackpot farmer’ said the leaders of his movement are holding a press conference with all the media at 1 PM eastern time today (Feb 9th).
He added, “that's an interesting development because, up until now, we've kind of not been on speaking terms with those people.”
Chief Judy Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said, “We were seeing the concerns with the other nations, like Algonquin and some of the nations in Alberta. They didn't feel they were being respected. That's not a good way to ask for our support or for our involvement. That's actually belittling and putting our people down. It didn't feel quite like a freedom for Indigenous people.”
Last Friday, the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians issued a press release stating, “Among the many images of the convoy protest in Ottawa are videos of people dancing using Indigenous hand drums, participating in a mock peace pipe ceremony, and the use of what appears to be a sacred fire. Grand Chief Joel Abram states ‘This is completely unacceptable and it’s making a mockery of all Indigenous Peoples.’”
First Nations leaders in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta condemned the Truckers misappropriation of First Nations ceremonies.
The President of the Manitoba Metis condemned the truckers use of Métis symbols, like their sash, adding:
“Canadians and Red River Métis Citizens always have the right to protest, but as your elected representatives, we have the duty to inform all Canadians that these individuals and this convoy in no way represent what we believe in. We are all in this together and staying together is the only way we will be able to walk the path to the other side of this pandemic.”
A number media images show truckers carrying confederate flags and even swastikas.
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs issued a press release stating, “In Ottawa, not only were racist flags flown, racist signs paraded around, monuments desecrated, and a homeless shelter threatened, thousands of people and hundreds of vehicles occupied downtown Ottawa – the traditional territory of the Algonquin Peoples. The Algonquin Nation has called the actions occurring in their territory “unacceptable,” stating they did not support the set-up of a teepee, the pipe ceremony and sacred fire in Confederation Park. The appropriation of Indigenous culture to serve a divisive, misinformed agenda is horrific and indicative of the hateful, racist nature of the protests occurring across Canada.” Wilson added that truckers have also made remarks about Islamic immigrants and people of colour.
“This is displaced racism and discrimination against people who are already struggling and people who are already trying to make a better life here in Canada,” she said.
Wilson pointed out that, regardless of what people may think, a lot of people are in the hospital, some have died and many have severe complications from COVID. Her sister (a nurse) and mother are among those that came down with COVID, and her mother still does not have any sense of taste or smell.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Back in December 2021 a significant upgrade was taking place at the Gorge Harbour log dump (East end of the harbour). Heavy equipment had been brought in; grading and filling were in progress and some trees had been cut to widen the access road.
A new all-metal ramp or slide had been installed (for rolling logs down into the water).
And a network of boomsticks had been installed to enclose a floating log dump.
By early February the dump was active. On February 5th a dozer boat was busy herding log bundles into a raft, and a truck was delivering more bundles. An Atco trailer (portable prefab building) has been installed — as office space or possibly a camp — but it appears there’s no Hydro drop yet.
For those who have not seen this operation: the logs are held in a cradle on an articulated truck/trailer rig. The upright arms of the trailer can hinge downward on either side. The logs are strapped together into a bundle while on the truck. When the truck arrives, the driver unfastens the strapping and replaces it with cinches made of steel cable, so the logs are still bundled but now independent of the truck.
The truck is then pulled forward to the dump location, and the shoreside cradle arms are dropped. The driver then uses a handy excavator to push the logs off the truck and onto the ramp, where they skid downward into the water.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U -On Friday, February 4th, Eric Peterson from the Tula Foundation and Hakai Institute joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to go deeper into ocean sciences and the unique opportunities that the Hakai Institute is able to provide in long term ocean observations.
Key questions:
What is today's research telling us about early peoples in this area? What are we learning about the links between our marine environment and our ocean neighbours? What is the state of our oceans? And how is our little corner of the Earth important in today's ocean sciences?
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 PM and Mondays at 6:30 PM @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the conclusion of a 3 part series about the Dillon Creek wetlands restoration, Project Manager Maranda Cross talks about BC’s disappearing wetlands and the revegetation currently underway at Linnaea farm on Cortes Island.
“Forestry, agriculture and residential developments are our main threats to ecosystems on Cortes Island,” said Cross. “Many residential homes are built in wet places so they drain the landscape. It's such a common practice that I don't even know that people recognize it as draining wetlands, but every time a ditch is dug that moves water, a wetland is being drained or a stream is being straightened. The impacts of that are great, especially in densely populated areas.”
Cross said that the Lower Mainland has lost 90% of its wetlands and the range is 60 to 90% throughout southern British Columbia.
“On Cortes we're not as densely populated we still have some remaining intact wetlands around. So we're probably closer to 60%,” she said. “Everywhere I walk on Cortes Island, I see ditches and drained wetlands.”
The iconic western red cedar is among the species now forced to cope with a lowered elevation of groundwater in its habitat.
“That's why restored wetlands can be so crucial for this species,” said Cross. “We are bringing the groundwater levels back up, rehydrating and resaturating the soil.”
Last August, two of the pastures at Linnaea Farm were decompacted and the soil artificially shaped in the the high spots and low spots that exist in nature. The revegetation started shortly after that.
“We had some early rains in September, so we planted just about 300 native plants. I think 30 different species as well as a native seed mix that we collected locally from wetlands,” she said.
One of the species they are planting in the Dillon Creek wetlands is cottonwood. The early settlers thought of cottonwood as a weed, but recent studies found that it sequesters carbon at a greater rate than other species, because of its rapid growth in the first 20 years. Beaver love this tree’s high protein content and actually grow larger when eating cottonwood.
“I love cotton wood because it's also a medicinal plant. The resin in the cottonwood buds is usually collected after a big storm in March. In some places it's called Balm of Gilead,” said Cross. “It has propolis in it and it smells like this kind of sweet, aromatic smell. I make a salve out of that's very high in vitamin E, and antimicrobial and antifungal.
She knows of four or five cottonwood trees on Cortes. They are a wind pollinated species, but are spaced too far apart to pollinate each other.
One of them is where Cross once lived, on the hillside across the street from Linnaea farm. Ken Hanson lived there after he sold Linnea farm in 1978. There was a beautiful orchard, a garden and an old cottonwood tree on the south facing slope.
“The other place there's an old cottonwood tree is right at the north end of Cortes Bay. Those trees just aren't close enough to pollinate each other, so we've planted cottonwoods now at Linnea in the hopes that we'll be able to reestablish a population of cottonwoods that will naturally revegetate the area,” said Cross.
They also planted three different species of willows, a riparian species that will help stabilize the soil around the wetland.
“Our end goal is to leave vegetate the areas that we've disturbed because we have disturbed the soil. It was a vegetated field and then we brought in excavators and we dug it all up,” said Cross. “We exposed all this soil. If we don't put native species in there and use mulch and invasive species management, then that area will become overrun with invasive species like blackberry, holly and possibly Broom.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the second year comes to an end, Project Manager Miranda Cross described the growth of a sediment island within the new Dillon Creek wetland on Cortes Island and gave an overview of the restoration project.
This project arose as a response to the algae blooms in Hague and Gunflint Lakes. Nutrients are entering the lakes from septic tanks, gardens, ditches, roads, creeks and livestock around the shore of the lakes. After several years of monitoring the situation, a Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) feasibility study concluded that they restore the wetlands on Linnaea Farm to help remove nutrients from waters entering the lakes from Dillon Creek.
“It's a three-year project. So in the first year we were doing planning and permitting, getting everything in place. In year two, which is just coming to an end at the end of March, we had construction and revegetation. And in year three, we'll be continuing monitoring,” said Cross.
They will probably do some work in the upper Dillon Creek area this coming season, but have not yet decided what that will look like.
She reiterated the fact that Dillon Creek is one of many sources of nutrients entering the lake.
“Take a canoe and circle around the edges of the lakeshore. Look at all the places that water comes into the lake. In pretty much every single inlet you see these growing deltas of sediment being deposited and that's because pretty much every inlet has been modified by humans, whether it's roads or farms or homes,” explained Cross. “The exception to that would be little forest streams that are coming in from Kw'as Park, an area that hasn't been ditched and drained.”
One of the most intriguing developments in the new wetlands, at the mouth of Dillon Creek, is a growing sediment island. Cross estimates that it is composed of the equivalent of at least eight tandem sized dump truck loads of material from the creek. This was carried by fast channelized water travelling through the creek at high water. “When it hits still water like the lake or a wetland, then all that sediment drops because it's not moving anymore,” she said.
Cross said this proves the wetlands is effectively filtering out nutrients that would otherwise have entered Gunflint Lake.
“This is a huge success for the project.”
But it also suggests that septic systems, runoff from farms and gardens etc are not the only source of nutrients entering the lakes. “Soil, I think, is one of the nutrient sources that is often overlooked and it's a very large source of nutrients,” said Cross.”Soil particles carry nutrients, particularly silt, and when they're deposited into the lake through biological and chemical processes, the nutrients get released and that's what feeds the algae.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the second year of the Dillon Creek wetland restoration project on Cortes Island is coming to an end, project manager Miranda Cross gave an overview of the creek’s natural history and ways to restore it.
She explained how European settlement brought changes to the landscape.
“It’s very, very hard to find an unaltered stream in British Columbia or around the world,” said Cross.
When the pioneers dug ditches to drain the water from where they wanted to farm or live, they unintentionally changed the water table.
“When you dig a ditch, the elevation of water that's stored in the soil is reduced to the bottom of the ditch. So if you have a one metre deep ditch, then you're lowering the elevation of the water table by one metre. In some cases at Linnaea farm (where the Dillon Creek Wetlands Restoration project is taking place), the ditches are three metres deep. That's a very, very deep ditch,” explained Cross. “So the capacity of the soils to store water, as well as carbon, has been reduced greatly.”
Prior to its being transformed into pasture, the mouth of Dillon Creek would have been a patchwork of wet meadows, with “Fen and open water areas and then these big cedar forested swamps or possibly cottonwood.” The rains would periodically cause the creek to rise and spread over the land, where it slowed down and filtered into the soil.
This natural process was terminated when heavy equipment was employed to move the creek to the side of the fields. A deep ditch was dug, which both prevented the water from spreading across the floodplain and channeled it into Gunflint Lake.
“You have this narrow channel, that has steeped vertical sides. The stream doesn't have access to its flood plain. So rather than spreading out and slowing down, it has high shear stresses on the size of that ditch or stream. And it erodes the banks, particularly when there's a highly erodible soil like this glacial till that we have in the valley,” said Cross.
In other parts of Cortes Island, like Carrington Bay, they dragged logs out though the streams. This was relatively easy with a skid, but Cross pointed out it also straightened and ‘ditched’ the streams, so they continue to incise and erode today.
“In upper Dillon Creek, I don't think they did that because the stream is quite sinuous. It’s actually quite intact and healthy looking up there,” said Cross.
Rocks and fallen logs act as vertical grade control, slowing down the flow of the water.
“There is usually a little pool down below them, So it's great habitat for fish and frogs,” said Cross.
Ditches disturb the natural vertical grade control.
“If you see a little waterfall, that's just soil that is moving and it's deepening and widening the stream channel as it's moving,” added Cross. “These little waterfalls are moving their way up stream and they're putting at risk the forests surrounding them.”
She said they are not sure what they will be doing in the upper creek area yet, but there are ways to repair the damage to Dillon Creek.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) released their site design concept for the ‘Village Commons,’ in Mansons Landing, last week. This is the fruition of a public consultation process which actually began in 2004, more than a decade before CCEDA purchased the property. In today’s interview, project leader Kate Madigan talks about the six months of community meetings and input that led to the current design.
The first step was finding a consultant from outside the community to facilitate the process.
Madigan said that Dave Snider and Patricia Huntsman from the Pathways Landscape Group did an excellent job from start to finish.
They gave CCEDA a variety of ways to consult with the community:
sounding boards, where people could post thier ideas, were put up at the post office and Cortes Market in Mansons Landing, the Squirrel Cove General Store and ferry terminal waiting room in Whaletown. An online bulletin board was set up for community members to post their ideas. Around 20 people logged in to a virtual community cafe that Patricia and Dave facilitated. Around 15 people showed up for a face to face meeting in Mansosn Hall last fall.
“It felt like we got a real diversity of perspectives,” explained Madigan. “We did have someone who really wanted there to be lots of space for small business people and we had people who did want to be able to drive into the site. There was some question as to whether we wanted there to be a road going through there and we had people saying you don't have to develop this all at once. Which is true, we don't have to do it all at once. We can just do a staged development we can keep it fairly undeveloped too. There's lots of people that feel it should remain park-like. There was just so many ideas and we were just very satisfied with it.”
The top three ideas appeared to be:
keep it small, keep it rural a laundromat an outdoor event venue.
There is a central covered area with stage capacities and an area for fires.
“So, we have the outdoor venue figured out and then some what's called flex spaces that could be used for anything. They're just buildings that could be office space,” said Madigan.
A laundromat might be more problematic. Space is limited (2.6 acres) and the only road goes one way, which might be problematic if a lot of people are using it to drive up to the laundromat. I mean, you have a load and people want to drive up to it.
“I don't know that this space would be conducive to a laundromat. There might be other spaces in Manson's that are more appropriate for that.” she said.
The Village Commons is fairly park-like right now. Madigan said the clearing is a nice place to enjoy the sun on winter days. There is a shallow well and CCEDA plans to convert its old wheeled kiosk into office space.
“We like this plan today, but in two years, something could change and we could say, you know what? It makes so much more sense to have this other thing. And how can we incorporate that into the plan?” she said.
Madigan expects the plan to unfold slowly, as funding and the availability of volunteers permit.
She added, “I really feel strongly that people seem to be pleased. I'm not hearing any negative feedback about this. I think the process was well received by the community and it really is due to the efforts of volunteers. CCEDA’s land working group is made up of Amy Robertson, Colin Funk, and Beatrix Baxter. They really did want to get this right according to the community's wishes and they continue to want to see that.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Action Network (Quadra ICAN) was given charitable status on January 20th, 2022.
“We became a non-profit in May 25th, 2020. After that happened, the steering committee had always wanted to be a charitable society because a lot of the grants required some type of financial umbrella. As a nonprofit, you would have to rely on another charitable society to manage the money and give tax receipts and things like that,” explained Jude McCormick.
Leona Skovgaard, Chair of Quadra ICAN’s steering committee, added, “Jude was the one who maintained the optimism throughout this process and took the time to really understand the process. The other steering committee members support or differ in a way, but we never got too much further into the details.”
To which McCormick responded, “I kind of knew the ‘government speak,’ so I wasn't quite as put off by their seemingly negative approach to the application.”
While she focused on the documents, Skovgaard mobilized Quadra ICAN’s membership and the teams working on 14 different projects.
“Leona got it out to everybody and said, ‘do this, we need to do this.’ So getting things done was definitely a joint effort,’” said McCormick.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Hollyhock celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The current CEO, Peter Wrinch, was just seven years old when Rex Weyler and some of his friends founded the leadership center in 1982. In a recent press release Wrinch states the institute’s program for this year, “focuses on our deep desire to heal disconnection with ourselves, each other, and the natural world in this moment.” Wrinch said Hollyhock has done some amazing work over the past 40 years, “like so many other organizations, so many other businesses, the pandemic has illustrated to us that we can't continue for the next 40 years with business as usual.” “We're grounded in our history, standing in the present, but focused on the future. And I believe it looks different than what we've been doing thus far and I think we're really excited to explore that,” he said. “In this industrial or post-industrial society that has created so much wealth, the side effect has been a deep disconnection from ourselves. What are our real aspirations? What kind of society could we have if people were really free to dream and to connect to their deepest self?” asked Wrinch. “Disconnection from self leads to a destructive disconnection from others and the natural world. When we are unable to live in our own awareness, we are divorced from our impact on others and nature. Our society is grappling with the consequences of this in systemic racism, income inequality, and the climate emergency.”
Hollyhock is entering 2022 with two new partnerships. One of their most important relationships is with the Klahoose First Nation, which has been developing for a number of years. Wrinch says the day the Klahoose landed their canoes at the beach in front of Hollyhock, in 2018, was “one of the most meaningful experiences in my life.”Last fall Wrinch joined Chief Kevin Peacey, and development corporation manager, Bruno Pereira, on the maiden voyage of the Klahoose water taxi ‘Goat One.’ Following that, the Hollyhock leadership team went to the Klahoose Wilderness Lodge for an end of season management retreat. “Our whole team saw the wilderness lodge and just thought, ‘wow! We really have to figure out how to work with them!’” Hollyhock program Director Ling Lo and lodge manager Chris Tate worked out the details of a partnership that would open the door for Hollyhock’s guests to also stay in the Klahoose Wilderness Lodge. Hollyhock has also partnered with the Institute for Change Leaders, which was founded by former NDP MP and partner of the late NDP leader Jack Layton, Olivia Chow. “We looked at our catalog and we said, ‘one of the things we're missing is person to person organizing, mobilizing and who better to partner with than the ‘Institute for Change Leaders.’ So we're really excited to welcome Olivia and her team to Hollyhock,’” said Wrinch.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Singers released a video of the world premiere performance of Dr. John Hooper’s composition Corona Chorus, which they sang at the Quadra Community Centre on December 10th and 11th, 2021.
Hooper is a former Professor and Director of the School of Music at Concordia University of Edmonton, an examiner for the London School of Music and the Music Director of Island Voices. At the time of the Quadra performance, he was also the interim conductor for the Quadra Singers.
In the press release accompanying the audio that follows, choir president Joan Varley, said,“Singing together is a decades-long tradition in our small island community, and it was very hard to let that go in the spring of 2020 because of the pandemic. After two sessions online, we worked hard, following provincial guidance, to provide a safe environment to sing together again. Under Dr. Hooper’s leadership, this piece, it’s musical style and lyrics, really captures the mix of feelings and challenges that we’re facing during the pandemic. And the bonus was that he turned a really tough subject into something that shares the important public health message in a new way.”
This was the Quadra Singers 2021 Christmas concert and they followed strict safety protocols. The participants were fully vaccinated, kept two metres apart and washed their hands when entering the performance area.
Prior to the pandemic, there would have been 140 to 150 people in the audience. Due to COVID restrictions, the performance had to be scheduled over two nights to meet this capacity.
Dr Hooper introduced his composition by saying, “ I've written a piece attempting to communicate some aspects of our lived experience for music to communicate our reactions, our rules, our new realities, our frustrations, our life changes. And even some of our sadness over sickness and death. You'll hear many words that have become all too familiar to you. Yeah, I hope you'll also hear some optimism as we come out of this together, as well as some friendly finger-wagging and reminders along the way. I hope Corona chorus will make Dr. Henry proud.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Island Foundation made its first investment last month, as a foundation for a permanent endowment fund. $10,000 was invested through the Vancouver Foundation. “That was raised from individuals within our community. We now have closer to $15,000 and so we've kept $5,000 in our bank account and we've just initiated the endowment fund. We feel very, very fortunate that we're in this position and we can speak to people like you and to the community at large and just say, ‘okay, we've started the seed money,’” said foundation Chair Michael Mascall. The Vancouver Foundation manages several billion dollars of endowment funds in British Columbia and will not accept investments less than $10,000. “It's got our foot in the door and we would like to say, yes, we're here,” said Mascall. “The Vancouver Foundation offers two streams of where you can put the money. One is for socially responsible investing, which is where we've put our money, and it's not involved so much in fossil fuels and mining operations and more into market transactions.” He added, “The socially responsible investing has actually returned to a higher annual rate of return over the last five years compared to just investing in the full stock market. For us, this is a step forward and we've crossed a threshold in establishing the foundation with some sense of permanence for the longterm.” The Quadra Foundation has raised about $38,000 in the ‘just over a year’ they’ve been in existence. Part of that money was used for set-up costs. These include hiring a lawyer and Sarah James, a local Quadra web designer who is building the foundation’s website. “it's our public persona, that's let people know what our policies are, what our approach is, who the people are and how they can donate. And we'll take it from there,” said Mascall. $10,000 was used for a Quadra ICAN project to put solar panels on the roof of Quadra Island Elementary School.
Mascall describes the Quadra Island Foundation as a vehicle for the community to make a donation (bequest, land donation) back to the community. They do not want to compete with the dozen or so existing charities on Quadra Island and so have not put their name forward on the Tru Value Spirit Points Board.
He spoke with the Cortes Island Foundation a year ago, when they were working on doing their policies and bylaws, and would like to share more information and knowledge.
“We are not Vancouver island and we're not the mainland,” said Mascall. “And as a result, we've got to be more self-reliant and this [$10,000 investment] is a tool helping us in our self-reliance.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Cortes residents on their travels about the island will have noticed some new roadside sights this January. Several sandwich boards bearing the CityWest logo have appeared in scattered locations, as well as road-work crews with some unusual, specialised heavy equipment.
All this activity is part of the initial phase of the Connected Coast project on Cortes Island.
The $4.3 million last-mile project is financed in part by the provincial government and operated by CityWest. […] The Connected Coast will provide backbone communication services to Cortes Island, as well as 138 other rural and remote communities, including 48 Indigenous communities – representing 44 First Nations – along the BC Coast from Prince Rupert, to Haida Gwaii, south to Vancouver, and around Vancouver Island.
—SRD press release Jan 27 2022
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - CityWest will also be providing phone and TV to Cortes Islanders who choose these services. Regional Manager Dino Tsakonas told De Clarke, of Cortes Currents, when she was visiting the crew burying fibre optic cable in Squirrel Cove last week.
This was followed by Regional Director Noba Anderson’s announcement on CKTZ’s Folk U Friday.
Tsakonas told me packages are always in the +$20 range.
“There's so many different options, it's really hard for me to go over everything because everyone's going to have a different idea of what they want for the TV, to the long distance on phone, to the type of internet they want, whether they want quantum 20 quantum 50 quantum on 25 quantum 250 quantum gigabit. You can build your own bundle if you go to https://www.citywest.ca/south.”
“We're in the first phase where they are just laying the cable along the side of the road. Klahoose is getting it from the road to the home at this moment,” said Tsakonas.
The work crew will continue burying fibre-optic cable along the route from Squirrel Cove to Seaford. Mansons Landing should come next, then Whaletown.
Local contractors should start coming up to houses in Squirrel Cove during the next few weeks.
“With any type of project, there's obviously going to be snafus. The total plan was to be four plus months, but we'll see what happens. Given our landscape here, you never know what may happen. You might get supply demands, you might have some problems with all the rock in certain areas and what have you. So it could take a few weeks longer,” said Tsakonas. In a previous interview, Eric Geall, Operations Manager for West Connect Infrastructure (WCI) said Cortesians should receive high speed internet sometime between next summer and the end of 2023. “He's been pretty vague obviously, but that two years - I'd be extremely surprised if that was the case,” said Tsakonas. He added a reminder that people should pre-register at CityWest to receive two months free internet. For further information: Go to the CityWest website https://www.citywest.ca/south phone: 1-800-442-8664 email citywest@cwct.ca
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - What is happening with the proposed Telus Towers on Cortes Island? What's proposed? What input will islanders have? What exactly is the technology proposed? Will another tower in Manson's fix our island cell problems? What is 5G and how is this different than City West's fiber-optic proposal?
Director Noba Anderson, representative of Safe Tech Cortes, reporter Anastasia Avvakumova, and others will join Manda Aufochs Gillespie this Friday on Folk U Radio at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or cortesradio.ca for livestream.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sandra Wood talks about what the Cortes Community Housing Society achieved in 2021, when the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project will be shovel ready and what the society will do after it is finished.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mosaic Forest Management is tentatively considering logging some of their Cortes Island holding after the wildfire season ends this year.
The forestry giant laid out their draft three-year plan during a ZOOM call on Thursday night. A company spokesperson emphasized the idea this is very much a draft plan and they want to hear back from Cortes residents.
Mosaic owns 1,085 hectares, or just under 9% of the Cortes land base. They have been studying Cortes Forestry General Partnership’s operations and plan to log in a manner that is similar in size and scope.
Their first year’s cut is currently 13 hectares. These have been laid out in 5 cutblocks, averaging 2.8 hectares. They are in the Delights Lake area, as well as behind the log dump in Gorge Harbour and across the public road to the north.
Proposed cuts for 2023 and 2024 are smaller. Operations in the upper Basil Creek area and off Blue Jay road will commence in year two.
A company spokesperson said, “We’ve tried to plan the first three years of blocks away from the very sensitive areas.”
During the question period, Mosaic added that at this point they have not made any plans beyond the three years being discussed.
They also reiterated that the cutblocks are proposed, no ribbons have been hung on the ground yet and they are waiting to hear back from Cortes residents.
Mosaic is defining old growth as trees that are 200 years old and promise to not cut any stands that have more than 20 old growth trees per hectare.
They will attempt retain the old trees in stands that do not meet that 20 per hectare threshold, providing it is safe to do so and the land is not needed for roads.
Mosaic has identified all of Cortes Island’s registered water licenses and promise to coordinate with owners when their activities are near a water license. This includes walking these areas with owners. A company spokesperson said regulations dictate that their activities cannot have adverse effects on drinking water.
Company spokespersons also said they are looking into different ways they can provide firewood to the community.
The first hour of the ZOOM call was Mosaic’s presentation. Molly Hudson, Director of Sustainability, described some of the wildlife protection, water, quality protection and sustainable harvesting practices they will be following. She said Mosaic does think about providing wildlife corridors and habitat for species at risk. They have incorporated setbacks of from 10 to 30 metres from streams, depending on how they are classified. One of the other managers stated that the UK based carbon trust calculated Mosaic’s carbon footprint in 2016 and the company intends to become a positive sequestration business by 2035.
The last 40 minutes of the call was a question period. Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson pointed out that this was not a true public meeting because residential input was limited to questions typed into the chat box. Hudson replied that they had intended to hold a pubic meeting in February, but changed their plans due to COVID 19.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In a previous interview with the Quadra ICAN water security team, Bernie Amell said that development could take place in a manner that respects the natural water balance. Amell is co-owner of the environmental design firm Source2Source and a recognized authority in the design of constructed wetlands for water treatment, and in the restoration of streams and riparian habitats. One of his firm’s projects received a gold medal from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects last year. Amell’s bio mentions over 135 restoration projects throughout Alberta and in British Columbia. He has presented his work at national and international water management professional conferences. Amell lives on Quadra Island and in today’s interview, he talks about learning to work with the natural water balance.
“Natural water balance is an idea that has been generated in the past 20 years by people in a stormwater management world,” he explained.
Prior to that, people simply built ditches or install pipes to drain away the excess water from areas where they wanted to build houses, businesses or cities.
Unfortunately, there were often consequences.
“It seems like you're not really doing much to the hydrology, but in fact you are. So, what has happened in the stormwater management world is to recognize that even fairly humble things that we all take for granted, like curbs on roads and roadside ditches and the ditches in farm fields and so on change the hydrology. Most human activities do,” explained Amell.
A roof has a hundred percent runoff and so does a parking area (after it's been used a few years).
“There is a whole set of fairly humble tools to maintain a natural water balance close to the point where that human impact has occurred,” said Amell.
It is relatively inexpensive to address the problem of water draining from a roof. Problems affecting multiple city blocks are fixable, but more expensive.
Remember that big circular water cycle that most of us learned about in elementary school?
“If you delve into the detail of how the rain falls on the ground, usually you just see the vegetation and the soil. There is a certain amount of the rainfall caught in the canopy that never actually makes it to the ground, called intercepted water. There's not much in this rainy season, but throughout the year it's probably 5% to 10%. Then there's a spongy layer of humus, leaves and everything and, surficial vegetation and routes that take a very high proportion of the water into the ground,“ said Amell. “Probably 50% of the water that falls in an area doesn't run off the land, it goes into the ground or its used by the vegetation on the property.”
Amell cited the Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration project, which helps filtrate the flow of nitrates into Gunflint Lake on Cortes Island, as an example of reversing the damages from human development.
On a smaller scale, a structured bed of earth with plants can address the problem of runoff from a roof.
“If you're dealing with a few acres of land around a house, you might just focus on biofilter beds because you could integrate it, say with a fruit orchard or something that will also benefit from having deeper rooted soil conditions,” explained Amell. “You have to deliberately create it. You've created the roof and the pavement that increases runoff from one area. You have to do some deliberation somewhere else. I call it countervailing effects. That's what the core of the natural water balance is about, understanding the kind of nitty gritty of the water cycle on your property. Then saying, ‘Okay, I've done inescapable things that effect it, what can I do to bring things back into balance?’”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the second of two broadcasts about more sustainable forestry practices, one of the founders of the Cortes Community Fortes Co-operative talks about the industry’s diminishing harvests in terms that every gardener understands.
“Back in the 1970s it used to be called tree farming, to give the public the idea that you're actually going to be creating crops off of that landscape each year,” said Ellingsen.
Every farmer knows that they need to replace the nutrients that they are taking out of the soil, or “pretty soon it will not grow a crop successfully any longer.”
However the foresters, engineers and everybody else involved in deciding what is a sustainable cut in the provincial forest are not allowing for the reduction of nutrients in the land base with each succeeding harvest.
“They just work on an assumption that has been toted for years. We can cut down the forest and then as long as we replant at least one tree for each one we cut - or maybe two or three considering that they will not all get to an age where we allow ourselves to cut them again - we're still going to be sustainable. Each crop is going to be replaced with new trees, but the thing is not being replaced is the nutrients that it takes to grow those trees. It's being gradually drawn down,” explained Ellingsen.
He said it takes about three years for the soil in his garden to become exhausted. After that, he needs to either add nutrients in or leave the garden fallow so it can regenerate itself.
“In forestry terms, we're dealing over a lot longer timeframe, but the dynamic is still the same. Every time you have a new crop of trees on a landscape and harvest it, you're taking about half of the nutrients that it took to grow that tree out of that landscape and disappears down to the booming ground and off to the ship or wherever it's going or the saw mill, or wherever it's going,” said Ellingsen.“Over probably three or four rotations, you're going to be exhausting, that landscape of the ability and the nutrients required to regenerate, succeeding crops of trees.”
He said Eastern Vancouver Island is now into its third or fourth tree harvest. The forests between Victoria and Sayward were initially logged in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Most of the giant trees were cut down by the 1950’s and 60’s. Isolated pockets remain, like Cathedral Grove on the way to Port Alberni.
“When I was a young fellow, the assumed harvesting cycle was around 80 to 120. Now the ministry of forest thinks that the sustainable rate of harvest should be around 60 to possibly 80 years or 50 to possibly eight years. So it's creeping down all the time.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “Most of what’s left is up in the mountains and the coast range or the Rockies and so not the productive sites anymore. Most of what was easy to get is gone,” said Bruce Ellingsen, one of the founders of the Cortes Community Forest Co-operative, in reference to British Columbia’s old growth trees.
In the first of two articles about current forestry practices, Ellingsen looks to nature for models of a more sustainable consumption rate.
Landsat satellite data published by the University of Maryland (and reproduced at the top of this page), show that there has been alarming loss of the forests on Vancouver Island and in the interior of British Columbia during the past 20 years.
Less easily accessible areas in the north of the province, or in the coastal and rocky mountains, are relatively untouched.
In a previous interview Bruce Ellingsen explained that the discrepancy between the government and satellite descriptions of the province’s forest coverage may be because trees less than 5 metres high do not show up in Landsat images. So much of the light coloured areas that appear as tree loss in the university’s map may be covered by what are in effect tree toddlers. These trees will be harvested once they are between 50 to 80 years old. To use a comparison with humans, then they will effectively be pre-teens, with a far greater proportion of sapwood than is present in mature trees.
“We’re the ones that are managing it and we’re the ones that are going to have the impact. If we want to do it in a sustainable way, then we’ve got to look for indicators that will give us a guidance as to whether we are going to be able to achieve that goal of having that ecosystem that grows trees for us be able to sustain,” said Bruce Ellingsen.
Ellingsen says he came up with the idea of studying predation rates from an old report about the dynamic between Peregrine Falcons and Ancient Murrelets on the Nature of Things. After 17 years of studying, researchers concluded that the Peregrines were probably taking around 15 to 20% of the mean annual seabird population increase.
“That got me thinking that possibly there’s indicators in natural system dynamics in the world that we could look at,” explained Ellingsen.
He discovered a similar predation rate between polar bears and ringed seals, after a visit to Churchill, Manitoba, in 2003. That led him to to the work of Dr Ian Sterling, who has been studying polar bears since the early 1970s. Sterling and his colleagues believe that every year polar bears were consuming between 13% and 22% of the seal population
A similar statistic was reported in a New York times about Central America’s Leaf Cutter Ants. Scientists found that the ants were only taking 13 to 20% of the shrubs, trees and other vegetation in their area and that has probably been going on for millions of years.
The only human example he found comes from the South Island of New Zealand and the Rocky islands offshore, where the Maoris have been harvesting about 18% of the seabird eggs every year.
“This has been going on for about 700 years and obviously you can start to say that’s a reasonably sustainable dynamic for a population that is reproducing annually,” said Ellingsen.
He added that forestry ecologists like Herb Hammond, of the Silva Forest Foundation, and Jerry Franklin, from the University of Washington, seem to agree that maybe 25% of what grows in a forest is extra and the forest needs everything beyond that to keep itself alive and healthy.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr. Kelsey Gil is a postdoctoral researcher at UBC’s department of zoology and the lead author of a paper published in Current Biology that literally peaks down the throat of a lunge whale. Lunge feeding whales (humpbacks, blue whales and fin whales) open their mouths as they accelerate towards their prey. Gil explained that if, for example, a human were to do this in a swimming pool, they would have to swallow a volume of water equal to their body size. “So you'd have to put yourself in your own mouth and then push out all the parts that you didn't actually want to swallow and keep the parts in your mouth that you did,” she said. One of the questions explored in this paper, is why lunge whales don’t drown while they are doing this? Humpback Whales in our area Humpback whales only just returned to our area this past decade, after what appears to be a 140-year-absence. They seem to have disappeared around the time the whaling industry collapsed, in 1871. Lynne Jordan, former curator of the Cortes Island Museum, told Cortes Currents there was a sighting between Cortes and Quadra Islands around 2011 or 2012. The number of humpback whales swimming into our area kept increasing and there were 58 sightings when the Vancouver Island. Aquarium took a census over the long weekend in August 2017. Helen Hall, Executive Director of Friends of Cortes Island, explained, “Some of those may be the same humpback whales, but the same weekend a year ago, they only had two sightings - so there has been a huge increase in the numbers this summer.” Sightings have become more common and on the Friends of Cortes Island website it says, “Unbelievably 86 individual humpback whales were identified in local waters just last year.”
Looking down a Lunge Whale’s throat Scientists already knew a lot about lunge feeding, up until the moment prey enters a whale’s mouth. Dr. Gil and her colleagues wanted to find out what happens next. They found a kind of oral plug, at the back of the whale’s mouth, that seals off their upper airways during feeding. Otherwise food would be entering their nasal cavities. As for the lunge whale’s ability to take in its own weight in water: “Whales have this huge pouch that extends all the way from their mouth down to their belly button. That's where all this water is going. They open their mouths up, their tongue turns outside in and extends all the way down to their belly button,” explained Gil. “The pouch collapses back as they're closing their mouth. That's what's assisting all of the water to be pushed out through those baleen plates. It seems like a lot of work to get all of this krill, but clearly it's working very well for these animals considering they have managed to become the largest animals on the planet.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - MOWI Canada West is closing down its processing plant in Surrey and another fish farm has left the Broughton Archipelago.
On December 17th MOWI Canada West announced it is closing its fish processing plant in Surrey because of a 30% loss in production volume as a result of the closure of fish farms.
Rupinder Dadwan, MOWI’s Human Resources Manager, said, “This is what happens when politics overrides science-based evidence. At the beginning of the pandemic we were deemed an essential service providing our country affordable and healthy food, and now we’re forced to close our doors. Our Federal Government doesn’t have to do this – it can choose fairness and engagement over divisiveness and exclusion.”
One of the fish farms that MOWI is closing down is Wicklow Point in the Broughton Archipelago.
Cortes Currents first learned of this through a Facebook video by a Broughton resident using the initials DLW. He was on the shore and filmed a tugboat towing some flat objects, possibly the fish farms pens.
“Fish farm leaving the Broughtons, that’s just beautiful. That’s awesome, the best thing to happen all day,” said DLW. “You should try [putting fish farms] out in the open ocean, where they are going to have a less of an impact or better yet put them on land.”
The BC Salmon Farmers Association have not responded to a request for an interview, or commented on DLW’s suggestion that fish farms move out to sea.
Independent biologist Alexandra Morton, who has been counting sea lice in the vicinity of the Wicklow Point fish farm since 2001, was available to comment.
“I can see that [the Wicklow Point fish Farm] has left, which is incredible. It means that most of the migration route for the juvenile salmon in the Broughtons are now clear of salmon farms. Not all of them: the southern part is still loaded, but the Otter, Viner and Kakweken Rivers will benefit directly from the removal of that farm,” she said. “I have to say though, that the companies in the Broughton have done everything they can to lower their lice more or less successfully. They’re probably trying harder in the Broughton than anywhere else in the world to lower their lice because of the Broughton Aquaculture Transition Initiative, which was signed in 2018. The way it works is that many of the farms had a scheduled termination date, but the last seven farms, some from each company, remain in limbo based on the decision of the three First Nations Leaders (‘Namgis, Mamtagila, and Kwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w).
Morton also said she did not think DLW’s idea of moving fish farms out to sea is feasible. She believes they would be placed where the currents are and there are already wild salmon there.
“Get out of the water. Put them in a tank and let’s just get it over with,” she said.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Last week I published a story about some old growth trees cut down on Quadra Island, then almost immediately became aware there was much more to the story and took it down.
There is no question about old growth trees being cut down on woodlot licence W2031.
Nor is there any question about the legality of the woodlot licensees action. They have not broken any laws.
As one of the licensees emailed, “With regards to your questions about old growth and riparian management, these complaints were brought forward in 2020 to the Ministry of Forests (Campbell River District) and again in 2021 to the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP). Both bodies investigated the facts and determined that the complaints were without merit.”
There were questions about the woodlot owners following the ‘Management Plan for areas within the Georgia Straits Provincial Plan.’
I was told they are violating this plan, but have come to disagree.
Firstly, this 21 page document does not appear to be a binding agreement, but rather a historical document from 1993. It deals with parts of the island south of the woodlot in question. Among other things, it also proposes the creation of what became Main Lake Provincial Park (in 1996).
This plan was drawn up by the now long defunct Quadra Island Forest Resources Committee, but, according to a recent Discovery Islander article, “many Woodlot Licensees have committed to complying with the Quadra Plan in their Woodlot Licence Plans.”
Secondly, contrary to what I was told, woodlot licence W2031 actually embraces the key tenant it is supposedly violating: “preservation of existing old-growth and the need to grow more.”
That is a goal.
In the plan for woodlot licence W2031, there are provisions for cutting down old growth trees to build roads, for safety reasons, or if the trees are infested by insects.
The licensees informed Cortes Currents that the old growth they removed were individual trees outside of the preservation areas set up on their woodlot.
Four stands of trees 250 years old and older have been established as wildlife tree retention areas. A large body of the second growth trees around these stands have been designated ‘recruitment areas’ to grow more old growth.
The licensees also emailed some numbers to Cortes Currents. The most pertinent is probably that 98% of the trees they have felled are second growth.
This pertains to how the woodlot owner intends to reach the goal of increasing the number of old growth trees.
I am told that many Quadra Island woodlot licensees go further and do not cut any old growth trees, but this is a personal choice.
In both cases the licensee’s stated intention is to increase the total number of old growth trees in their tenders.
Top image credit: One of the paths in Main Lake Provincial Park - Photo by Loneshieling via Wikimedia (CC BY SA, 4.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Public meetings for two controversial Quadra Island real estate developments have been deferred until this April, 2022, because of concerns about meeting in-person during a pandemic.
The public meeting for the proposed Gowland Harbour Views development was scheduled for January 18th, 2022, and the rezoning meeting for Quadra Links Golf Course was to have occurred the following day.
With less than a week to go, at the January 12th SRD Board meeting, Quadra Island Regional Director Jim Abram, said, “I have two items of business that are very timely. We need to deal with them today at this meeting because we have scheduled two public hearings in the next week.”
Having already observed the meeting for one of these projects being delayed for years, Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson responded, “ I certainly hear the concerns around this meeting wanting to have a good in-person component to it, but we are government and we do need to move forward on these things. So I'm just asking from staff on the advisability of this and our ability to hold public hearings following all of their required protocol. I don't know why [the meeting is being set back to] April, why wouldn't it be the earliest opportunity that Omicron allows.”
SRD Senior Manager Thomas Yates expressed concerns about being able to notify the public about the cancellations in time.
Abram replied that there was no need for concern, half of Quadra Island’s population would be contacted through Facebook by the end of the day.
As both of the proposed meetings were on Quadra, they fell under the jurisdiction of the SRD’s Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC).
The following motions passed with unanimous support of all four Regional Directors (Jim Abram, Noba Anderson, Brenda Leigh and Gerald Whalley):
“Abram/Whalley: SRD 32/22 - Due to the most resent Omicron variant outbreak of Covid 19, that the public hearing for the Schellinck development scheduled for January 18, 2022 be rescheduled to an available date in late April 2022, at 7pm at the Quadra Island Community Centre. All COVID protocols will apply. - carried”
“Abram/Anderson: SRD 33/22 - Due to the most resent Omicron variant outbreak of Covid 19, that the public hearing for the Quadra Links development scheduled for January 19, 2022 be rescheduled to an available date in late April 2022, at 7pm at the Quadra Island Community Centre. All COVID protocols will apply - carried”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a week since the Federal Court of Canada condemned RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki for her failure to respond to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). The case revolved around an interim report from 2017, but in her Judgement and Reasons Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagné pointed to numerous other cases where the RCMP had acted in the same high handed manner.
“It is in the public interest to have a police oversight institution that functions properly and is unobstructed.” she wrote.
One of the organizations applauding the Court’s Decision to hold the police accountable is the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
“The recent decision calls into question and challenges the integrity of the highest ranking RCMP official in the land, Brenda Lucki, in regard to her complete lack of accountability,” explained Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
On January 12th, Lucki issued a press release stating, “I respect the Federal Court's decision that the RCMP's response to the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) matter was not provided as soon as feasible, as per the RCMP Act. In the past there had been delays in responding to CRCC interim reports due in part to the number of interim reports issued, the scale and complexity of the cases and the volume of relevant material to be analyzed … A 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the CRCC and RCMP commits us to improving our service standards by providing a written response to CRCC reports within six months. We have made significant progress; in November 2021, we cleared our backlog of responses to CRCC interim reports and since April 1st, 2021 all new interim reports have been responded to within the agreed upon six-month time frame.”
This response did not address the concerns of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Indigenous people are alarmed that the escalating militarization of the RCMP. There was a time when the RCMP were given a very strong mandate to keep the peace, but we all know that that has transitioned into a very dark place where the RCMP are finding themselves as the enforcement arm of resource development, extractive industries, oil, and gas pipelines, mines, and they're coming down harshly and with pronounced measure of police brutality in regard to the citizens of this province of this country that simply seek to protect the integrity of the environment, the watersheds of riparian systems, wild salmon, and so on and so forth,” said Grand Chief Phillip.
“We saw that demonstrated at ferry Creek where the RCMP were brutally assaulting the people that were standing there in opposition to old-growth logging, which the Horgan government promised to stop when they ran for the last election. And with respect to the Wet'suwet'en it's far darker in terms of the full military assaults on the peaceful encampments of Wet'suwet'en people who are simply carrying out their rights in regard to the declaration on the rights from indigenous peoples, the Delgamuukw-Gisday'wa case. All of these high court decisions have given them every right to protect their homelands from the predation of the industrial corporations that are out there, wreaking havoc.”
He added that the RCMP care carrying their assaults out in a manner that is virtually indistinguishable from military operations.
“Governments need to be held to account as well as the RCMP itself. That's why the union of BC Indian shoots applauds the court decision that calls into question Brenda lucky and her very racialized execution of her campaign against indigenous peoples and the environmental movement or who simply seeking to protect the integrity of the environment.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their January 12th meeting, the SRD Board had some good reports about the way individuals and corporations helped out during the recent cold snap.
Chair Brad Unger brought the topic up during his update:
“The weather throughout our Regional District just last couple of weeks, snow, rain, freezing rain, more snow, power outages everywhere within the Regional District, but nowhere near as it was in Tahsis and Zeballos. No power there for several days; well closures etc. I want to say hats off to Mayor and Director, Martin Davis [of Tahsis], Mayor/Director, Julie Colburn [of Zeballos]. Great job with your communities.”
During the emergency, the SRD activated warming centres in Tahsis and Zeballos and worked closely with BC Ambulance Services ensuring continuity of ambulance services and provision of essential medications.
Thus Unger added, “the other one I want to reach out to is our protective services coordinator, Shaun Koopman, outstanding job, Shaun.”
Regional Director Jim Abrams, from Quadra Island praised, “all of the communities and all of the first nations communities that work together out there to try and keep everybody warm and fed and dry and whatever else.”
“But I also think that we should give a special shout out to BC hydro for the incredible work that they had to do in the most unbelievable weather that they probably experienced, maybe in their career, and they got it done. I think, we so often forget about the fact that the service providers are actually out there all night in the dark, busting their butts and the cold trying to keep us in survival mode. So I just like to thank BC Hydro, publicly, and hopefully that will get off to them. Maybe a letter from the chair on behalf of the board to thank BC Hydro for what they did on this rebuild. Because basically it wasn't a repair, It was a rebuild of the transmission lines into those communities and they really do deserve some accolades.”
Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis said, “I'd also like to echo those comments to thank BC Hydro and Sean Koopman did an amazing job. My community pulled together and I know there was a lot of exhaustion at the end because we went pretty much full week without power. We saw help from many places. I know Greg Seafood brought in 1500 litres of diesel fuel. So we'd like to thank them for that. Western Forest Products actually brought in several truckloads of firewood yesterday because a lot of people were running low on firewood because it's been such a cold winter there. It was great to see the community pull together. I'd like to thank our paramedics and our staff and public works for keeping things running because they literally had to use generators to run the pumping stations for sewage, those sorts of things. Everybody's exhausted at the end and I hope that's the end of it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Rachel Blaney, Member of Parliament for North Island - Powell River , gave Cortes Currents an overview of the important issues this past year and the effect being our MP has had on her personal life.
Some of the issues: - Climate Change - the 2021 election - Government clawbacks on the most vulnerable population - the housing crisis - Fish Farms - First Nations Issues
What being an MP has meant to her family - How COVID meant staying home and seeing her family'd day to day lives - Living on Ottawa time while the rest of the house is on BC time - Two politicians in the same household - her husband adapted, her kids adapted, but her dogs really struggle with her going away all the time.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Trying to keep the grid up has been very challenging these past three weeks. BC Hydro crews were constantly on call throughout the region, for more than two weeks, repairing power outages caused by falling trees and snow encrusted power lines. Subzero temperatures meant skyrocketing heating bills. When John Sprungman recently asked why his lights were flickering, a BC Hydro repair technician informed him that Cortes Island is trying to draw more power than the infrastructure on Cortes can handle. BC set a new record for peak electricity demand between 5 and 6 PM on December 27th, 2021: 10,902 megawatts.
“Whenever we're responding to troubling snow, it tends to be a bit of a slower response. The roads are not easy to travel on. Things it takes longer to get to the location that we're traveling and it's often a prolonged event. Our crews really started on Christmas Eve on the 24th and it wasn't until Sunday that the Campbell river district crews had all that trouble cleared up, with the re-energized station of past systems in Zeballos,” said Karla Lowers, from BC Hydro Media Relations. “The good news is we can handle it.”
“Our system is not at capacity from a trust perspective. We actually have electric despair, and anticipate that will be a situation for the next number of years. So we can meet that demand and locally as well, the theatre that provides electrical service to Cortes Island isn't at capacity. So it does allow us to meet the demands that are put on the system in that, which are peak period.”
She explained that Cortes Island obtains its electricity from an undersea cable that crosses over to Sarah Point on the Malaspina Peninsula. From there the lines run about 35 kilometres to a substation in Powell River.
Most of the times that Cortes’ electricity comes back on during the night, the problem was in that Mainland segment of the line. A crew from Powell River made the repair.
The Campbell River office responds to the outages on Cortes Island. Crews generally arrive in the morning. They sometimes use the ferry, but when the weather makes this impossible have used planes, helicopters or a crew boat. BC Hydro has a facility on Cortes island that houses two vehicles, a small bucket truck, as well as an SUV and some equipment.
“Recently we did overnight in Cortez so that we could make the most of the crew's time that we are there,” said Lowers.
Crews are limited to work a 16 hour shift, after which they need to have eight hours of break time.
“We've stayed at lots of different places on Cortez island: motels, bed and breakfasts. One of the things that crews really liked to have is a warm bed to lay their head down on. Sometimes that's problem. When the power's out on the entire islands, we would like it for acquire a place that had an alternate energy supply, a generator or an alternate heat source. In regards to food, the cruise like to head off on their day with a warm breakfast. So sometimes we're really limited in regards to our ability to stay on the island because some of those resources aren't available,” said Louwers.
She asked that anyone who can help provide food or housing to crews email her at karla.louwers@bchydro.com
“I can put them in contact with the Campbell river line manager so that we make those connections to make it easier for our crews to stay over on Cortes when they need to.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Roadside, one of the last remaining Forest Defender camps at Fairy Creek, officially closed down yesterday. In the end, it was severe weather rather than police actions that brought this about.
An unknown number of Indigenous folks remain at a nearby watch camp.
The last RCMP press release, posted on Lake Cowichan detachment page more than a month ago (on December 2nd), states 1,188 people have been arrested as they attempted to protect what is sometimes called the last remaining intact old growth ecosystem outside of a park.
According to a Vancouver SUN expose, as of November 30th the RCMP spent $8.9 million opposing the protest.
The Teal-Jones Group claims that activists put hundreds of jobs at risk and hampered it accessing $10 million worth of timber.
On December 22nd, two days before the recent cold snap began, the occupants of Roadside posted a collection of video messages on their Facebook page in which: A schoolteacher explained why she feels she would not be doing her job as a teacher or a mother if she did join the protest at Fairy Creek A former loader describes the province’s current logging practises as “just grabbing resources at the expense of the other peoples.” Another Forest Defender says, “I'm here because these blockades are the only thing keeping the NDP and John Horgan accountable to protecting old growth for us and committing the promises they made to the strategic old growth review report.”
A series of posts on the Fairy Creek Facebook page chronicle the camp’s closure:
The photos from January 3rd show camp life: tents in the snow, people chopping wood, a truck that spun off the icy road Four days later a tree came crashing down beside the kitchen tent. The camp spokesperson wrote, “Snow, ice, and hazardous conditions slam Fairy Creek. As the rivers rise, the threat of flooding is imminent.”
Yesterday, January 10th, pictures showing the last remaining inhabitants of Roadside packing their belongs into a U-Haul and close to a dozen other vehicles were added.
The spokesperson wrote: “As we close up Roadside and start a new chapter, we reflect back on the year we’ve had. When we looked up at the towering cedars, spruce, and fir it gave us purpose in knowing that we protected what Elder Bill Jones refers to as our “Great Mother.” We sat in circles and ceremonies in reverence of their beauty as he reminded us that these places have always been meant for meditation and prayer. His grandfather once told him these forests should never be cut - in fact, it was his dying wish.”
He added, “While it may no longer be logistically possible to block logging in such awful winter conditions, we choose to see an opportunity here. This ending also means the beginning of a new chapter – one that includes more local actions, in a city near you. The spring will bring new life; it always does. STAY TUNED FOR WHAT’S NEXT.”
As Cortes Currents was completing this story, word came that the Wilderness Committee named Elder Bill Jones as this year’s recipient of the Eugene Rogers award.
Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee explained, “Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones has been a friend of our organization for almost a decade and a champion for old growth forests for much longer.”
The 80-year-old former logger responded, “ I am so flattered to accept this. It's a blessing to us all to realize that we are indeed the servants and protectors of our great mother.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to the provincial government’s Daily Update, there are now at least 3,906 active COVID cases on Vancouver Island. This statistic is low. The number of people who are believed to have COVID and gone into self isolation, but have not yet been tested, is growing “As many people have noted in the past few weeks, we reached our capacity both from testing, from the lab equipment, from the personnel and the reagents,” said BC Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry on Friday. “Not everybody needs a test, they are a limited resource and we need to use them to ensure people who need them have access - whether it's health care workers and long-term care and access to medications.” Henry also said that at this point, she believes everyone in BC “knows somebody, or has somebody in their close social circle, who has been affected by COVID-19.” As Island Health has not updated its public COVID dashboard since Christmas Eve, statistics are no longer broken down into North, Central and South Vancouver Island. The BC Centre for Disease Control releases more area specific data, several days after the event. Thus we know that as of the end of December, there have been 682 cases in the Greater Campbell River Local Health Area since the pandemic arrived, and this number must now exceed 700. That works out to about 1.5% of the population. If the virus spread out evenly across the health area, which seems highly unlikely, that would mean more than 527 people in the city of Campbell River, close to 40 on Quadra, 15 people on Cortes, and 1 on Read Island are either currently, or have been, infected. As of the week ending on January 1st, there were at least 76 active cases. There are more people living to the south of us, in the Comox Valley Local Health Area, where the cumulative count as of December 31st is 1,732 cases, or 2.4% of the population. There were at least 169 active cases. The cumulative count across from us on the Mainland, in the Powell River Local Health Area is 211, or roughly 1% of the population. As of the week ending on January 1st, at least 58 were active. Once again, the numbers just reported are low especially for the past few weeks. “People with mild symptoms of what they believe is COVID are being encouraged to not take tests as the system is currently overtaxed,” said Henry. “If you are fully vaccinated and have mild symptoms, you don't need a test. Omicron is spreading widely in our communities. If you have those mild symptoms, whether it's a runny nose, a cough, and you've been in connection with other people, it's very likely that you have COVID.” She advised people with symptoms to stay home and follow the procedures laid out on the BC Centre for Disease Control website. Meanwhile, the public school system will reopen as planned on Monday morning. “I know that many parents are anxious about children coming back to school, particularly if you have vulnerable family members at home,” said Henry. “I just want to reassure you that the things that we have in place, we'll do our best to mitigate any of the challenges that we have. And it's important to remember as well we have very high rates of immunization in school staff, and I encourage all the children who are eligible in schools now to get vaccinated as well.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released a survey that showed the total number of marine species at risk within the Salish Sea doubled between 2002 and 2015. While the Discovery Islands are within the study area, the EPA study did not list specific locations. So Cortes Currents asked Max Thaysen, President of the Friends of Cortes Island, about the species of risk in our area.
The Friends of Cortes Island identified 33 Species of Risk that live on Cortes Island either part-time, or year round.
They have devoted specific pages on their website to 17 of these:
Barn Swallow, Big-eared Bat, Blue Dasher Dragon Fly, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Common Nighthawk, Great Blue Heron, Harbor Porpoises, Northern Goshawk, Northern Pygmy Owl, North Red-Legged Frog, Pacific Sideband Snail, Silver Spotted Skipper, Sooty Grouse, Steller Sea Lion, Threaded Vertigo, Western Screech Owl Western Toad.
There are species whose situation is improving. FOCI is collecting reports of Humpback Whale sightings.
Last April, FOCI and the HAKAI Institute partnered to organize a new citizen science sea star monitoring program on Cortes Island.
During the summer, FOCI asked Cortes Island residents to submit photos of any Great Blue Heron they saw. On Heron Day, September 5th, volunteers counted 15 Great Blue Heron.
In the course of our interview, Thaysen mentioned another species FOCI is observing. Forage Fish are not considered ‘commercially significant,’ but they are critical to many other lifeforms around Cortes Island.
Thaysen explained that, as a society, FOCI doesn’t have the resources for an in depth study of the species at risk in our area.
“I'm interested because the species extinction rate serves as a really good indicator of what's happening on the planet,” he said. “Scientists fairly consistently come up with a rough estimate of our current species extinction rate on planet earth as being a hundred times greater than the normal extinction rate.”
Thaysen described the EPA study as “a pretty serious indictment,” on the scale of the “asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs.”
The report states, “34% of all birds and 43% of all mammals that use this ecosystem are threatened, endangered or are candidates for status assessments.”
This is worrisome because they are at the top of the food chain.
For example, the health of Southern Resident Killer Whales is important because they are apex predators.
“A healthy population of Southern Resident Killer Whales indicates the health of the whole food web beneath that. If they're doing well: then salmon are doing well; herring are doing well; prawns and shrimp are doing well; the river systems are doing well and the ocean systems are doing well. Pollution is sort of under control. So what I think this report is saying, when it says that the number of Marine birds and mammals becoming at risk is particularly worrisome, is that they indicate the health of the ecosystem.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fifteen youth, aged 8 to 14, signed up for the Reel Youth Partners in Education Film Program, which starts on Monday January 10th.
This online program is run by the Powell River School Board but, as might be expected, considering Reel Youth’s strong connection to Cortes Island, 7 of the 15 students are Cortesians.
“We have an office on Cortes, which is the office that you're most likely to find us in. Then we've got one in Vancouver and Toronto and Yellowknife. We have addresses in all those places,” said Erica Køhn, Artistic Director of Reel Youth.
Mark Vonesch, Director of Reel Youth, added, “We’ve made 2,500 films since we started and we have a tutoring film festival that tours across Canada and have made it sort of my livelihood just feel lucky to be able to have an office here on Cortez and, and run it from here. But most of our work happens off Cortez who do a lot of work in Northwest territories and Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan. We've worked in every province and we've also done projects in Nepal, Morocco, India, and Vietnam.”
Students taking the PIE course will be trained to write, plan, shoot, and edit a short film.
There is an online classroom component two hours a day, for six days, ending on January 21st.
“Each film is so unique and has such a different flavour. There's something immersive and deep and personal about the resulting films that. Draws us to doing them again and again, because they are so illuminating and the young people are so proud of what they do,” said Køhn,
She and Marianne Barry will be the facilitators for this course.
It will conclude with a virtual gala of all their films. After which the films will be submitted to the real youth film festival and distributed on YouTube and the real youth website.
“I'd say probably 10, 15% of youth that do our programs end up pursuing film as a career, or are going in that direction. We always tell youth, use this program as a reference and, use my name and I'm happy to help you get into school and, or get you a job,” said Vonesch.
“We want all the youth who come to our programs to walk away with skills that are gonna serve them. No matter what career they end up choosing. If you're somebody who has storytelling skills, that's useful.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A new University of Victoria study found that British Columbians drank more alcohol during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than they have in the past 20 years.
The adult population drank the equivalent to 547 cans of beer or 104 bottles of wine in one year
The heaviest drinkers were in the Interior, but the second highest levels of consumption were on Vancouver Island.
“The story is partly COVID, but it's not just COVID. There's been a spike. On top of what I like to say is a steady hill of increases in consumption, dating back to about the year 2000 and particularly since about 2010. Since then, we've seen a 10% increase in average, per capita consumption,” said Dr. Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR).
“If we look at British Columbia generally compared to the rest of Canada, We have a higher alcohol consumption than the rest of Canada, somewhere, about 20% higher. A lot of people have said, well, that's just because a lot of tourists come to BC and then they drink alcohol and that's recorded as sales in the province, even though not all of it is being consumed by people who actually live in the province.
“Why this trend is important is that there was less tourism during this year ending in March of 2021. So maybe this is actually a more accurate reflection of what the province actually consumes.”
Naimi said that, as a result of COVID restrictions, 80% of alcohol purchases are made at take-out outlets like liquor stores.
Cortes Currents checked with two outlets on the island, to see if they are selling more liquor.
Curt Cunningham, owner/manager of the Squirrel cove General store said his liquor sales were up 35% in 2021.
There is both a restaurant and a general store at the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort. If they follow the pattern seen in Dr Naimi’s study, liquor sales at the Floathouse Restaurant were probably down, but those at the store were up.
The manager, Bill Dougan,“We saw a jump in liquor sales 20% for the last year but it has tapered off . Our liquor sales are still up from last year but barely. I would attribute the slight increase to more customers and guests. COVID gave us a permanent bump in sales, in the off season and during peak times. There are more people on island again this winter and the property here has over 20 people living on property.”
Cortes Currents asked Dr Naimi if the increase in liquor consumption could be because people are more isolated, they can’t do a lot of things that used to be part of their normal lives? Are some people drinking more because they are bored?
“ I think that's a factor, but I also think there are other factors at play,” said Naimi.
He pointed to the modernization of BC’s Liquor policy which started in 2013/14:
“We've had big changes in policies around home deliveries, pick up from restaurants, and take away from restaurants. Never in the history of British Columbia have British Colombians been able to access alcohol from so many places in so many different ways at so many hours of the day and night.”
Few of these changes are observable on Cortes, but there are more people on the island since the pandemic began and a lot more residents are shopping locally instead of heading off to the big stores Campbell River, elsewhere on Vancouver Island or even the Lower Mainland.
Naimi agreed that if there is no up to date census data, Cortes could see seeing an artificial bump in its perceived consumption records.
“That's why I always tell people, take the local data with a grain of salt because there's influxes and fluxes of people and travelers, and even home production that may differ from in these different areas. This report, which we do on an annual basis is measuring it's called per capita alcohol consumption and all that means,” he said.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Team Awesome served more than 200 people at this year’s free Christmas Dinner Take-out on Cortes Island. That’s 50% less than last year. Given the sub zero temperatures and slippery snow covered roads, the organizers were surprised that so many showed up.
In the thank-you, which Noah Davison and Izabelle Perry posted in the Tideline, “We were so touched by all the neighbours and friends that helped each other pick up and deliver meals. It was such a heartwarming and joyful sight to see!”
The Christmas day take-out was primarily financed by Whaletown Community Club, through a BC Community Gaming Grant, but the special touches are only possible because of donations of time, food and money from members of the community.
The long thank-you list includes:
Billie, Dova, Peter Jackel, Lovena and Ryan Harvey for peeling carrots and potatoes; De Clarke for the turkey deboning marathon Kelly for picking 250 beautiful sprigs of rosemary. Amanda and her family for baking and decorating 405 cookies Wayne Cruickshanks for stepping in and doing SO many dishes! Shiva for decorating all the desert bags, help with dishes and setting up the distribution station in Whaletown. Becky and Scoot Knutsen for donating 50 lbs of potatoes. Jim Kearney for helping with the delivery and dispensing of meals in Mansons Landing Wayne Roberts for helping with traffic and meal distribution at the Manson’s Hall.
Davidson and Perry also thanked all their suppliers: Bill and Tammy, Aynsley, Abi, Joel and all the Gorge Store staff (also the Floathouse Restaurant) Johnny and the Mainroad crew for plowing the Hall parking lots and road Sara of Wildflower Produce at Reef Point Farm for the delicious, local produce. Farhad of Fungisle for the locally grown king oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms for our veg stuffing.
“We would call it a success mostly because we learned from our mistakes last year. And also because we were able to get help from a few volunteers this year at went a lot smoother. We also didn't have to spend a day and a half peeling potatoes because we had people helping us,” Perry told Cortes Currents. “Last year was quite the endeavour. We had more food to prep and we didn't accept any volunteer help because of our plan to have only one household preparing the whole meal.”
In addition to accepting to more volunteer help, this Christmas Team Awesome opted to serve meals cold - which eliminated the stress of trying to get them into people’s hands while still hot.
“This year, we were ready ahead of time and the delivery time was a lot shorter, which meant that there was no traffic jam. Also we benefited from dividing up the pickup locations this year: one at Madisons Hall and one at Gorge Hall,” said Perry.
In the Tideline, she wrote:
“An enormous thank you goes out to Bernice (McGowan) and Howie (Roman) for answering my phone call on Christmas Day! Thank you to Sean (Coyote) for going to collect the Hall keys and saving Christmas Dinner distribution in Whaletown. It’s a minor oversight to let Noah drive away to Manson’s with all the keys and lock us out of the Gorge Hall.”
Returning home after it was all over, she and Noah found an anonymous thank-you hanging from their back gate - a bottle of wine.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The chill that started just before Christmas has been particularly hard on the house challenged population of Campbell River, Quadra Island and Cortes Island.
People are living uninsulated houses, trailers, boats, cabins, cars, or tents.
While Campbell River previously had an emergency shelter program between November and March, it was not able to open this year due to COVID restrictions.
The City of Campbell River, Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and Campbell River Coalition to End Homelessness have been using the Campbell River Community Centre, between 8 PM and 8 AM , since December 24th.
interviews with Sue Moen, interviews with Sue Moen, from the Campbell River and District Coalition to end Homelessness, Izabelle Perry, from the Whaletown Community Club and an email from Tanya Henck from the Cortes Island Womens centre about the impacts this cold snap has had on the area’s house challenged community. , Izabelle Perry, from the Whaletown Community Club and an email from Tanya Henck from the Cortes Island Women's centre about the impacts this cold snap has had on the area’s house challenged community.
Photo credit: Sue Moen interviews from the Campbell River and District Coalition to end Homelessness - submitted photo
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Holiday stories, music, and ... perhaps even call-in caroling.. this week on Folk U Radio: Friday at 1 p.m. as Norleen Lillico joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for a festive and fun holiday show.
AND we invite neighbours to help make this an extra special holiday show by calling-in to CAROL over the phone. Call 250-935-0200 to participate!
Questions? Requests? Email u@folku.ca.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than a month since the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, presented a series of devastating reports about Canada’s inept performance in addressing the climate crisis to the House of Commons.
Jerry DeMarco said. “there is a need for the federal government to achieve real outcomes on environmental protection and sustainable development—not just words on paper or unfulfilled promises. All too often, Canada’s environmental commitments are not met with the actions needed to protect air, land, water and wildlife, now and for future generations. And that is a trend we urgently need to reverse,” said Jerry DeMarco. “We've had nine plans over the last 31 years, from 1990 to now, and none of them have achieved their objectives.”
Meanwhile Canada’s emissions have risen 20-21%.
While he believes there is still time to reach net zero emissions by 2050, DeMarco pointed out that the longer Canada waits the more difficult this will be.
DeMarco singled out to projects as examples of the government working at cross purposes with itself.
“A common denominator between both the TMX expansion and the emissions reduction fund is that they were hastily produced decisions. And it's not unusual for governments to focus on short term expediency at the expense of long-term gains and these are examples of that. The government states to the international community and in binding treaties, like the UN convention on climate change that is going to do its part to prevent catastrophic climate change, but then short term expediency can essentially trump that and what ends up happening is you have increased emissions because countless short-term expedient decisions add up in a way that undermine the longterm goal.”
He compared reducing Canada’s emissions to pushing a large rock up a difficult hill. At the moment Canada is dispatching one team to push up the hill and other teams to push it back down.
It has been more than a month since the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, presented a series of devastating reports about Canada’s inept performance in addressing the climate crisis to the House of Commons.
Jerry DeMarco said. “there is a need for the federal government to achieve real outcomes on environmental protection and sustainable development—not just words on paper or unfulfilled promises. All too often, Canada’s environmental commitments are not met with the actions needed to protect air, land, water and wildlife, now and for future generations. And that is a trend we urgently need to reverse,” said Jerry DeMarco. “We've had nine plans over the last 31 years, from 1990 to now, and none of them have achieved their objectives.”
Meanwhile Canada’s emissions have risen 20-21%.
While he believes there is still time to reach net zero emissions by 2050, DeMarco pointed out that the longer Canada waits the more difficult this will be.
DeMarco singled out to projects as examples of the government working at cross purposes with itself.
“A common denominator between both the TMX expansion and the emissions reduction fund is that they were hastily produced decisions. And it's not unusual for governments to focus on short term expediency at the expense of long-term gains and these are examples of that. The government states to the international community and in binding treaties, like the UN convention on climate change that is going to do its part to prevent catastrophic climate change, but then short term expediency can essentially trump that and what ends up happening is you have increased emissions because countless short-term expedient decisions add up in a way that undermine the longterm goal.”
He compared reducing Canada’s emissions to pushing a large rock up a difficult hill. At the moment Canada is dispatching one team to push up the hill and other teams to push it back down.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to North Island - Powell River MP Rachel Blaney more than 88,000 seniors are being cut off from the guaranteed income supplement (GIS) they received prior to the pandemic. She said that statistic originated with the parliamentary budget officer. Hundreds of people have called Blaney’s office about this, Including “people from Campbell River, Comox Valley, Powell River, Quadra Island, Port McNeil.”
“I wouldn't be surprised if it's every community. This is a widespread issue,” explained Blaney.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Southern discovery islands beach cleanup is now finished.
“The last truck load of debris left our yard this morning. So we're now just into the final stages of cleaning up our own yard as a result of all the little styrofoam balls and things,” said Brianne Quesnel
Her company, Spirit of the West Adventures, was awarded a contract to clean up between 200 and 400 kilometres of shoreline in the southern Discovery Islands through the provincial government’s Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative. This is a provincially funded program designed to support B.C.’s coastal communities as they recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn and loss of tourism. There has been a long standing need to collect the plastics, styrofoam and other debris that has been accumulating on beaches.
Quesnel emailed a tally which showed that more than half of the 347 kilometres of shoreline Spirit of the West Adventures cleaned was on Quadra Island. They also cleaned almost the entire circumference of Read and Marina Islands, as well as significant portions of Cortes and Maurelle Islands and 4 km of Grant and Mittlenatch Islands.
“We collected 45 tons over two months. That's a just staggering number for us. About 55% of what we were able to collect was suitable for recycling, which is the really cool part, and then a large amount was also reused by locals for a variety of reasons,” said Quesnel. “Every day was an adventure.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When Jan Zwicky talked about the need to be independent of the grid, she mentioned a 60 second outage at 4 AM last year. Zwicky wasn’t aware there was a problem until she went into the basement three days later. Her freezer, which had been packed with food, was off. Most of the contents were ruined.
Zwicky said she is not dependant on a computer and has a back-up system that can keep the lights on, “ But boy, I don't want that freezer to fall apart!”
“So I think I can, can encourage all of us as it were to do that kind of energy inventory. Where do you really need it? What would it take to keep you functional?” she said.
Mike Gall added, “We've we've learned very quickly in the past two years, And then in particular, in the last two months, the how fragile our systems of sustaining our society truly are.”
Quadra Island receives its electricity from Vancouver Island.
“All the takes is a severing of that artery and suddenly we're into a 2, 3, 4 week scramble to try and live with literally no electricity available to us other than what we can do by running generators or some secondary means of supplying our electrical requirements,” he said.
Jan Zwicky and Mike Gall are members if Quadra Island’s Energy Self Sufficiency team, one of several groups that came out of the community meeting that launched ICAN, in March 2020.
“It was suggested that we divide up into interest groups and energy was one of them. I ended up talking with Rod Burns and Jack Segal, those were the two folks most interested in energy. I'm really aware of the places where for me electrical energy is essential and I don't trust the grid staying up,” Zwicky explained.
She remembers Quadra losing power for 10 days, when a hurricane struck in 2014.
Zwicky was living in Edmonton in 1994, when the Northridge earthquake in California took out Alberta’s grid.
That was when it dawned on her, “This is a continental system. You can't count on it's being there if there's a crisis somewhere else.”
“We believe that there will be upcoming stresses on the energy system. There's going to be a way more price hikes , but also a lot of our energy contributes to climate crisis, said Zwicky. “We’re encouraging awareness of ways in which energy can be conserved to make your life less dependent on the grid and then awareness of alternative ways of satisfying your energy needs to make you even more independent of the grid.”
The energy self sufficiency team is working on a number of projects right now. They're putting solar panels on the roof of Quadra Elementary School and intend to hold workshops on: an inexpensive DYI window insulation; testing cleaning, and recharging batteries; and on the pros and cons of various solar heating systems.
They also supported the recent Canoe Pass Tidal energy project on Quadra Island which, according to the Quadra ICAN website,” hinged on government’s willingness to allow a non-profit island energy co-op to participate in BC Hydro’s net metering program.”
However the Energy Self Sufficiency team says Quadra residents will need to do more than just produce more energy.
“The first steps is the conservation mode learning all the techniques that you can possibly garner to bring your energy consumption levels down,” said Gall.
Photo credit: firewood, an alternate energy source used in many Cortes and Quadra Island homes - courtesy Quadra Ican
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Reel Youth had a year of in-person programming scheduled when the pandemic arrived, in March 2020. Everything had to be cancelled.
“We quickly realized that we had to try something new, to innovate,” explained Mark Vonesch.
In the fifth of a series about Reel Youth, he and Erica Køhn explain how this local media company flourished.
The local media company has made over 250 films since the COVID 19 pandemic started.
“We had to figure out a new way to operate and zoom seem to be the way so many people were communicating. So we turned to some of the work that we had done before in schools and in communities with a poetry based program,”said Køhn.
“So within a week of COVID we released a new program called together apart. And it was bringing you people of all ages. We had like 12 to 77 years old joined the program. They made short films about their experience in COVID and the current cultural phenomenon of what we're all experiencing,” added Vonesch.
Cortes Currents has already introduced Seren Anderson’s film ‘Where I am’ as an example of the kind of film high School students will be making through the partner’s in education program this January.
Ester Stijbos, editor of the Tideline, produced another of the films in this series. She describes herself as being from the West Coast of BC, from Tofino, Cortes Island and Victoria.
Danielle Weiss was among the other Cortes residents that made a film.
“It was exciting to work our first program. I think all of us at real youth joined in the program to be all hands on deck because we just really weren't sure what to expect. Then we slowly finessed it into the current programming, which often uses two, sometimes three facilitators,” said Køhn.
She added that some of the youth have become ‘serial participants’ who now enrol whenever they have a new program.
Vonesch describes Reel Youth’s next step as persuading the organizations normally work with to go online.
“We use zoom bring everyone together instead of us going to the community and providing all the equipment the youth are using their cell phones or whatever cameras they have at home. We're still able to have the same impact as far as giving kids increased confidence, and new new filmmaking skills,” he explained.
Many of these involve people from widely dispersed locations.
Vonesh explained that the new Youth and Seniors projects bring together people who are in different cities and rural locations. The interviews are conducted in ZOOM rooms and incorporate video footage shot on cell phones.
There are still in-person programs on Cortes as well.
In ‘Climate Tripping,” Dennis Mense takes his students Esianna Hargrave, Rose Goulet and Lily Allen on a field trip. Melina Mora-Reiko was one of the producers. The film as shot at Linnaea Farm and the Cortes Island Free Store.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society will hold its AGM on January 29th, 2022.
It has been close to 12 years since Sabina Leader-Mense and Christine Robinson launched the initiative to purchase 600 acres from Island Timberlands forest holdings.
“The forest lands surrounding Carrington Lagoon are so important in terms of providing a wildlife corridor to the northern wilds of Cortes. It just offered itself up and we thought, ‘how could anyone resist a children's forest?’” explained Robinson.
Many people have taken up the vision since then.
Robinson specifically mentioned Chris Dragseth and Andrew Smyth, the society’s current Chair and Treasurer.
After the pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020, the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island partnered with Desta Beattie and the Cortes Community Health Association to offer a series of weekly zoom calls with a slightly different focus each week. Children were encouraged to go out into nature, find specific natural treasures, and bring pictures to the calls. Robinson remembers the week her computer screen filled up with images of frogs and tadpoles.
After people could meet in person again, there were monthly Sunday walks through the Children’s Forest. Groups of 4 to 20 children and adults participated.
“We never quite know where we're going to go. although a favourite is always down to Grandmother Grove, where James Creek flows into Carrington Lagoon. We often have a campfire,” said Robinson.
Dragseth gave an update on how the negotiations to purchase the Children’s forest, which have been ongoing since 2013, are proceeding.
“At this point I'd characterize the meetings with Mosaic as very positive,” he said.
They have yet to agree on a price.
“We'll see where we are this time next year, but we're always hopeful that we're moving in the right direction,” said Dragseth. “Mosaic has basically confirmed that we are the people they're talking to, as it relates to the five parcels in Carrington Bay, and nobody else is in the picture.
Meanwhile the Trust has lined up some donors for when the sale finally goes through and continues to raise the funds for daily operations.
Last year, the target was $2,000.
“This year we set a target at $10,000 and we hit that and then some, so we've got money in the bank to help us do the operational stuff around negotiations,” explained Dragseth.
Robinson added, “When we first started the project, I thought maybe five years. At the outside maybe ten, but surely by the time I have grandchildren. Well, I have three grandchildren and I hope that in the next year or two, they will have the pleasure of walking through the children's forest under different owners.”
She proceeded to list upcoming events: The Annual Christmas Bird count, in partnership with the Cortes Island Museum, on January 2nd. The society’s AGM on January 29th.
“We expect to have a wonderful young alumni who was part of the original children's forest book and has been involved in activities over the years” said Robinson.
Kiera Tsakonas recently graduated from SFU and will be joining the Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island board as a youth spokespeople.
Dragseth said they were unable to book a guest speaker for the AGM, but are trying to organize something shortly afterwards.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states “the total number of marine species at risk in the Salish Sea has doubled from 2002 to 2015.”
The accompanying map shows they are referring to an area that stretches from the Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and north beyond Cortes and Quadra Islands.
“As of December 2015, nearly 20% of all fish species in the Salish Sea ecosystem are designated as either threatened, endangered or have new data that suggest they may be at-risk. As well, approximately 34% of all birds and 43% of all mammals that use this ecosystem are threatened, endangered or are candidates for status assessments,” the report says.
“It's really sad news, that came out this year,” explained Christian Wilhelmsen executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance.
She claims we are seeing these numbers because Canada and the United States have failed to address urbanization and loss of habitat issues that were identified 30 years ago.
“Pollution remains a problem, even though we're tackling some issues like wastewater. That's getting better in our region, but we have other sources of pollution runoff from cities, stormwater, agricultural runoff. These are continuing as our population grows and of course, the lens, which is exacerbating the problem, is climate change,” said Wilhelmson.
“Animals are under stress because of pollution, habitat loss, then you add the stress of climate change with water temperatures rising, and you have species that are struggling because of it. It's affecting their food sources; It's affecting their ability to reproduce.”
She pointed to salmon as a specific example. For thousands of years their eggs have hatched when food sources become higher in concentration. The rising river temperatures have thrown this alignment out, and brought about a decline in the salmon population.
That is because of climate change.
Add acidification, which is literally changing the chemistry of our oceans, and shellfish are affected.
So the birds, marine and terrestrial animals that feed on fish and shellfish are impacted.
Southern resident killer whales have so many toxins in their system that their ability to fight off disease is reduced.
Wilhelmson compared the situation to a big ball of yarn that is unravelling and making things worse.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Quadra Singers first in-person concert since the beginning of the pandemic was at the Quadra Community Centre on December 10th and 11th.
“We had almost sold out concerts, both nights. Our tickets went on sale and in Quathiaski Cove’s ‘Inspirations.’ We had pretty well sold out both nights,” said Valerie van Veen.
The theme was Christmas, but the choir’s interim conductor, Dr John Hooper, had a surprise for the audience.
Prior to his retirement, Dr. Hooper Director of the School of Music at the Concordia University of Edmonton. Based in Courtenay, he is currently the Music Director for Island Voices – an auditioned chamber choir with singers from throughout an area stretching from Denman to Quadra Islands, as well as Vancouver Island. Hooper is an accomplished musician, composer and wrote a piece of music called ‘the COVID Corona Caras.’
“it is wonderful piece of music about about about COVID and really a lot of fun to sing, but he expressed a little bit of concern that maybe some people wouldn't find it appropriate to sing about COVID,” explained van Vleen.
The performance seemed to end with ‘Deck the Halls.” Only, as the audience prepared to go home, they noticed the choir was not moving. People realized something else was coming. Then a soprano started singing the Gaelic blessing.
“The choir had trouble getting through it, because there were a few tears. It is such an exquisite piece of music and so sensitive,” said van Vleen.
This was followed by the COVID Corona Caras.
Dr Hooper warned the choir the audience would react one of three ways and the most profound reaction will be that they will be stunned.
That was happened both nights: “We had dead silence and it was so sober and mourning that, all that beautiful music to be capped by that beautiful blessing was rewarded with that emotional reaction.”
Van Vleen said the choir subsequently received a number of emails, thanking them for the amazing experience.
The Quadra Singers is a non-auditioned choir, open to anyone from the age 16 and up who wishes to join. They have been presenting two concerts every year for about 30 years.
Photo credit: Robin Beaton on Flute at the Dec 10/11 concerts - Photo courtesy Valerie van Vleen
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the fourth of a series about real youth, Mark Vonesch explains how youth to pick the issues that are shaping their future.
“One of the things that I love about working with young people, especially when they're talking about issues, that they care about, the changes they want to see in the world, young people are impatient. They don't easily take no for an answer. They're not afraid of speaking up,” he explained. “When we asked them what issues you care about, what are the changes you want to see happen in the world? It gives me a lot of hope because a lot of the issues that our world's facing today, climate change and food security and housing. Those are things that young people want dealt with and they want solutions to these problems now. So it's a powerful thing for me to like see youth step up as leaders and speak up about issues they care about.”
In 2019, the Cortes Community Health Association and Island Health sponsored three films that were made at Linnaea farm.
The youth chose three issues.
In ‘Plastic Kills,’ a ‘plastic monster’ slowly killed off the film group, as a metaphor for the way that plastic is polluting the world and being dumped into the oceans.
‘Free Bike’ is about a young kid who sees a nice bike at the free store, says ‘wow, what a good find’ and then pedals off. Only it turns out the bike belonged to a customer, who then chases after him.
In ‘Get Outside’ a group of Cortes Island teens recognize the power and importance of being connected to nature, for people’s wellbeing.
Vonesch says the magic happens when you find the issues youth are genuinely passionate about and help them create a video that will make people think about it.
One of the issues that he’s heard them talk a lot about is the housing crisis.
Vonesch said he hears youth asking, “Are they gonna be able to afford to buy a place when they're 20?”
Some people think youth are apathetic, they don’t care what’s going on in the world around them.
“My experience is that they actually do understand pretty deeply the most pressing issue issues that we face and they've got solutions,” said Vonesch.
Photo of young filmmakers courtesy Reel Youth
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A CityWest construction crew will be on Cortes Island for the first four to six months of 2022, to hook individual homes for high-speed Internet.
“Now that we've been issued a permit from the ministry of transport (MOTI), we have a green light to proceed with the provincial government's mandate of connecting Cortes Islanders under the ERI grant program,” said Eric Geall, Operations Manager for West Connect Infrastructure (WCI).
He said Cortesians should receive high speed internet sometime between next summer and the end of 2023. There are too many variables to be more specific.
Geall’s 18-person-WCI-crew is currently working in Haida Gwaii, but expect to finish on January 4th and arrive on Cortes on the 6th or 7th.
As they are bringing some fairly large pieces of equipment and do not want to disrupt traffic or ‘take over two ferries at once,’ they will stagger that mobilization.
They will be staying at the Cortes Island Motel and other local accommodation.
Most Cortes residents have filled out the online forms, or been engaged in one way or the other, thanks to CityWest Regional Manager Dino Tsakonas.
Taskonas will continue to be the local contact.
Geall explained, “We'll be working with individual landowners on an individual basis to make sure that the installs are performed timely and efficiently and leave everything looking nice at the end of the day.”
They will also employ a number of local subcontractors. (Geall could not say who, as the contracts have not yet been awarded, but described the applicants as ‘eager.’)
Work will start at the Klahoose First Nation village, where the crew will install a seven millimetre conduit into every single home. After that they will proceed to what is left of the Klahoose plant, Squirrel Cove and Seaford.
“We will at that point be inspected by MOTI,” said Geall. “MOTI has everything lined up to issue the Whaletown and Manson's permits once there's a comfort level between our construction crew, and how they leave the roads post construction.”
Geall asks that people follow directions as they drive through construction areas, as his crew will literally be working on the shoulder.
“Just slow down, give a wave, know what's going on there, big orange reels and we'll try and get in and out of there as quickly and federally as possible,” he said.
After they have finished, the crew will probably move on to Denman and Hornby Islands.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District Board is writing Premier Horgan, to protest the government’s new ‘reactive,’ and ‘emotionally driven’ forestry policies.
This letter appears to have largely been composed by Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield, with some additions by SRD Chair Brad Unger.
If the authors had stuck to the idea that local government should be involved in the process, or taken a less confrontational approach, this letter would have received more support.
Instead, the decision to send it carried by a 7 to 6 vote.
Photo credit: cropped image taken from YouTube Video of meetings showing (top to bottom) Regional Director Brenda Leigh; Mayor Martin Davis ; Regional Director Noba Anderson's screen with her 'hand' raised.
Allen Perkins/Nuevo Malibu - The new Narrator reports to the TURDIS -- the time-traveling Port-a-Potty -- to discover that earthling crew members Clell Landis and Doctor Shay Watt? have been imprisoned by (fanfare) The Grand Galloping Goof in a Google Pixel phone. The Goof insists that Mack the hologram take the TURDIS back to 1943 to witness the dawn of the psychedelic era. At the Sandoz labs in Switzerland, Mack, Narrator and the Goof watch chemist Albert Hofmann ingest a whopping dose of LSD, then follow him home on his legendary bicycle ride. Thanks to the Internal Monologue Contrivance devised by Mack, we are able to hear Hofmann's inner trip. Summoned to Hofmann's house, the chemist's doctor assures the panicked Hofmann that he's fine except for incredibly dilated pupils. Hofmann settles down and enjoys the trip. The Goof then insists on going to California in 1970 to observe the jailbreak of acid guru Timothy Leary.
Disguised as an actual Port-a-Potty on the roof of a prison, the crew watches Leary attempt to shimmy to freedom on a telephone wire. When the Goof insists on getting closer to the action, he knocks Leary off the wire onto a guard below. Mack has to reset the TURDIS to make things right. Finally satisfied, the Goof releases Doctor Watt? and Landis. Mack and Narrator journey to San Juan Capristrano to fetch them.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In the twelve years since it was founded, the Quadra Island Cat Rescue has helped more than 1200 cats and kittens.
“We've helped them in many ways. First of all we try and find homes for as many cats and kittens that come into our care as possible. Of course, our mandate is to spay and neuter every cat that comes into our possession,” explained Valerie van Vleen. “That's why we're a charity and we're always raising funds to fund that.”
They also help out Quadra residents who cannot afford to spay or neuter their pet.
When there is an abundance of kittens, they drive them down to a trusted adoption agency in Victoria “where we know they're going to be properly, cared for spayed, neutered, and properly adopted.”
In addition, Quadra Island Cat Rescue maintains about five feral colonies on the island.
“All of those cats have been trapped and they spayed or neutered so that they are not hopefully reproducing anymore,” said Van Vleen. “So they will just live out their lives in the wild.”
She traced the origins of Quadra’s feral cats back to the wave of Europeans that started arriving in the 1880s.
“We began as a mining and fishing and lumber community, long before Campbell River existed, by the way,” she said. “All those camps usually had their barn cat or their logging camp cat to keep the mouse and rat population down.”
A former Granite Bay resident is said to have had close to a hundred feral cats.
There were a lot of cats running around the island in 2009, when Janet Massey put an add in the paper to see if anyone else was interested in trying to help these cats.
Van Vleen was one of the core of volunteers who responded. “There's a small core of us who who had been working ever since to try and alleviate the cat problem on Quadra, “she explained.
They do not have a shelter and focus on finding people who will look after the cats.
There are many ways that a Quadra Island resident can out (or even someone from Read or Cortes Islands):
Both of Quadra Island’s True Value stores offer Spirit Points to customers. These are donations to specific causes and the Quadra Island Cat Rescues number is 280. On a similar vein, Canadian Tire reward points can be turned into gift cards for Quadra Island Cat Rescue Any unopened cat food can be donated to Quadra Island Cat Rescue. If somebody wants to know where to donate, in cash or kind, they could phone our cat line 250-285-CATS (250-285-3387).
“Anybody who would be interested in looking after a cat or kitten for a period of time, or maybe even finding out whether this is the cat or kitten that they want to give a forever home to, then we have fostering and of course adopting. We are very careful about adopting out our cats. We want to make sure that, of course they are going to be treated well, and that they will be continually cared for. So we have an adoption form that is on our website at Quadra.com that can be completed. And then once that is completed, then we can begin a process of trying to make a match for a forever home,” said Van Vleen.
“We are a registered charity. Please email if you wish to make a direct donation, email, quadracatrescue@yahoo.com to find out more about making a direct donation.
Links to Quadra Cat Rescue www.quadracats.com · email quadracatrescue@yahoo.com · Quadra Cat Rescue Facebook page · call 250-285-CATS (2287)
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - Learn more about Windows!!!! the first art journal published by the Dark Island Arts Collective when Juliann Nelson and Beatrix Baxter join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie this Friday at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or livestream on cortesradio.ca.
Windows features over 30 local contributors shared photography, paintings, sculpture, carvings, poetry, creative writing, and deep thinking to create this 76-page, brilliantly coloured volume. It is an exploration into loneliness and isolation; a meditation on art practice and meaning-making; it is a peek into the creative lives and intimate feelings of your neighbours and friends.
come listen in to excerpts, the story behind the creation, and how art is essential in these times.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Call Friday to 250-935-0200 with your questions or send in advance to u@folku.ca.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has no authority over TELUS’ proposed 63 metre high cell tower site in Mansons Landing.
This is in the former Paukeanum Indian Reserve No. 3, which has been governed by the Tla’amin First Nation ever since the Tla’amin Final Agreement with the governments of BC and went into effect on April 5, 2016.
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson confirmed “The Regional District doesn't have any land use authority here, and therefore is not going to be involved in any way. As your elected representative to the regional district, I really don't have a voice here either. The Federal government does not approve siting of these towers. There is sort of an arbitration process if everything else fails, but if the Tla'amin Nation, chief and council would like the tower erected on their lands, then that's really between them and TELUS.”
This matter was discussed at the December 8th meeting of the SRD Board, where CAO David Leitch informed the board that TELUS is locating towers on many First Nations lands throughout BC and Canada.
“If it is on First Nations land, you have no authority,” he said.
As no one lives within 190 metres of the proposed site, which is three times greater than the height of the tower, TELUS will not send out written notices.
On December 1, TELUS placed a notice of their intention in the Birds Eye, which serves Quadra Island.
Anyone with concerns was invited to contact Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting by email or surface mail, prior to January 31, 2022.
Anderson added, “Comments really need to be written to both Telus and Tla’amin."
Late last Spring, Gregg emailed Cortes Currents that TELUS is responding to longstanding requests for enhanced connectivity:
“This is important not only for convenience but also for public safety since the majority of calls to emergency service responders are now placed via wireless devices. Sadly, we have been advised that a number of community members on the Discovery Islands have died or been hurt in recent years and they were unable to call for help. Wireless service can help with this safety issue.”
He also said that 5G is the current evolution on wireless networks around the globe, but in a rural area like Cortes will be similar to 4G/LTE in many respects.
“In every case, TELUS' installations will comply with Health Canada's Safety Code 6,” wrote Greg.
Photo credit: Apple iPhone SE 2020 by Aaron Yoo via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Fairy Creek Update with Kathy Code
Photo from Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - (Episode 5) the takeaway: what our interviewees brought home with them
Photo from Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook Page
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The recent mega-floods have brought an opportunity to rectify one of the problems that has long plagued salmon runs in the Lower Fraser Valley. Hundreds of miles of outdated flood protection infrastructure has been chopping fish up when they return home to spawn. Now much of it will have to be repaired or replaced. The Watershed Watch Salmon Society sees this as the opportunity to install ‘fish friendly’ flood infrastructure in its place.
Lina Azeez Connected Waters Campaign Manager with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, said this problem can also be found in Vancouver Island communities like Campbell River, the Comox Valley and Greater Victoria.
“The scales are quite different, but the issue is similar. They also have a lot of barriers to fish passage, a lot of the waterways on these rivers are also dikes. So definitely this is an issue that's not just in the Lower Mainland, it's on Vancouver Island as well. But the reason we have decided to focus on the Fraser river is because it's one of the biggest salmon rivers in the world,” she said. ”If we are able to change the way we manage for floods in the Lower Mainland, that will have positive repercussions for all watersheds across BC.”
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will spend $647 million to help salmon stocks recover, which could be negated if they also decide to spend “billions of dollars on the same old flood control systems that continue to kill salmon.”
The Watershed Watch has identified 1,500 km of ‘fish killing’ dikes, pumps and flood protection infrastructure in the Lower Fraser Valley.
Azeez pointed out that, “modern, fish-friendly pumps are now available.”
She said they are already being installed south of the border, in Washington state.
Photo credit: Lina Azeez checking a fish trap on a waterway impacted by flood control structures - courtesy Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first shipment of baskets, for what was to become the Nzuri Basket company, arrived on Cortes Island in August, 2020.
Jenny Hartwick didn’t set out to found a company. She brought some baskets home from a trip to Kenya the previous March. They were intended as gifts for friends and family.
“It wasn't until we were back in Canada and I'd given away all of my baskets and I had everybody saying to me, ‘Wow, these are amazing can you get more of them?’ that I thought, gee, maybe I can look into that and so that's kind of, that was the start of where it came from,” explained Hartwick.
That first shipment was meant to be a one time event, but sold out within a week.
“So, I thought, okay, well, I'll just bring in one more order and we'll see what happens and it's snowballed now to the point that they're being wholesaled to some other shops as far away as Winnipeg and Ontario. We're now on order order six, which is actually just with the shipping company right now. On average, I'm shipping about 400 to 500 baskets at a time.”
Her story is more complex than that.
Jenny’s mother-in-law, Heather Hartwick, had been going to Kenya for the past three decades. This had been initially been as part of semester abroad program and, after that ended, she and her husband operated an ecotourism business.
This was closing down in March 2020, and Jenny wanted her kids to see Nana’s ‘other life’ before it came to an end. So she and her family were in a contingent of 23 Cortes Island residents that visited Kenya.
That was also when COVID 19 reached Africa, and Jenny’s family was on the last plane to fly out of Nairobi Airport before the border closed. (You can read about that story here)
While they were in Kenya, Heather Hartwick took her daughter-in-law to the roadside stand where she has been purchasing baskets for the past 15 years.
“I loved the baskets. So I bought way too many, and brought them home as gifts for friends and family,” said Jenny.
The first challenge Jenny faced, after deciding to order a shipment, was contacting her supplier. Her ‘basket lady,’ Medi, doesn’t have a store. She spreads out a carpet under a tree and puts her baskets on it.
However Jenny has made some contacts in Kenya, “So I called up my friend, Dan and he sent another friend to visit her on the side of the road to get her phone number.”
Medi had never shipped her baskets out of the country, but agreed to be the supplier providing Jenny looked after the other arrangements.
All of the baskets come from one village and most of the weavers are either Medi’s family or friends.
“I don't bargain with the women. So what they want for a basket is what they get,” said Jenny. “The other thing is it's a handmade product, so I don't ever ask for a particular basket.”
As most of the dyes are natural colours, they follow the seasons. Jenny does not receive yellow baskets in December, for example, the yellow dye is made from a flower that is not blooming at that time of year.
“I love the fact that last night, before I went to bed, I was on a video messenger call with my friend in Kenya. He had messaged me to say, ‘Hey, the next order of baskets is already.’ I ended up on a 25-minute-messenger-call with him, and he was giving me a tour of his backyard in Kenya. Then this morning I got up and called my basket lady. She was at home holding her 18 month old grand baby, who I could hear blabbering away on the phone,” explained Jenny.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Wilderness Committee has just finished a survey that shows gas and oil company lobbyists are contacting the BC provincial Government two or three times a day. This is not new, they were also making overtures to the previous BC Liberal regime, but it does raise the question of whether they are shaping the policies that determine the future of all British Columbians.
Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney says 14 of 15 of the top fracking companies in the province are actually receiving more in drilling credits than they pay in taxes and royalties.
“Since the last election, we knew that there were some big policy pieces coming out this year that would affect the gas industry. I was interested to find out how often the industry was lobbying the provincial government. So we just looked back to the lobbyist registry and I kept a spreadsheet going of each time that gas companies, LNG consortium's, and their industry associations met with the provincial government. It turns out more than 750 times since the last election, so just over last year,” said McCartney..
He did not know how often the environmental movement has contacted the government, but thinks the Wilderness Committee may have contacted the government a couple dozen times since the last election. These meetings primarily arise when environmental groups “create a problem for them” and they want to know how to respond.
McCartney explained that while gas industry lobbyists work through their behind-the-scenes connections, the environmental movement’s voice “comes from the thousands of people that support us.”
Some of the policies that have come up since the NDP government was reelected:
The government has brought in “the BC clean BC roadmap, which was really soft and left the door open for a brand new fossil fuel industry with fracking and LNG.” The courts sided with the Blueberry River First Nation, which means government will have to negotiate all new infrastructure in the region. The current royalty review will determine how much rent gas companies will pay to access the gas that is owned by the people of British Columbia.
What can the public do to ensure its voice is heard?
“The lobbyist registry is a really good tool. I think there needs to be public pressure for the government to stop meeting with fossil fuel lobbyists, their only purpose is to secure their own business model and climate action. Why would we be making climate policy with the worst polluters in the room? So we put together this little Twitter bot that tweets out every time one of these fossil fuels is meeting with the provincial government,” said McCarney.
“These meetings should be out in the open and accessible to all. Businesses and companies that operate in a community have an obligation to be a part of that community and make sure that local people are benefiting from the work that goes on but they shouldn't be writing policy behind closed doors.”
Photo credit: BC Legislature and the Inner Harbour at night by Zemistor via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents -Learn more about this ancient form of practicing medicine and health. Janine Maila, acupressurist, health practitioner, and teacher of Chinese Medicine joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie this Friday at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or livestream on cortesradio.ca.
Tune in and learn:
- what is health from a TCM perspective;
- the basics of the five element theory;
- Chinese dietetics and how to eat for different constitutions. & more.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Evacuation Plan is almost finished. “I am just begging every Cortes Islander to pick up and go through the plan before all this happens. So everybody is aware. Too many people wait until the very last minute to try and figure out how things work,” said Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman. “Please don't wait till the last minute to educate yourself about evacuations and emergency support services and how you're going to be notified and whether or not you have insurance and, and all those important evacuation considerations.” He scheduled four-90-minute ZOOM conferences for concerned residents: Wednesday December 9th: 7:00-8:30pm Friday December 11th: 9:00-10:30am Friday December 11th: 2:00-3:30pm Tuesday December 15th” 6:00-7:30pm
While the most likely scenarios involve only a small part of Cortes, Koopman said there are situations where a full island evacuation could be called for and it is his business to prepare for the unlikely.
The most evacuation likely scenario involves something like a wildfire. There has not been a fire larger than 10 hectares on Cortes Island in the historical record, which started in 1950. So affected residents will most likely be moved to one of the island’s five designated reception centres: Cortes Island School; Linnaea Farm Education Building; Gorge Hall; Mansons Hall; Klahoose Administration Building “We would let them know which one to register at depending on the time that it happens and the amount of volunteers that are available,” explained Koopman.
“We're always looking for people to volunteer with emergency support services. There's nothing better than on that worst day of your life when you've been displaced from your home, showing up and see no train professional, familiar faces from your community, being the ones to ask you, how can we help?” said Koopman. “You can learn more about ESS by contacting me at preparedness@srd.ca and as always just encourage residents to write to me with any ideas, suggestions, concerns that they have, whether it's evacuation or any type of emergency preparedness.” Other contact information for Shaun Koopman: email: skoopman@srd.ca Phone: 250-830-6702.
Top photo credit: David Stanley - The Cortes Island Ferry via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A youth filmmaking initiative with international reach has its’ office in Mansons Hall, on Cortes Island. In the second of a series of programs about Reel Youth, Mark Vonesch and Erica Køhn tell the story of how this initiative came into being.
“I think I'm most drawn to the work because I see the impact. Filmmaking and storytelling is a beautiful thing, but it is really like providing a program to young people and to communities that leaves them stronger and more resilient, no matter what career they take,” said Vonesh
Køhn added, “Each film is so unique and has such a different flavour. There's something immersive and deep and personal about the resulting films that draws us to doing them again and again, because they are so illuminating and the young people are so proud of what they do.
Between 10% and 15% of youth that pass through their program pursue it as a career, but Vonesch said the skills they learn will be useful for whatever they do.
“If you can speak up about something you care about, and you can do it in a compelling way, you're gonna be able to convince your dad to let you use this truck. You can convince your boss to give you a raise,” he said, by way of example.
Vonesch traced the origins of Reel Youth back to the day he spent $300 on a video camera. He found it in a pawn shop, in a dusty town in Saskatchewan. Vonesch was between semesters, planting trees to pay for his education. The treeplanting subculture was one of his first subjects and, after obtaining his business degree, made a little documentary about tree planting.
He also started volunteering with a youth arts empowerment organization called Power of Hope, which is what brought him to Cortes Island. He facilitated their summer camp at Linnaea Farm for a couple of years. That is where Vonesch started making films with young people.
“Then in 2003, I wrote a bunch of grants in Vancouver. I sort of over promised on them, said we do a lot with very little money. Got basically every grant I wrote and that was sort of the birth of Reel Youth,” he said.
That was when Erica Køhn, who was his girlfriend at that time, came into the picture.
“I really encouraged him, if he wanted to do it, to make a commitment, not to tree plant and to do it as if his work depended on it,” she said.
The two have been working full time ever since them.
Photo credit: Mark Vonesch and Erica Køhn at a film festival in 2013 - courtesy Reel Youth
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third instalment of Cortes Currents Reel Youth series, Mark Voenish and Erica Køhn talk about Youth and Seniors programs. “Our youth and senior film programs, or youth and elder film programs, are probably about 30% - 40% of the work we do. It's one of the most powerful projects that we've done,” said Vonesch. The interviews with Trude Albright Sweeney, Dianne Hanson and Ed Piggott were in a 2015 series devoted to the rich history of Cortes Island and its residents.
Photo Credit- photographers in the 2015 Youth and Seniors Program on Cortes Island - Reel Youth
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Episode 4 of Cortes at Fairy Creek: the complicated politics of logging and land rights in BC, the complicated outcomes; media coverage, legal and political responses
Photo credit: Elder Bill Jones talks to a policeman with media looking on. - Photo courtesy Fairy Creek Logging Blockade Facebook page
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first of two school programs that Reel Youth hopes to run on Cortes Island during 2022 is already approved. “We have a program launching in January. That's for Partners in Education (PIE) students, mostly middle school youth who are doing a homeschooling course,” said Mark Vonesch, Director of Reel Youth. There are currently 9 Cortes Island enrolled in the PIE program through school District 47 in Powell River. Some are among the 12 students, aged 9 to 14, that signed up for the course that starts in January. It will be using a ‘fill in the blanks’ structure similar to mad libs comic books. “We've taken that concept and developed something called the ‘I am from’ poem. People fill in the blanks with their personal life experiences and their family culture. That is going to be the base of their film. Then they shoot visuals to go on top of it, pick music and edit it all,” explained Vonesch. The course will end with a virtual film festival. Erica Køhn co-founded Reel Youth, along with Vonesch, 15 years ago, and will be one of the facilitators for the upcoming PIE program. The other facilitator will be Marianne Barry, who has already worked with Cortes young people on a number of other projects. Reel Youth has worked with school boards all across Canada, but this program is special. “It is the first time that working with partners in education and having middle school aged kids on Cortes get credit for their program,” said Vonesch. “We're also in conversation with School district 72 (Greater Campbell River) and a group of people on Cortes that sees the need for a high school programming tap in here. We're developing a five week fully credited high school course where youth from the island can participate. Also, the idea is to bring youth from outside of Cortes and have them board here and to be able to get high school credits for participating in the program.” Køhn said they are still fleshing the course contents out, but are already hearing feedback from people excited about the prospect of a local course where young people can be immersed in filmmaking. “One of our specialties is looking at curriculum beyond just filmmaking: looking at Social, at English, at languages, Geography, anything that is needing to be covered and finding ways of winding them into our programming,” she explained. “So I think it's going to be a lot more than just learning filmmaking. It's going to be collaborative art. It's going to be young people working together and meeting each other and working intensively together. Voenisch said most of Reel Youth’s programs are off island, but they love working on Cortes where they have an office and already know many of the youth, parents and the community.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After a century of operation, British Columbia’s oldest newsprint mill is closing down. Catalyst’s tiskʷat (tees-kwat) Mill, in Powell River, has been in operation since 1912. At one point one in every 25 newspapers worldwide used their paper. The mill closed down, for what initially though to be a temporary curtailment, on November 22nd. On December 1st their parent company, Paper Excellence, announced the closure was indefinite.
Graham Kissak, Vice President of corporate Communications emailed Cortes Currents that tiskʷat (tees-kwat) is no longer able to compete in a market plagued by an ongoing contraction of global paper markets and paper prices.
The company plans to offer employees jobs at Paper Excellence’s other facilities.
UNIFOR Local 75 president Bill Spence told the Powell River Peak, “They have to feed their families, so if there is an opportunity elsewhere, then that’s good for the members,”
“Paper Excellence continues to believe that Canada is a leader in the pulp and paper industry and remains committed to its long-term investments here—Catalyst Port Alberni, Catalyst Crofton, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, and Skookumchuck Pulp,” said Kissack.
He added, “the company’s priority will be safeguarding the site and equipment, removal of all fibre and chemicals, and general cleanup of the facility to eliminate environmental risk. At the same time, Paper Excellence is engaged with our governments and potential partners investigating promising new opportunities that would take advantage of the facility’s unique access to deep water, natural gas, electricity, and water supplies, as well as its existing biomass boiler with power generating capacity, wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal infrastructure.”
Powell River Mayor David Formosa issued a press release saying, “Paper Excellence, the BC Government, and Renewable Hydrogen Canada have been in extensive discussions to transition the mill into a significant hydrogen and clean fuel production facility.”
While there are no guarantees this will come to fruition, the city promised to continue working with Premier Horgan’s office, MLA Nicholas Simons, and Paper Excellence to explore opportunities.
Kissack said,“We’ve already had a number of discussions relating to the site about potential approaches and things we could do in the short, medium and long term. We are certainly exploring those and we will continue to do that through December and January.”
Spence said “We hope something happens that is good for the community, but really, it’s impossible to say. People will deal with it.”
Union members will be cleaning the site up until they are laid off on January 31st, 2022.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - BC Salmon farming companies applied to put a in new fish farm between the Discovery Islands and Broughton Archipelago and expand their existing facilities at 11 other locations around Vancouver Island.
Two of the expansions, at Dixon Bay and Plover Point in Clayoquot Sound, have been already been granted.
“We had a promise from federal government whereby they said in mandate letters to the minister of fisheries, they were going to transition the open net salmon farming industry out of BC by 2025,” explained Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society.
He outlined the 12 proposed expansion: A new salmon farm called ‘Ga-Guump’ between the Broughton Archipelago and Discovery Islands 4 sites want to increase production 4 sites want to instal more pens 2 sites in the Clio Channel want the “maximum allowable production cap” in their area removed another site wants to increase their tenure size.
Photo credit: Figure 2. Juvenile Chum Salmon beach seined from East Vargas Island in June 2018. All lice stages of L. salmonis were represented on this fish. The large brown louse is a L. salmonis female with egg strings. A blood meal is visible in another louse near the later line and immature life stages of lice are present on the anal fin and flank near the dorsal fin (pinkish orange shapes)- ‘Juvenile Salmon and Sea Lice Monitoring in Clayoquot Sound 2018, Cedar Coast Field Station
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - Fantasy meets archeology on this Folk U as Professor Dr. Brian Hayden joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie for a virtual book launch of his newest book this Friday at 1 pm. on CKTZ 89.5 FM or livestream on cortesradio.ca.
Dr. Hayden best known for his work as an archeologist: he taught at Simon Fraser University for 40 years and is now a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada: and, of course, a professor here at the esteemed Folk University. His archeological and ethnoarchaeological research has taken him to Australia, Southeast Asia, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Ontario, British Columbia, and now takes him 20,000 years in the past as he debuts his first adventure novel.
In the Eyes of the Leopard, Hayden tells the story of a boy living in the Old Stone Age of France, 20,000 years ago - the age when caves were painted and people hunted mammoths, wooly rhinoceroses, cave bears, and cave lions. Based on Brian's lifetime experience working with and studying about hunting and gathering societies, long before there was any farming, the book recreates the many facets of what life, culture, and society was like 20,000 years ago in Southwestern France. The stone technology, the hunts, the feasts, the ritual life, and family life are all vividly portrayed. There are many similarities with contemporary societies in terms of personal conflicts, peer groups, inequalities, thefts, false claims and accusations, bullying, and manipulative ambitious individuals; but there are many differences as well in terms of ritual life, shamans, family life, life with peers, and of course, foods, hunting, and technology. The enduring aspects turn on individual curiosity and abilities to overcome adversity with persistence, goodness of heart, and an innovative mind. Eternal questions also feature in the story: do spirits really exist?
The story brings to life a critical moment in the foundation of modern types of society - a view that is controversial for some. Much inspiration for the story was derived from the traditional cultures of the British Columbia Plateau where Brian has carried out research as an archaeologist and anthropologist for 35 years.
Tune in/Listen in for a mind-opening experience in another world.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The BC Salmon Farmers Association has just released what they claim is an independent study of ‘Sea lice in the Discovery Islands.’
Their study is filled with terms like – “independent data,” “independently collected data,” “independent professional biological consultants,” “independently collected and analyzed scientific data,” “independent monitoring,” “independent sampling,” and “independent biologists” – but does not say who actually did the research.
When I asked the BC Salmon Farmers Association, they emailed back ‘Mainstream Consulting.’
There are links to Mainstream Biological Consulting’s monitoring reports in the study’s footnotes, and under two graphs, and these lead to documents ‘Prepared for MOWI Canada West, Cermaq Canada, and Grieg Seafood BC Ltd.
These are the three largest salmon farming companies in Western Canada.
So I told Brian Kingzett, Director of Science and Policy for the BC Salmon Farmer’s Association, “When I hear the word ‘independent,’ I don’t think of someone who’s hired by you, but of somebody who’s totally independent.”
To which he replied,” I would argue that being independent also means not having an agenda.”
Kingzett’s name is the only one on the front cover of the report, as the contact person.
Brian Kingzett’s name is under “Contact,” click on image to access the report He explained there are two components to the work flow. Mainstream Biological Consulting collected the raw data.
“The only thing I’ve done, in this, is I’ve taken the datasets for five years that have been produced on an annual basis. And I have summarized them together. So basically that’s all I’ve done. That’s my role in this whole thing. So the analysis of the existing data is mine, and the literature review is mine,” said Kingzett.
In the course of our conversation, Kingzett made a number of references to the Salmon Coast Field Station in the Broughton Archipelago. So I reached out to two of the station’s directors, both of which are scientists with numerous papers published in peer reviewed publications.
Photo credit: Screenshot of Brian Kingzett taken during the interview
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - the third installment of Cortes at Fairy Creek in their own words: Law and Order
The personal experiences of seven Cortes Island residents.
Photo taken from the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Jonah's Fineman has been at sea for most of the last seven months, cleaning up beaches, showing tourists, the Marine wonders of our area. And as the captain of a scientific research vessel. He returned home briefly last week before sitting out again for the waters off Southern Vancouver island.
He described the constant going from land to sea and back as being like straddling different planets. When he set out to sea as a 19 year-old, Fineman felt that that youthful terror of missing out on an experience with friends. He says you never feel quite as alone as you have after you've loved someone. Now as a parent, he finds himself imagining the sounds of his children's laughter through the roar of the ocean.
Luckily, he is in the midst of a community of Mariners and friends who share a very common situation on shore.
“We have partners, families and a serious passion for working on the ocean,” said Fineman. “So we push each other, we protect each other. And I think we do that so that our time away is a pure experience.”
As regards this last season on board the Misty Isles, there were a lot more people from Cortes, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. There were a lot more repeat travellers. Some of them would come back the next day to see a different side of Cortes Island.
“It actually became one of the highlights for Amy and I.”
2021 was the third worst worst wildfire season on record, but a beautiful summer on Cortes Island.
“We didn't get a lot of smoke over our waters this year and I hate to sound selfish, but it was really nice to be able to breathe and see the coast range and see all of our islands in this archipelago,” said Fineman.
He described the 2021 cruising season as the perfect antidote for 2020, when COVID 19 first devastated the marine tourism sector.
This year did not seem promising back in April, when the second wave of COVID struck.
So the Misty Isles remained at the dock throughout May, while Fineman took the helm of a vessel called the Island Odyssey to take part in a beach clean-up of different islands and shorelines in the Bella Bella area. There were nine vessels in the expedition and a very large barge, referred to as ‘the Large Marge Barge,’ supplied by the Heilsuk First Nation and on top of that barge was a helicopter.
“We gathered 200 tons of Marine debris and 60% of it was recycled,” said Fineman.
This was part of the largest beach cleanup in BC history. Crews were working on the west coast of Vancouver island, Haida Gwaii, and the village of Kitkatla near PrinceRupert. Locally, there were also beach cleanups on Cortes, Quadra and the rest of the Discovery Islands, as well as along the east coast of Vancouver Island from Comox to the Johnstone strait.
Fineman said the dedication and energy displayed up and down the coast is really impressive, but “it's estimated that 8 million tons of garbage basically goes into the world's oceans annually.” These cleanups need to continue as an annual event.
Two days after he flew home from Prince Rupert, “we had our first guests on Misty Isles and then it was non-stop until about September 25th.”
Then Fineman took command of another vessel, to lead some photography expeditions in the Great Bear Rainforest.
“Now with the cruising season being done, I'm shifting back into ‘my off season- off Misty Isles work.”
He is currently in the Strait of Juan de Fuca taking a survey of the seabird population for Environment Canada.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra ICAN will soon be installing 14 solar panels on the roof of Quadra Elementary School. Terratek Energy already has the panels and mounting system in stock. They are waiting for final approval, which should arrive in December.
The system is expected to generate approximately 5.6 megawatt hours of power a year, which is what an average home uses and about 5% of the school’s electricity needs.
As ICAN Energy Self-Sufficiency team members Jan Zwicky and Mike Gall explained, this project is meant to educate grade 5 and 6 children how solar panels work.
They will be able to access real time readings of what the panels are generating at any given moment, on their computers and phones.
“So during the summer when they generate lots of power, that would be a pretty exciting event, but in the winter we can also find that perhaps solar panels are a little bit weak as part as the total,” explained Gall.
He added that this shortfall leads to the question, “What else can we add to help reduce the costs of operation?”
This could also prompt kids to start asking to see the family BC Hydro bills at home.
“Part of the idea is also to help members of the community evaluate the extent to which solar power might be at least a partial solution for them,” said Zwicky.
One of the advantages of real time readings is that, if the panels are not generating sufficient power at any given moment, people can choose to lower their energy consumption.
Quadra ICAN is waiting for approval to add the weight of the panels to the school’s roof. They originally hoped to use a new lightweight racking system, but “discovered the roof was constructed in such a way that there was a little layer in it that couldn't be penetrated.” This meant they need to use a standard system, which requires a permit.
Zwicky is confident this is coming because “we only need to add a very small amount of weight per square foot.” The roof was built to carry the snow loads experienced 25-40 years ago and the calculations for this region have been lowered due to climate change. This means that even with the added weight of the panels, the roof should still meet engineering requirements, “but we have to be able to prove that engineering wise.”
“If we can get the approval, we would start construction in December. The system would be operational by at least the new year, maybe even in December,” said Gall. “We would hopefully also be able to take advantage of the school break during the winter months so that we're not interfering with the kids access to the school while it's being done. It's only a day or two's worth of work.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to CHEK News, hundreds of people marched from Centennial Square to the steps of the B.C. Legislature on Saturday, November 20th. The “Funeral for the Future” was organized by Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island, and featured Dr David Suzuki as a speaker.
“No more than one or a few decades remain before the chance to avert the threat will be lost,” said the former host of the Nature of Things. “We are in a sixth spasm of species loss. In May, a United Nations report announced a million more species are in imminent danger of extinction … There’s no mystery to why species are vanishing so rapidly. We are the cause. There are too many of us demanding too much from Mother Earth.”
Suzuki added, “The planet is not in trouble. It did fine for 4 billion years without us and will carry on after we’re gone.”
He pointed to the environmental crisis which humanity is bringing upon itself after a mere 200,000 years of existence.
Suzuki traced the roots of this threat to a “mindset that regards everything around as a potential opportunity for us,” complex legal systems and the artificial ”boundaries of nations, provinces, and municipalities.”
“Nature doesn’t give a damn about human boundaries,” he said.
“While laws define human and property rights, what about the right of a songbird to live its life as it evolved to live? What about the right of the forest to exist as a community of organisms or a river to flow as it has for millennia? Who the hell do we think we are?”
“ … So while most scientists believe the economy must shrink, politicians and the business community continue to push for more and fail to address the important questions. What is it economy for? Are there no limits? Are we happier with all this stuff? How much is enough? What are the necessities of life?”
The IMF reported that the fossil fuel sector received $5.9 trillion in subsidies during 2020.
“Yet the rich countries will not provide the $100 billion annually to help the victims of climate change,” said Suzuki.
Ignoring this speech, most media coverage focused on a comment Suzuki made to CHEK news:
“We’re in deep, deep doo-doo and they’ve been telling us – the leading experts – for over 40 years. This is what we’ve come to. The next stage after this, there are going to be pipelines blown up if our leaders don’t pay attention to what’s going on.”
BC’s Minister of Public safety, Mike Farnworth, shot back, “I think statements like that are not helpful.”
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said, “This type of rhetoric is dangerous and undemocratic.”
BC Liberal leadership candidate Ellis Ross said, “You can’t tell me he didn’t know exactly what he was inferring.”
Suzuki called the suggestion that he was inciting people to violence ‘absurd’ – “It’s exactly the opposite of what I was trying to say.”
Campbell River resident Don Goodeve, who organized the Extinction Rebellion event, told Cortes Currents, “We demand that our government get response. That they get aligned with the science that they take the actions in British Columbia which we need. That they declare an emergency and get organized around what is going to be necessary to protect the safety and livelihoods of British Colombians now and into the future.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In addition to being given charitable status, the Cortes Island Community Foundation developed some important relationships.
“We recently were just accepted as a member into the Community Foundations of Canada and that’s also like a really big step for us,” explained Vice President/Treasurer Mark Spevakow.
This is the governing body for about 200 community foundations, which range from small island organizations like Galiano and Salt Spring to the much larger Victoria, Winnipeg and Vancouver Foundations.
“If we’re running into a problem, there’s a good chance that somebody involved with other one of the other community foundations of Canada has already crossed that ground,” said Spevakow.
One of their new associates is the 25-year-old Campbell River Community Foundation.
“So there might be something geographically that allows us to contact them and say, ‘Hey, have you come across something like this?’”
The Cortes Island Foundation is also working with Cortes islands 20 plus grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and charities.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie was hired, as part time staff, to help set up a social profit network.
The Foundation purchased a community grants database, to help organizations identify the specific grants they should apply for.
“I think we worked all together with about a dozen organizations and based upon that initial push, my understanding is that leveraged to more than a hundred thousand dollars of additional grants and money coming into the community for community projects,” said Spevakow.
The Foundation and Cortes Community Health Association partnered to raise $30,000 for a micro temporary workspace for that island nonprofit workers are calling ‘the pod.’
“people can go there and they’ve got internet access and an office that they could work out of,” explained Spevakow.
The Foundation,Cortes Literacy and the Community Health Association partnered to deliver almost $20,000 in small, actionable micro grants to 30 different projects on Cortes. These include Klahoose cultural language programs, women’s aging support group, youth programs, equipment and a lot more.
Up until now, all of the Foundations funding came from the Directors.
They have just made another big step: “We have just kind of received our very first donation that came from outside of one of the directors.”
Spevakow added, “The thing I wanted to touch on, which is also really important for our for foundation, that we have set up our first permanent forever money fund.”
This is the core funding that will not be spent. It is the principal that will but serve as a guarantee there is money to be dispersed for the community’s needs every year. The board spent quite a bit of time vetting where this money should be invested.
“Luckily, a few years back, the Vancouver Foundation started a separate fund called their socially responsible investment fund. It places funds into investments with strict environmental, social and corporate governance,” said Spevakow.
He believes the return was greater than 10% this year. That 10% is the money that would be used for community disbursements.
Photo credit: screenshot of Mark Spevakow taken during interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Chair Michael Mascall gave Cortes Currents and overview of how the Quadra Island Foundation came into being, and what it’s achieved during the year since it applied for charitable status.
It was one of many endeavours that came into being through Quadra ICAN’s first public meeting, in March 2020. While only 35 people came, they brought some big ideas. Mascall was among them.
He had recently been the executor of an estate that left a considerable amount of money to the community, which actually had a negative impact on the recipient organizations. The problem being that they suddenly had large deposits in their bank accounts and were no longer considered eligible for grants! So, at the meeting, Mascall proposed Quadra form a foundation.
“There were several people interested and one of them said, okay, Michael, let’s do it,” he said.
They brought in 3 more people, to form a board of 5 directors, and were registered as a non-profit society in August 2020.
“With the help of the lawyer, we basically set up a very simple purpose constitution for both our non-profits society and for our foundation, which is basically just to help other charities on Quadra island. Our thoughts where we want to help the people, the culture and the environment of Quadro island and we just left it at that,” explained Mascall.
This simplified approach appears to have paid off when they applied for charitable status in November 2020. Many organizations need to go back two or three times. The Quadra Island Foundation’s constitution states it can only disperse money to organizations that the Canada Revenue Agency approves of and they were approved in three months.
They also joined the Community Foundations of Canada network.
“We received a certain amount of guidance and help from them in setting things up,” said Mascall.
Some of this was developing the policies which will be be on their website, which will hopefully be launched by the end of this year.
During the past year, the Quadra Island Foundation received about $36,000 in donations.
About $10,000 came from organizations like the Glass Waters Foundation, the Strathcona Regional District, and the Campbell River Community Foundation. Most of this was used for set-up costs. $2,000 was given to the Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society project in Quathiaski Cove. Another $10,000 was designated funds, for a Quadra ICAN project to put solar panels on the Quadra Elementary School. As Quadra ICAN is not a registered charity, the Quadra Foundation donated the funds for this project directly to School District 72. Members of the community donated about $16,000, which has become the beginning of the Foundation’s endowment fund. “We will invest that and each year we would make donations based on the returns we get from our investment,” said Mascall.
Photo credit: The Quadra Island Foundation (QIF) donating $2,000 boost to the Quadra Island Seniors Housing Project. (l to r) are Michael Mascall (Chair, QIF), Maureen McDowell President of Seniors Housing, and Jody Rodgers (Director, QIF) - Photo courtesy Quadra Island Foundation.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Vancouver based filmmaker Daniel J Pierce just released a film that attempts to connect the dots between clearcut logging and the mega-floods wreaking havoc on the BC Interior.
He acknowledges that the climate is changing and there was an extreme event, but says this is only half of the story.
“We have loaded the dice in favour of more of these such events by so badly degrading the hydrological functioning of the ecosystem.”
Pierce cites scientific papers like:
XuJian Joe Yu, Younes Alila, “Nonstationary frequency pairing reveals a highly sensitive peak flow regime to harvesting across a wide range of return periods”Forest Ecology and Management (2019). Kim Green & Younes Alila, “A paradigm shift in understanding and quantifying the effects of forest harvesting on floods in snow environments,” Water Resources Research (2012). Tom Bradley, “A Brief Literature Review of the Mountain Pine Beetle,” Silva Ecosystems Consultants Ltd (1993) Revised and updated by Herb Hammond and Erik Leslie (2003).
He has been documenting forestry issues since 2008.
Last March, Pierce released a video about the flood that destroyed part of Grand Forks in 2018.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The panic buying that swept through Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland last week has not reached Cortes Island.
Eva, from the Gorge Harbour General store suggested that, “People on Cortes are probably better prepared.”
The only place she noticed the shortage was gasoline, because the provincial government was limiting sales to 30 litres.
Curt Cunningham, from the Squirrel Cove General Store, believes that rationing boosted his gasoline sales 50% – because most people purchased up to the limit!
Meg, from the Cortes Natural Food Coop, said while she had received notices of a possible shortage from one of her suppliers, another was trying to find buyers for produce that couldn’t be shipped to Alberta.
According to the Campbell River Mirror, there were gas line-ups in Campbell River and, on Wednesday, “the meat section at Walmart was ravaged and left empty”
Cst. Maury Tyre, of the Campbell River RCMP, said the rains “left Campbell River relatively unscathed,” but “fears of supply shortages have created an unnecessary buying fury in many of the gas stations and grocery stores in the area, thereby creating actual immediate shortages.”
The crisis began a week ago, when up to 252 millimetres of rain battered communities in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior. There were reports of flooding, road closures and local states of emergency in numerous communities. This included northern Vancouver Island, where a local state of emergency was declared in areas of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Municipality of North Cowichan, City of Duncan, Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation and Penelakut Tribe.
On Wednesday, November 17th, the province of British Columbia declared a state of emergency.
There were grocery shortages as far east as Manitoba, where the Brandon Sun reported, “Businesses face dire issues with shipping unpredictability because even now it is difficult to guess what will happen with the roads and rail lines in B.C. that have been affected by natural disasters.”
Rains washed away part of Highway #1 connecting Southern Vancouver Island to the gas storage storage facilities in Chemainus and Nanaimo. Panic spread through the Greater Victoria area Wednesday, as gas stations began to run out of fuel. A trickle of fuel trucks started making it over the Malahat Thursday morning, and by Friday two way traffic was restored.
This crisis appears to be something Cortes Island residents learned about through the media.
The Squirrel Cove General Store is probably selling 20% more groceries than usual.
“Supply has not been an issue. My pickups are on Mondays and last Monday there was no problem with supplies,” said Cunningham. “Same with fuel. I put an order in today and they do not anticipate a problem for Tuesday’s delivery.”
Two ferry trips away, in Campbell River, Constable Tyre explained, “The issue is not supply shortage, it’s how businesses order.”
This is based on normal sales volumes. When people panic buy, they put unexpected demands upon the system.
“So please, put down the 3 – 24 packs of toilet paper (you’ve probably got some stashed away from Covid panic buys anyway), re-shelf the 15 packs of ground beef in your cart, and put away the extra jerry cans you are bringing to the gas station,” said Tyre. “Hoarding will only create a temporary shortage that fuels people’s fears. If people just shop in their normal way, things will be fine.”
Photo credit: A washed out section of Highway # 1 - courtesy TranBC twitter feed
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On Thursday, October 28th, a public hearing was held at Manson's hall on Cortes Island to discuss a rezoning application for the property known as Treedom the requested rezoning would permit the construction of an additional three homes. Public input was overwhelmingly positive.
On Wednesday, November 17th, the SRD board agenda included a consideration of the application. and of the public hearing results. After brief discussion, the application was granted
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - I did a little oral history with seven local people who went to Fairy Creek to join that blockade: Margaret, Aaryn, Caitlin, Maya, and Dani from Bluejay lake farm, and Cec and Christine from Whaletown. Their voices have been woven together to create a narrative from multiple points of view, which will be broadcast as a series of half-hour episodes in November and December.
Camp life photo taken from the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr Simmon Donner is an interdisciplinary climate scientist at the University of British Columbia. He studies some of the areas where the rise in global temperatures is most evident: ocean warming, sea-level rise; climate change adaptation in the developing world and coral reefs. In today’s Cortes Currents, he talks about the good news from COP 26.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island and Dr. David Suzuki will host a Funeral for the Future in Victoria this Saturday, November 20th. It starts at 12:30 PM in Centennial Square, after which participants will march to Bellevue street opposite the Provincial Legislature.
Cortes Currents reached Dr. Don Goodeve, an organizer with Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island, at his home in Campbell River.
“We could wait for other people around the planet to make a difference, but we actually have to start with what we're doing here. So what we're going on the streets for, on Saturday with Dr. David Suzuki, is to demand the climate leadership that British Colombians expect and need,” he said.
“The future is going to be bleak. We are going to see more extreme weather events. More floods, more heatwaves, more drought conditions, more crop failures. This is going to get worse before we have a chance of making it better, but we have to start making it better now.”
Goodeve asked, “how will future generations remember us?”
As the generation that left this planet with an absolute catastrophe? Or the generation that made changes.
“It's clear that the COP process for addressing this crisis is broken and it's not moving forward. We have the same old vested interests who are trying to protect their investments in fossil fuels and trying to protect the fossil fuel industry from what we know has got to be the end of it.”
The province’s clean BC plan would have been fantastic 20 years ago, but now we are in an emergency.
What is it going to take for the province to realize that?
“We have not had the action that's needed and across the board, we've got them proposing and putting money into the fracked gas industry and the coastal gasoline pipeline on the basis that, this is somehow going to be good for the province and good for our long-term future. It's clear with the events that are unfolding - they’re not.”
He hopes the people of British Columbia demand that our government get responsive.
“Waiting for other countries to act, as a condition for us acting, is a suicide,” said Goodeve. “We actually need an emergency declaration. We need an end to fossil fuel subsidies, which were $1.3 billion in this province during 2020, and we need to protect our forests. The floods, the landslides that have happened and so many of the effects that we've seen come down to forest management practices that have caused slope destabilization. We need to understand that the forests we have, which have become a net carbon source, can be part of the solution.”
The people of British Columbia have a choice.
Schedule of events for this Saturday, Nov 20, 2021:
Event Starts - 12:30pm at Centennial SquareFuneral Procession - 1:00-1:30pm - down Douglas to Belleville St. Speakers - 1:30pm on Belleville St. opposite Legislature Symbolic Funeral Action - 2:10pm on Belleville St
Photo credit: Looking up from beneath the waves - Photo by Cristian Palmer on Unsplash
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Ready to change your mindset about money? Author and money educator Huong Luu joins Manda Aufochs Gillespie to dig deep dip into Money on Folk U Radio this Friday at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or cortesradio.ca.
In this session you will learn: How to make it, how to get over your hang-ups about money, how to pay off your mortgage in 10 years, what will next year bring and much, much more. Get your questions answered!!!! Call in Friday during the 1p.m. live show at 250-935-0200 or send your questions in advance to 250-935-0200.
Next in the Money Essential series:
Friday November 19th Folk U Radio: Cortes Island Macro to Micro Economics Lesson (repeat)** What does it mean to have a healthy local economy on a tiny island like Cortes? Join Adam McKenty in this pre-recorded Folk U live session for a closer look at the ebbs and flows of money as they apply to Cortes Island and our future.
Folk University's new What is Essential series asks: What must we know, practice, and study to prepare ourselves for living in the world we now inhabit and the world we expect to come to inhabit? Together, Folk University and YOU are creating the syllabus of the future. Send your questions for any guest or your thoughts on What is Essential to u@folku.ca
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What is CryptoCurrency and what can it do for YOU and your community? Learn about this form of currency, what it is, how it developed, and why it may matter to YOU. Adventure motorcyclist and cryptocurrency entrepreneur “Skenoo,” the eponymous CEO of Skenoo Ventures Inc joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to dig deep on this important and timely topic on Folk U Radio this Friday at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or cortesradio.ca.
Let’s talk everything crypto, what it is, what’s a token, what it means for local currency, and much more including why you aren’t taking your online security seriously enough.
In the second part of the show we will be joined by islander Dominic to discuss his project the Cortes Crypto Bank. https://www.cortes.money/
“Give me control of a nation’s money and I care not who makes it’s laws” — Mayer Amschel Bauer Rothschild.
Folk University’s new What is Essential series asks: What must we know, practice, and study to prepare ourselves for living in the world we now inhabit and the world we expect to come to inhabit? Together, Folk University and YOU are creating the syllabus of the future. Send your questions for any guest or your thoughts on What is Essential to u@folku.ca
Upcoming….
Friday November 19th Folk U Radio: Cortes Island Macro to Micro Economics Lesson (repeat)** What does it mean to have a healthy local economy on a tiny island like Cortes? Join Adam McKenty in this pre-recorded Folk U live session for a closer look at the ebbs and flows of money as they apply to Cortes Island and our future.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - School District 72 has not yet decided, but there have been discussions about the possibility of offering outdoor high school courses on Cortes Island.
“We've been engaging in discussions with the superintendent of the Campbell River school district to explore how we might do that,” explained Sadhu Johnston.
Since the advent of COVID, the academic year has been broken up into four blocks. Johnston is proposing that some students can come to Cortes for two of those blocks for an intensive out of classroom experience. Cortes Island offers a wealth of wildlife and ecologically significant ecosystems to explore. There are also local projects they could participate in.
“We're thinking anywhere from 15 to 25 students,” he said.
Some of these may live on Cortes Island, the others would either come from Campbell River or be international students billeted on Cortes.
Johnston has a vested interest in the project: two kids, aged 11 and 14, that are nearing high school age.
“I love the idea of our whole family not having to leave the island for high school.”
A lot of Cortes families move to Campbell River for their children. Some pull their kids out of the Cortes Island school a couple of years ahead of time.
“From my perspective, it really erodes our community socially and economically to have these families leaving,” said Johnston. “Many of them leave and never come back.”
Many of the families that remain on Cortes send their kids to board in Campbell River during the week. Johnston is also helping to organize Teen Szene, which brought him into contact with local students.
“A lot of the teenagers like leaving because they get to broaden their general social community, which makes a ton of sense,” he said. “So I liked the idea that we could be on Cortes more and have that social community broadened. If there were a group of 25 students, for instance, they may develop those relationships here.”
This also offers new opportunities for Cortes families: some may keep their kids on the island for half of the year, and send them to Campbell River for the remainder. Others might homeschool their children for the remainder of the year, or take advantage of the province’s online learning program If the province will allow the Powell River Partners in Education program to continue accepting Cortes students, there may be a way to integrate Cortes Island programs. “I don't think it's going to be the solution, the end all and be all for everybody. That's not what it's intended to do,” explained Johnston. “It's really intended to sell the amazing offerings of Cortes, organizations like Reel Youth who work with youth and film all over all over the country.”
Screenshot of Sadhu Johnston taken during interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Frank Wayne Mottl’s new book opens up in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast, a little more than a century ago. Like his first book, 'the Cumberland Tales', ‘Mother’s Keep’ blends the flavours of actual and imagined events. This has prompted readers to ask him about the characters.
Mottl said his granny, one of the many World War I brides who came over from England, was the inspiration for Mother’s Keep.
“She was a scullery. And the first chapter kind of deals with that. She was out in the woods gathering some firewood and she met this Canadian soldier out there. That part of the book is true, he actually fell in love with her, but he was already married back in Canada,” said Mottl. “So he went back after recovering. The war was over. He went back home to Canada. And after two or three years, his wife passed away. So he wrote my granny back in England and said, ‘my wife passed away, come on over to Gibsons and live with me.’”
Mottl’s mother wrote down a lot of the family’s stories from the years that followed: the depression years; rural living in Gibsons; her best friend’s restaurant which ‘the Beachcombers’ made famous as Molly's Reach.
She is the inspiration for one of the three daughters mentioned in the book.
In reality, there were four daughters: “But in the book it's actually three girls and a boy. So I kind of twisted things around a bit and the book is told from the boy's point of view - who was actually a ghost.”
Granny moved in with Mottle when she was 80 years old and he was living in Cumberland.
“When I was a kid, we used to walk through the woods to get water. You have two pails, walked down the trail and it was just a big open well, and we carried them back again. Then finally she got a little pump well, off the back porch of the pantry. And then uncle Chuck, who is an electrician, brought electricity down this little wire. Uncle Ron and my dad installed a little pump underneath the pantry sink so she would have running water. She turned on a tap, looked at them, and said, ‘what the hell do I need that for? Pull it out.”
Mottl lives in Campbell River now, but wanted to launch ‘Mother’s Keep’ in Gibsons, “because that's where it all happened.”
The formal book launch has been delayed because of COVID 19. You can purchase it at Save on Foods in Campbell River, which also has copies of his first book ‘the Cumberland Tales’, or through Mottl’s website https://www.frankwayne.net/
He is currently working on another book, which incorporates Sam Yik and ‘Broken Back’ from ‘the Cumberland Tales.’ He also incorporates politics from Ancient China, including the story of a scholar whose poetry incurred the ire of the government authorities and was destroyed.
Photo credit: Frank Wayne Mottl at the launch of his first book, The Cumberland Tales
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Most people are probably aware of the protest and blockade at Fairy Creek on Vancouver island. For over a year, forest defenders have blocked a logging road to prevent logging company Teale Jones from cutting intact old growth areas. For this special feature. I did a little oral history with seven local people who went to Fairy Creek to join that blockade.
After a public appeal for interviewees, I managed to schedule recording dates with Margaret, Aaryn, Caitlin, Maya, and Dani from Bluejay lake farm, and Cec and Christine from Whaletown. Their voices have been woven together to create a narrative from multiple points of view, which will be broadcast as a series of half-hour episodes in November and December.
I’d like to thank our interviewees sincerely for taking the time to tell their stories. I hope that this series will convey something of how it felt to be there on the ground at Fairy Creek; and I hope our listeners will find these firsthand accounts as fascinating — and as revealing — as I did during interview.
In the first episode (which aired Sat Nov 13, I ask our friends and neighbors, What inspired you to make that journey to ferry Creek? Why did you go? And what did you find when you got there?
Image credit: A picture of this massive Sitka spruce went viral earlier this year - photo courtesy of Lorna Beecroft
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is a condensed version of ‘The World is Watching COP 26,’ roughly 28 minutes of audio from a 54 minute Sierra Club BC production broadcast directly from Glasgow.
It was hosted by Anjali Appadurai (Climate Justice campaigner) and Flossie Baker (Lead Organizer at Sierra Club BC).
The full 58 minute Sierra Quadra video This is Appadurai’s 11th year of watching the COP process, during which time she has watched it decline from a regime that was attempting to be legally binding to “a kind of pledge and review” process.
“Every country makes voluntary pledges about how much they are going to reduce their emissions, with a series of review built into that, until the present day COP in Glasgow – where we are seeing that half of those pledges were not met,” she said.
Appaduri calls this ‘the COP of announcements’ and alleges they do not match what is being negotiated behind closed doors.
“The responsibility for the amount of emissions that are in the atmosphere right now, disproportionately rests with the richest countries in the world, which also happen to be mostly the colonial states and also happened to be countries that are quite wealthy and more capable of dealing with the impacts of climate change,” she said. “Unfortunately what we’ve seen is that the countries that have the most responsibility, for the largest part of that burden are the ones that really don’t want to pay their fair share.
Canada was among the nations that promise to have net zero emissions by 2050.
Appaduri notes that these are “not real emissions reductions,’ as polluters are allowed to continue pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere providing they find green projects to offset their tally. So a Canadian fossil fuel project may be offset by funding a treeplanting project in a developing nation like Zambia. One of the tweets in Scotland called this “the new climate denialism.”
“The biggest polluters, both corporate and governmental, are the biggest champions for net zero,” said Appaduri.
She noted that one of the key solutions brought forward in Scotland revolved around technologies that do not (yet) exist. Critics call this “chasing the carbon unicorn.”
Flossie Baker pointed out that while the commitment to end deforestation by 2030 means a great deal in nations like the Congo, where this is actually happening, it is meaningless in British Columbia where old growth forests are being replaced by plantations of much younger trees.
At Glasgow, Prime Minister Trudeau promised, “”We’ll cap oil and gas sector emissions today and ensure they decrease tomorrow at a pace and scale needed to reach net-zero by 2050.”
“This sounds hopeful and it’s lacking any legally binding framework,” said Baker. “Without that, we fear that it just a nice sounding aspiration.”
Photo - screenshot from the SIerra Club BC video
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Nine Cortes Island students are waiting to hear whether they will have to move to Campbell River during their high school years. This has been the norm for many Cortes families. Others sent their children to a boarding house in Campbell River during the week. The parents of nine Cortes students found another option. They send their children to a Powell River school two days a week, through the Partners in Education program (PIE), and teach them at home the other three days.
This involves a quick boat ride across to Lund, where their children board a school bus.
However the Ministry of Education is streamlining its independent learning programs. Powell River is in a different school district (#47) and it is not certain that Cortes Island students, who are in school district #72, will be allowed to attend in the 2022/23 school year.
Cortes students will be allowed to continue enrolling, if Powell River can become a provincial online learning provider. Unfortunately, it is not yet known if the Powell River program qualifies, or if this is even a possibility for a small rural school.
The podcast incorporates interviews with two of the mothers and an email from the BC Ministry of Education
Can Powell River's Partners in Education program qualify as an a provincial online learning provider? - Photo by Aleksandra Kornilova on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (or DFO) is working with local groups to harvest salmon eggs and throughout the Greater Campbell River area.
Stacey Larsen, the DFO Community advisor for our area, recently came to Cortes Island.
“The Klahoose First Nation hatchery has been working with DFO for several years. I know at least over ten,” she explained. “Prior to Chum enhancement, Coho enhancement was being done. At that time we had Coho eye-digs that were moved from the Quinsam hatchery (in Campbell River) to the Klahoose hatchery.”
They were raised to fry and then released into Cortes Island streams.
Four years ago, they switched over to Chum salmon from the Tla-amin hatchery, north of Powell River in Qathet Regional District.
“This was the first year when we were able to have the numbers of returning Chum to harvest them from Basil Creek, which is the preferred choice,” said Larsen.
Chum runs have been declining along the south coast for the past five years and the DFO expects average to below average numbers this Fall.
“Salmon, including Chum salmon, face a number of challenges including: habitat loss; barriers to migration; changing ocean conditions that reduce food availability; and changes to watersheds resulting from climate change.”
The Chum returns were very low on Basil Creek in 2016. This year’s run consists of salmon that were transferred from the Tla’amin hatchery four years ago.
“In 2017, the Klahoose First Nation, Cortes streamkeepers, Friends of Cortes Island, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and DFO worked together to replace an aging culvert on Basil Creek that was proving to be a barrier to upstream fish migration. The new culvert has a natural stream bottom and allows for Chum salmon to move upstream,” explained Larsen.
Two weeks ago, 8,000 Chum salmon eggs were harvested in Basil Creek.
Larsen added that the returns in Qathet were better than expected this year and there will probably be more eggs coming from the Tla’amin hatchery.
“The Klahoose First Nation and Cortes streamkeepers will monitor and care for the eggs,” she said. “Once the eggs reach the eyed stage, which means the eye spot is visible, we will transfer them to in-stream incubation boxes where they will develop into alevin, which are newly hatched salmon that still have their yolk sac. In the Spring they will released back into the creek as fry.”
This is not the only creek that Larsen works in.
She has been working with the Sayward Fish and Wildlife Club to harvest Chinook eggs from the Salmon River. The eggs will be raised in the Salmon River hatchery until they are eyed, then transferred to the Quinsam hatchery until they are released next Spring.
The October rains were challenging in Zeballos, where DFO works with the Ehattesaht First Nation.
“We were able to get Chum into that hatchery as well.”
Larsen also participated in the release of one year old Coho fry into four creeks in the Campbell River: Sims, Nunns, Menzies and Mohun.
Photo credit: Screenshot of Tracey Larsen taken during the interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the conclusion of a series of four broadcasts about the island’s looming water problem, Jude McCormick, Bernie Amell, Kris Wellstein and Mike Gall describe some of the initiatives the Quadra ICAN water security team is taking.
They have good reason to suspect water is becoming less abundant , as the climate continues to shift and the expanding network of roads, ditches houses and other human infrastructure disrupts the penetration of rainwater. There are numerous reports of lower water levels in island wells; once year-round wetlands are drying up in the summer; many cedar and spruce trees appear to be stressed. These anecdotal evidences are backed up by data from the island’s Provincial Groundwater Observation Well, which shows that Quadra Island’s water levels have been dropping for the past twelve years.
One of the most popular local responses is to take pressure off Quadra’s aquifers by rainwater harvesting.
Jude McCormick, the water security team leader, explained that people are taking the water that falls on their roofs for a variety of purposes. Many use it to water their garden. Some store water for fire suppression. One of her neighbours in Granite Bay built their house on solid rock and have been totally dependent on rainwater since they moved to Quadra Island in 2005.
“They built their house with a lot of roof surface and, I think, put in two 1,500 gallon storage tanks. They can run their electricity from that, their toilets and all their domestic use.”
Bernie Amell and his wife use a composting toilet and have otherwise obtained all of their water from rainwater harvesting this past year.
“We are able to get 30 litres per day per person for water use, which means we made it through the drought with a fair reserve of water still in our tanks. It’s feasible to do because we do because we do have a good rainy season,” he said.
The Quadra ICAN water security team sells 250 gallon water storage containers at cost and helps people them set up.
Kris Wellstein said a lot of people have have been using them to collect rainwater for their gardens.
“Some people are being very effective at that, and taking the strain off the aquifer at this time,” she said.
A few Quadra Island residents are digging ponds to store water.
Mike Gall said, “If you really think about it, everybody is living off rainwater. The aquifers are recharged by the rain that comes from God, from the sky. It is really that simple.”
He stressed the idea that whether you are talking about power or water, “the best method to get yourself green is to conserve.”
“If you can find ways to conserve, that is more efficient than anything else you can do and it costs you literally nothing. It is just a change in your methodology.”
The security team has a number of educational initiatives underway. They are also collecting information about individual wells and plotting their locations on a map.
“I think we’ll get people thinking about it and there will be less sprinklers on gardens and lawns, and more drip systems in their gardens,” said Wellstein. “Perhaps people will start to think what they are doing with their properties a little more as their awareness of water security consciousness is raised.”
Photo credit: Jude McCormick, Kris Wellsetin and Bernie Amell with 250 litre water containers - Courtesy Quadra ICAN water security team
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the third in a series of programs arising from an interview with Quadra ICAN water security team members Jude McCormick, Kris Wellstein, Bernie Amell and Mike Gall. In a previous episode, they listed evidences that the groundwater supply is diminishing. This episode is dedicated to the sources of Quadra island’s groundwater and the things affecting them.
Amell explained that only a limited amount of data is available. Some people have registered their wells and there is a provincial groundwater observation well near the corner of Heriot Bay and Smith Roads.
“The first indication we have is that there are several different aquifer layers below the south part of the island, plus the karse typography which is the same thing that generates limestone caves, in the north part of the island,” he said. “We think that’s the major source of the water that is in the centre of the island. It would be seepage out of the karse typography,” he said.
He stressed the need to understand these water sources, what they mean to Quadra Island and how the island needs to adapt to further climate change.
Gall added, “Climate change is one thing we are concerned with, but the other is how we affect surface precipitation getting down to the aquifer systems through development. Every hard surface that we add, or change in the topography when we develop, affects the ability of the aquifer to recharge. Each road, every ditch creates new drainage lines that weren’t previously there.”
Screenshot from chart of Heriot Bay Road Groundwater level - courtesy BC Government
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - With the deadline for registering irrigation, commercial or industrial use wells fast approaching, the Quadra ICAN water security team is concerned that some people may miss out.
According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development press release, “A water licence is not required for a household well or groundwater used for domestic purposes, such as watering lawns and gardens. Domestic groundwater users are encouraged to register their well for free.”
Kris Wellstein pointed out that water used for home industries like egg stands, market gardens and fruit trees (if the fruit is sold) is classified as commercial.
The Ministry states “Existing groundwater users who have not applied by the deadline will be unlicensed and must stop using groundwater.”
The deadline for filing is March 1, 2022, but “Consequences for not filing with the registry can be substantial, with penalties up to $25,000 for an individual, or $50,000 for a corporation, or 5% of the assessed value of the property, whichever is greater.”
Bernie Amell pointed out that there are already parts of Canada where businesses use water metres and their reports are checked by the government.
“That’s for major water users,” he said. “Even in the prairies, the domestic use is on an assumed basis.”
He added that while “theoretically the licensing for industry is above domestic, but in my experience, watching it happen in the prairies, it never comes down to that because these are people in your neighbourhood. You’re not going to cut them off from domestic use. There is a difference between legally what might happen and what actually happens. There is a lot of scare talk and it is not useful to get engaged in that sometimes.”
(There is much more in the podcast and written article)
Photo credit: Looking up from inside the well - Photo by Josh Kahen on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dino Tsakonas, Regional Manager for CityWest, gave Cortes Currents an update on the Connected Coast initiative to bring high speed internet connection to our area is progressing.
The campaign to get Cortes Island residents signed up for free internet connection is over and CityWest is now focusing on the inhabitants of Denman and Hornby Islands.
“We’re still working with the Ministry of Transport to finalize a bunch of details for Cortes, but they are just minor details. Half of the island is already approved,” he said.
As a result of global supply chain disruptions, the ‘Dropping-in’ campaign to connect individual households on Cortes Island has been set back until January. Tsakonas said that, for example, an incredible amount of conduit is needed to put conduit into every home that is receiving fibre . CityWest just finished work in Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake and is now in Haida Gwaii.
He explained, “Everyone’s doing it, all over the world, and when you think about the corona virus, a lot of people are using those materials to make more masks, more ventilators. Those materials were pushed towards that.”
Tsakonas said the Dropping-in campaign will start on Cortes, then they will move on to Hornby and Denman, and finally Quadra Island.
The funding to bring high speed internet to Quadra has not yet been finalized, “but it is going to happen.”
CityWest is still negotiating a possible buyout of Twincomm, the local internet provider for our area.
“The CEO told me things are getting close, so we’ll see if both sides agree upon a number” said Tsakonas. “There is no real rush, it could happen six months from now and it would still be fine.
He still does some work for Twinncom, where he served as the
The ‘CanPac Valour’ arrived in Campbell River and is about to start laying cable over 3,400 kilometres of the West Coast. Tsakonas suspects they may begin in Vancouver because that is where the fibre optic cable is coming from, but he is not yet privy to this information.
On a personal not, Taskonas said he is doing really good and will be going trout fishing after our interview.
He said tell Cortes residents, “Be patient everybody, fibre optics is coming.”
Photo credit: Scientist holding fibre optic cable - Photo by Lars Kienle on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Campbell River Chamber of Commerce is protesting the provincial government’s handling of a proposed deferral of 2.6 million hectares of old growth forest.
“The BC Government needs to sit down at a table with the First Nations, industry, labour and representatives from all the communities and have meaningful dialogue before they implement these deferrals. If they don’t, it is going to have devastating impact on all of our communities,” said Executive Director Mary Ruth Snyder.
She was citing a BC Council of Forest Industries press release, that states:
“These deferrals would result in the closure of between 14 and 20 sawmills in BC, along with two pulp mills and an undetermined number of value-added manufacturing facilities. This represents approximately 18,000 good, family-supporting jobs lost, along with over $400 million in lost revenues to government each year – revenues that help pay for healthcare, education and other services British Columbians count on.”
Snyder says the timing of the government announcement could not be worse. It has been only two years since the forest industry was in the midst of a devastating strike and the COVID 19 virus arrived almost immediately after that.
“We are still trying to recover from the strike; we are still trying to recover from the effects of the pandemic on small and medium businesses across this province,” she said.
Snyder says the NDP announcement does not reflect any of their previously stated intentions of discussing, planning and negotiating complex issues like this with all the interested parties.
“It is very, very, disappointing,” she said. “There has to be conversation and dialogue before they can make any sweeping statements like they’ve made.”
Photo credit: courtesy the Wilderness Committee
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, is among those speaking out against Horgan’s proposal to defer logging on 2.6 million hectares of the province’s most at risk old growth forests.
He also spoke against “the alarming reduction of old growth forests due to unsustainable logging practises.”
Phillip praised the “incredibly dedicated, committed, individuals who understand the incredible value of old growth forest” and are opposing Teal Cedar Products logging operations at Fairy Creek. (The RCMP have arrested 1,160 as of Thursday, November 4.)
“When John Horgan ran in the last snap election, he made a commitment to safeguard, protect, and ensure that logging in old growth forestry would be deemed to be absolutely sustainable and that there would be a dialogue with Indigenous peoples and other groups (that have a vested interest in the preservation and protection of old growth forests) and so on and so forth, but unfortunately that did not happen,” said Grand Chief Phillip.
He calls the government’s “confusing announcement” yet another example of this administration’s “crisis management, whereby the Horgan government lurches from issue to issue.” The idea of giving First Nations 30 days to respond to it is “ludicrous.”
If the government wants to address this issue, Phillip says it needs to commit to a “formal legislative process with a time frame of three to five years,” and provide funding for the project.
He described the current announcement is a delaying tactic: “As we speak, logging continues in old growth forest stands. Permits are firmly in place. Other permits are being issued. What the Horgan Government has done, effectively, is defer the deferrals.”
The Horgan Government also promised to honour the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip pointed out, “They promised to realign the laws of British Columbia to incorporate our jurisdictional interest - and we all know that did not happen.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra Island’s groundwater appears to be disappearing.
“We need to figure out where it’s going, how much we have that we don’t know about and then how we can make sure that not just on the people on Quadra, but also the environment and businesses get they need,” said Jude McCormick, the leader of Quadra ICAN’s water security team. “It is a Herculean task and the first part is to make people aware that we have a problem.”
In the first of a series about Quadra Island’s water issues, McCormick, Bernie Amell, Kris Wellstein and Mike Gall explain how they know the water is disappearing.
Photo credit: Jude McCormick, Kris Wellstein and Bernie Amell with IBC water totes - courtesy Quadra ICAN
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - British Columbia is considering whether to defer logging on 2.6 million hectares of the provinces most at-risk old growth forests.
Speaking as an individual, rather than Vice President of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, David Shipway’s response to news of the proposed deferment was, “It's essential and long overdue.”
According to Jens Weiting of Sierra Club BC, the government’s technical advisory panel identified two thirds of the province’s 11.1 million hectares of ‘old growth forests’ as being at risk. These are the big trees that most of us think of, when we hear the term ‘old growth.’ Roughly 5 million hectares of these large trees are unprotected and the government is proposing to defer logging on a little more than half of them.
“The BC Government was pretty clear about their intentions to implement deferrals for these 2.6 million hectares, but short on details,” he said.
Torrace Coste of the Wilderness Committee, commented. “For the first time we have the government basically breaking down old growth inventory based on science. In the past they’ve just lumped all old forests together and inflated the amount of actual iconic giant tree old growth forest. This analysis is put together by leading experts in the field of forestry and it reflects what is happening on the ground.”
A much different set of statistics are cited on the Truck Loggers Association website. There are supposedly 13.7 million hectares of old growth forst in the province, 72% of which will never be logged because it is either in parks or protected areas. As three trees are allegedly planted for every one that is harvested, there will eventually be no need to cut down old growth.
“Old growth harvesting will carry on into the future and the transition to harvesting a higher proportion of second growth trees will continue until we eventually fully harvest second growth,” it says.
The government estimates that the proposed deferment could result in the loss of 4,500 jobs; industry claims the numbers could be much higher. Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said, “We are committed to working in partnership with First Nations to make sure we get this right and to supporting workers and communities as we develop a sustainable approach to managing BC’s old-growth forests.”
First Nations have been given thirty days to decide whether they support the deferments, and were offered up to $12.7 million over three years to help them during the transitional period.
Coste pointed out that the government decision to not move forward on the deferrals without agreement from First Nations is inconsistent, as this type of agreement is not sought for logging.
He added, “More broadly, I want to say that the position that First Nations are placed in economically is only one parties fault - and that is the province of British Columbia. The federal government as well, but the dispossession of First Nations, of their lands, of their resources: that’s been done for 150 years by the Province of British Columbia.”
Coste said it does not seem fair to ask First Nations to make the decision whether to protect old growth, which the Government has already promised to do, unless they are offered adequate compensation for the revenues they would lose.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Sunday November 7, Bryan Thompson and Susanna Oreskovic will be bringing The Mystery Mountain Project to Mansons Hall on Cortes Island.
This is both a film and a book about about the 2018 Canadian Explorations Heritage Society (CEHS) trek to Bute Inlet, following in the footsteps of Don and Phyllis Munday’s 1926 expedition to scale Mount Waddington.
There are several Cortes Connections. Local historian Judith Wilson met the Canadian Exploration expedition on Quadra Island. They sailed to Bute Inlet with local tourism operator Mike Moore on board the ‘Misty Isles’ and the documentary opens with multiple views of Cortes Island’s well known schooner. There are only five stops in the book and film tour of Western BC, which starts at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria and also includes North Vancouver, Squamish and a virtual event in Comox. The Mansons Hall screening is brought to us by the Cortes Island Museum and Archives.
This was the second historical reenactment film made by the Canadian EH Society. The first celebrated the centennial anniversary of Conrad Kain’s 1916 ascent of the Bugaboo Spire in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountain Range.
Trip organizer Bryan Thompson, who represents Don Munday’s brother Bert in this reenactment, said one of the biggest challenges they faced was adapting to the gear that would have been used in 1926. (‘Extreme Adventure done Old-School’ it says on the masthead of the Canadian EH Society website.) The straps of two of their homemade backpacks broke at the very beginning of the expedition. Their diet consisted of the foods on a grocery list compiled by the Mundays, most of which were canned goods and heavy. The six re-enactors set out through mosquito infested country without bug spray, wearing hob nailed boots that lack the suppleness of modern foot wear.
“What we want to do is educate Canadians who went about exploring this nation back in the day and the pristine wilderness areas that they went exploring,” said Thompson.
Oreskovic may appear diminutive with a 60 pound pack strapped on her back, but this is not the challenge that confronted her on the trip. She notes that while the membership of most mountaineering clubs is pretty equally split between genders, a European study found that 94% of the published literature was written by men. The film captured the climax of Oreskovic’s struggle with self doubt in a scene where she broke into tears, “I can’t do this, I can’t do this.” To which Thompson replied, “Of course you can, you’re doing it. You are here.”
Thompson said a whole new perspective opened up when he read Oreskovic’s book, “After reading it I was kind of I was kind of chuckling to myself because she really compares how us guys were processing things. We were not even aware of how we were processing things. All of this internal struggle, it doesn’t come to the surface.”
“The story is Don and Phyllis Munday were this powerhouse climbing couple. They climbed together for decades and they mapped out and climbed much of the Waddington range - which was really unmapped territory at the time. So they were hiking on Vancouver Island in 1925 and they spotted in the distance this peak that they had never seen before,” said Oreskovic.
Neither the Mundays or their modern imitators reached the summit in their initial expedition. Don and Phyllis were successful in 1928. Thompson plans to return with two other re-enactors in July 2022.
The reenactors with Mike Moore in front of the Misty Isles - Photo courtesy Susanna Oreskovic
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new study suggests ‘the Blob’ of warmer ocean temperatures, which stretched over 3,200 kilometres off the coast of North America at its peak in 2014 and 15, may have temporarily dampened the Pacific’s ‘biological pump’ that acts as a carbon sink for fixed atmospheric carbon.
“Up until this particular study there really hasn’t been, to our knowledge, the opportunity to look at scale on the impact of heat, or impact of a large temperature anomaly on how the microbial community acts,” said Dr. Steven Hallam, a microbiologist at UBC and one of the paper’s co-authors.
“In the first couple of years of the Blog, there was a big decline in the phytoplankton biomass – which I think would have an influence on how much carbon dioxide the ocean is sucking, but then in the last year (2016) – all of a sudden they were growing again,” said Dr. Colleen Kellogg, another co-author and a research scientist with the Hakai Institute.
Their team was studying the DNA sequencing and oceanographic measurements from the open-sea buoy ‘Ocean Station Papa,’ when the Blob appeared. They were at the centre of the anomaly, 1,400 km off the coast.
From 2010 to 2016, they profiled the water column all the way from the surface down 4,000 metres to near the sea floor.
“We tried to relate the changes we observed in the microbial community structure to a model of what might be happening to that biological pump,” said Hallam.
He and Kellog stressed the fact that more research, over a much longer period of time, is needed.
One of the big questions: how are these changes impacting fish, marine mammals and seabird populations?
Kellog will soon be adding a much needed study of the microbial community in coastal waters.
The Hakai Institute started off Calvert Island in 2013 and Quadra Island the following year.
“Soon, hopefully, I will be able to report back to you, and others locally, about what is happening right around us and in our waters,” she said. “ .. One thing I found super interesting in our local waters is the phytoplankton is the northern strait of Georgia, so off Quadra Island, is often really small.”
“Why?” Kellogg asks.
This is the last place juvenile salmon swim through on their way out to sea.
What kind of impact does this have on salmon?
“The real challenge here is how do you balance out the need for generational science with fact there are real problems we have to address right now,” said Hallam.
“ …We have to get less carbon into the atmosphere; we know that. That’s a given, and we need to do it aggressively. Studies like ‘the blob’ help remind us that we can’t continue to behave the way we are behaving, in terms of our carbon emissions, without having, potentially, real impact on what we call ecosystem services that are just provided by nature. We’ve reached the point where can’t just rely on nature anymore to take the waste and deal with it. We have to make conscious choices.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Around 8,000 Chum Salmon eggs were harvested in Basil Creek, Cortes Island, on Friday, October 29th.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Friends of Cortes Island Streamkeepers (FOCI) and the Klahoose Hatchery were hoping to collect up to 40,000 eggs.
DFO Community Advisor Stacey Larsen said that, if enough Chum return, there may be another chance to collect eggs this week.
“The opportunity to use genetically local stock and get Chum salmon back into that creek is what this is all about,” explained Cortes Island Streamkeeper Cec Robinson. “All of the salmon returns that we get on Cortes are just a shadow of what they once were. Including here at Basil Creek, which is the strongest run we get by far, but it still could be much greater.”
He said the natural runs in Cortes Island’s other creeks were ‘almost gone.’
There was no time for interviews once the operation commenced but, as the team was assembling, Robinson explained who they were:
Byron Harry, the new Klahoose Fisheries Officer, “his dad had that job in the past and was well respected and appreciated for the work that he did.” Dave Ewart, former manager of the Quinsam River hatchery in Campbell River, who “keeps trying to retire from DFO but they won’t let him go.” Robinson added that Ewart owns property on Cortes and is a real mentor for the streamkeepers. Five volunteer streamkeepers.
Larsen, DFO’s community advisor from the area stretching from Oyster Bay north to Sayward, and including Cortes and the other Discovery Islands, joined us just after this.
Ewart, Harry and the Streamkeepers put nets across the stream, to stop the salmon from escaping. Then they went after the trapped fish with scoop nets. Ewart was especially adept at differentiating females that are full of eggs from those that are already spawned out. Most of the salmon seemed to be released, but at the end of the operation four dead females and five males were laid out on the bank.
They were milked for eggs and sperms, respectively, and their bodies returned to the stream.
Cruel as this may seem, the salmon had returned to Basil Creek to spawn and die. Larsen explained that, depending how long they have been in the creek, the remainder of their natural lives would have been measured in days or weeks.
Robinson explained that as a result of the human intervention, 80% to 90% of the eggs being harvested would survive - instead of 5% to 10%.
Photo credit: Klahoose Fisheries Officer Byron Harvey scooping up Chum Salmon in Basil Creek - Roy L Hales photo
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The rezoning meeting for an additional three buildings on the Treedom Ventures property, at 1062 Seascape Road, in Mansons Landing Landing, was held Thursday. This would bring the total number of buildings on this 82 acre property to 8, with an additional cabin. Between 25 and 30 people attended attended the in person component of the meeting and an unknown number attended through the internet or by phone.
Four First Nations were contacted about this development. The Homalco First Nation had no objection, and the Klahoose, Tla’amin and K’omoks Nations did not respond.
The property was purchased by a limited partnership in 1999 and is currently divided into three segments:
40 acres of forest, protected by covenants held by the Land Conservancy of British Columbia. 2 acres of covenanted coastal ecosystem, also protected by an agreement with the Land Conservancy. Members of the limited partnership occupy five houses in the remaining segment of the property
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson chaired the rezoning meeting at Mansons Hall and the other three member of the SRD’s Electoral Areas Services Committee attended virtually.
Trail in the conservation covenant – courtesy The Land Conservancy of British Columbia press release
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Yesterday, the BC Centre for Disease Control released the most recent statistics for the Greater Campbell River Local Health area, which includes Quadra and Cortes Islands, and extends from the Oyster River to Sayward.
There were 5 active cases between October 17th and 23rd. This is much better than the 35 listed in the Comox Valley.
From the onset of the pandemic until the end of September: there were 623 cases in the Comox Valley, which includes Horby and Deman Islands, and stretches from Fanny Bay to Merville. 373 in the Greater Campbell River area 102 in Vancouver Island North, which includes Port Hardy, Port McNeil and Alert Bay. and 20 in the more remote area of Vancouver Island West, where the main towns are Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos.
Island Health does not report any COVID 19 school notifications for Campbell River area, but there were potential exposures at Queneesh Elementary School, in Courtesy, on October 19th, 20th and 21st.
This all suggests that the majority of the 50 active cases in North Vancouver Island, that Island Health reported yesterday, were in the Comox Valley Local Health Area.
Starting in November, Everyone British Columbian who is 70, or older, will be given the opportunity to receive a third vaccination. Invitations will be sent out by risk, age group and the date of your second dose.
In January, this opportunity will be extended to the rest of province. If everything goes according to plan, you should receive your invitation within 6 to 8 months of your second dose.
According to the British Columbia COVID-19 Dashboard, as of October 27th there have been 10,486 active cases throughout Vancouver Island since the pandemic began. The vast majority of people recovered, but there are 89 confirmed deaths and 56 are currently in hospitals.
While the vast majority of infected British Columbians recovered, there have been 2,137 deaths.
As of October 27, 2021, the World Health Organization reports that there have been close to a quarter of a billion confirmed cases of COVID 19 and more than 4.9 million people died.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A new disaster preparedness app is about to be deployed in seven Vancouver Island communities.
Pilot projects will be launched in the Village of Tahsis, District of Tofino, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and City of Nanaimo next month.
Preparations are underway to bring the project onstream in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
Dr. Ryan Reynolds and team of UBC researchers created the Canadian Hazards Emergency Response and Preparedness Mobile App (CHERP) to help communities create preparedness, communication, evacuation and on-the-day emergency response plans for local hazards and potential disasters.
“The initial version that I built as part of my PHD work was pretty slim compared to what we have today,” said Reynolds.
A thorough list of details makes it possible to individualize plans for every household. For example: Do you have mobility issues? Or medical issues? If you live in an apartment, what floor are you on? Is someone in your household menstruating? Or incontinent? Do you have pets?
Reynolds traces the origins of the CHERP App back to his study of how 450 Port Alberni residents responded to the tsunami warning triggered by the Alaska earthquake of Jan. 23, 2018.
While the vast majority of residents evacuated the area within an hour of the alarm being sounded, there was some confusion. A number of people didn’t know if they were in the inundation zone. There were traffic jams as vehicles sought to reach higher ground. The reception centre was not ready to receive evacuees for almost an hour.
Reynolds concluded that more detailed information was needed in the community’s emergency planning.
“The Strathcona Regional District was one of the first groups to reach out for us, so we’ve done a pilot for the village of Tahsis,” he explained.
While everything from small to large communities are in the program so far, Reynolds says he has yet to work with an island. The Capital Regional District has expressed an interest in this for the next phase of the program.
“It is a very different look to evacuate the city of Nanaimo than, for example, Quadra Island – where you have either local boats or personal boats to use, or you have to deal with the ferry,” he said. “We can’t make ferries go faster, that is up to other groups, but we can at least help people to be prepared to be on those ferries a little more quickly.”
Q/ Let’s suppose that either Cortes or Quadra Island wanted to go forward with this program, what would be the cost?
Reynolds said the program does not charge communities for the app, but they would need to provide the necessary information. (This includes any associated costs, like collecting data.)
“Assuming that we are able to show this is working and is actually useful to residents, I think we will be able to start looking at alternative edge communities,” said Reynolds. “Bringing them in so they are no longer edge, making them equal citizens within our app.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The President of the Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) says eco-tourism could offer communities a reliable and more environmentally friendly source of employment than either fish farms or resource extraction.
“There are some viable alternatives, if they had a fair shake and didn’t get booted out every time a clear cut wanted to go in,” said Breanne Quesnel, who is also one of the co-owners of Spirit of the West Adventures on Quadra Island. “As rural communities, it is very important that we sit down and have discussions about what we want our communities to look like and how we’re going to get there.”
Earlier this year, Quesnel told the Strathcona Regional District Board that wilderness tourism in the Discovery Islands brings in $40 to $50 million dollars in direct revenue.
This figure does not include the millions of dollars earned by hotels, motels, vacation rentals, restaurants, transportation and other support industries.
She pointed out that the decisions governments take to support one industry do impact other sectors.
Unfortunately, Quesnel said, both local and provincial governments currently focus on resource extraction.
“We need things like BC’s Forest & Range Practices Act (FRPA) to be modified to not talk about things like ‘the loss of timber harvesting land base’ and instead look at it as the gain to the people of British Columbia by the use of the land,” she said. “To not have forestry, mining and fish farming superseding tourism in every occasion, which they currently do.”
In the podcast she cites an example from the Johnstone Strait where tourism was clearly shown to be the better economic choice for a parcel of land, regardless of the scenario, but the government tenure still went to forestry.
On the local level, last April the Wilderness Tourism Association asked the Strathcona Regional District Board to support DFO’s decision to remove fish farms from the Discovery Islands.
“People come from around the world to see the iconic species: the whales, bears, large trees and wide open spaces. Without wild salmon, all of those species would be impacted,” said Quesnel. “If you look at any of the marketing that the province does, it is all about beautiful British Columbia and those iconic images.”
So the Wilderness Tourism Association is hosting a campaign called “We don’t want to go #bellyup.”
Quesnel explained, “This campaign is meant to highlight the fact that the tourism industry is a significant economic contributor to the province and without wild salmon it would be impacted. Wild salmon are such a backbone to so much on this coast that we can’t risk any additional pressures on them at this point in time.”
Photo courtesy Wilderness Tourism Association
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Teen vandalism is getting out of hand in Campbell River.
“In the last year we've had teens shoot out people's windows with pellet guns, throwing rocks through windows, steal or move traffic control devices (creating very dangerous situations on the roadways), breaking fences, smashing peoples lawn lights, and spray painting and keying cars,” said RCMP Cst. Maury Tyre. “In September 2021, a group of teens between the ages of 13 and 15 were drunk behind the new Campbell River Soccer Field House and chose to break the siding on the building for no apparent reason.”
RCMP are too busy with higher priority crimes, like robberies and sex assaults, to maintain a constant surveillance of the local parks, neighbourhoods, and construction sites where these acts of mischief occur.
Tyre reminded the public that some family’s budgets are so tight that the cost of paying for a new window might mean less food on the table that month. Or the stress of dealing with these incidents could be the final straw that results in someone having a nervous breakdown.
“Parents, guardians, please take the time to sit down with your kids and talk about what is going on in the community and what is acceptable,” said Tyre.
Photo credit: Cst. Maury Tyre talking about vandalism - courtesy the Campbell River RCMP facebook page
He added, “That's how we learnt not to disrespect other people and their homes” when “we were all young and foolish.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Spirit of the West Adventures had a much better season than expected.
Co-owner Breanne Quesnel says that after BC’s interprovincial travel restrictions were lifted, last June,“we saw unprecedented demand for our particular outdoor experience.”
The kayaking company adjusted their routine to be more COVID friendly.
“For example we met customers in Squirrel Cove, instead of transporting them from Quadra,” explained Quesnel. “We didn’t accept as many reservations as we had previously; We were trying to keep it slow, limit group sizes and be responsible in that manner.”
Spirit of the West still had 80% of the volume they experienced in 2019, their peak year.
“Last year was about 10% of 2019,” she added. “We were only taking private levels; We were only running one tour.”
Her customers typically come from around the world, but have mostly been British Columbians for the past two years.
By the time the U.S. border opened this year, Spirit of the West only had three spots left.
“So we did have three Americans join us, but the rest were of our customers all Canadians this summer,” said Quesnel.
Though Spirit of the West is based on Quadra Island, they run tours all over the BC Coat. The Broughton Archipelago, Johnstone Strait, Bella Bella area, Nuchatliyz, and Great Bear Rainforest are all popular areas. Four or five times a year, they also come to Cortes Island to embark upon an expedition into Desolation Sound.
“The majority of our tours are in the Johnstone Strait region, so based out of Telegraph Cove and into the Broughton Archipeligo,”she said. “We run trip abroad in the winter as well - In Chile, Patagonia, and the Bahamas.”
Q/ Where is your favourite destination?
“I know it sounds like a cliche, but the whole coast! Everytime I get in a kayak, anywhere I go - you just can’t help but stop and pause and love it all. The Johnstone Strait region when you see a whale surface, or for that matter, off Rebecca Spit or in the backyard of Quadra or Cortes. We are just surrounded by beautiful places.”
Photo - courtesy Spirit of the West Adventures
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Chief Kevin Peacey of the Klahoose First Nation joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie on Folk U Radio Friday October 22nd at 1 p.m. on CKTZ 89.5FM or cortesradio.ca.
He talked about the Klahoose Nation, the new council and their goals, and more about their many enterprises including QCMC and the Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Klahoose Coastal Adventures, Klahoose Aquaculture, Cortes Forestry General Partnership, and their new acquisition of the Gorge Marina.
Folk University’s new What is Essential series asks: What must we know, practice, and study to prepare ourselves for living in the world we now inhabit and the world we expect to come to inhabit? Together, Folk University and YOU are creating the syllabus of the future. Send your questions for Chief Peacey or your thoughts on What is Essential to u@folku.ca
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda AUfochs Gillespie/Folk U - This Friday on Folk U Radio at 1 p.m. host Manda Aufochs Gillespie speaks with the Rural Islands Economic Partnership about how rural islanders and rural island based businesses can support, share, and thrive together.
The Rural Islands Economic Partnership grew out of a recognition that while each Salish Sea island has its own unique community and culture, all islands share many common experiences and needs. Before the RIEP, there was no formal channel for island voices to communicate, plan, advocate. Learn more about this Partnership from Francine Carlin, board chair and about their signature gathering the Rural Island Economic Partnership Forum from Mitch Miyagawa.
Individuals, businesses, self-employed peoples, and organizations are encouraged to participate in this year's RIEP Forum. Strengthening Connections Across BC's Rural Islands Join Us For The All-Virtual 2021 RIEP Forum! October 20 & 21 9 AM – 12:30 PM Each Day
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The RCMP returned to Fairy Creek last Friday, October 16. A post on the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page states 7 cars drove up, and 15 officers wearing blue standard-issue rain gear walked into the Forest Defender Headquarters.
“They were coming and checking out the mountain before they came in full force Monday,” explained ‘Whirly-Bird,’ a Metis Forest Defender.
Many thought that the fight over what has been called the last intact old growth ecosystem in Southern Vancouver Island ended on September 28th. That was when the BC Supreme Court denied Teal Cedar Products application to extent the injunction prohibiting protesters from interfering with their logging operations. Justice Douglas Thompson cited problems with the manner in which the RCMP were enforcing the injunction:
“disquieting lapses in reasonable crowd control”; “exclusion zones that are more expansive than the law permits”; removing ‘individual identification”; and “wearing ‘thin blue line’ patches in contravention of RCMP policy.” (Thompson notes that “‘thin blue line’ patches deeply offend some citizens.”) “Moreover, the media’s right of access continues to be improperly constrained.”
”It goes without saying that unlawful measures imposed by those given authority to enforce the Court’s order does no credit to the rule of law or the Court’s reputation, especially when those measures trench on civil liberties in a substantial way,” he wrote.
However, on October 8, the BC Court of Appeals ordered a stay of the recent decision to not extend Fairy Creek injunction, pending an appeal by Teal Cedar products.
In her reasons for judgement, Madam Justice Stromberg-Stein explained “Teal Cedar [is] engaging in government-authorized, legal activity, unobstructed by unlawful actions. The status quo is the long‑standing injunction. No matter how unsavoury the protesters find Teal Cedar’s logging, their quarrel is with government policy.There is a stark difference between peaceful protest and unlawful and dangerous interference.” She added, “In a situation where the criminal law has not been effective, it is in the interests of justice to grant this interim stay to prevent serious prejudice to Teal Cedar.” The RCMP press release for Monday, October 18th was written in a style not seen for weeks: “Police enforcement of the injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area continued today.”
The stream of posts on the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page abruptly stopped at 5 PM Monday, with an article stating the RCMP denied Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones “access to his own land. They said they will arrest him if he passes by them.”
This is presumably a reference to the fact the Fairy Creek watershed is in traditional Pacheedaht territory.
When new photos were finally added to the Facebook page, Wednesday night, they include pictures of Elder Bill Jones sitting defiantly in front of the RCMP.
In the interval, the Forest Defender’s Headquarters has been pushed off the mountain to the highway below.
In the podcast above, Cortes Radio DJ ‘Hiway Hippy’ and ‘Whirly-Bird’ describe the last three days of an intense struggle.
They also explain why this stand is so vitally important to them.
Wednesday’s police press release states, “Since enforcement began, the RCMP have arrested 1128 individuals; 110 of whom were previously arrested with a combined total of 261 times.”
“These forest defenders are not leaving this forest. We are going to keep going back and going back,” said ‘Hiway Hippy.’
Photo credit: Screenshot of Whirly-Bird and Hiway Hippy taken during ZOOM interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been twenty years since George Sirk, then the island’s Regional Director, put up Cortes Island’s first Newt crossing signs. More recent arrivals probably know him better as the host of Cortes Radio’s ‘Nature Boy.' In today’s program he talks about the island’s most celebrated salamander.
While highly informative, George is probably Cortes Island’s most outrageous stand up comedian. Forget reading this post, listen to his antics in the podcast to learn:
What was the first reference to Newts in the English language? Why you don’t want to eat a Newt How Newts cross the road Why they go back to the pond Why you only find Wandering Salamanders on Marina Island, and there are no Newts there! Have you heard the tree frogs in the forest? How George Sirk became Nature Boy Do you remember the Newts 60 years ago? What Bertha should be asking in the Cortes Marketer Why there aren’t many Newts on Quadra Island, or around Hollyhock the story behind Cortes Island’s Newt crossing signs New scientific research on regeneration in Newts
And - after a two year sabbatical - George promises he will soon be bringing Nature Boy back to the airwaves.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Clean-up - The Campbell River Association of Tour Operators finished (CRATO) cleaning up Vancouver Island’s shoreline from Comox to Chatham Point, at the entrance of the Johnstone Strait, and is now working in the northern Discovery Islands.
“It is such an inspiring story to see how the tour operators of Campbell River came together to not only clean things up, but train a whole new generation how to do that,” said Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce.
CRATO was awarded the contract, to remove marine debris, garbage and used fishing and aquaculture gear from about 350 kilometres of shoreline by the BC governments the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative.
They started the clean-up in Comox, last month. Bill Coltart, President of CRATO, attributes the progress of their first five days to the fact they were working in an area that was heavily populated.
“We did find a lot of debris, don’t get me wrong, but the sheer volume relative to what we are seeing now was significantly less. What that tells me is that people that live along the waterfront, between Comox and Campbell River, do a lot of their own beach clean-up on a regular basis,” he explained. “We were certainly seem some large pieces: large tires, blocks of foam, large pieces of plastic - that aren’t easy to remove - but we’re seeing a much denser volume of marine debris the further isolated we get.”
They expected to be loading a barge every week, but found it only takes a day to a day and a half of beach cleaning.
CRATO had collected about 15 tons of debris by the time Cortes Currents caught up with them at Chatham Point, and Coltart expects to have between 50 and 80 tons when this project ends.
“As tour operators: we’re in those waters every day, be it kayaking or whale watching. You just don’t see what’s up in that high tide line. What’s hiding behind those logs. Once you have the opportunity to walk those isolated stretches of beach, it becomes a bit shocking - at the volume that is hidden there that you just don’t see from the boat,” he said.
The debris is taken to sorting facility in Campbell River. When they have a truckload, Coltart guesstimates 80-85% of the debris will end up in the Ocean Legacy Foundation recycling facility in Richmond. A small amount, 7-8%, goes to landfill.
More in podcast.
Photo credit: weighing the debris - Photo courtesy CRATO
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A massive beach clean-up is underway in the intertidal zones of the Southern Discovery Islands.
“The volume of debris we are finding is mind blowing. We are focusing on the larger items instead of the tiny little microplastics. We’re trying to get the larger items out before they become the microplastics,” explained Breanne Quesnel. “I know we have some very responsible aquaculture operations in our region, but the amount of aquaculture debris is mind boggling: trays; baskets; nettings and things that have just gotten away at one point - or derelict sites.”
Her company, Quadra Island based Spirit of the West Adventures on Quadra Island, obtained the the contract to clean up between 200 and 400 kilometres of shoreline on Quadra, Maurelle, Read, Cortes and Marina Islands. It is part of the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative, a provincially funded program support coastal communities as they recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn and loss of tourism.
“We have just over a month to get to all those, and so far we are on track,” said Quesnel.
Spirit of the West was working in Granite Bay and Kanish Bay, on the northern end of Quadra, when Cortes Currents caught up to them on October 14th.
“Yesterday we were just focused at the very [southern] tip of Quadra Island, Francisco point around to close to Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge. We have a 28 foot landing craft that we are using as part of this and it was stuffed to the gills. We had to stuff more debris, in order to come back for it,” said Quesnel. “So far we’ve cleaned around Marina, some of the north end of Cortes and south end of Quadra. We’re kind of weather and tide dependant, so it’s picking the best place, the best time.”
She expects to collect 50 tons of debris.
There are 4 crews of 5 in the field, and a support team working behind the scenes.
Most of the debris is destined for marine debris specific facility, in the Lower Mainland.
The Oceans Legacy Foundation established this connection, when it teamed up with Fishing for Plastic for a beach clean-up last Spring.
Kelli Turner, Managing Director at Desolation Sound Ocean Protection and Research Foundation (as well as the new Cortes Bay to Lund water taxi service), was one of the participants.
“Shoreline clean-up is one of our big and true heart loves. We try to support a lot of that stuff with the funds we are able to get from moving people and growing the company,” he said.
Turner said they cleaned the eastern shore of Cortes Island, from the northern tip down to the Twin Islands, as well as “a good chunk of Desolation Sound,” Hernando Island and Savary Island.
“It can be very easy to be overwhelmed by the staggering volumes of debris, not having real control and it getting to the ocean in the first place. A lot of this is docks and industry, as well as consumer goods like plastics,” said Quesnel. “I think we just really need to focus on what kinds of changes we can make on a daily basis and what we can control. Starting at home and thinking with small and then just using our voices, of course, to try and encourage the government and industry to be more proactive so that this debris doesn’t end up in the ocean in the first place.
Photo credit: courtesy Spirit of the West Adventures
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Greenpeace co-founder Rex Weyler advises environmentalists to stay home, international conferences like COP 26 are a waste of time.
“These climate conferences are not addressing the real root problem, which is overshoot of the human species on earth, and they are not doing anything about the one symptom they are addressing, which is climate change,” he said.
There have been 34 climate meetings since 1979, when the first global conference was held in Geneva.
“What I expect from COP 26 is what we’ve seen from the last 25 COP meetings and the dozen climate meetings before that,” said Weyler. “Everything they agree on is full of loopholes for the governments and corporations to get out of their commitments.”
Fifty years ago, when he entered the environmental movement, Weyler believed that people would respond when they heard “the facts of what was going on with species collapse, climate change, toxins in our environment.”
Some have, but the level of response “feels almost insignificant” and society as a whole largely remains oblivious.
Weyler was shocked by the world’s failure to react in 2008, when it was first revealed that the Arctic permafrost is melting. The methane being released is a far deadlier greenhouse gas than CO2 and could trigger runaway global warming.
“It didn’t get a mention anywhere in the popular public media and was successfully ignored by all the governments in the world.”
He doesn’t know what scale of crisis it will take to inspire significant change.
Meanwhile, every year, close to 90 million new humans are brought into a world that doesn’t have the resources to support them.
“We’re not even addressing the problem of human population. We are ignoring that, pretending that is not an issue. We’re not really addressing our consumption habit. We are trying to come up with technological fixes that will allow us to continue with business as usual,” said Weyler.
He cited three examples of population overshoot in nature: among wolves, locusts and algae. While there were massive die offs in each case, a remnant of the species survived.
This is most likely what will happen to humanity, but “people are not going to necessarily remember how to achieve all the technological systems that we have in place now.”
“We’d be a lot better off if we could organize a soft landing at a lower population with a much lower consumption,” said Weyler. “Right now our population is growing at about 1.2% a year … If we could institutionalize women’s rights, so that women had the right to control how many children they had, and if we made contraception available worldwide, that alone would probably reduce our growth rate from 1.2% to maybe minus 1% or 2%.”
If humanity’s population was contracting at the same rate it is now expanding, in 70 years there would be 4 billion people.
Eventually there would be 1 billion, a number that Weyler believes our planet could sustain forever.
Photo credit: Crowd by Michael Kleban via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than three months since the village of Lytton burned to the ground, displacing nearly 1,300 people, and the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is reaching out to see if it can help.
This initiative was inspired by a commitment made in the Regional District of Mount Waddington (RDMW), in northern Vancouver Island.
“To help Lytton rebuild, the Electoral Area Directors of the RDMW will contribute one dollar for every person in their representative areas. ln doing so, the Electoral Area Directors of the RDMW wish to challenge all other local governments to make a similar gesture.”
At the Wednesday October 6th SRD Board meeting, Mayors Julie Colborne of Zeballos, Martin Davis of Tahsis and Mark Baker of Sayward all spoke in favour of the SRD making a donation.
Colborne mentioned to the 2018 fire, which damaged 7 buildings above the village and could easily destroyed Zeballos.
Tom Yates, corporate services manager at the SRD, said it would cost the district $44,000 to $45,000, but they would need to figure out how they could set up the donation. (It is not, for example, a grant in aid.)
Director Brenda Leigh suggested that this topic be referred back to the SRD’s Emergency Services Co-ordinator, Shaun Koopman, asking that he draw up a report on how much money has already been given to Lytton and what was needed.
Director Claire Moglove said a report was unnecessary. They city of Campbell River decided to contact Lytton directly to ask what the needs are.
That was the motion that Davis brought forward, Director Kerr seconded, and was carried at the SRD Board meeting.
Image credit: Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The widespread belief at-risk southern resident killer whales are starving due to a lack of chinook salmon has been debunked.
A UBC led study found there are actually more than four times as many salmon in their territory than that of their supposedly better fed kinsmen north of Cortes Island.
This was not what the authors expected to find, when they compared the numbers of Chinook entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca to those just north of Campbell River, in the Johnstone Strait, during the summers of 2018 and 2019.
“Measurements from drone footage has shown the southern resident killer whales are thinner on average than the northern residents — which supports the common belief that the southern residents are experiencing a food shortage,” explained Dr. Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at UBC, and one of the study’s three authors.
When the southern residents failed to return for four consecutive summers, people assumed that was because there was no Chinook for them. This is the first study to employ hydro-acoustic technology in an acoustic survey of salmon populations at sea. Up until now, researchers have had to rely on counts of salmon returning to rivers. Fishermen helped point the team to areas where their state-of-the-art fish finders should be deployed. Researchers caught sample fish to validate the accuracy of their equipment.
“There is a food problem, but we are not seeing the problem as being here during the summer time,” concluded Trites. “The reality is killer whales have to eat everyday of the year.”
While BC’s Chinook salmon population is in decline, he suspects the real threat to the southern resident population may occur during the Fall and Winter, when they are south of the border. Prior to the introduction of logging, dams and irrigation, California’s rivers had some of the biggest Chinook runs in the North Pacific Ocean.
“Those runs were destroyed, they used to support four runs of Chinook,” said Trites. “Here we think of Summer and Fall runs, but they also have a winter run that came in around Christmas time and a Spring run as well. Historically their habitat had food throughout it for different times of the year. They haven’t had a proper meal, say in terms of that Christmas dinner, since the 1800s.”
He concluded that if scientists want to find out why southern residents appear to be malnourished, they need to extend their research throughout their entire range - which includes the West Coast of the United States.
Photo credit: A southern resident killer whale seen from a drone swimming past a school of salmon near the mouth of the Fraser River. (photo. K. Holmes, Hakai Institute and University of British Columbia).
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - When Justice Douglas Thompson refused to extend an injunction against old-growth defenders blocking a logging road at Fairy Creek on Vancouver Island, his decision made headlines around the world.
Justice Thompson referred explicitly in his decision to “enforcement […] carried out by police officers rendered anonymous to the protesters, many of those police officers wearing ‘thin blue line’ badges.” The significance of this language may not be clear to every reader; but the judge’s reasoning was important — to more than just the struggle over the fate of the pathetic remnants (one or two percent) of BC’s old-growth forests.
The judge raised crucial and timely questions about the culture and practise of police work.
The “thin blue line” symbol worn by police officers has a long history. Derived from the “thin red line” of Scottish Highlanders who stood their ground in terrifying circumstances during the Crimean War, by 1922 the phrase had been used in the US to describe police officers. By the early 50’s, LAPD police chief Bill Parker used it often as a rhetorical device, conceptualising the police force as “the thin blue line” that stands its ground between a virtuous citizenry and an onslaught of violence and anarchy.
Today the symbol has acquired less heroic meanings. In 2018 a law review article noted that it can mean the code of silence by which police officers cover up for each other’s misconduct. And by 2014 it had become the rallying symbol of “Blue Lives Matter,” a backlash directed against the Black Lives Matter protests.
In the context of intensifying protests against racial bias in policing, and specifically against the murders of Black Americans by their own police forces, the Thin Blue Line quickly became associated with anti-BLM sentiment and hence with American White Supremacist ideology. White Supremacists began to display the symbol on their web sites and in person, at rallies and marches.
RCMP ban on wearing of the symbol by on-duty officers Police officers are in general not encouraged to modify their uniforms by adding “loyalty symbols” of any other organisation or group. Recognising the inflammatory potential of the Thin Blue Line symbol, RCMP in October 2020 issued a directive banning officers on duty from wearing the symbol. In response, the police union defied orders by providing its members with Thin Blue Line patches to wear.
Individual municipalities such as Victoria and Saanich have felt the need for directives banning the wearing of the controversial emblem. RCMP officers throughout Canada continue, however, to defy the October 2020 ban. Many of the officers arresting (and mistreating) protesters at Fairy Creek were seen by eyewitnesses and in photographs wearing the Thin Blue Line badge.
The editorial continues in the podcast
Photo credit: RCMP E Division headquarters in Surrey, BC by Waferboard via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - SRD staff will be meet with the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association Board (CIFFA) and Regional Director Noba Anderson to discuss plans for a Superior Tanker Shuttle Service on Cortes Island.
If this program goes forward, a series of water tanks will be deployed across the island to be used in the same manner as fire hydrants in urban areas.
Firefighters in neighbouring communities like Salt Spring Island (2011), Powell River (2017) and Hornby Island (2018), found the Superior Tanker Shuttle Service enables them to deliver water suppression at the exact same standard as urban fire departments.
SRD staff has prepared a detailed report for Cortes which, according to Anderson, has a lot of useful information but also proposes things the Cortes Fire department is already doing.
At their September 8th meeting, the Electoral Areas Services Committee passed an unanimous recommendation that SRD staff meet with Anderson and the fire department.
However staff were not supportive when Anderson raised this topic at the October 6th meeting of the full board.
According to Tom Yates, corporate services manager at the SRD, staff has been meeting with the Cortes Fire Department since the beginning.
Chief Administrative officer David Leitch added that he did not understand what Anderson expected to get out of such a meeting.
“At this point, I can’t take further action on this report because so much of it is already either being implemented, or is planned to be implemented, or is not appealing to CIFFA,” said Anderson. “It seems much more effective to have all those parties at the table to discuss who might do what? And who is already doing what?”
Anderson would like to have this resolved before submitting Cortes Island figures to the next annual budget.
The SRD Board passed a resolution that the staff “report be referred to the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association Board for a joint discussion between them, SRD staff and the Director for the area.”
Figure 4.2 Water Storage Tank at Cortes Island School - courtesy Superior Tanker Shutter Service Feasibility study (SRD)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The outlook for rural ambulance services within the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has greatly improved several directors agreed. Others require more information.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) had intended to introduce a pay scale whereby BC’s rural paramedics would receive $2 an hour unless they were responding to an emergency. This would have led to a mass loss of personal, as paramedics sought other jobs to support their families.
In response to the outcry, on August 6th BCEHS introduced a staffing model designed to ensure that communities like Cortes Island, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos have four scheduled on-call (SOC) paramedics. They work 8 hour shifts, then are on stand-by for the next 16 hours, in 3 day rotations.
The topic came up when Cortes Island’s Regional Director Noba Anderson gave a verbal report regarding the SRD’s recent meeting with MLA Michele Babchuk, representatives from Island Health (VIHA), BCEHS and the Ministry of Health at the Wed October 6th SRD Board meeting.
All of the SRD directors were invited, but only Anderson and SRD Chair Brad Unger attended.
Consequently, the meeting focused on Cortes Island.
The ambulance attendants Anderson spoke with were concerned with the overall culture of BCEHS and did not feel free to speak about these issues in pubic. Some were almost moved to tears when their Regional Director listened to them. Anderson said the newstaffing model is “way better.”
She told the other Directors, “I’m satisfied for the time being, but I’m aware that some of you weren’t involved.”
Mayors Julie Colborne of Zeballos and Martin Davis of Tahsis said the new plan was working in their communities too.
If there was a follow-up meeting, Colborne would tell BCEHS, ”Communication could have been done much more effectively and probably would have cost much less money for them and us, in the long run, if there had been consultation.”
Mayor Mark Baker of Sayward said he did not believe he had been invited to the meeting and he wanted to be included in the next one.
Regional Directors Jim Abram and Gerald Whalley also claimed to have not been informed of the meeting.
While wanted to attend the next meeting, Abram said he would not have anything to say until Quadra Island’s paramedics spoke with him.
These comments prompted SRD Chair Brad Unger to point out that out that the invitation had been sent out to every Director and it was part of their job to check their emails.
Top photo credit: Looking out at the ambulance by Shawn via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - As November 1st, a new Water Taxi & Cargo Deliveries service will be connecting Lund to the government wharf at Cortes Bay, on Mondays and Fridays.
“It will be a 25 minute boat ride across to Cortes Bay and we’re going to and from Cortes Bay twice a day. We’re offering 12 spots on a water taxi, with the option to bring cargo as well,” explained Kelli Turner, who owns the Finn Bay Group (soon to be renamed Access Point Marine Transportation). “That rate will include 85 pounds of cargo per each person.”
Should you wish to transport more cargo, the rate is $0.30 a pound.
09:15 Finn Bay to Cortes Bay 09:45 Cortes Bay to Finn Bay 4:15 Finn Bay to Cortes Bay 4:45 Cortes Bay to Finn Bay
Tickets are $35 for adults; $30 for children and seniors.
“We’re going to be giving a soft start to get it rolling throughout the winter on Mondays and Fridays and then go into six return trips a day starting in June,” said Turner.
The Finn Bay Group also plans to operate tours of Desolation Sound, in their new 40 person water taxi, during the summer of 2022.
Turner launched his company as “U Call We Haul Marine Services,” in North Vancouver, during in 2010.
He relocated to Finn Bay, just outside Lund, two years ago. Since then, the Finn Bay Group has been serving an area that stretches from Cortes Island south to Powell River and up Desolation Sound. Turner also mentioned trips to Campbell River.
The trips to Cortes Island were charter runs, in which the water taxi was rented out for $300 per hour. Some of his regular customers were from the Klahoose First Nation in Squirrel Cove. The water taxi services contractors working on Hernando Island. There has been a lot of passengers, contractors and supplies coming out of Gorge Harbour. During the past three months, the water taxi made 52 runs between Cortes Island and Lund. It carried anywhere from 2 to 12 passengers on a trip.
“We’ve also had the opportunity to get into Cortes Bay to drop off a lot of day trippers, as well as people looking to do biking programs throughout Quadra, Cortes and of course Campbell River,” said Turner. “We’ve had a lot of interest from customers and businesses on Cortes to open up that hub to the Sunshine Coast.”
The Finn Bay Group’s decision to offer regular passenger service to Cortes arose out of their success with a similar service to and from Savary Island.
On Fridays, Turner also offers a shopping service in Powell River.
“Everyone calls in and preorders in the stores and then we bring it out and deliver,” he explained. “A big hub for us is all the online shopping. We have everything from furniture to golf carts, ladders and equipment coming here with customers names on it.”
They have a large walk-in-fridge and almost as large walk-in-freezer, at Finn Bay, which holds food destined for restaurants, resorts and other customers within their service area.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - UBC marine ecologist Dr. Chris Harley initially told the media that more than a billion mussels, clams, sea stars and other invertebrates may have cooked to death in the area between Campbell River and Washington state. That was a ‘back of the envelope’ estimate, based on his observations among the Lower Mainland’s mussel population and some preliminary reports. Harley has done a great deal more research since then. He now guesstimates that, conservatively speaking, the number of marine fatalities during last June’s heat wave is closer to 10 billion.
In the attached podcast, he describes the new temperature records being set throughout British Columbia.
“Unfortunately for marine life, those really hot days coincided with very low tides. So things that aren’t normally out of the water for very long, were left high and dry during extreme hot weather,” explained Harley. “That combination resulted in dead sea stars, and dead clams, and dead mussels, and dead barnacles - the list just goes on and on.”
While it is easy to spot dead mussels because their shells open, this isn’t as easy with some other species. Harley says that for the first few weeks, there is very little to distinguish between live and dead barnacles.
As the geographic extent of the disaster, numbers of species involved, and numbers of individual animals became clear - Harley gave up on the attempt to make an exact count.
In the Campbell River -Discovery Islands area
While there is not much information about the marine impacts, Harley said “the north end of the Straight of Georgia is one of the places that got the hottest for coastal communities.”
Visiting the area south of Comox, on Vancouver Island, Harley said, “There were certainly still a lot of dead barnacles in evidence as of a few weeks ago.”
There were die-offs on Quadra and Calvert Island, as well as Desolation Sound.
A number of reports came from Cortes Island, and on July 10th Cortes Currents emailed Harley a series of photos of dead mussels at Smelt Bay. There appeared to be thousands.
Snails were attached to some of the shells.
Harley responded, “Yes, you do have some snails in your photo. Those guys are apparently pretty tough - I've seen them on other beaches where other species didn't make it through the heat wave. One of them in the upper-middle part of the second photo has glued itself on edge to a mussel shell with a little blob of mucus. They do that so that as little as possible touches a hot surface, which keeps them cooler.”
He suggested returning to the site to do a series of plots and put a metre stick in the images to indicate the scale.
Most of the dead mussels had washed away by the time Cortes Currents returned to take 10 ‘plots’ on July 14th, but there were also what appeared to be thousands of dead sand dollars.
‘Wow!’ emailed Harley, looking through the subsequent images from 20 sand dollar plots.
Local biologist Deb Cowper reported that some sand dollars survived in the more sheltered waters of Mansons Lagoon, but Smelt Bay is more exposed. There do not appear to be any survivors in the images taken by Cortes Currents.
Most of the sand dollars were white, which Harley suggested meant they are ‘recently dead.” There were also some, ‘greenish ones have been dead long enough to acquire some algal growth.’
Image credit: Dr. Chris Harley at Kits Beach, with downtown Vancouver in the background. Photo by Chris Harley
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On October 1st Howie Roman celebrated his 50th anniversary of coming to Cortes Island. This led to an unexpected interview on Folk U, in which Howie talks about: the New York he remembers; why he wasn't a draft dodger; coming to Cortes in 1971; when the power lines were only on the main road; growing your own food; the stores; how the floorboards bounced at a dance at Gorge Hall; the importance of radio in the 1970s-90s.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On October 4th, the Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) announced a 16.5-acre conservation covenant linking Hank’s Beach Forest Conservation Park to Poison Cove.
“If we don’t protect our intact forests and the mother trees and the interconnectivity of our natural systems, we’re actually existentialist threats. Two years ago scientists were telling me there was 10 years to make a big change, so maybe there is eight years, but it’s dire, it’s important and there are a lot of people with holdings who care deeply about protecting ecosystems, wildlife fauna and flora,” explained Cathy Armstrong, Executive Director of the TLC.
She believes this may be the 10th family that made such covenant on Cortes Island.
(In the podcast Armstrong also mentions properties adjoining Whaletown Commons.)
Most of these covenants came into being through the assistance of local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense.
“She really works hard to identify properties where the ecological values, the ecosystem protection, and wildlife corridors exist. Over the years, we have been slowly adding those properties. She has meetings with landowners, explains what the process is and then we’ll come in and walk the property with the landowners,” said Armstrong.
In the associated TLC press release, the landowners said, “The reality is that many ecologically important areas like ours would be lost to future development were it not for the existence of The Land Conservancy of B.C.”
This property, within the traditional lands of the Klahoose and Tla’amin First Nations, is a multi-aged forest, a significant wildlife corridor and home to seventeen species or ecological communities at risk.
Blue-listed Band-tailed Pigeon, Barn Swallow, Great Blue Heron, Northern Red-legged Frog, and Wallace’s Selaginella/Reindeer Lichens are on the property. Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Gray Wolf, and Cougar pass through here.
Armstrong explained that TLC is a provincial land trust, with 245 covenants through-out British Columbia.
“We’re a registered charity supported by by members and donors. We are not a government body, so no tax dollars come to us,” she said.
When the situation warrants, TLC sometimes purchases the properties it seeks to protect.
“We encourage private landowners to think about conservation covenants because they are less expensive, protect the land and do not transfer the title,” said Armstrong.
She added that conservation covenants delineate both buildable areas, where the owners can make any changes they desire (like a new house), and protected areas where the intact ecosystem is preserved.
Photo credit: Screenshot of Cathy Armstrong taken during the interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the world prepares for the 26th conference of the parties (COP) to open in Glasgow, on October 31st, it is also absorbing the news that no matter what we do global temperatures will continue to rise until 2050.
It has been two months since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the report it calls “a code red for humanity.
In the UN News for that day, Katy Dartford, reported that the 234 scientists working on the report concluded “climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying.” Some negative impacts, like sea level rise, “are already irreversible for centuries to millennia ahead.” The planet will reach the 1.5 C threshold in the next twenty years.
“But the IPCC experts say there is still time to limit climate change,” she said.
In another UN News report, IPCC spokesperson Jonathan Lynn said, “It is indisputable that human activities are causing climate change and human influence is causing extreme climate events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall and droughts, more frequent and severe. Unless we take immediate, rapid and large scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, then indeed limiting warming to 1.5 degrees - which is what governments have agreed they want to do - that will be beyond reach.” “Time is running out. Irreversible climate tipping points lie alarmingly close,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We now have five times the number of recorded weather disasters than we had in 1970 and they are seven times more costly. Even the most developed countries have become vulnerable.” He stressed the fact that important steps must be taken, to fulfill the promises of the Paris agreement.
An IPCC news release laid out the four steps to be adopted at COP 26 1. The world must achieve net zero emissions by mid-century to keep the goal of 1.5 degrees within reach. This means there must be ambitious emissions reductions by 2030. To do this, the world must: accelerate the phase-out of coal curtail deforestation speed up the switch to electric vehicles encourage investment in renewables.
2. The climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects. At COP26 we need to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to: protect and restore ecosystems build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives
3. To deliver on those first two goals, developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilize at least $100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020. International financial institutions must unleash trillions of dollars in private and public sector financing in order to secure global net zero. 4. The nations must work together, at COP 26, to finalize the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational.
There is less than a month to go before COP 26 opens in Glasgow. Guterres calls it “the most important climate conference since Paris.” He said our planet can only meet the goal of reducing climate rise to 1.5 degrees if all G20 countries. quote “which are responsible for 80% of our global emissions, take decisive actions. Our planet is currently on course for a 2.7C rise in global temperatures.”
Image: mussel shells being washed off the rocks at Smelt Bay, Cortes Island, after the June 2021 wiped out more than a billion marine creatures throughout the West Coast - Photo by Roy L Hales
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first incarnation of ICAN (Island Climate Action Network) was behind the Quadra retail sector’s decision to ban plastic bags, an anti-idling campaign, and the Quadra community garden. That was a decade ago, team leader Leona Skovgaard traces the relaunch of what is now called Quadra ICAN to a conversation that she and Jan Gladish had over tea.
“You know we should look for some of those people who were active on Quadra, there has to be some of them still around,” said Skovgaard.
So Gladish contacted Mary McIntosh, who reached out to Jan Zwicky. An invitation was sent out to the original ICAN steering committee, and Jude McCormick joined them.
Quadra ICAN had a six member steering committee when it held a public meeting at the Quadra Community Centre on March 12, 2020. The Bird’s Eye subsequently reported that around 85 people attended.
That was when the COVID 19 pandemic reached the Greater Campbell River Health Area.
“We were relegated to ZOOM, because we went into lockdown,” explained Skovgaard.
She added, “We’re not short of ideas. We have some very specific projects underway and a whole raft of them that are kind of in the works, waiting for energy to get them moving.”
Eight key areas were identified during that first public meeting: food security, water security, energy self-sufficiency, do-it-yourself support, a free store, local recycling, transportation, and fund-raising.
“Since those eight action teams were established, we’ve picked up a group that wants to work on housing security, we’ve started a collaboration with the garden club and just last night, at a general meeting, there is a group that identified itself to work on a community forest project,” added Skovgaard.
In the podcast above, she mentions a few project highlights: - the water security team has been selling a lot of 250 gallon water storage tanks throughout Quadra Island and is also researching the aquifer(s) in the south end of the island. - the energy self-sufficiency team partnered with the Quadra Island Foundation and School District 72 to raise the funds and hire a contractor to put solar panels on the roof of the Quadra Island School. Work is about to begin. - the local recycling team (renamed ‘Live Lightly’) is working with Regional Director Jim Abram to open a recycle BC Depot on Quadra Island. (Public meetings are scheduled for Nov 2 and Nov 8, 2021.) They are also planning a Live Lightly Fair in 2022.
Photo courtesy Quada ICAN
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Extreme marine high temperature events, such as the one that killed more than a billion shellfish off the West Coast last June, will devastate global fisheries over the decades to come, a new UBC study suggests.
There have been 13 to 14 extreme weather events, lasting for days or months, since 1981 and the frequency has doubled.
“The aim of this study is to look at extreme temperature events and how they affect fish, including shellfish and invertebrates, fisheries and the people who are dependent on them,” said Dr. William Cheung, director of UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and lead author of the paper published in Science Advances on October 1st.
The institute used computer simulations to model climate change and what will probably happen to fisheries if humanity continues to neglect addressing its emissions.
Millions of fishermen may lose their livelihood in countries like Peru, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
British Columbia's annual sockeye salmon harvest could decrease more than 50% if a high temperature event occurs in the 2050s.
Cheung said it is coming, but they cannot be certain when or where these heat domes will occur.
Dr Christopher Harley initially estimated that there were a billion die-offs along the West Coast during the heat dome at the end of June. That estimate was based on a calculation of the fatalities among mussels. Harley subsequently emailed Cortes Currents that his figure was too low.
It also does not include remote areas like Cortes Island, where there were high numbers of shellfish fatalities. There were losses among the clams and oysters grown on beaches. Cortes Currents found a large number of dead mussels on the rocks at Smelt Bay.
Local biologist Deb Cowper suggested up to 85% of the sand dollars in Mansons Lagoon may have perished.
That number may be higher amidst the more exposed waters at Smelt Bay. There do not appear to be any survivors in a series of 20 photos taken by Cortes Currents.
(Harley suggested that a metre stick be placed in each photo, to indicate the scale. He also pointed out that the greenish sand dollars probably died sometime prior to the heat wave, as they had been dead long enough to acquire some algal growth.)
Cheung’s study focused on edible fish stocks.
He stressed the need to start taking actions now.
While changes could take place relatively quickly in the atmosphere, they would be slow to reach the depths of the ocean.
Cheung added, “For the surface part of the oceans, where lots of the marine life people are depending on are found, the changes can be very quick. In a decade, it would be fairly responsive to climate actions.”
He said that there was not that much difference in the high and low emissions models within a decade, they grow more noticeable after that.
The potential impacts to salmon, for example, could be 15-20% less severe by 2050 in a low emissions scenario.
Cheung compared addressing humanity’s emissions to stopping a train. You do not wait to reach the station before putting on the brakes.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The direct action to protect what some call the last intact old growth ecosystem in southern Vancouver Island, at Fairy Creek, began 420 days ago. Now the RCMP have left and a couple of Truth and Reconciliation Day messages have been sent from Fairy Creek: - Gillian Ashley-Martz’s essay “Red Dresses and Clear Cuts”which will be broadcast on CKTZ’s "End of the Road Show" at 3 PM today. - Pacheedat Elder Bill Jones talks about the Indian Act within the context of truth and reconciliation.
The most recent RCMP press release, from the Lake Cowichan detachment, was posted on Monday September 27th. It starts out by saying, “Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area continued ….” and mentions 1,101 arrests.
It has been three days since Justice Douglas Thompson denied Teal Jones request to extend the injunction at Fairy Creek , stating, ”It goes without saying that unlawful measures imposed by those given authority to enforce the Court’s order does no credit to the rule of law or the Court’s reputation, especially when those measures trench on civil liberties in a substantial way.”
One of the new images on the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page shows three RCMP officers dismantling their camp, while a group of land defenders watch from behind a barrier.
Most of the pictures are jubilant. People are embracing. They pose for a group photo. Some carry a large red banner that says, “RCMP the world is watching you.” There is also a sign proclaiming “Tree Protection Area Keep Out.”
Photo credit: A defender stands at the site of Red Dress, a memorial that honours Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children- Photo courtesy Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Stephen Jenkinson is an author, activist, worker, creator of the Orphan Wisdom School, and co-creator of the Night of Grief and Mystery project with singer/songwriter Gregory Hoskins: which brings him to Cortes Island (see below) and to Folk U Radio live this Friday September 24th from 1 p.m.
Stephen Jenkinson is known for his work with living and dying and as a master story-teller. He says of his tour: "These nights have the mark of our time upon them, and they’re timely, urgent, alert, steeped in mortal mystery. They’re quixotic. They have swagger. They are nights devoted to the ragged mysteries of being human, and so grief and endings of all kinds appear."
This starts a series of Folk University offerings: Radio, in person, and co-created on the topic of What Is Essential for living in these times?
Who knows where Friday's show will go: but what is assured is that we will talk about things as essential as life itself and death. And how we can tell stories that prepare us for doing both well. We will discuss what it means to witness, to be an orphan, and to create safety in these times. It should be great. I hope you will tune-in.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After a strong showing in 2019, the 2021 election seems like a step backward for the Green party, but Jessica Wegg is already talking about the next election.
“There is too much at stake for us to loose hope or lose sight of that the goal is,” she said. “I think Vancouver Island is uniquely situated for Greens to do very well.”
This was shown in 2019, when both 338Canada and CBC’s Poll Tracker showed them leading in four Vancouver Island ridings throughout most of the campaign and at one point the Greens were within 5% of the leader in North Island-Powell River.
What went wrong this time?
internal divisions within the Green party, which could not be resolved in time for this election. COVID made direct communication difficult – everyone is tired of virtual conferencing and people do not have the emotional space to process what is still happening. Wegg says people should vote Green because none of the other parties are taking the Climate Crisis seriously enough. She pointed to the NDP’s failure to commit to cancelling the Trans Mountain pipeline, a project the Liberal government is supporting.
“If you are not ready to commit to bold measures like that, then you should get out of the way and let the Greens come in because we are taking this seriously,” said Wegg.
She said one of the most concerning results of the election was how well the People’s Party of Canada did: “It shows that people are getting more polarized.”
“We need to keep talking to each other,” Wegg stressed.”This is the only way we are going to solve any problems. I think one of the strengths of the Green party is that we do try to remember to hear all the sides of the story because you cannot bring people on board with you to really affect change if you are only bringing the people who would come anyway.”
(The Liberal and Conservative parties have also been asked for post election interviews, but have not responded.)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - NDP candidate Rachel Blaney said she is honoured to represent North Island-Powell River for a third term.
“I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue this work that I really love,” she said.
As of September 25th, the offical count shows that 39.5% of the riding's electorate voted for Blaney.
That number is higher in a preliminary tally of Cortes Island’s election day results published in the Cortes Marketer. 51% of the votes went to Blaney. This number will probably change when the final results are in, but is also to be expected from an Island where Elections Canada data shows the NDP consistently receiving the most votes in every election since at least 2004, regardless of which party was chosen by the riding.
“I still feel frustrated that we had to go through such an expensive exercise for something that largely returned parliament back to the same pattern it already was in,” said Blaney.
She added the message seems clear, “Canadians want us to work together.”
Once again, the NDP are holding the balance of power in a minority Liberal government.
Blaney said that during the past two years they leveraged this to ensure Canadians receive a wage subsidy during the pandemic and more disability funding for seniors.
Going forward, she wants to see the ultra wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, a national Pharmacare system and Canada address climate change.
“For me, another top priority would be the reality that we are in a housing crisis and our rural and remote community is experiencing it at a very high level. We want to see more resources coming to communities to support more affordable housing,” said Blaney.
Part of her job is building relationships and collaborating with the stakeholders in her riding.
Some people believe it is better to have an MP from the ruling party, but Blaney says the opposite can be true.
“As an opposition member, I can stand in the House of Commons and speak truth to power: talk about what isn’t working and why it isn’t working. Often that shames the government into doing the right thing. we use that tool,” she said. “When you are a backbencher on the government side, you don’t have a lot of power. You aren’t a part of cabinet and you certainly can’t stand up and tell the government they are doing a poor job.”
She pointed to her list of accomplishments, compared to those of the previous Conservative MP that represented this area for 20 years.
That was prior to the 2015 election, when the NDP first swept Vancouver Island and she was first elected.
Photo credit: screenshot of Rachel Blaney taken during the interview
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The injunction to stop protesters from interfering with logging in what is commonly believed to be the last intact old growth ecosystem in Southern Vancouver Island ended at 4 PM on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021.
Last April, the Court granted Teal Cedar Products a six-month injunction in the Fairy Creek watershed.
The logging company applied for a one year extension, but this has been denied.
“The factors weighing in favour of extension do not outweigh the public interest in protecting the Court from the risk of further depreciation of its reputation,” wrote Justice Douglas Thompson in his reasons for judgement. ”It goes without saying that unlawful measures imposed by those given authority to enforce the Court’s order does no credit to the rule of law or the Court’s reputation, especially when those measures trench on civil liberties in a substantial way.”
Cortes Currents asked Saul Arbess, spokesperson for the Rainforest Flying Squad, “What does this mean tomorrow, what happens?”
“It would seem to me that, two things: it provides significant opportunity for people to continue non-violent direct action in opposition to the logging that is going on in the critically endangered forests that the government of BC has said that it is in the process of deferring - but hasn’t,” said Arbess.
He also pointed out that logging should not be going on in areas where the government is considering establishing protections.
“It is a principle of fundamental justice,” said Arbess.
Justice Thompson criticized the RCMP decision to block public access to the roads in Teal Jones’ Tree Farm License, “which are on public land” and “may be used by the public.”
He had previously ruled that “the RCMP’s expansive exclusion zones, and associated checkpoints and searches, were unlawful because it had not been established that these measures were reasonable and necessary to carry out their duties,” but “they continue to enforce exclusion zones that are more expansive than the law permits.”
Thompson was also concerned that the methods of enforcement of the Court’s order have led to serious and substantial infringement of civil liberties, including impairment of the freedom of the press to a marked degree.
As regards the protesters, Thompson wrote that he found them to be “respectful, intelligent” and “good citizens in the important sense that they care intensely about the common good.” The videos and other evidence showed them to be “disciplined and patient adherents to standards of non-violent disobedience” with only “occasional lapses from that standard.”
For the most part, Thompson found “the police have generally used reasonable force” but “some of the videos do show disquieting lapses in reasonable crowd control.” He cited a video in which police pulled COVID masks off protesters’ faces and then spayed them with pepper spray.
“The problem, of course, is that these incidents of excess are widely broadcast, and they are seen as the methods by which this Court’s order is being enforced.” he added.
This was reinforced by the nearly daily police updates containing words like “Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court injunction order in the Fair Creek Watershed area continued today . . .”
In the last update, published Monday, September 27th, it states “Since enforcement began, the RCMP have arrested 1101 individuals.”
Photo credit: RCMP spraying protesters with pepper spray - from the Rainforest Flying Squad video
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of Cortes Radio’s volunteer DJs, who broadcasts under the name ‘Hiway Hippy’, believes that a clip of semi automatic ammunition he found at Fairy Creek belongs the RCMP.
Cortes Currents reached out to the RCMP for confirmation.
“This magazine likely belongs to a Smith & Wesson model 5946, which is the semi-automatic pistol issued to most members of the RCMP,” replied RCMP media officer Sgt. Chris Manseau.
While there have been multiple allegations of police brutality at Fairy Creek, none of them to date have involved firearms.
Manseau stressed the fact that the magazine was RCMP property and must be returned.
Hiway Hippy has every intention of doing this, provided mainstream media, a legal team and Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones are there to witness the hand over. He will lead the RCMP to where the clip is stored.
“Mainstream media needs to know what has been going on there up on the mountain, and they don’t know.”
Fairy Creek is believed to be the last intact old growth watershed in Southern Vancouver Island, outside of parks.
Hiway Hippy says he has a video showing one of “the green men” (the RCMP Emergency Response Team) taking his motorcycle away. He claims they smashed the ignition of another of his vehicles, then hot wired it to drive 7 miles. On Tuesday, Sept. 7, Hiway Hippy says the RCMP destroyed a the van occupied by an elderly woman.
This account was confirmed by two other protesters, Jan and Bill Marshall, who wrote, “yesterday, they smashed a van window, dragged out the elderly woman sleeping inside then ran over her vehicle with a backhoe.”
Sgt Manseau responded, “The RCMP is not responsible for the moving or towing of vehicles. All vehicles that are found obstructing the travel portions of the roads, are removed at the decision of industry. The vehicles are then transported to a secure compound where the owners can make arrangements to have them released,”
“The RCMP has not recommended or given direction to “flatten” any vehicles with any machinery. I have been in contact with the media relations officer on site who said that yesterday, Tuesday September 7th, an abandoned vehicle was moved by industry and it was later towed away.”
The RCMP press release issued on Tuesday, Sept. 7, mentions 16 arrests, as well as a helicopter being used to bring the protesters supplies. The total number of people arrested reached 882. Top photo: Logging at Fairy Creek - courtesy Rainforest Flying Squad Facebook page
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Though they believe vaccine passport violate Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, anti-vaxers will find this very difficult to prove in court, a lawyer with UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law says.
The key question in this debate is whether vaccine passports are mandated or an option.
The key passage in the Charter is #7: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”
Salima Semnani, a lawyer, co-litigation director and lecturer with UBC, told CKTZ News, “there is no mandatory vaccine requirement.”
She explained that British Columbians are given a choice. For example, people who have vaccine passports can eat inside restaurants and go to sports events. Those who refuse will have to be satisfied with take-out and watching sports on television.
A recent Insights West market research poll found that 13 per cent of the British Columbians respondents are strongly opposed to a vaccine passport.
This statistic was echoed in the Sept. 16 BC COVID-19 update, which states that 86.3 percent of the population were given their first dose of the vaccine and close to 79 per cent have received two doses. The vast majority of Cortes Island’s adult population was vaccinated at Gorge Hall, or the Klahoose village, earlier this spring.
Chart from the Insights West press release: The Vast Majority (79%), Of BC Residents Support The Idea Of Proof Of Double-Vaccinations In Order To Participate In Many Public Activities In BC, And Even More (over 8-in-10) Support Mandatory Vaccinations For Certain Professions. Photo courtesy of Insights West. Nancy Beach is one of the Cortes Island residents who opposes the passport’s perceived violation of the Canadian constitution. She has written her MP, Rachel Blaney, her MLA, Michele Babchuk, and the local public health office. Beach was also one of the people who recently protested against the vaccine passport in Campbell River’s Spirit Square.
She cited Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Reform (JCCF) statements that the shots “are experimental” and clinical trials of the vaccine will not be complete until 2023.
JCCF opposes the vaccine passports, arguing that the government should make the vaccines available to Canadians who want it, but their involvement should end there.
JCCF did not respond to a CKTZ News request for an interview on Sept. 6, but two days latter issued a press release stating, “BC’s vaccination requirement infringes Charter rights and freedoms. To be constitutional, vaccine passports must be ‘demonstrably justified’ by the evidence.”
Meanwhile the number of COVID cases within the Greater Campbell River Health Area has risen to levels not seen since the pandemic arrived in March 2020.
Data from North Island Medical Health Officer Charmaine Enns’ June 16, 2021, address to the City of Campbell River and the BC Centre for Disease Controls Epi-Week maps- Chart by Roy L Hales Semnani says there could be exceptional circumstances where someone could argue that their charter rights are being violated, for example when they cannot take the vaccine for medical reasons.
She added that even then, it would still be very difficult to make the argument that is was an illegal violation of charter rights.
“Section 1 says all of the rights and freedoms in the Charter are subject to reasonable limit as can be demonstratively justified in a free and democratic society,” explained Semnani. “So if we can say that the vaccine passport is reasonable, it’s proportional due to the fact we have a global pandemic that is killing many, many, many people, then asking for a passport is a reasonable limit on people’s rights.”
Photo credit: Posters used against the vaccine passport in Campbell River, Sep 1, 2021 - Nancy Beach photo
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - Good Libations winemaker has announced its annual apple juice fundraiser to support the Cortes Food Bank.
Cortes Island residents who want to share the apples on their trees are encouraged to call ahead and be prepared to bring the fruit as soon as possible after harvest. For purchasers, the juice needs to be pre-ordered and will come in plain or ginger-lime flavours in two- or four-liter amounts.
Loni Taylor, who is coordinating the project, works as both an apprentice at Good Libations and a board member of Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA).
Her passion for food security showed in this conversation, where she shared about:
overabundance of fall fruit and reducing food waste minimizing propagation of apple maggot Good Libations' succession plan and food programs CCEDA's upcoming community outreach in regards to its downtown Manson's commercial space
Photo credit:Apples dehydrate quickly after being picked and need to be kept in cold storage and juiced promptly. Photo by Loni Taylor.
Immanuel McKenty/ Folk U - This Friday at 1 p.m. (Monday at 6:30), July 16th, tune-in for a special edition of Folk U Radio with guest-host Immanuel McKenty. This week will be all about local musicians! Featuring tracks by, and interviews with, local legends Josie Simpson, Jemma Hicken, and Back Eddy and the Procrastinators!
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca or you can find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Immanuel McKenty/ Folk U - We invite you to join us on CKTZ 89.5 FM for another special episode of Folk U Radio featuring local musicians with guest show host Immanuel McKenty.
In last month's special edition we heard from local emerging artists Jemma Hicken and Josie Simpson. Today we're going to be speaking with, and hearing some music and stories by local music fixtures Bruce Hipkin and Rick Bockner.
Growing up and studying as a composer in England, Bruce Hipkin was the piano teacher here on Cortes for many years. He shares some stories and insights from his years teaching the youth of Cortes. And Rick Bockner, well, Rick hardly needs an introduction! But let's say, he's been a lot of places and done a lot of things. We'll be hearing about some of them, as well as his years in San Francisco rock and roll band Mad River.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What really matters to you this election? What do you wish you could ask? Tune in this Monday at 6:30 on CortesRadio.ca or 89.5FM for the last of our Folk U election series where host Manda Aufochs Gillespie goes deeper with this year's candidates vying to represent North Island-Powell River in the federal government.
BUT FIRST: What do you want to ask the candidates? What matters most to you right now? What are the small town issues that aren't being asked? Send your questions to u@folku.ca in advance of Fridays show and help make this a meaningful conversation with today's candidates.
This week features the liberal candidate Jennifer Grenz. (To hear interviews with the Green Party candidate and the NDP candidate or for replays of any or all folk u radio shows visit cortesradio.ca/folk-u)
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What really matters to you this election? What do you wish you could ask? Tune in this Friday at 1 p.m. (and Monday at 6:30) on CortesRadio.ca or 89.5FM for the beginning of our Folk U election series where host Manda Aufochs Gillespie goes deeper with this year's candidates vying to represent North Island-Powell River in the federal government.
BUT FIRST: What do you want to ask the candidates? What matters most to you right now? What are the small town issues that aren't being asked? Send your questions to u@folku.ca in advance of Fridays show and help make this a meaningful conversation with today's candidates.
This week features current M.P. Rachel Blaney of the NDP. (Last week was with the Green Party candidate, available on folku.ca/podcasts) Invites out to the other candidates and awaiting response.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - What really matters to you this election? What do you wish you could ask? Tune in this Friday at 1 p.m. on CortesRadio.ca or 89.5FM for the beginning of our Folk U election series where host Manda Aufochs Gillespie goes deeper with this year's candidates vying to represent North Island-Powell River in the federal government.
BUT FIRST: What do you want to ask the candidates? What matters most to you right now? What are the small town issues that aren't being asked? Send your questions to u@folku.ca in advance of this Fridays show and help make this a meaningful conversation with today's candidates.
This week features Green Party Candidate Jessica Wegg (Friday Sept 3 at 1 p.m.) and next week is current M.P. Rachel Blaney of the NDP (Friday Sept 10 at 1 p.m.). Invites out to the other candidates and awaiting response.
Ed Halverson/ CJQC News - Students may only have to wear masks for a week once schools open across the province on Sept. 7.
Premier Designate Tim Houston and Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced the schools reopening plan Monday.
Students will be required to mask up for the first week but with the province projected to move into the fifth phase of the COVID-19 reopening plan on Sept.15, that requirement could be short-lived.
Phase five of the reopening plan assumes the epidemiology is good and 75 per cent of Nova Scotians will have received their second doses of vaccine.
Strang says as a result, rules around mandatory masks and social distancing will be lifted.
“I’m sure there are mixed views on this. Some will be thrilled to get rid of masks and others will be nervous to stop wearing them and that’s totally normal. It’s time to start living more with COVID,” said Strang. “Even if we see rising case numbers that would have previously meant province-wide restrictions, our vaccine coverage means that we can carry on with only border restrictions and maybe, if necessary, targeted local restrictions.”
Despite the impending easing of restrictions, Strang says it’s not time for Nova Scotians to let their guard down.
“But we also need to keep practicing the good habits that help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and quite frankly, will also help reduce the spread of influenza and a range of other organisms that cause other respiratory and other gastro-intestinal illnesses. So staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces are important whether restrictions are in place or not,” said Strang.
He added that Nova Scotians need to accept that a fourth wave of COVID-19 is coming.
“We will get the fourth wave here. We will get some cases. We may get little clusters in unvaccinated populations,” said Strang. “How we minimize the impact of the fourth wave, it really is, the key driver there is our vaccination rate.”
Strang was also asked how businesses can restrict admittance to individuals based on their vaccination status.
The chief medical officer of health says he has been advising private businesses to ensure that whatever policy they decide to put in place does not discriminate against people or infringe on their rights.
In his first appearance at a COVID-19 briefing since winning a majority in last week’s election, Houston echoed Strang’s remarks and added his government will not be issuing vaccine passports.
“There was some talk towards the end of the campaign about a Scotia-pass concept. That was not something that bubbled up from public health,” said Houston. “So the province is contemplating phase five re-opening with restrictions removed.”
Houston also announced that due to a steep uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past couple of weeks, anyone travelling from New Brunswick who has not been double vaccinated will have to quarantine, beginning Wednesday.
Houston says his government plans to continue to follow public health advice in order to make the best decisions for Nova Scotia around COVID-19.
“The reality is being cautious has kept this province safe and we will continue to be cautious.”
Photo credit: Premier Designate Tim Houston appearing at his first COVID-19 briefing Aug. 23. Photo courtesy of the Nova Scotia government.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - NDP candidate Rachel Blaney is running for reelection in North Island-Powell River. She has been the MP for the riding since 2015.
CKTZ spoke with her about the key issues in this federal election.
“What we’ve been hearing here, in our campaign office, is climate change; housing and affordability; care for seniors; and Indigenous issues- people wanting to see more reconciliation and action around reconciliation,” said Blaney.
In the podcast below, Blaney speaks about: - A young professional couple who live in an RV because they cannot afford to buy or rent a house and pay off their student loans. - Seniors who pay so much for rent that they are forced to choose whether the resulting shortfall will mean less food or no medication. - Young people who pay so much for rent that they cannot imagine saving up enough for a down payment on a home. - The speed with which our environment is changing: the wildfires and heatwaves and a Liberal federal government that talks about these issues but does very little. - The amount of emissions that come from food waste, which is something everyone can address
Blaney also talks about the struggle to address these issues during her six years in office.
“There are multiple solutions but now we are in a crisis point. So even though we are seeing more housing coming into some of our communities, we are just so far behind,” she said of the housing crisis
Asked why we should vote for her, Blaney pointed to her track record of helping communities and individual constituents.
This ranges from things like helping people apply for the $600 disability tax credit, to ensuring that an economic diversification agency office will open in Campbell River.
“I am a voice that you can trust. I may not always agree with you, but I will always have a conversation. Me and my team are out there working really hard to have conversations with people and understand the issues," she said.
CKTZ News is asking every federal candidate in the local riding three questions:
- What is the most important issue(s) in this election?
- What have you done, personally, to address this issue(s)?
- Why should we vote for you?
The federal election is Sept. 20. Stay tuned to CKTZ's coverage of the federal election over the next month:
Photo credit: NDP incumbent Rachel Blaney at Cortes Island's Seafest during the 2019 election – Photo courtesy the NDP party of Canada
Daniel Centeno/ CJRU - Toronto mayor John Tory announced on Aug.19 that all staff workers employed by the city are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct.30.
Starting on Sept.6 until Sept.30, all city staff must show proof of at least one vaccination.
"The city of Toronto has a duty as an employer to do everything that it can to ensure that our work environment is safe for all of our employees," said Tory. "To that end, the city government has worked to develop a vaccination policy focused on the health and safety of our employees. Protecting our employees helps protect them and their families and loved ones, and very important as well, it protects members of the public."
Mayor Tory says those unvaccinated or prefer to not disclose their vaccination status will be mandated to attend educational sessions on the benefits of taking the vaccine.
These workers will be required to have at least one vaccination by Sept.30, and their second by the October 30 deadline.
Tory’s announcement follows Toronto’s increased efforts to ensure all eligible individuals are fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19, including the delta variant.
"This is about protecting our entire, broader workforce of approximately 36,660 employees, and ensuring that the city government is ready to weather a fourth wave and the delta variant," Tory said.
On Aug. 20, Toronto reported 136 new COVID-19 cases, with a total of 650 cases reported in Ontario. The 650 cases is Ontario’s highest number since early June.
The province conducted more than 28,000 tests in the previous 24-hour period. The positivity rate stands at 2.4 per cent.
Toronto has administered about 4.5 million vaccines so far with about 66 per cent of eligible Torontonians fully vaccinated, according to the City of Toronto website.
Top photo credit: Sunset helicopter tour of Toronto by mwangi gatheca via Unsplash
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - On Friday August 6th on Folk U Radio 89.5 FM cortesradio.ca Ayurveda practitioner Muneera Wallace joined host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to go deeper into how to use this ancient wisdom for better understanding one’s self and being more proactive in creating a healthy and balanced life.
To get a 101 primer on Ayurveda also with Muneera Wallace listen to Muneera’s Ayurveda 101 Folk U here: https://cortescurrents.ca/ayurveda-a-holistic-healing-science-from-the-east/
What are your health and diet questions? Email them in advance of the show to u@folku.ca or call on Friday to 250-935-0200.
What are you reading? Share your favourite reads by emailing in advance to u@folku.ca or by calling on Friday during showtimes to 250-935-0200.
Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - The Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS) is launching a summer fundraiser to expand and improve the trail system in the south end of Cortes Island.
Executive Director Sandra Wood explained the fundraiser’s goal is $80,000, which will be used for: Planning the trail route Clearing undergrowth Creating level pathways Installing culverts Creating signage Tree limbing and maintenance Firewood production Building park benches
CHS places an emphasis on generating local economic development and hopes to hire local tradespeople and craftspeople, and use primarily lumber from Community Forest and on-island mills.
The trail improvements will include An east-west segment from Manson’s Hall to the Health Center A bypass of part of the logging road which will be decommissioned once housing construction begins Aligning the entrance from Cemetery Road to be across from the Siskin Lane trails entrance and raise it to avoid mud in the winter Ultimately, a continuous connection of Smelt Bay to Manson’s Landing Provide pedestrians and bicyclists a safer alternative to the road, thereby increasing foot and bike traffic and decreasing automobile usage
All donations will receive a 2021 Canadian charitable receipt from the CISS–Housing Committee. You can donate online now by clicking here or by sending a cheque to: Cortes Island Seniors Society–Housing Committee PO BOX 27 Mansons Landing, BC, V0P 1K0
American donors can get a US tax deductible receipt via TIDES-US Foundation by designating your donation to the Cortes Community Housing Fund – 2250 via this link
Two exciting events with prizes will also be announced in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, CHS will continue to work with architects and engineers to successfully reapply for BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund, likely in 2022, to begin work on the housing units.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Is reading a lost art? Not on Cortes and the surrounding Salish Sea communities! What then are some great and popular reads to inspire you.
This week Juli Nelson of B.C. tiniest bookstore, Marnie's Books, and Bernice McGowan of the Louise Tooker bookmobile lending library will join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to talk more about these tiny and inspiring sources of books as well as to share more about what they and your neighbours are reading. Juli will also share more about the new Literary Arts Journal being published on Cortes.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - On Wednesday, August 4, the Vancouver Island Health Authority declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at a long-term seniors’ facility in Campbell River when 3 staff tested positive.
The news bulletin identified the situation at Discovery Harbour long-term care home to be low risk since no residents have experienced any symptoms. The 3 staff members are self-isolating at home, and twice-daily screenings continue for all staff and residents.
Island Health has increased personnel presence onsite to take proactive measures, such as identifying anyone who may have been exposed. Additionally, the families have been notified and visits restricted to essential. Admissions and transfers are on hold for the duration of the outbreak, enhanced sanitation protocols are being followed and any symptomatic staff or residents will be tested for COVID-19.
As of Thursday, August 5, Island Health is reporting a total of 5 active cases in North Vancouver Island, with a total of 89 across the whole health authority. The British Columbia Center for Disease Control reported the total number for the same area as above 100 active cases, due to a difference in reporting time frames. Of these, only 1 person is hospitalized and none are in critical care.
August 4 saw the first Walk-in Wednesday, when clinics across the province administered COVID-19 vaccinations to 33,000 British Columbians. Nearly half this number was patients without an appointment and over 8,000 received their first doses. The BC government news channel reported that as of Thursday, 81.7% of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose and 68.4% have received both. Fully vaccinated people are accounting for roughly 5% of symptomatic infections.
Data reported at the end of July shows that nearly all positive samples across the province were attributed to variants of concern. On Vancouver Island, sample prevalence for the Delta variant was 100% of the total 30 positive tests in the week ending July 24.
Overall, case incidence rates for all age groups remain low and relatively stable.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Green party MLA Adam Olsen has been listening to the calls for a better ambulance service since 2017. The need became even more apparent after 808 people died during the last five days of June. 75% of them are believed to have perished because of the heat wave that stuck the province. A large number were allegedly waiting for ambulances that arrived too late.
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Photo credit: Adam Olsen - submitted photo
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - A month into BC’s phase 3 of re-opening, locals and visitors to Cortes Island are able to enjoy well-loved perennial as well as brand new reasons to gather.
On July 1, British Columbia officially lifted its mask mandate, opened up to Canadians for recreational travel and now allows for gatherings of 50 people indoors and 5,000 outside. Although still scaled down compared to pre-pandemic times, Cortes is not only seeing an influx of vacationers, but also regular events. Here is a selection.
The Gorge Harbour Marina Resort is delivering live music 5 nights a week for the rest of the summer. The impromptu stage on the Fireside Patio hosts musical acts -- some local and some from further afield -- from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery is in the midst of their first show of the season, running for two more weekends. Thursday through Sunday from 2 till 6pm, the gallery is open for viewing of the pieces by 24 member artists in a wide variety of media.
A Squirrel Cove resident, Reid Wescott, and a few friends set up a volleyball court near the General Store, and weekly games just switched from Wednesday to Thursday evenings. Come from 5pm onwards to play and swim. Wescott says, “It is a great location, and we are hoping for more sand. We always need more players!”
At the south end of the island, Cortes Men’s Circle is having another open night on Wednesday August 11 from 7 to 9pm, thanks to a community microgrant. Host Tommaso Biasiolo started the bi-weekly event several years ago on Quadra after being inspired by an online men’s circle. He also saw the opportunity to address the underlying issues he felt led to societal dysfunction such as became exposed by the Me Too movement. The circle meets at the Sanctuary on the Hollyhock campus.
Hollyhock Leadership Institute has presenter evenings, which are free or by donation events open to the whole community. All proceeds go toward the Island Scholarship fund, which enables reduced program tuition for Cortes residents. The next one is Saturday August 7. It is entitled “Yoga as Intuitive Movement” with teacher Robin Stamm, and runs 8-9:30pm.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - CKTZ news recently asked Dr Diana Allen, head of the Groundwater Resources Research Group in the Department of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, some vital questions about Cortes Island’s aquifer.
Does drilling a well threaten to collapse Cortes Islands aquifer and thus inadvertently threaten the community’s water supply?
The question arose during an interview last week, in which it was also pointed out that what used a to be year round wetland now dries up every summer.
Local well driller Red Williams says that while he sometimes hears the idea of collapsing an aquifer, he has never encountered a case of this happening. The main problem he has seen is shallow wells going dry: you will always have shallow wells that dry up and the aquifer is replenished by rainfall.
“Yes, I agree with him,“ said Allen, who immediately added, “Well, I guess it depends what someone considers to be collapsing an aquifer.”
Allen went on to talk about subsidence, adding that she has heard of it in places like California’s Central Valley and Mexico City, but not British Columbia.
“When you take ground water out of an aquifer that consists of interlayers of sand and clay, there is the potential for the clay to lose whatever water it has in it and squish. That can cause subsidence,” she explained. “You have to take a lot of water out … huge quantities, or also where oil and gas have been taken out of deep sedimentary rocks … but for small aquifers, like what you would find on Cortes Island, I do not think subsidence would be a real problem.”
Taking CKTZ News on a tour of the registered aquifers on the iMapBC website, Allen discovered that all three of the aquifers that cover much of Whaletown (#843, #844 & #845) are in crystalline bedrock rock, where subsidence is not an issue.
Aquifer #841 which feeds most of the land between Mansons Landing and Sutil point, is sand and gravel.
“When the glaciers were all melting, they would have dumped a whole bunch of sand and gravel on this point. This is actually a confined aquifer, so there is some clay over the top of it that is providing natural protection to that aquifer. So this would be a good quality aquifer,” she explained.”
Aquifers #842 and #846, which feed the area between Mansons Landing and Cortes Bay, are in rock.
“So it is really only this southern tip. All the other areas that have been mapped with aquifers show bedrock,” said Allen.
The aquifers feeding more than three quarters of Cortes Island – Tiber Bay, Squirrel Cove and all the lands in the north – are not mapped.
Allen explained that this would have been because this area is so sparsely settled.
The 2002 geological survey of Cortes Island map show that most of Squirrel Cove is sand, mud and gravel, but the rest of northern Cortes is primarily rock.
So, if Cortes Island’s aquifers aren’t collapsing, how do you explain that wetland, that used to be filled with water year round and has dried up the last few summers?
She explained, "That's where Climate Change comes in."
Photo credit: Photo by Roy L Hales
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - The air quality and visibility over the weekend was noticeably affected by particulates in forest fire smoke traveling across the landscape, and will likely be present in the region into Wednesday afternoon.
The BlueSky Canada interactive online visual tool shows an animated forecast of wildfire smoke as it’s expected to behave over the next 2 days in specific geographic regions. According to the website, Cortes Island and surrounding area have been experiencing an elevated PM2.5 rating, colour-coded to represent a range of 10-28 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3). These elevated levels nevertheless do not cross the threshold considered unsafe during a 24-hour period by Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards.
The large cloud of smoke from the interior is predicted to start clearing by early afternoon on Monday. However, the closest fire situated roughly 45 kilometers north of Powell River will likely send more smoke our way as wind direction changes. This fire, which is under control, has an estimated size of 7 hectares and was discovered on June 27. Its approximate location is stated as Daniels River.
As of 8 p.m. Sunday, August 1, there were 244 active fires across the province, according to the BC Wildfire Dashboard. Seven were new as of this week, and 6 of those had been added to the total since noon on Sunday. A small fire of less than 0.01 hectares was briefly shown on Vancouver Island between Qualicum Bay and Qualicum Beach on Sunday afternoon, however it was no longer being reported by the evening. There were no other fires on Vancouver Island.
The vehicle which started a fire on the Brewster Lake FSR. The blaze was extinguished by RCMP and nearby campers – photo courtesy Campbell started River RCMP In a news bulletin released on Friday, July 30, Campbell River RCMP detailed a vehicle fire that had spread to the forest in the vicinity.
“This was the third incident of a vehicle fire on Forest Service Roads in as many weeks in the Campbell River area.”
Photo credit - screenshot from Smoke Forecast.ca - Wildfire smoke forecast for August 2, 2021
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The preliminary stages of Cortes Island’s first wetland restoration project are underway at Dillon Creek, on Linnaea Farm.
“Back in 2014, we had a very large algae bloom in the lake. There was a very annoying smell and taste in the water for about two weeks and then it lingered on for about another two weeks with the smell in the air,” explained lead author Rex Weyler, when the first Hague & Gunflint Lakes Monitoring Report was published in 2017.
The problem was human septic and livestock nutrients draining into the lake.
“Everyone who lives around the lake is a contributor,” said Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a Biological Monitoring Technician with the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI).
However, Dillon Creek has been a vector for a significant amount of the nutrient and sediment input into Gunflint & Hague lakes. Prior to the advent of what is now Linnaea farm, the field used to be a wetland and a series of meandering streams that would have naturally filtered out nutrients and sediment. This wetland was drained via man-made Dillon Creek, and turned into agricultural land decades ago. Draining wetlands was a common farming practice around the world, to gain access to rich soils and relatively flat land.
FOCI and Linnaea Farm have partnered to restore wetlands in a lower portion of the field, up from the mouth of Dillon Creek into Gunflint Lake.
The construction work will take place from August 15th to 17th, but in the meantime FOCI has been carrying out invasive species removal and biological monitoring.
CKTZ News interviewed Autumn Barrett-Morgan on July 29th, the day after a crew of volunteers removed Himalayan Blackberries, thistles and holly from the site.
“It went really well. We’ve had multiple invasive species removals now, and yesterday there were four of us … We started late because of the heat wave. We might do another work bee, going forward, into the evening because it is a lot cooler,” she said. “Invasive species feel much more manageable when there is a team removing them.”
Barrett-Morgan said that a very large percentage of the world’s wetlands have been drained for farming and human development.
“Wetlands are the Earth’s kidneys. So we’re removing [draining] our filtering system, our kidneys, and that has been a very large contributor to global climate disruption,” she said. “Being able to restore even a little bit of that here is [hopefully] going to be really impactful and it can also be a really cool precedent setting project on Cortes Island. Measuring and monitoring its success, will hopefully lead to restoring even larger areas of wetlands on the island and along the coast.”
Photo credit: The field at Dillon Creek - Photo by Roy L Hales
Anastasia Avvakumovah/CKTZ News - As the RCMP continue arrests of peaceful forest defenders at the Fairy Creek blockades, legal and political questions abound following the BC Court’s decision to take over the persecution of arrestees at the request from logging corporation Teal Jones.
“I find it reprehensible that the government is going to be using taxpayers’ dollars and jailing its own citizens, because of its own failure to implement its own policy. I think history will look back on this moment in time in British Columbia's history and all of these people -- these teachers, these scientists, these nurses, these Olympic swimmers, amazing people that I met, who are blockading at Fairy Creek -- they are not criminals. They are heroes. And I think that's how they're going to be seen.”
Long-time activist Tzeporah Berman, founder of Stand.earth, was deeply involved in the Clayoquot Sound old-growth-logging protests in the early 90’s, the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, with more than 900 arrests of forest defenders. As of Wednesday, July 28, the Fairy Creek Blockade’s official media channel reports 496 arrests to date and counting, since police enforcement of the court injunction granted to Teal Jones Group began in late May of this year.
Berman spoke about her arrest and objectionable treatment she received while in police custody on Saturday, May 22, as well as her recent hearing on Thursday, July 8, when she successfully challenged her bail conditions. The latter had prevented her from going back to the entire Fairy Creek area. Although the judge’s ruling applied to her only, she encourages others arrested at the blockades to use her legal arguments, which are now on public record, to contest their own bail conditions and win the right to return to the protests.
Berman is still charged with civil contempt of court and will have another hearing in the fall. Since her arrest, BC Attorney-General David Eby approved Teal Jones’ appeal for the responsibility of prosecution to be handled by the Supreme Court of BC, meaning it will now be funded at taxpayers’ expense. Teal Jones also lobbied for civil disobedience charges to be escalated to criminal conduct.
Meanwhile, a coalition of independent media outlets won the right in a BC Supreme court ruling to be present and document the arrests at Fairy Creek without undue obstruction by the RCMP. Until the ruling last week and even in the days following, media access was at the whim of RCMP officers on the scene.
The protesters at Fairy Creek, who prefer to be known as forest defenders, employ non-violent direct action, such as physically blockading loggers from road building and tree falling. Arrests have at times turned violent at the hands of the RCMP, notably so when dealing with indigenous youth blockaders.
Berman remains hopeful that BC’s remaining old growth, key to the planet’s life-support systems, will be protected, and offers smart solutions for alternative economic development.
Credit: Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Sometime this fall, the Cortes Foundation will be offering the community of Cortes Island a public venue to explore, and bridge, the issues that divide us.
The topic came up during a discussion of the water shortages some of the island’s shallow wells are currently experiencing, while Cortes is at drought level four.
“We’re going to set up a much larger conversation, island wide, on any topic. Yesterday we were at a meeting that discussed sponsoring a facilitator to be present through the fall, on specific dates, to get together and start airing out some of the issues that people are encountering on the island, any divisiveness between groups,” said John Preston, one of the
Directors of the Cortes Foundation. “So we are aiming at taking the next step, offering the island a voice to speak to itself and try to reach consensus on many different issues.”
As we come get closer to the launch date, they will be explaining how, where and when these discussions will take place.
One of the immediate topics of concern will undoubtedly be a collective response to the island’s water issues.
Preston believes the deep wells some people are drilling punch holes in the aquifer and threaten everyone’s water supply.
As regards the Cortes Foundation itself, Preston said, “It is a game changer for Cortes. We now have an instrument that will allow us to attend to these kinds of issues. Cortes now has a basket that it can fill with resources that are for everyone. The foundation is island wide and we are going to be putting out a message that we want to hear from people: What are their needs? What are their worries?”
He described the Cortes Foundation as an organization that will allow the people of Cortes to cumulatively contribute to their future.
Photo of Norman Rockwell’s 1942 painting Freedom of Speech at the townhall in Cambridge, Vermont - photo by George Putnam, Chair of Cambridge’s Select Board (town council).
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - At their July 14th Meeting, the Strathcona District Board moved that “a letter be sent to the Minister of Forests encouraging the province to become more involved in research and distribution of science-based information.”
As Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis, who made the motion, explained, “In the last several years there has been a real drop off of participation of Ministry of Forests in providing the research and background that we would hope would be impartial. I think that is a real lack. To depend on the logging companies for our information is really not the best place to be going for this. There should be independent research we can depend on.”
The idea came out of the SRD’s Municipal Services committee where Charlie Cornfield, one of the more influential of five Campbell River directors that recently carried placcards at a pro-industry rally, agreed.
“It has always been a problem to find an acceptable source of information,” he said.
The was one of the few points that Cornfield and Davis agreed on.
Photo courtesy the Wilderness Committee
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News -Cortes Island is in the midst of a level four drought.
There have been worse dry periods in the instrumental records, much worse according to a University of Victoria study of tree ring data, and most likely more severe droughts in the years to come.
“Summer is very typically a very dry time of year for the Island, as well as for the Gulf Islands. The problem is that because we didn’t get the Spring rains, we’re starting at a level that is lower than what it would be within a typical year,” said Ashlee Jollymore, a Hydrologist with the Water Management Branch in Victoria
Shallow wells
Some of Cortes Island’s shallow well owners are approaching a critical point.
John Preston describes the situation in terms of the Island’s aquifer.
“When we moved to Cortes Island, 18 years ago, a dear architect friend who looked over this property for us said, ‘you will need water.”
“I said, ‘Okay. we’ll drill a well.’”
“He said, ‘Please do not drill a well. Have a high quality surface well. Every well we drill now ultimately weakens our long term water aspect.’”
Preston agreed and now has a 27’ deep surface well, but the water situation appears to be worsening.
The marshland above his property used to remain swamp all year round; now it is dry during the summer.
Preston has been dealing with water shortages every summer for the past five years. This is the worst. The water shortages he usually deals with in late August is already here.
“We are four weeks early in our water deprivation and there is a chance our water deprivation will go longer into the Fall than usual,” he said. “We may have to close down our business.”
He has two choices: drilling a well (and hope the aquifer won’t fail) or moving to a rainwater catchment system.
Rainwater catchment
His friends Kristen Schofield-Sweet and John Shook have been dependent on a catchment system for 31 years.
“Of course at that time, we didn’t know about climate change or that rainwater would become an issue. We are, if anything, more pleased now that we have that system, rather than feeling anxious and alarmed that somehow we’ve misjudged and are going to run out of water,” said Schofield Sweet.
One of their small concrete cisterns is dry and the water level is low in the second, but their big 3,000 gallon cistern is untouched.
The cisterns were partially dug into the earth, which means the water is always cold. As the system is gravity fed, it is also impervious to power shortages. It supplies all of their needs except drinking water, which they obtain at the Gorge Marina.
Anastasia Avvakuma/ CKTZ News - At a city council meeting in Powell River last month, elected official Jim Palm made unsolicited comments that have been labeled as hate speech against transgender people.
Palm took issue with a proposed definition of gender for public signage that would include LGBTQ2 persons and steered his criticism toward transgender women athletes whom he compared to competitors illegally taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Palm’s lack of appropriate vocabulary to address the transgender demographic suggested a lack of understanding of inclusivity issues.
“Whereas on the female side of the equation, females compete, they train and a lot of governing bodies now, not based on biological makeup, are allowing… I don’t know what you refer to them as… somebody that has not got a biological makeup to be able to take female hormones in order to qualify to compete as a female.”
Palm’s next remarks anticipated ongoing resistance to transgender women’s participation in female sports; in his words, so as to support female athletes.
Screenshot of several comments below Palm’s speech reposted on YouTube.
Comments posted on the YouTube video ‘Jim Palm Powell River Disturbing Transphobic Speech’ The reposted clip of Palm’s impromptu discourse resulted in a predictably polarized and inflamed series of comments below the video on YouTube. Bill C-16, passed in June 2017, was cited as legal protection of gender-diverse Canadians against discrimination, including hateful speech motivated by bias or prejudice.
Others voiced concern that Palm not only guides the city’s policies in his third term on Council but also directly influences the younger generation in his employment as Career Coordinator at Brooks Secondary School.
Photo credit: Female Track Athletes at Starting Line photo by tableatny via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - Two hybrid diesel/electric ferries with increased vehicle capacity will begin providing two-ship service on the Campbell River – Quadra Island route starting in early 2022.
After a transatlantic journey of 64 days and 10,700 nautical miles, Island 3 – the newest hybrid addition to the BC Ferries fleet – docked in Victoria at 2:42pm local time on Thursday, July 22. Its sister vessel, Island 4, departed from the same port of origin, Damen Shipyard Galati in Romania, about two weeks later and is scheduled to arrive in the port of Vancouver on August 10.
These passenger and cargo vessels will be bestowed official names later this year. Their simultaneous deployment on the popular and unreservable Campbell River – Quadra Island route is expected to dramatically improve the speed and volume of service, as well as increase local employment and environmental responsibility.
Unfortunately, the Quadra Island – Cortes Island route is only distantly scheduled for a similar upgraded ship in the next decade. Last Thursday, a Smelt Bay resident reported leaving her house at 1pm and disembarking at the Campbell River terminal only 7 hours later at 8pm due to the backlog of ferry traffic.
Nevertheless, BC Ferries is striving toward progress. According to a press release, the Island Class vessels “use some of the most advanced clean marine technology in the world. Once in service, we believe these ferries will be among the most efficient and quietest ferries world-wide,” it said. The eco-friendly design showcases a reduction in underwater noise which can disturb marine life, as well as decreased emissions as compared to a traditional fuel-operated engine. They also feature wider vehicle lanes, dedicated pedestrian footpaths and parking spaces for bicycles. The vessels are slated for fully electric operation once the terminals are outfitted with shore charging infrastructure, pending sufficient funding.
The acquisition and subsequent replacement of older vessels is part of BC Ferries’ plan to standardize its fleet, streamlining operations and training, as well as allowing for easier substitution of vessels across the province in emergency or repair needs. There are currently six hybrid Island Class ferries already running or soon to join the BC Ferries operations.
the first two have been servicing the Powell River – Texada Island and the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula Island routes since the middle of last year the next two will be deployed on the Campbell River – Quadra route in early 2022 two more are scheduled to arrive in the fall, ultimately destined for the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island passage, which will also transition to a two-ship service Of the two vessels currently sailing between Campbell River and Quadra Island, Powell River Queen will be retired from service and Quinsam reassigned to the Crofton – Vesuvius passage.
Follow the progress of Island 4 on its transatlantic voyage to Canada on vesselfinder.com by following this link. https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/ISLAND-4-IMO-9900588-MMSI-375194000
Photo credit: Artists Rendering of Rendering of next four Island Class hybrid electric ferries – Courtesy BC Ferries news release.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - As of Sunday, August 1st, there will be a 75% cutback in number of paramedics available to the Cortes Island Ambulance Service.
In fact, there won’t be any paramedics available on August 1st, or eleven other days that month.
This is a two person job, but there will only be two paramedics available for 16 of the 62 shifts in August, and service levels will continue at that level.
A full crew is two paramedics; half and half means one paramedic available for half a shift – chart drawn up by Roy L Hales According to one of the island’s paramedics, who asked to remain anonymous because of the consequences:
“My understanding of the options that remain for sick/injured people when there are not paramedics on call include:
–sending a crew over from Quadra during ferry-running times -sending a crew from Campbell river by coast guard and having patients meet them at the Manson’s dock if possible. -sending paramedics by helicopter, who can then access and make use of the ambulance on Cortes (but will have a hard time finding their way) -the supervisor for Cortes will call off-duty paramedics at home, hoping someone might be available and willing to become an on-duty paramedic. Some paramedics have said they would be willing to do this, sometimes. “These solutions come with challenges, increased wait times, and they make use of resources that are already probably operating at capacity… The Quadra Island crew is often busy looking after Quadra island residents.”
This is the dark side of the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) enhanced emergency services, which will create more than 170 regular positions across the province – while slashing service levels in more remote communities like Cortes Island, Zeballos, Tahsis and Sayward.
For the past four years, paramedics have been guaranteed at least four hours pay for each of their 12 hour shifts.
This has been abolished. Now paramedics are back to $2 an hour standby pay unless they are called out.
Unfortunately, $2 an hour is not a living wage.
“All the paramedics I have spoken to feel very abused and neglected and rejected by their employer. Many have quit. Others are hanging in there, hoping for change but only doing the minimum that they are committed to. All have found other employment and are engaged in doing what they need to do to look after their needs,” said the anonymous paramedic.
“Those hanging in there have had their trust in the system shattered. It is uncertain whether that trust can ever be rebuilt. That is perhaps the greatest tragedy – good people, giving up while an institution undermines its foundation – the workers – and sacrifices patient care to save some dollars. … All this after one of the toughest years for paramedics around the world and a global awakening to the value of essential workers, perhaps especially in health care.”
What can Cortes residents do?
“Reach out to your local decision-makers,” said the paramedic.
North Island MLA Michele Babchuk is aware of this situation, but could not respond to Cortes Currents request for an interview in time for this broadcast.
Photo credit: The Cortes Island Ambulance Chief during a 2017 exercise - photo by Roy L Hales
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - At the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society (CIMAS), a current exhibit celebrates bees while the online archives take off in popularity.
The Listening to Bees exhibit opened on World Bee Day, May 20, earlier this year with a live demonstration of a beehive -- catch it at the museum again on Thursday, August 14 10 am - 12 noon. The exhibit includes bee lore, past and present beekeepers’ tools, informative displays showcasing the four native species, a slew of educational videos which can be watched on demand, fascinating bee facts and the work by mycologist Paul Stamets in recovering the health of honeybees through mycelium extracts.
The second current exhibit, That WasThen | This Is Now, is a retrospect of CIMAS in its various iterations since its public inception in 1998.
The online archives have been attracting a lot of digital attention and traffic to the archives room, as well as research requests.
Since starting its summer hours 6 days a week in June, the museum on Beasley Road, which also functions as a tourist information centre, has seen a lot of visitors -- almost entirely from British Columbia. 21 people joined the Gumboot Walk in Manson’s Lagoon on July 10; another is planned for August and one more in September.
Jane Newman has been the managing director for CIMAS since the spring of 2018 and finds great enjoyment in learning about and working with the people and place of Cortes Island.
Photo Credit: display showing Paul Stamets' work on how mycelium extracts can save honeybees. photo by Anastasia Avvakumova
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Chief Darren Blaney, of the Homalco Nation, suggests that six months training is not enough to equip the Campbell River RCMP to deal with intense situations like that which led to the recent shooting of Jared Lowndes.
Lack of training in dealing with complex issues
“There is a lot of emphasis on physical training and physical fitness, but not policing with social problems and mental health issues. Escalation and racial bias are not really examined during the training period,” said Blaney, who has relatives in the force. “I think there are a lot of things we miss in the lack of training. I wonder how they handle stress? How do they handle pressure situations like what happened to Jared?”
Jared Lowndes fled when they attempted to serve an outstanding warrant for weapons offences, on July 8th. When the RCMP caught up to him in the Tim Hortons parking lot, they allegedly smashed into his vehicle from three sides - boxing Lowndes in. Then they sent a police dog in. Lowndes defended himself with a knife, killing the dog, and the police responded by gunning him down.
The Independent Investigation Office said it cannot comment, but the victim’s family informed CKTZ News that the warrant was old and Lowndes had already been acquitted by the court.
Chief Blaney said that if the police were better trained and knew how to de-escalate, both Lowndes and the police dog would be alive today.
Lowndes two daughters, Phoenix and Patience, would still have a father.
Too many Indigenous killings
It has been six years since RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson admitted there are racists in his police force.
”Yet nothing was done about it. All these deaths … are from the lack of action,” said Blaney.
Blaney mentioned the recent police shooting of Chantelle Moore, in New Brunswick.
“It was a health check, health and wellness, and they shot her five times. There was some real lack of de-escalation training and it is our people that pay the price in many of those situations,” he said.
Moore was one the four Vancouver Island First Nations people that police have killed in a little over a year. Three of these deaths occurred on Vancouver Island.
“I was listening to CBC and they were talking about the training police receive. A nurse called in and said that it takes her four years of university to become a nurse. For a police officer, who has the authority to use lethal force, it only takes six months,” said Blaney.
Photo credit: the street-side memorial to Jared Lowndes, across from where he was shot - photo by Roy L Hales
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - On Monday July 19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that August 9 is slated as the starting date for allowing fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into Canada for non-essential travel. The border restrictions will lift at 12:01am EST on Monday, August 9, three weeks following the milestone announcement, provided case numbers continue the trajectory of decline. The local data shows cause for optimism. Island Health cited 2 new cases this week for a total of just 14 active cases as of Wednesday, July 21. Of these, only 1 is hospitalized and none are in critical care. The total for patients currently hospitalized across B.C. is 48, the lowest it has been since last September. In the Greater Campbell River Local Health Area, the reported number of cases decreased from 3 to 1 for the week ending July 17. The overall rate of samples testing positive for COVID-19 is less than 1% on Vancouver Island and most of the province. Canada’s border restrictions have been in place since March 18, 2020. The upcoming big shift will see U.S. citizens and permanent residents who meet the specific criteria to be exempt from the previously mandatory 14-day quarantine and essential travel reasons. U.S. President Joe Biden did not reciprocate with an easing. Two days following Trudeau’s announcement, the U.S. administration confirmed the extension of its closure to the nationals of both Canada and Mexico until August 21. This is speculated to be due to the U.S. not being ready to reopen its southern border and navigating political complexity by choosing to keep all land borders shut. Meanwhile, the Canadian government plans to lift restrictions for eligible travellers from the rest of the world on September 7. It’s possible this decision will be reviewed, as international flights arriving from overseas -- notably Mexico -- have been reporting a rise in infected travelers. This is despite the fact that passengers must show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding an aircraft. An increase in cases has also been reported in countries such as Israel, the United Kingdom and other European nations. Among these recent cases internationally, a large portion is attributed to people who have only received one or neither of the vaccine doses. (A similar phenomenon was reported in British Columbia last month). France has responded domestically with harsh regulations requiring vaccine passports, which caused huge protests to erupt nationwide in the last week. Demonstrators are appalled at losing their freedoms and signs such as “Hands off my natural immunity!” summarize the clash in beliefs.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Lake Biology 101 - Learning to love our Lakes on Folk U Radio .
What does it mean to love our local lakes? Learn more this week at Folk U Radio with Friends of Cortes Island and local guests Miranda Cross and Rex Weyler.
What is the basis of lake biology? How can humans impact and heal lakes? Tips on what can be done about: algal blooms, better drainage, climate change affects on lakes, protecting drinking water, and more.
And updates from the FOCI lake monitoring program and other reports on our local lakes.
And get an update on our local Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration project: planning, permitting, fundraising, jobs, project partners, construction, ecological benefits, wildlife habitat.
Call in the station from 1 to 3 p.m. with questions at 250-935-0200 or email u@folku.ca in advance.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - About a hundred people attended the memorial for Jared Lowndes, who was gunned down by the RCMP outside the Campbell River Tim Hortons takeout on July 8, 2021.
One of the three stops they made was at the RCMP station, where the crowd voiced their anger outside the door.
Lowndes mother, Laura Hamilton, and more than a dozen protesters went inside, where three officers met them. You could see the officers mouth’s moving, but their words were drowned by the roar that erupted in response. The only voice you hear in the audio is Hamilton’s, who would not accept the RCMP explanation.
“There is no possible way you could understand the terror every time I close my eyes. I see the holes in his face, I see the f____ holes in his face. Do you understand, every time I close my eyes I see my son’s brains blown out,” she shouted, above the rising chants.
Chief Darren Blaney, of the Homalco Nation, blames the shooting on the RCMP’s lack of training. He said the police should not have the authority to use lethal force after only six months training. The first nations community, and people of colour, are paying the price.
The RCMP were attempting to serve an outstanding warrant for weapons possessions.
According to Fay Blaney, the great aunt of Lowndes daughters Phoenix and Patience, Lowndes was acquitted of the associated charges years ago. The court dismissed them after Lowndes common-law wife confessed she had planted the gun in his possessions.
However the warrant, to obtain a sample of DNA that could show if Lowndes touched the gun, was still in the system.
Fay Blaney said the First Nations community has been targeted by police. She suspects that Lowndes fled because he knew the RCMP could inflict violence upon him with impunity.
According to a memo sent to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in 2017, 36% of the people fatally shot during the previous decade were Indigenous, but they constitute less than 5% of the population.
Lowndes is the fourth member of Vancouver Island’s First Nation community that police have killed in a little over a year.
When they caught up with him at the Tim Horton’s take-out, the RCMP rammed Lowndes car from three directions. Lowndes and his four month puppy were trapped inside. The RCMP sent the police dog Gator in after them. Lowndes defended himself with a knife. The RCMP responded by shooting him in the face three times. Unconfirmed reports state he may have been shot 6 times.
Photo Credit: Lowndes mother, Laura Hamilton, standing beside Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco Nation at the police dog Gator's memorial - photo be Roy L Hales
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - Closely observing and responding to weather fluctuations has always been key to a grower’s success, however the recent extreme heat in early July is forcing farmers to rethink plans for future resiliency.
“This heat dome was the first time where I actually felt, holy crap, here it comes. We've been talking about it, we've been hearing the impact of the droughts in some of our southern neighbors. We're going to have to get a lot stronger about how we're doing things and how we're supporting each other as community members and how we can support the food producers.”
Tamara McPhail and Adam Schick of Linnaea Farm gave their perspective on this 2021 summer season. The dryness of this summer means mitigating fire danger is paramount. The heat also dried the grass reducing its nutrition content, and the 11 cows who also live at Linnaea were mooing continuously during the worst of the heat. McPhail can translate this as their discontent and was concerned that she would have to supplement their diet with hay, which would mean depleting their stockpile of winter provisions.
Making hay is an important annual activity at Linnaea. The first step is cutting, then what’s known as “tedding” or fluffing the hay so that it dries sufficiently to then be raked and baled. Tedding traditionally takes two days and farmers listen for the sound the hay makes when it’s ready for the next step. This year “it definitely had that sound on on the first day … and the bales were super light, too. We felt like über strong humans by lifting up these bales. I've never seen hay dry that fast or feel that light, and they were difficult to stack in our barn.”
Linnaea growers are grateful for the community support they receive during their haying workbees. “I never know who's going to show up, but I've never felt that we are short handed.”
When asked about the dry spell, Schick replied, “The weather's been so up and down for a long time, I would say since the early 2000s. This is my 25th year of gardening. When you farm, you see these cycles and you adapt to it. So, it's not the weather that happened today. It's whether you and I can do things to change the outcome.” Gut instinct and the agrarian senses play a big part in decision-making on the farm.
The conversation also touched upon climate change, local sustainability, shrinking our impact and the seed library starting up at Linnaea.
CKTZ also heard about the challenges of dry weather from grower Noah Davidson of the Whaletown Garden Centre, who emailed a few gardening tips:
“I tend not to expect rain in the summer and rely solely upon thorough waterings to keep the garden happy. The small amounts of rain we get in the summer are rarely enough to penetrate the soil very deeply.
The few days that we had with the extreme heat was a challenge but most plants will adapt with a little extra watering. A plant under stress from extreme heat will wilt to protect itself from the sun, which a deep and thorough watering in the early morning can help alleviate, as can misting plants with water midday, which lowers leaf temperatures.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ - Dino Tsakonas: the face of CityWest in our area
After more than two decades with local internet provider Twincomm, Dino Tsakonas has become the face of City West throughout much of our our region.
In this morning’s interview he explains how this came about and gives a few more details about the Last Mile project that will bring more reliable high speed internet to homes on Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as other communities throughout our region.
“It really started with me being involved in the undersea fibre project, that was the partnership between the SRD (Strathcona Regional District) and CityWest. I was heavily involved because I was trying to get more fibre for Twincomm, “ he explained. “What happened was we were trying to work out a deal last fall, between Twincomm and City West, that kinda fell through a little bit and then CityWest just offered me a job.”
Now Tsakonas is CityWest’s Regional Manager for our area. He is overseeing a potential expansion into multiple islands, - including Quadra and Texada Islands - as well as potentially Powell River and parts of Vancouver Island.
One of his first actions, however, was to get Twincomm and CityWest back to the negotiating table.
“Right now we are in negotiations to see if CityWest can purchase Twincomm,” he explained.
Cortes will also be the first local location where fibre optic cables are brought directly into the homes. They will be using a technology that can go under roads, without disturbing them.
Tsakonas advises everyone on Cortes to get it, while its free.
He also discusses different prices layers in the podcast above.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Folk U Radio April 9th 2021 is Spring and the Big 3 Predators.
In partnership with the Cortes Island Museum and Archives, this Folk U features Jane Newman sharing news of the museum and stories of Spring from the archives. The second hour features Laurel and Donna curators of the upcoming Big 3 Exhibit opening soon at Wild Cortes! to learn about this exciting new exhibit and the stories of Cortesian interactions with bears, cougars, and wolves from over the ages.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Folk U Radio celebrates 50 with the Awakaneers
Folk U Radio celebrates 50 live shows on CKTZ 89.5 FM this Friday at 1 p.m. Please join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Cortes's local musicians the Awakeneers (developers of the Folk U Radio theme song Think!) for live music and a peak "back stage" into the music-making lives and inspiration of these neighbours.
Folk University has brought hundreds of neighbours together to share their interests, skills, and knowledge in the fewer than three years since its founding. And when the pandemic shut most everything else down, Folk U didn't miss a beat thanks to a partnership with Cortes Community Radio and Cortes Currents and neighbours willing to tune-in rather than turn-out.
In 50 shows we've learned more about the local environment, wild fire, the brain, art, and what the big issues of our day mean to small towns and smaller islands. You can catch-up at folku.ca/podcasts.
Now, let's dance! Celebrate! Listen with a friend! Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 and Mondays at 6:30 @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca or you can find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The Campbell River RCMP may have gunned down an innocent man when they killed Jared Lowndes on July 8, 2021.
A really old warrant, from a case already resolved The Independent Investigation Office informed Cortes Currents they could not discuss the warrant RCMP were attempting to enforce, when they killed Lowndes.
The National Police Federation said they were pursuing him for an outstanding warrant for weapons offences.
“The warrant was really old, an outstanding warrant for his DNA, and he was standing on sovereignty, saying they had no right to it,” explained Fay Blaney, the great aunt of Lowndes daughters Phoenix and Patience.
She is also a close friend of Lowndes mother, Laura Hamilton, and has agreed to be the family spokesperson
Blaney added that the case requiring Lowndes DNA had been dismissed. It arose out of a domestic dispute with his common-law wife. She planted a gun in his possessions and called the police. There was no need for his DNA after Lowndes’ common-law wife confessed. He was acquitted.
So why did he run? “He’s Indigenous. He was by himself and knew what they would do. I mean, they did what he thought they would do,” said Blaney.
More in podcast
Photo credit: the street-side shrine to Jared Lowndes in Campbell River - photo courtesy friends of the Lowndes family
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Chief Kevin Peacey of the Klahoose First Nation presents Klahoose Success and Strong Leadership and answers neighbours questions. Then Colin Funk gives a brief update on the Cortes Economic Development Association and Carrie Saxifrage gives an update on the Community Forest. This was part of the Making it on Cortes forum, providing resources and a network for neighbours making a life and a livelihood on Cortes.
Anastasia Avvakumovah/ CKTZ News - There are currently four confirmed active cases of COVID-19 on North Vancouver Island, at least three of them situated in the Greater Campbell River region.
British Columbia government’s news channels reported a total of 29 cases in the Vancouver Island Health Authority by the afternoon of Thursday July 15. Of these, one is known to be in critical care and two are hospitalized; others are recovering in self-isolation.
In an effort to track the COVID-19 variants of concern (VoC), which are responsible for a large proportion of new infections across the province, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) states that, “B.C. has transitioned to whole-genome sequencing on all positive cases to provide gold-standard analysis to detect variants of concern and fingerprint details to support outbreak responses.” Approximately 14% of the positive cases in BC are of the Delta variant, which originated in India and has become a predominant and fast-spreading variant of the virus in several countries, including the UK. However, Alpha and Gamma variants continue to account for the largest numbers of cases in BC, at 25% and 40% of sequenced positive specimens, respectively.
The government is also monitoring what is called “vaccine breakthrough cases.” These are cases of COVID-19 infection in people who have been fully vaccinated. Some of these individuals may also have asymptomatic infections. Yet the above-mentioned Delta variant has been shown to cause cold-like symptoms such as a headache and runny nose even in some individuals who have received both doses of the vaccine. Research is ongoing.
As of July 15, “79.4% (3,681,088 3.7 mill) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 48.6% (2,253,818) 2.3 mill received their second dose.” The numbers for immunizations in eligible British Columbia adults is 80.5% and 51.9% for their first and second dose, respectively.
In a summary released on July 2, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) was reporting optimistically that “case rates are low and continue to decline in all health authorities, now approaching levels last observed in August 2020; test positivity continues to decline, ~1% provincially.”
Cumulative cases for Greater Campbell River for the period of January 2020 to June 2021 were officially reported as 199; the three new infections added in July so far put the total-to-date at 202. Within the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the total-to-date of all reported cases of COVID-19 is 5,184 with a recovery rate of 98.8%.
Photo credit: Local Health Area map of COVID 19 cases during the epi-week ending on Saturday July 10, 2021. Cases remain active for 14 days - map courtesy BC Centre for Disease Control
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News -There are many questions surrounding the death of Jared Lowndes, a 38-year-old indigenous man, at the hands of the Campbell River RCMP.
“Our investigation will determine what actually happened. Just because it is on social doesn’t mean it is, or isn’t, factual. We’ll do our best to determine what happened and if appropriate, before we complete our investigation, we will consider releasing some facts,” said Ron MacDonald, Chief Civilian Director of the Independent Investigations Office (IIO).
What the RCMP & IIO said According to the RCMP press release:
“Just before 9 a.m. on July 8th, a member from the Campbell River RCMP attempted to stop a vehicle in relation to an outstanding warrant. It is reported that the vehicle failed to stop and fled the area. The member notified dispatch and its description was provided to other police officers in the area.”
“A short time later the suspect vehicle was located in a parking lot in the 2000 block of the South Island Highway in Campbell River. A police officer boxed in the vehicle and then a confrontation occurred between the suspect and the police officer, who had a Police Service Dog. During the interaction the Police Service Dog was stabbed and killed, and the suspect was shot and was pronounced deceased on scene. The Police Dog Handler was also treated for a knife wound. No other persons were injured.”
– BC RCMP notify the IIO BC of a fatal incident in Campbell River Local media added a couple of other details
Lowndres was allegedly shot six times, three of which were in his face. He had a puppy in his car, and may have been protecting it when the police dog jumped through his window. That last scenario is at least partially true, for shortly before his death Lowndres wrote, “My daughter, dog and I are now broke, and homeless, left to wander until our car breaks down.”
Unfortunately McDonald could not confirm any of these facts because the investigation is still ongoing, there were still witnesses to be interviewed, and his department did not want to influence their testimony.
He did say there were “several officers in the area” when the shooting occurred.
Anastasia Avvakumova/ CKTZ News - The lagoon at Manson’s Landing is yet another location on Cortes, which experienced alarming rates of marine creature die-off in the wake of the recent heat wave — the sand dollar population being hit the hardest, with losses as high as 95 per cent.
“My guts tell me, everything I see tells me that climate change is hitting us, and it's just going to speed up. We're going to see more of these events, I am sure of it. And it is going to change things -- it already is.”
Deb Cowper is a local marine biologist who led the Manson’s Lagoon Gumboot Walk for the third year in a row this past Saturday, July 11. She described the extensive devastation she witnessed, as compared to conditions just two and a half weeks earlier on June 23, when she led another outing at the lagoon for a group of students from the Cortes Island School.
“Intertidal critters are some of the toughest beasties going, they have to cope with drying out on a regular basis, they have to deal with lots of temperature changes and … salinity changes, as well as all of us trampling and bringing our boats and so on. So they are a really tough group of critters anyway. But when we were experiencing those extreme temperatures, it wasn't really surprising that we were going to exceed their threshold, their comfort zone.”
Cowper reported that “one of the most striking differences was in the sand dollar beds.” On June 23rd, she had noticed a much higher concentration of them than in previous years. Yet sadly on July 11, there were few healthy living specimens left.
In her 20 years of studying local intertidal pools, Cowper has never seen anything like this. “Climate change is ... a reality, and it's a crisis.” In her opinion, hope for the future lies in pressuring the government to take action. “It's time you stepped up, and we actually made a difference in Canada and lead the way in the world.”
Photo credit: Sand dollar Photo by Jake Beman on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Campbell River may be erecting billboards for only two of its three pillar industries: aquaculture and forestry – but not tourism.
With fish farms being phased out in the Discovery Islands by 2022 and the provincial government moving to curtail old growth logging, city counsil felt a need to show its support for these two sectors.
At their June 14th meeting, City Council decided to erect three 8×16 foot billboards, promoting all all three sectors at the Southern entrances to the city.
In response, the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) wrote:
“While we may all realize that forestry and aquaculture are important components of our economy, unfortunately, many visitors do not support these industries. Signs at the borders of our city, expressing love toward logging and fish farming will likely alienate many visitors with opposing views and could do significant damage to our reputation as a tourism destination. Conversely, these signs would do little to benefit forestry and aquaculture since they would only be viewed by locals and tourists. If Council’s intention is to fight for these important local industries, then the message should be directed toward decision makers in Victoria and Ottawa, not toward visitors to Campbell River.”
At their July 12 meeting, council decided to move ahead with billboards supporting forestry and aquaculture.
When he made the motion, Mayor Adams said the tourism committee has the the option of opting in, but the city should proceed anyway.
There was only one dissenting vote, Director Claire Moglove wanted to see if there was messaging that all three sectors could agree on.
Mayor Adams was expressing the majority view, when he said he did not want the debate to drag on any longer.
Photo Credit: 2019 Annual Report, City of Campbell River
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Using interviews, video footage and written accounts, CKTZ News has drawn up a Fairy Creek chronology.
“We don’t have a lot of old growth to lose. We’re down to about 2% of our productive old growth, of what we once had. Vancouver was once covered in trees that had the girth of a good third of my house. Those forests are gone. We’re now down to forests with large trees and forests with very large trees,” Rainforest Flying Squad spokesperson Carol Tootle told CKTZ News.
She and about 30 activists from Victoria assembled at Fairy Creek on August 9th, 2020, after hearing it was the last intact watershed on Vancouver Island.
They informed the Pacheedaht First Nation before throwing up the first logging blockade.
“It’s about stopping the logging in the tree farm license that Teal Jones owns and is licensed to log that area. They are currently taking legal action to stop us from protecting the old growth that they want to destroy,” explained Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones, in a video.
He spoke of the ancient forests like Fairy Creek as holy places, where his people used to go for prayer and meditation.
The day that video was released, Teal Jones obtained an injunction requiring the protestors to step aside at Fairy Creek.
On April 12th, 2021 alleged Hereditary Chief Frank Queesto Jones and Chief Coun. Jeff Jones of the Pacheedaht First Nation issued a joint press release asking the protesters to leave.
“We do not welcome or support unsolicited involvement or interference by others in our territory, including third-party activism. Pacheedaht needs to be left in peace to engage in our community-led stewardship planning process, so that we can determine our own way forward as a strong and independent Nation.”
The Hereditary Chief’s involvement was significant, as the Chief Counsellor’s legal authority is limited to the reserve.
Elder Jones responded, “Frank Jones claiming himself as a heredity chief is false. He is not eligible to make the claim for the Jones family line, and is not informed by the hereditary system amongst our peoples. In fact, the Jones family is not originally from the territory, and have no chief rights to the San Juan valley.”
He said the Peter(s) family are the governing authority responsible for this valley and 18-year-old Victor Peter, who wants to preserve the forests, is the Hereditary Chief of the Pacheedaht Nation.”
Peter confirmed this.
On May 18th, the RCMP moved in to enforce the injunction. In what would soon become an almost daily routine, they arrested five protesters.
There is more in the podcast.
Roy L hales/ CKTZ News - Marine tourism operator Mike Moore is one of the most recent of what appears to be a steady stream of Cortes Island residents visiting Fairy Creek and the logging blockades.
He stopped there on July 4th, during a cruise around Vancouver Island.
Moore has not sailed on the west coast of the island since he left the Coast Guard, 25 years ago. He was shocked by the amount of clear cutting that has been carried out. There were no longer any deep green valleys until his boat passed the Broken Islands Group.
He proceeded to identify stands where logging protests are occurring, “Oh, that must be the Walbran, that must be the Carmanagh, then back to cutting everywhere. It was really educational to see that contrast. It really lends poignancy to why Fairy Creek and those old growth trees need to be protected, because there is so little of it left.”
In Duncan, Moore caught the ‘Community Action Bus’ to Fairy Creek.
After they reached Cowichan Lake, a truck flying ‘Forests feed our families” flags pulled out in front of this bus and slowed down to 30 kph. A ‘cat and mouse game’ ensued. The truck would immediately move to the centre of the road whenever the bus, or any of the other vehicles in the growing line-up of vehicles behind it, attempted to pass. So the bus periodically pulled over to let the rest of the traffic through. The truck waited, then resumed its intimidation tactics when the bus started driving again.
Moore was told this was the first time this had occurred.
“In those situations, it can be very difficult to remain calm and relaxed, and our bus driver did a very good job of that,” he observed.
They skipped a scheduled stop at a giant Sitka Spruce and so arrived at Fairy Creek ‘only a tiny bit late.’
(A Quadra Island resident was also on the bus, and CKTZ News received independent verification of the ‘cat and mouse’ episode.)
Moore was impressed by the size and orderliness of the camp. He walked 7 kilometres up a logging road to a place called Rivercamp and was told the protests and interactions with the police were taking place another 7 kilometres beyond that.
As a result of the wildfire danger during this hot, dry weather, the main camp moved into a gravel pit. No drugs, alcohol or fires are allowed.
Visitors are met by a welcoming committee, which explains the mission of the blockade. This is not just to save the old first growth cedars up high on the ridges.
“The blockade is about all first growth forest in BC needing to be saved for its genetic diversity, capacity to house ecosystems and sequester carbon. we’ve been at it a long time, we shouldn’t be cutting the principle in the bank account of forest reserve. We should be cutting the interest, the second growth and what we have reinvested into the forestry. It is time to stop first growth forestry,” Moore explained.
There is a First Nations presence at Fairy Creek. He observed cleansing ceremonies and Indigenous people talking about colonialism and their history.
Prior to his visit. Moore was concerned about reports that the Pacheedaht First Nation council and elected Chief did not want the protesters there.
He had also heard the hereditary Chief welcomed them.
This is Victor Peter, who many recognize as the Hereditary Chief of the Pacheedaht Nation.
Elder Bill Jones, who descends from this family and has become the protester’s spiritual leader, endorses Peter’s claim.
In a recent press release, he stated, “The Peter(s) family, as far as our oral history allows, has always been here. They are the governing authority and are responsible for this valley.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Join Host Manda Aufochs Gillespie and Howard Eaton in discussion about the Amazing, Neuroplastic Brain.
What if learning disabilities were not lifelong and cognitive degeneration avoidable?
Join neighbour Howard Eaton of the famed Eaton Arrowsmith school.
Eaton will share his lifetime of experience in the field of brain plasticity, including: proving learning disabilities don't have to be lifelong, and other research into learning disabilities from the school he founded: Eaton Arrowsmith at UBC; the connection between aerobic exercise and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); mindfulness and importance of developing attention for neuroplatic change; targeted cognitive challenges such as learning languages or novel skills such as chess that work on spatial awareness and reasoning; how the brain ages; recent studies using fMRI and cognitive assessments and large scale brain network studies; brain injuries and cognitive rehabilitation.
Photo credit: A human brain Photo by Rev314159 via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2,0 License)
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Cortes and Quadra Islands will receive a significant chunk of the $394,000 FireSmart Economic Recovery Grant the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) just received.
Where the FireSmart funds are going
According to Shaun Koopman, SRD Protective Services Coordinator, “So for Cortes Island this is about $180,000 of wildfire risk reduction.”
This money will be used for renovations at: the Linnaea Farm Education Centre and Gorge Hall, which serve as emergency support service facilities in the advent of an evacuation. the Whaletown Fire Hall In collaboration with the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, the grant will also fund a 4-hectare Wildfire Fuel Treatment on Cortes Island through activities such as pruning, thinning and removing ladder fuels to reduce both the amount and continuity of burnable vegetation.
About $60,000 is for renovations at Camp Homewood’s residential quarters and Quadra Island Bible Church - both of which are designated as evacuation centres, should the need arise.
Full community assessment reports are to be prepared for the Klahoose and We Wai Kai First Nations.
“We will be looking at all their critical infrastructure and community buildings, There is a template that you fill out for them and then submit that template to the province for further funding,” said Koopman.
The rest of the grant funding goes to the Villages of Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos as well as Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’, and Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations.
Building renovations on Cortes & Quadra
Koopman went on to describe the renovations that will be carried out at each Cortes and Quadra location. Camp Homewood - replacing the cedar shake roof with a metal roof Gorge Hall - fixing gaps on the building; putting up fireproof siding in the lower part of the building; installing multi-pane windows; putting a fire proof partition around the generator Linnaea Farm Educational Building - replacing the wooden deck and stairs with a metal deck and stairs; installing a fireproof base along the structure of the building Quadra Island Bible Church - closing in the sides of the building with fire resistant materials Whaletown Fire Hall - removing some of the outbuildings and a mobile trailor
He said that the SRD has Memorandum of Understandings in place with each of these Cortes and Quadra non-profit owned facilities, to support Emergency Support Services during a disaster.
Koopman explained, ”For many years, these organizations have been incredible supporters of our regional emergency program through hosting training sessions and engaging in numerous emergency planning conversations. It feels great to be able to provide them with meaningful funding to decrease the wildfire vulnerability of their facilities.”
Photo: Renovations at Gorge Hall - Courtesy SRD
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Long term Port McNeill city Counsellor, and 2011 mayoral candidate, Shelley Downey will once again be the Conservative candidate in North Island-Powell River during the next federal election.
During the last election, the polls showed her briefly in the lead, but Downey lost to incumbent Rachel Blaney by 3,000 votes on election day.
“Right at the get-go we were hearing about affordability, and then in the latter part (of the campaign) it kind of shifted to having jobs, so I’m quite surprised at the results,” she told the North Island Gazette. “We have a lot of people here whose jobs are dependant on the resource sector, and if we’re going to shut down our resources – such as aquaculture – and mess around with our fisheries like they did this past summer with the chinook fisheries, not support the oil and gas sector, what’s going to be left?” Downey declined Cortes Currents requests for an interview and also an invitation to the Cortes Island All Candidates Meeting.
One of her staff explained, “We just can’t take a whole day to go to Cortes.“
A quick glance at the returns for Cortes and the other Discovery Islands may reveal another reason.
There were not any Conservative voters at the Blind Channel-Stuart Island poll. They received a single vote on Read Island and 19 on Cortes. The Conservatives did better on Quadra Island: 186 votes, which was 625 behind the leading NDP.
Most of the votes throughout the Discovery Islands went to the either the NDP or Green parties.
Downey replied to Cortes Currents question about running again, yesterday, “Thank you for your email. I will be representing the Conservative Party of Canada when the next election is called. Take care.”
Photo credit: Cropped image from the City of Port McNeill Website
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Close to a billion marine creatures may have perished in BC’s recent heat wave.
What happened? “We had some of the hottest weather we’ve ever had and it happened to be on days with very low, low tides and that combination was pretty lethal for a lot of things,” explained Dr Chris Harley, a marine biologist at the University of British Columbia.
He said the one billion death estimate was obtained through calculations of mussel populations.
“The numbers are really large because there were a lot of mussels to start with,” he said.
Harley has been receiving numerous reports of marine life die-offs in the 650 kilometres of coastline, as the crow flies, between Klemtu, BC, and the Hood Canal, in northern Washington.
For many Cortes Island residents, the first they heard of these deaths may have been when local shellfish grower Erik Lyon was interviewed by the CBC. He reported losses of between 5% and 20% on a comparatively wet site in Desolation Sound, but expected to see higher mortality rates elsewhere.
There also appear to have been an abnormally high number of shellfish deaths at least two sites on Cortes Island.
Ricky Belanger, from the Discovery Passage Aquarium in Campbell River, reported seeing high numbers of dead cockles.
Harley said that mussels in the shade, or on a north facing surface, were probably okay. So were the oysters grown on rafts.
Large numbers clams, cockles and mussels perished on beaches.
Photo credit: Heat camera photo of mussels at 42 degrees celsius photo courtesy Dr Chris Harley
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - In the midst of a heat wave that may have left as many as a billion dead marine creatures along the West Coast, there were also an abnormally high number of shellfish deaths reported at two Cortes Island sites.
Daily temperature highs of between 35°C and 40°C were recorded, at the Cortes Island School, during the last five days of June.
Mike Manson reported a extraordinary high number of dead cockles, in southern Cortes Island, on June 27th.
“On a low tide of 2 feet or less, I would typically expect to find maybe half a dozen live ones partially exposed in the sand, and maybe a few more dead ones that sharp–eyed gulls had spotted and turned into a meal. To see several hundred half shells littered across the beach was a shock,” he wrote.
Manson returned the following day to take the picture accompanying the written version of this article, which he wrote, “was taken on a 2 ft tide, following 5-6 days of very low tides, one of which was a negative tide ( the 25th ), and that is a rare event.”
Cortes Island biologist Sabina Leader-Mense added that, “the cockle die off Mike Manson observed is classic, as cockles have the shortest siphons, sitting at shallow depths, where they are vulnerable to the heat.”
A Squirrel Cove resident who did not wish to be identified said there was a persistent stench coming from the beach beside his home as long as the high temperatures persisted. He suggested there may have been a ‘partial die off’ of the oysters.
Curt Cunningham, owner/manager of the Squirrel Cove, and his sister Lynne Cunningham, also noticed the unusual odour. They said some of the store’s customers complained about the smell.
A week after the return to normal temperatures, Michele Douglas from the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), carried out a quick survey of the area.
“The first thing is I actually smelled a bit of a different beach odour than I would normally have smelled. Sometimes low tide can small a bit sulphury, but this just kind of smelled dead one would say. It was definitely an unpleasant odour,” she said.
Douglas found ‘quite a few live oysters’ and ‘quite a few that looked like they had died recently’ between the boat launch and dock.
She believed that the death was recent, “If the shell was open a little bit and you could pry it open and there was also still some organic material in there. I also sniffed them, If it smelled pretty fresh, then I presumed it had died in the last week or so.”
Douglas counted 10-12 dead oysters. Not having carried out any previous examinations in Squirrel Cove, she did have a base line to compare her findings with.
There was a questioning tone in her voice, “It is hard to say if there are always dead oysters on the beach? Or maybe it is totally related to this heat wave?”
The temperatures at Squirrel Cove Store – courtesy Mike Manson The odour at Mansons Lagoon Douglas and Max Thaysen, FOCI’s Acting Executive Director, also investigated a report that there were die offs in Mansons Lagoon. They did not find any dead oysters or clams.
“We dug into the surface and pulled out a couple of clams. They looked pretty happy and the oysters looked okay, but there was a little bit of the decaying sea-life smell that I would not attribute as normal thing to smell at those beaches, she said.
Douglas added, “It was a lot more apparent at Squirrel Cove.”
Leader-Mense added, “These temperature related die offs are not new; the extent, possibly yes, but not the occurrence of… We have witnessed them in Manson’s Lagoon over the years when the hottest days of the year correspond with the lowest tides of the year.”
“The blue mussels that once lined the edges of the channel into manson’s lagoon have never returned after being cooked in their shells one summer afternoon at low tide (about 1998); We were there to witness… unbelievable.”
Image credit: Cortes Island tides - courtesy Mike Manson
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - On Thursday, June 28th, 2021, the Cortes Island Foundation obtained charitable status.
This has been a goal since the organization’s beginnings.
As they did not have charitable status, in 2018 the Foundation had to partner with the Cortes Island Senior’s Society (CISS) to raise the funds needed to purchase the 51 acre parcel now known as Rainbow Ridge.
According to Vice President/Treasurer Mark Spevakow, the Cortes Island Foundation’s role ended when the Cortes Community Housing was formed.
“A regular charity has one main focus - dealing, for example, with hunger, education or the lake - their whole reason to be is usually one specific cause. It can be a broad cause, but it is one specific cause. Community foundations are the exact opposite. We cannot focus on one cause, we have to focus on the entire community in general,” he said.
He used the analogy of a wheel. Community foundations are the hub, which channels funding, assistance and personal help to the charities around it.
The Cortes Foundation recently purchased a grants database, that enables all of the island’s other charities to locate information about funders throughout Canada.
They have also provided funding for microgrants on the island and enabled the Cortes Island Women’s Centre to purchase computers.
The next level
Now that they have charitable status, Spevakow says the foundation wants to move to the next level.
“The Cortes Island Foundation wants to be a place that bequests can be left to. There is a sense of comfort, that money can be left to the entire island community,” he explained. “Someone can leave a bequest to the community as a whole and that was not an option before.”
Now that they have charitable status, the foundation can flesh out all of its governance and committees.
The Cortes Island Foundation incorporated as a BC Society in 2017.
The real push came with the Rainbow Ridge project, the following year.
“There wasn’t a vehicle set up that funds could be put into with charitable status. So that’s when a partnership with the Senior’s Society was set up, because they were a full charity. If funds were donated to them, a tax receipt could be issued. Rainbow Ridge moved down the road that way,” explained Spevakow.
This also provided the push for the Cortes Island Foundation to seek charitable status. There was a call to arms. Some of the original members returned and new recruits, like Spevakow, joined them.
They were in the midst of this process when COVID slowed everything down, but they persisted and finally obtained charitable status a little more than a week ago.
Spevakow added, “When other opportunities come down the road, we will have the right vehicle in place.
Photo credit: Mark Spevakow Photo courtesy Mark Spevakow
Roy L Hales/CKTZ News - The Quadra Island farmers market reopened on July 3rd, after 18 months, and the busiest table appears to have been writing letters to John Horgan in defence of old growth forests.
Self proclaimed ‘rabble rouser’ Geraldine Kenny had an idea. In addition to the usual form letters, she brought four clip boards, paper and pens. As people passed her table, she asked if they would like to write a letter.
“And they all said yes!” said a very excited Kenny.
It turns out ‘they’ were young people; “Older people, even Quadra residents” were not as interested.
“All the young people grabbed at the chance to write a letter. Many of them said, ‘Oh I always wanted to write a letter but never got round to it,” said Kenny. “Most of these were young women, in the company of their friends, so there were three or four together. I had four clipboards and they were scribbling away: sitting in the grass; crouched by the table; kneeling at the table; standing up.”
There was no hesitation when Kenny asked if they wanted to read their letters out.
“When one letter was read out, we all clapped and applauded, and the next one read out her letter. It was so empowering and I am going to say beautiful.”
The Quadra Island Farmers Market wasn’t as busy as in pre-COVID times. Instead of “up to 50 tables,” the organizers allowed 20. There was a “comfortable flow through of visitors,” channeled in a clockwise direction.
At the end of the four hour market, there were 50 letters for Premier Horgan.
Some of the letters - photo by Rod Burns
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - An article in the Spring 2021 edition of the Truck Loggers Association magazine, gives an industry perspective of the movement to protect Old Growth forests.
The author, Ian MacNeill, points to what he believes is a glaring omission in the province’s Old Growth Strategic Review. It does not “talk much about” the social economic impact that further curtailments would have on communities that rely on forestry “and where old growth timber makes up a significant part of the harvesting basket.” MacNeill writes that the authors assume that communities will transition to other activities, but do not suggest what these activities might be.
The Strategic Review calls for a two year deferment on sites with the potential to grow very large trees. They are said to cover less than 3% of the province and more than 97% of the old growth on these sites is logged off.
The report does not suggest that any actions be taken in the 80% of forests classified as ‘old growth,’ where the trees are small.
MacNeill does not mention this distinction, but writes that the communities further curtailment would impact are already financially squeezed.
With three of Mackenzie’s four mills currently in curtailment, the job count has dropped from 650 to 275.
Mayor Gabby Wickstrom of Port McNeill pointed out that taking old growth out of the equation would mean a 50% decrease in the cut. She also takes issue with the idea that old growth are threatened in northern Vancouver Island.
“On the North Island, 76% of the old growth is outside the timber harvesting land base,” says Wickstrom.
Dallas Smith, President of the Nanwakolas Council on Vancouver Island, points out that industry would be crippled if it could not log old growth.
Smith says, the Provincial report ”paints a picture we had known existed for a long time, but it does not discuss long term solutions.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Human rights lawyer and climate activist Jessica Wegg will be the Green Party candidate for North Island-Powell River during the next Federal election.
“We can’t keep having 40 degree summers in Comox, or wildfires destroying towns. There were tornadoes in Washington DC yesterday. It is so obvious, so apparent and completely unsustainable. And I need to know that I did everything in my power to make it better,” she said.
According to Philippe J Fournier, of Macleans Magazine and the website 338Canada, the rumours swirling around Ottawa suggest the election will be in late summer or early next fall.
“Crunching the numbers over the weekend, the only question that kept popping in my head is: Why?” he wrote.
Recent polls suggest that if the election were held now, there would be another Liberal minority government.
The most recent 338Canada’s projection was made a week ago, at which point the Greens were leading in two Vancouver Island ridings: Saanich-Gulf Islands (a safe seat) and Nanaimo-Ladysmith (where they allegedly lead by a mere 1%).
During the weeks leading up to the last Federal election, 338Canada’s projects often showed the Greens leading in four of the seven island ridings. North Island-Powell River wasn’t one of them, but in late August they were shown within 5% of the leading NDP. This groundswell of support disappeared in the week prior to the election and two Green MPs went to Ottawa.
“I know that the Green Party made a strong showing in the last election and that was with people from the NDP telling them that they were going to split the vote, and it was a wasted vote. Making people think they would have to vote orange otherwise the Liberals or Conservatives were going to win,” said Jessica Wegg.
“People can’t be afraid anymore and I think they are seeing that. We have to focus on what is in our hearts and what we know. I think people are ready to do that.”
Photo credit: Jessica Wegg and her son at the provincial legislature - courtesy Jessica Wegg
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Cortes Island stores celebrated Canada day, but not because of the nation’s Confederation 154 years ago.
British Columbia began step three of its restart plan. Face masks are no longer mandatory. People can gather in larger numbers and go to restaurants.
The Floathouse Restaurant “You can definitely tell that things are changing. The last couple of weeks it has been a steady uptick. This weekend in particular, starting yesterday. We were closed for the heatwave, but it was like somebody flicked a switch. Everybody is out and there are people moving around. I would say it is almost business as usual. I have no comparison. I wasn’t here in a regular summer before,” said Carol Pierce of the Floathouse Restaurant, when we finally connected via ZOOM shortly after 8 PM.
She estimated there were 50 people in the restaurant and another 50 to 60 listening to a live performance in the lawn below. The Gorge Harbour Store was just closing. Carol believed it was ‘adult swim’ in the pool, but that is another in part of the resort.
“It is nice to see people out again and everybody seems happy to be out,” she said.
Gorge Harbour Marina There had easily been 40 people at the Gorge Harbour Marina when Cortes Currents arrived earlier that afternoon. They were everywhere: in the pool, the parking lot, the General Store. The tables out on the deck of the Floathouse were packed with customers. More were waiting to be seated. When I asked for an interview, Carol said 8 PM.
Down at the dock, General Manager Bill Dougan agreed to a ZOOM chat at 4 PM. When that didn’t work, he suggested 6 PM, but later texted, “I am crushed and cannot see getting off my docks until closer to 8 tonight, can we reschedule you for tomorrow?”
Photo Credit: Boats arriving in Squirrel Cove - courtesy Curt Cunningham
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - For the second year in a row, the SRD Board approved the grant-in-aid allocations recommended by Cortes Island’s non-profit sector.
“In the last ten years, I have received grant-in-aid applications on my own, adjudicated them as I saw fit and then made those recommendations to the Board. As I am phasing out of politics and really wanting to empower social profits here on the island, last year we experimented with democratizing the selection process. All of the social profits organizations were invited to participate,” explained Regional Director Noba Anderson.
It was a lot of work and “a little too transparent.” (Everyone could see how everybody else was voting, or not voting.)
This year’s process was more streamlined.
“I invited organizations to specifically apply for organizational development funds, not core funding or special projects,” explained Anderson.
More than $56,000 worth of applications came in, but Cortes Island’s Grant-in-Aid allocation is only $25,000.
This meant that, “If you are going to fund some projects really well, everybody is not going to receive funding.”
As they evaluated the applications, the selection committee asked questions like:
“What’s the history of the organizations success in these kinds of projects?” “Are they generally prone to collaboration” “Is this an exciting initiative?” “What kind of leverage opportunities does it bring?” “Could it seed self sufficiency into the future?” “Have they received a lot of grant-in-aid funding in the past? If so maybe give it to somebody else.” Three of the top four recipients in last year’s selection process – The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), Cortes Island Women’s Centre and Linnaea Farm – were not recommended this year. The fourth, Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), will receive $1,500.
The Klahoose First Nation will receive what is possibly the largest grant-in-aid ever awarded to a Cortes Island organization.
“They have only received a grant-in-aid once, I believe – perhaps twice, and their application just really caught the attention of the selection committee. It was essentially to hire a grant writer, to take advantage of so many funding opportunities available to the nation – but they haven’t had the capacity within their individual departments to go after them. That was a real leverage application,” explained Anderson.
She added, “From there, we just about fully funded the requests from Folk University and Cortes Radio … Cortes Housing wants to do a housing survey … to help decide how it can expand its work beyond the Rainbow Ridge project. CCHA and the museum … are the organizations that know how to write grants and made a great proposal. CCEDA received just a fraction of what it asked for. They had three or four different projects and we funded one of those.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Phase three of BC’s restart plan starts today.
In Phase three According to Dr Bonnie Henry, Masks are recommended in public indoor settings for people who are not yet fully vaccinated, but no longer mandatory.
You can go to restaurants, pubs and nightclubs – but are asked not to dance, or socialize between tables.
Sports and fitness exercises are permitted, but the number of spectators is limited. (Outdoors – 5,000 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is greater; Indoors – 50 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater)
While it may be premature to call North Vancouver Island COVID free, there have been no active cases reported since June 28th.
Island Health reported a single active case in the five days preceding this, but not which of the four Local Health Areas he or she lived.
Cases are regarded as active for 14 days.
Last night the BC Centre Disease Control released its Local Health Area map for the epi-week of June 20th to 26th. There were no cases reported in Greater Campbell River, the Comox Valley or any other Local Health Area in North Vancouver Island.
Photo credit: Dr Bonnie Henry courtesy Province of BC via Wikipedia (CC BY SA, 3.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - In the midst of heat wave that is breaking temperatures across British Columbia, the BC Wildfire Service is imposing a ban on any open fires, including campfires, fireworks, tiki torches, outdoor stoves, sky lanterns, burn barrels and more in the Greater Campbell River Area (which includes Cortes, Read and quadra Islands).
This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout B.C. this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province. These conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.
Campbell River set a new record - 39.6°C - on Sunday. Powell River and Comox set new records, of 38.4 and 38, Monday. The heat wave has resulted in 65 deaths in Vancouver, 25 in Burnaby, 20 in Surrey.
“ The current heat wave is a reminder that time is running out. B.C.’s lack of climate action has severe consequences that are already being felt today. We need immediate policy change guided by what science shows is needed to save life as we know it.” said Jens Wieting, Sierra Club BC’s senior forest and climate campaigner.
BC’s emissions have risen at least 27% from 1990 until 2019, the last year we have publics records for. During this same period, the European Union’s emissions dropped 28%.
“If B.C. truly wants to become a climate leader, the province must follow the example of those countries that are setting climate targets based on what is needed to safeguard a livable climate, not wishful thinking. Meeting science-based targets will require stopping all new fossil fuel development, ending fossil fuel subsidies and phasing out the use and production of fossil fuels as quickly as possible.”
Photo credit: Boy on beach by Monica Gozalo on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Twincomm is partnering with CityWest, in their work towards bringing fibre optic to Cortes Island and the surrounding communities. They have signed an agreement in principle.
In a press release, issued yesterday, Twincomm stated, “with CityWest may be the best possible solution for Twincomm, our customers, and our team having the support and services CityWest has to offer. Their experience in smaller, remote communities in northern BC, including the west coast, and their aligning mission and values will be an asset to the communities Twincomm currently serves.”
Over the years, Twincomm’s customer base has expanded from Cortes Island, west to Quadra Island, east to Lund, as far south as Texada Island and the island communities in between.
After 18 years with Twincomm, Dino Tsakonas has left the company and, as of Monday, June 28, works for City West.
Colleen Dragseth is now the General Manager.
Everything else remains much the same.
Twincomm will continue to provide the people within its service area internet connection and tech support.
Their rates actually improved in 2021 and Twincomm doesn’t foresee any upcoming changes.
(Other news in podcast)
Illustration credit: Internet by x61.sh via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Local naturalist George Sirk just completed the Cortes Island 2021 Birdathon.
Only possible during a two month period
“We only get about two months of great singing here,” he explained.
“When you hear a bird singing, that means it is on its territory, whether it is an acre, five acres or twenty acres of land. When we listen to our Robins or beautiful Swainson Thrushes, they are on territory. The males are usually the ones that sing. Females are either incubating, or the birds will share incubation. It depends on the species, but they will live on that one acre until they have raised their young and they have fledged.”
Sirk describes his travels around the island as a breeding bird census. For example, the Olive-sided Flycatcher that he hears will remain on territory until its young fledge.
“You get an idea where everything is nesting: singing birds do not wander around the island …” he explained.
The singing starts petering out in July and is really scarce by August.
“The birds are still here. The babies are fattening up. They’re fledged and flying around, but they are quiet,” said Sirk.
This makes taking a bird census much more difficult, because you would have to see the birds.
They are also no longer on territory.
Lots more in the podcast
Photo credit: Breakfast for a Robin by Eric Sonstroem via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - TELUS most likely did not anticipate any Cortes Island reactions when it sprayed herbicides over its property in Mansons Landing.
“I was just outraged. In this day and age, who is going out there and spraying their whole property, every square metre of it, with poison. And why weren’t we notified?” said Cortes Island naturalist George Sirk.
According to the notice on their fence, TELUS used two substances
(1) VP 480 is for selective weed control and the producer warns "May cause an allergic skin reaction. Causes eye irritation" and also "Material is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms on an acute basis"
(2) Banvel VM is a commercial herbicide which the producer states “controls deciduous and coniferous brush species and broadleaf weeds in pasture and rangeland, and non-cropland areas, such as roadsides, hydro, pipeline and railway rights-of-way, airports, military bases, wasteland and similar non-cropland areas, as well as broadleaf weeds in established turf.” It should not come into contact "with skin, eyes, and clothing" and is "toxic to aquatic organisms and non-target terrestrial plants."
All of the grass within their compound, and for a foot or so outside the chain link fence, is dead.
At this point, no Mansons Landing residents are known to have received prior letters of notification.
TELUS did not publish notices on the Tideline, Cortes Marketer, Cortes Currents, Cortes Radio or any other local media outlet.
Nor has TELUS responded to Cortes Currents queries about the affair.
Cortes Island naturalist George Sirk discovered the incident and gives us an overview of the environmental impacts, in his own unique manner of speaking.
As the ‘dead zone’ extends a foot beyond TELUS’ fence, Sirk asks if this is public land and did TELUS’ permit include spraying on it?
What about the snakes, spiders and other insects on TELUS’ property?
“It is peak nesting season for all the birds. Right across the street from the street, there is a White Crowned Sparrow. The White Crowned Sparrow is a seed eater. It would probably go in there and get the seeds that are being cut down. Or the insects that are there: the ones that survive if this stuff kills insects. And it is not just the Sparrows, there are other birds in the area. The Swanson Thrushes, for instance, are beautiful singers and would feed through that area. So here we are nesting season and they are spraying!” said Sirk. “That is ridiculous, in 2021 to spray in nesting season!”
Cortes Island School, Medical Centre and the Cortes Senior’s village are just up Beasley road.
“In their notice it says they sprayed at 1 PM. So did they notify the school to make sure that the kids did not go outside? You may say 300 or 400 metres, that’s a long way - no, it is not a long way. Beasley is a wind tunnel, going right up the road,” said Sirk.
There may also be drainage issues.
“Right at the edge of the property is a whopping big ditch. The water comes Bealey Road and right past their property. So just a few beyond the sprayed area is that ditch. Where is that ditch going? Across the property on the other side of Rexford Road and into the ocean. What’s down there” the clam beds, the oyster beds and all the marine life that is there as well…” said Sirk.
TELUS intends to erect a cell phone tower on this site: so are they going to build a foundation for it? If so, what are they going to do with all the contaminated soil? What about any residue left behind?
(There is much, much more in the podcast.)
Photo of TELUS' notice (posted inside the fence) - Roy L Hales photo
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News -As of noon on Thursday June 24th, there has been a partial fire ban in the Greater Campbell River area.
Categories 2 and 3 fires are now prohibited in our area. Type 3 is an industrial burn, that would be piled up with a machine. Type 2 is smaller and mostly associate with backyards.”
“Campfire are still going to be allowed … but we are asking the public to be extremely cautious. A campfire cannot be more than half a metre by half a metre (18 x 18 inches). It has to be on mineral soil. You have to have a fuel guard around your campfire. You cannot leave your fire unattended and must have tools or 8 litres of water on hand to put your campfire out. The fire pit must be cool to the touch before you leave the area,” said Julia Caranci of the Coastal Fire Centre, BC Wildfire Service.
The fire danger risk went form to to moderate, and in some areas even high, in just a little over a week.
“The forests are getting dry and stressed. We want people to know because they may not be aware just how quickly that change has happened in just a little over a week,” said Caranci. There are no fire areas in our area at this time. The closest fires are in Hope and there is also a small fire in Ucluelet.
“Our forecasters and predictive service specialists are saying the end of June and beginning of July are going to be warmer than seasonal in many parts of the province, In the Southern half of BC, the forest complexes are beginning to reach elevated drought conditions, with high temperatures and low relative humidity values. These conditions can contribute the potential for worsening wildfire conditions, when ignition happens,” explained Caranchi.
She added, “All of the fires we have had so far this season has been human caused and every human caused wildfire is preventable. So we are asking the public to be extremely cautious so that we do not have more human caused fires.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Twenty businesses and organizations are recommending that the federal government not renew BC’s fish farm licenses, when they come up for renewal next year.
BC is the only West Coast jurisdiction that allows fish farms. There are no open net fish farms in Oregon. They have been banned in California, Alaska and Washington state.
A total of 109 federal salmon farm licenses, held by MOWI Canada West, Cermaq Canada, Creative Salmon and Grieg Seafood, which will expire between June and September 2022.
On June 23rd, independent biologist Alexandra Morton told Cortes Currents, “Myself, Watershed Watch and Clayoquot Action put out a news release to inform British Columbians that all of the salmon farm federal licenses are about to expire. Most of them are expiring next June and others later that summer. We want to let people know that the same process that happened in the Discovery Islands is going to be replaying in all the First Nations territories where this industry is sited.”
The BC Salmon Farmers Association’s response was to point to their recent press release about the study “Aquaculture mediates global transmission of a viral pathogen to wild salmon.”
Lead author, Gideon Mordecai, told Cortes Current, “Our findings show that salmon farms are, indeed, a source of infection for wild fish. Viruses leave a genetic fingerprint. The genetic fingerprint shows that the same viruses that are on the farms are in the wild fish. All the evidence suggests that the virus is being transmitted from the farm to wild fish. I haven’t seen any evidence that says that’s not happening,”
In their response, BC Salmon Farmers wrote “Pathogen detection does not equate to disease … Given that there have been no major die-offs, or significantly high numbers of uncontrollable fish health events on farms, it does not stand to reason that BC farmed salmon are spreading highly infectious and harmful diseases to wild populations.”
Lots more in the podcast
Photo credit courtesy Alexandra Morton's website
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - On Wednesday June 23, the province of British Columbia recognized Barry Glickman for his role in developing emergency communications within the Strathcona Regional District. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said, “I am very happy to congratulate Barry Glickman on receiving the Public Safety Lifeline volunteer award for emergency communications. Barry’s insatiable commitment to radio communications is contagious and he has been a champion and mentor tall those he works with.”
Four of the province’s other public safety volunteers were also recognized.
Barry was on the Board of Cortes Community Radio from 2016 until 2020 and, together with his wife Amanda is responsible for virtually everything we have accomplished in terms of emergency radio communication.
Thanks to their influence, Cortes Radio entered into an MOU with the Strathcona Regional District in 2017.
Working together with Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District, they obtained a packet VHF system and associated tower for the radio station. Barry and Amanda helped install it. These three were also involved in our obtaining a ‘radio in a box.’
From 2016 to 2019, Barry and Amanda were the key organizers of a number of emergency communication training exercises. During this period, they were also travelling to different parts of Vancouver island to train other communities how to use emergency communication devices.
They now live in Campbell River.
Shaun Koopman, SRD Protective Services Coordinator, said “Barry, his wife Amanda and dogs Salty and Murphy are the foundation of our Regional Emergency Radio Communications Team. I cannot even begin to fathom how many hours, kilometers, water taxis and ferry trips Barry has put in over the years to help build our strong regional program, which currently has 40 volunteers”
“Barry freely shares his knowledge even at times of personal difficulty. He is always thinking of a new way to meet today's needs and face tomorrows challenges. His quiet strength helps mold our team and his wicked sense of humor makes the bumps in the road pass that much smoother.” Said Fred Perkins, Emergency Radio Communications (ERC) Team Member. “When working a station, it is a treat to have Barry beside you.”
Roy L Hales/CKTZ News - The following report comes from someone who is not a lawyer, not familiar with legal terminology and will most likely change after written court documents with the correct terminology becomes available.
In a phone- in- session on the une 24, Justice Geoffrey Gaul dismissed BC Supreme Court case S15097, Anderson vs SRD (Strathcona Regional District).
There was not question about Regional Director Noba Anderson’s innocence in the suit that 14 Cortes residents brought against her in January 2019. A previous court found there was no basis for these allegations and it was dismissed
This suit revolved around: the SRD’s decision to not pay Ms Andersons legal costs the SRD’s decision to censure Ms Anderson for showing her lawyer confidential SRD documents, while seeking his legal advice the question of court costs
From the beginning, Justice Gaul made it clear that his role was not to question the SRD’s decisions, but rather to determine whether the process by which they came to their conclusions was reasonable. The burden of proof that the SRD’s decisions were not reasonable rested with Ms Anderson.
According to the legal petition brought against her, “Anderson took money from her constituents for personal gain and a number of these constituents received gifts and grants in return.” By the time this case reached court, the lawyers from both sides agreed this allegation was without basis. (All 12 examples were shown to be erroneous!)
Justice Gall ruled that this was a personal matter and had nothing to do with Ms Anderson’s conduct as a Regional Director.
He ruled that the process by which the SRD came to this conclusion was reasonable: they looked at the associated documents and discussed them etc.
While he agreed that Director Anderson had a right to consult with her lawyer, Justice Gaul said the documents she showed him belonged to the SRD Board. Had she asked their permission, she could have appealed to the court. As she did not ask the SRD’s permission, Justice Gaul ruled they were entirely within their rights to censure her.
Court costs were awarded to the SRD, which has until July 9th to submit a list.
Director Anderson’s lawyers have another week to reply.
It has not yet been determined whether Director Anderson will mount an appeal.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The old Schoolhouse Gallery reopening, on Cortes Island, will be next month
“Right now we’re just trying to put together a small, but potent and exciting, art experience for the rest of the summer. Everything I am going to tell you is tentative, we’ve only started with the planning, trying to get things going again. So we are anticipating a members show in late July, beginning on (Thursday) July 22nd, said Kristen Schofield Sweet, one of the gallery’s directors.
Schofield-Sweet said that because of COVID, the gallery only had one exhibit last year. “What Matters Most” ran from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Thursdays to Sundays, September 10th to 20th, 2020.
“It was brilliant. I’m not so sure that the community itself ever got thanked clearly for really stepping up. Everybody had a great time. Nobody crowded in. Everybody wore a mask. Lots of people enjoyed sitting out in the tent in front, kind of supervising the experience,” explained Schofield-Sweet.
This gave the Board confidence when it came to planning a short season this year.
“I think that we’ve learned to self monitor and take care of each other quite brilliantly. So even though it will still be within some relaxed COVID protocols - more than 5 people, you decide whether to wear a mask (depending on whether or not they are still required) - this time the Board’s conversation was really quite lovely. There was this great sense of trust. ‘Oh well. we all know what to do,” said Schofield-Sweet.
They are planning four exhibitions, during a season that will run from July 22nd to September 12th, 2021.
The Gallery will be open Thursdays to Sundays, 2 -6 PM Anyone wishing to participate is reminded to join the Gallery or Renew their membership, as only members can participate.
You can put up to two pieces of art in the show.
Checks can be sent as an e-transfer to the schoolhouseartgallery@gmail.com
Schofield-Sweet pointed out, “ this is probably the most mistake ridden email ever because people put ‘Old’ Schoolhouse in front of it, but the email address is ‘school house are gallery’ - no ‘old.’
Artists are asked to mail confirmations - as to whether or not they will participate - by July 8, 2021.
There will not be an opening reception. Food and alcohol, a normal component of pre-COVID receptions, will not be served.
“We have invited three other solo shows to make a small season this year, but none of that is confirmed. So I am not using any names or anything,” said Schofield-Sweet.
She added, “So the 2021 season will be short, but hopefully sweet and powerful. We are asking folk=s who haven’t been involved in the gallery before to participate. Email myself at usualmagic@gmail.com if you want more information about how you might participate: hanging a show; learning how to receive work; sit the gallery, There is lots of things to do.”
There will be an all members and artists meeting in September.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The Strathcona Regional District is informing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that it objects to the limited consultation process TELUS is carrying out for a proposed Cell phone tower on Quadra Island.
The proposed 63 metre tower at 657 Industrial Way would serve the Quathiaski Cove area and along West Road up to Heriot Bay.
On June 4th, TELUS sent out notification packages wrote letters to property owners living within 189 meters of the site. This is accordance with a regulation that they inform property owners within a radius of three times the proposed tower height, measured from the tower base or the outside perimeter of the supporting structure.
They also ran notices in the Birds Eye, Quadra’s weekly Newspaper, on June 9th and 16th.
Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting promised, “I will acknowledge receipt of comments and questions received within 14 days and address all relevant and reasonable concerns within 60 days. The commenting member of the public will then have 21 days to reply to the response. A summary of all comments received and our responses will then be submitted to ISED.”
This is not the public hearing process used within the SRD.
At last week’s meeting, Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch told the SRD Board, “This is very similar to a resolution and a report that the Board entertained for Cortes Island probably a month ago. TELUS is proposing to install cell towers, as well, on Quadra Island and refusing to really engage with consultation.”
“Myself and the Director have met with Innovation, Science and Economic Development and been informed that, in fact, the community has to provide concurrence in the setting of the cell tower and so we want to, once again, provide our opposition to the cell towers unless proper consultation is conducted throughout the area.”
The Strathcona Regional District Board approved a motion that Chair Brad Unger “write a letter to ISED stating that the SRD objects to the limited consultation process being conducted by Telus and does not support its application for the construction of any cell tower on Quadra Island without first conducting a public consultation process that is supported by the SRD.”
Photo: picture of the site taken from the information package on the SRD website
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - “Our findings show that salmon farms are, indeed, a source of infection for wild fish. Viruses leave a genetic fingerprint and the genetic fingerprint shows that the same viruses that are on the farms are in the wild fish. All the evidence suggests that the virus is being transmitted from the farm to wild fish and I haven’t seen any evidence that says that’s not happening,” said Dr Gideon Mordecai is a viral ecologist at the University of British Columbia and the lead author of a paper published in Science Advances last month.
Cortes Currents was not able to connect with him until late last week, at which point I also had a list of responses from the BC Salmon Farmer’s Association.
Mordecai pointed out that most of the resulting interview questions arose from industry responses to his research:
“Which is fine and I am happy to speak to anyone who has questions and I’ll answer them to the best of my ability … (but) I didn’t put much weight to the industry response to my paper and that is because I do not think they come from a place of scientific integrity, free of bias. It is a bit like approaching an oil company to comment on the latest climate change research - you maybe wouldn’t trust the answer.”
The anonymous industry correspondent pointed out that this study comes out of of the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative (SSHI) – “and highlights yet again the long-standing concerns of the BC salmon farming industry regarding the credibility of its research.”
“Their publications have largely focused on viral discovery; they have failed to publish any scientific studies that investigate whether the viruses they discovered are actually threatening wild or farmed stocks.”
Photo: Dr Gideon Mordecai, lead author of the study - Amy Romer photo
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The Fairy Creek blockade is far from over and there are still a stream of people from the Discovery Islands going there.
Oriane Lee Johnston and two other Cortes Island residents have just returned. When I mentioned she was the eighth Cortesian that I heard of making the trek to Fairy Creek, Oriane responded, “It is quite a lot more actually.” She was informed the stream of visitors has been a pretty consistent.
Geraldine Kenny said a lot of Quadra Island residents have also gone and named three that left on Friday.
On Saturday Dr. Saul Arbess, spokesperson for the Rainforest Flying Squad, explained, “This very day there would be at least 2,000 people around headquarters and then dispatched, if they wish to go, to some of the blockade sites. Every week-end it is extraordinary. The police set up roadblocks to deflect people. I do not know how successful they were today, but there have always been 1,500 – 2,000 people that actually make it.”
Arbess described the roadblocks as illegal, and pointed out that this past week they have prevented tourists from visiting the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park and Avatar Grove.
The RCMP report for Saturday June 19th mentions seven people arrested after they were removed from various locking and tripod devices. Two were minors. Someone else was arrested for assaulting a police officer, which brings the total number of arrests, since the crackdown began, to 254.
“We were asked to leave on April 1st by Chief Jones of the Pacheedaht First Nation. They have collaborated, now, with the two other interested First Nations, the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht and asked all third party interests to leave while they are preparing their forest stewardship plan. We don’t know where that plan stands, what level of development it is at, but we decided it might be reasonable to look at it before we made a decision to leave,” said Arbess.
“There are other interests with the Pacheedaht and the Ditidaht. We are working in that larger traditional territory of the Pacheedaht at the invitation of elder Bill Jones, of the Pacheedaht. He has continued to be steadfast, has certainly asked us not to leave and the actual request for us to leave was never discussed with the people. Their community was not consulted on how they should respond to us.”
Photo courtesy Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The Strathcona Regional District is the latest local government to endorse the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel.
The motion
There were only two opposing votes at the SRD Board meeting on Wednesday.
The Comox Valley Regional District and municipal governments of Courtenay, Cumberland, Lantzville, Metchosin, Nanaimo, Powell River, Port Moody, and Victoria have all passed resolutions urging the province to implement this plan.
Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis introduced the motion that the Strathcona Regional District endorse the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel and write a letter to the Provincial Government in support of this document.
Mayor Davis’ recommendation
“What they came out with several months ago, was a strong set of recommendations which I think are quite fair and balanced. It is unfortunate that this did not come up as an item in our agenda until this morning, but hopefully people have had a chance to look at it - or at least look at the recommendations,” he said.
“Considering what’s going on these days, we seem to be shaping up for another war in the woods. I find that really unfortunate. I believe it is because the government has not acted quickly enough to rebalance the issue. The Premier actually endorsed this when he was running in the last election and just in the last few days the government has endorsed it once again.”
Davis described the recommendations as pretty basic:
Committing to partnerships with Indigenous Nations better data deferral of logging the remaining ‘at risk’ old growth in valley bottoms: “the high quality stuff, which is very rare now” Prioritizing ecosystem health
“There is nothing really radical here, considering how big of an issue this is. So I am really hoping the government will move on this and I hope our Directors will support it,” he said.
Campbell River Director Claire Moglove said she would be supporting the motion. She agreed that most of the recommendations are fairly straightforward. As for the somewhat controversial recommendation to protect old growth: “the Devil will always be in the detail.”
Photo credit: Aerial view of log booms by Richard Lee on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Last November, a Black Bear started raiding the fruit trees, garbage cans and compost piles in homes backing onto Basil Creek, on Cortes Island. In response to a complaint, the Conservation Officer Service brought a trap over to the island. If they had caught the bear, it would have been put down – but the Squirrel Cove Bear escaped.
As Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a volunteer co-ordinator with the Friends of Cortes Island’s wildlife COEXistence program, explained last December, “The Conservation Officer was called by someone in Squirrel Cove. This resident was feeling very fearful of the bear breaking into their home, so the Conservation Officer had no choice but to bring a trap here. Once the bear is trapped, it will be put down.”
Only, it turns out they did not catch the bear.
Yesterday, Conservation Officer Chris Hamlyn confirmed all of this, adding that was last year. If the Conservation Officer service does not receive any fresh complaints, they will not return. Hamlyn says whether the bear lives, or not, is up to the people of Cortes Island.
Photo credit: Bear by Chris Grier via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / CKTZ News - North Island Medical Health OfficerDr Charmine Enns recently gave Campbell River’s city council an overview of the pandemic’s impact on the Greater Campbell River Health Area, before and after vaccinations.
The intervention we have been waiting for “Everything we did to the point in time before we had the vaccine was to buy us time for vaccine. We had to have these population restrictions, which has caused significant harm. There were public health orders; there were public health restrictions; businesses were shut down; people were afraid,” she said.
“The vaccine is the intervention we have been waiting for. There is nothing more to wait for, this is it … and it is very effective. Not only is it effective for the previous strains of COVID, it is equally effective for the variants that we know are here – including the Delta variant.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - You are probably going to hear a lot about Rainbow Ridge trail system over the course of the next month.
As Project coordinator Sandra Wood explained, “we’re going to be doing a big publicity campaign to let the community know how we’d like to reroute the trail system.”
More coming
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - Rainbow Ridge is not one of the six Vancouver Island projects that BC Housing is funding this season. "We suspected that was a possibility because there were so many applications and so much need across the province. We definitely had our fingers crossed and hoped we would be accepted but, unfortunately, we were not,” said Elizabeth Anderson, President of the Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS).
Project coordinator Sandra Wood spoke in terms of the twenty families who had hoped they would have a more permanent rental homes next year.
“As a result, some of those people are going to leave the island. The rest of them will keep hanging on and doing the island shuffle, from seasonal rental to seasonal rental. We know that’s hard, that’s the whole reason we are doing what we are doing. It is a sad situation that I wish we had a faster solution for.”
Anderson added, “It still bothers me so much that one of the more vulnerable people, who lived on this island for many, many years, was looking for safe housing. Before he could find it, his unsafe housing burned down around him.”
Wood said, “A lot of our community members have to move twice a year. Moving out in June or July … when the owners return … and having to seek new accommodation again in September. It is so stressful for them and such a loss of productive energy. It is not a good use of their time and does not contribute to our island economy.”
Some of the island’s most creative are caught up in this. Wood observed that the time consumed by these moves could be used “creating events, creating art” or serving on the board of the island’s many volunteer organizations.
“It is a huge cost and that is why the Housing Society has worked so hard to bring this to where we are today. I want to give a big shout out to all of our supporters, all of the donors who have helped us to purchase this incredible piece of land and all of the people who have helped us do the predevelopment and design that we have accomplished in just three short years,” said Wood.
“We have to remember how much we have accomplished together. Even though we are disappointed that we weren’t selected to start construction this year, it is just a matter of time. We know the next steps we have to take.”
Roy L Hales/ CKTX News - There were two opposing logging protests in Campbell River, last Thursday.
According to Quadra Island resident Rod Burns, by the time they reached MLA Michele Babchuk’s office there would have been close to 30 people protesting in support of old growth forests. This group assembled at the Logger Mike statue. Burns was among the half a dozen, or so, that crossed over from Quadra Island. There were Campbell River residents, as well as people from Comox, Courtenay and possibly someone from Cortes Island. (Cortes Currents received an email stating the last cited individual’s intention.)
Burns said, “When we got through the [Tyee] parking lot, I looked over to my right and, oh my goodness, there was a contingent of approximately 100 forest workers, partners, a few dogs, and three logging trucks.”
He found the presence of five placard toting City Counsellors among them – Charlie Cornfield, Kermit Dahl, Colleen Evans, Ron Kerr and Sean Smyth – disconcerting.
“I though council would be trying to be neutral, and hearing all sides of the issue, but this is definitely not the case. Council definitely did not want to hear the old growth retention people,” he said.
The two groups proceeded to the joint offices of MLA Michele Babchuk and MP Rachel Blaney.
“We’re having a forestry support rally for Campbell River, coming out to support the forest industry, our families and our communities,“ Carl Sweet, a Campbell River resident and Director of the BC Forestry Alliance, told the Campbell River Mirror.
He pointed back to the pro-industry contingent, “There is a sign down there that says forestry feeds my family. It built Campbell River. Campbell River will cease to exist as we know it today, without forestry.”
“We’re not against logging, we’re against current forestry practises, because forests feed many families,” responded Burns.
More at
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - A two-year old grizzly bear’s month long visit to Quadra Island is about to come to an end.
The Conservation Officer Service (COS) set a trap for it on Tuesday.
At 4:15 PM yesterday (Thursday), COS emailed Cortes Currents that they are still monitoring the situation and in consultation with Provincial Wildlife Biologists.
Anyone spotting the bear is asked to call 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network.
Incident at SouthEnd Farm Winery
A pregnant goat disappeared from the SouthEnd Farm Winery shortly before 9 AM last Monday. The owners, Ben and Jill McGuffie, their two children and some neighbours combed the woods, but were unable to find the missing animal.
Around 9:50 that night, the McGuffie’s noticed that their two remaining goats were not in their usual spot. Ben got out of bed and stuck his head out the door for a closer look. That’s when he noticed ‘something large and brown’ chasing one of his goats. Clad in nothing but his underwear, McGuffie grabbed a deck brush and ran outside to intervene, His wife Jill followed with a piece of plywood. They started yelling. Ben started questioning his sanity, when the grizzly came to a stop ten metres away. He threw his brush at the animal. when that didn’t faze the bear, Ben threw a rock.
“I think I got it. I don’t image missing it would have made it take off. It took off into the hill at the back,” he later told CTV news.
The McGuffies have brought their two remaining goats inside their home until the situation is resolved.
Much more in podcast
Photo credit: Beary Thoughts by Matthias Götzke on Unsplash
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ News - The most recent provincial modelling shows that if enough British Columbians are vaccinated and personal interactions remain well below pre-pandemic levels, we may nearly wipe out COVID 19 by September.
While the number of active cases in North Vancouver Island has risen slightly since CKTZ’s report last week, from 5 to 8, the most recent data BC Centre for Disease Control report states that most of have a Daily case rate of zero out of 100,000.
The exception is the Comox Valley, where the rate has risen to 1 per 100,000.
In the most recent map, for the EPI week ending on June 5th, there were 3 cases in the Comox Valley.
There were no cases in the Greater Campbell River Health Area. This is an improvement over last week’s report, when there was I. As the numbers in the Surveillance Dashboard are obviously rounded off, it states the daily rate has dropped from zero to zero.
As of yesterday, the number of active cases on Vancouver Island has dropped to 49. Eight of these were in North Vancouver Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Radio - At the request of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations, BC is deferring old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek watershed and central Walbran areas.
Roy L Hales/ CKTZ news - One of Cortes Island’s biggest employers, Hollyhock, is reopening for in-person sessions on June 25th.
“We open with one of our most popular local presenters, Bill Ophoff, who does Discover Cortes. I am really excited to open 2021 with Bill, who has been at Hollyhock for almost 30 years,”said CEO Peter Wrinch.
“We’ll be opening the dining room. I don’t even know how long we’ve had buffet style dining, but we’re moving to plated service. We purchased a custom stretch tent from Shady Spaces, in Cumberland, so people can eat outside. People can also sit out on our beachfront deck. There will be heaters for cooler days.
They are also offering more options for outdoor gatherings.
Hollyhock is also promoting itself as a tourist destination for short term holidays.
“We know that people in the city want to come to beautiful places like Cortes Island. When it feels safe to do so, this could be a real respite for folks” explained Wrinch.
He described Hollyhock’s business model as one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. It is similar to a hotel, with dining, and also brings people together for group sessions.
“So our big thing has been, how can we maintain any kind of business levels with restrictions? Luckily we’re seeing BC turn a corner and the restrictions are lifting.”
Hollyhock currently has 592 registrations and Wrinch says they might reach 1,000 by the end of the year.
Prior to the Pandemic, there were 1,800 to 2,000 visitors during an average year.
There is another side to Hollyhock’s business story. They launched on the internet 15 months ago.
“As of today, Monday, we had 627 registrations for virtual programs during 2021. Our virtual programs for this year are already exceeding last year,” said Wrinch.
All photos courtesy Hollyhock
Roy L Hales/CKTZ news - On June 8th, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced the guiding principles of what may be largest government action to save pacific salmon stocks in Canadian history.
“Pacific salmon stocks are in steep decline due to climate change, habitat loss and other increasing threats. Coastal First Nations, stewardship organizations and harvester groups have been calling for urgent, dramatic action to save these populations and today our government is launching the new $647.1 million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative,” she said.
This program is to rest on four key pillars: Conservation and stewardship; Enhanced hatchery production; Harvest transformation; and Integrated management and collaboration.
While the challenge is great, the government says it will work with a wide range of Indigenous partners, harvesters, recreational fishers, stakeholders, and communities who depend on Pacific salmon.
“Together, we can do this,” said Jordan.
The announcement comes at a time when the Liberal party has declared a "state of electoral urgency," a procedural move that allows it to speed up the nomination processes for candidates in the next federal election. According to the CBC, speeding up the pace of recruitment is the latest sign that there may be an election this fall.
Max Thaysen, acting Director of the Friends of Cortes Island, and Aaron Hill, Executive Director of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society share their perceptions of this announcement.
Photo credit: close-up of Chum Salmon face courtesy Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “Our results suggest that sea-louse counts reported by the salmon farming industry are lower than the true abundance of parasites on their fish. When the federal government audited a sea-louse count, the industry’s mean counts for that month increased by a factor of 1.18 for L. salmonis and by 1.95 for C. clemensi.” - Sean Godwin et al, Bias in self-reported parasite data from the salmon farming industry.
Dr Sean Godwin is the lead author of eight of the fifteen scientific papers listed on his website. The bulk of these explore interactions between wild and farmed salmon. One of the most troubling, published in the journal Ecological Application, is a survey that showed Fish farms underreporting sea lice during the months they are not audited by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“The period of study in that paper was 2011 to 2016. It involved every salmon farm that operated in British Columbia during that time. What we found was that when DFO Auditors were there to check in on the salmon farm counts, the industry counters were higher …,” he said.
Godwin said that while this is not true in every single case, it is the overall trend.
“Once we took into account all these other things that upset sea lice numbers - like temperature, salinity, location and all these things - there was this really obvious effect across the board. When DFO Auditors were there, the accounts were higher and when DFO Auditors were not here, the counts were lower.”
The BC Salmon farmer’s Association emailed a previously published statement, “ …The report by Sean Godwin et. al is presented as a direct comparison of sea lice data collected by salmon farmers and submitted to the DFO with audits conducted by the DFO. However, that’s not what it actually does. Rather, the study’s authors created a complex model themselves to try and estimate what sea lice counts should have been in the past, and report on variance from their own model to actual sea lice counts. The model feels rushed, and is based on assumptions that aren’t clear in the study and don’t reflect a number of complex variables including the reality of ocean conditions.”
To which Godwin responded, also by email,“The same trend we identified is present in the raw, publicly-available count data (i.e. -absent any modelling). The average industry louse counts are still ~15% less for L. salmonis and ~50% for C. clemensi when auditors are not present.”
“ … This analysis began in 2017 as part of my PhD thesis, and has taken the better part of 3.5 years to complete to our satisfaction and go through the thorough peer-review process in a leading scientific journal (to which we first submitted the manuscript last October).”
“ … Our study does not compare industry counts during audits to DFO audit counts, nor do we ever present it as doing so – we know DFO already does this … We were instead curious about what happens to industry's own counts when auditors are not present. Our use of a statistical model (fit to real industry counts) was designed to account for factors known to affect sea lice (e.g., treatments, seasonality, etc). Our use of a statistical model was in-part an honest attempt to find explanations other than industry bias.”
There is much more in the podcast
Photo credit: Tavish Campbell
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Roy L Hales/ Cortes Radio - The following report contains trigger words which some may find offensive and opinions which are not necessarily shared by Cortes Radio, its Board, staff, volunteers or listeners.
At this point, Cortes Currents is aware of 14 Discovery Island residents who made the trek to Fairy Creek and there could easily be dozens more.
Four of their stories: Hiway Hippy; Lonnie & Ralph Keller; Maureen Williams.
Photo credit: Campfire by Liv Unni Sødem via Fklickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Deep water temperatures in fjords along BC’s the Central coast have increased 1.2–1.3°C over 70 years, a recent report shows.
“These are big changes for the ocean. They are changes that can shift shift ecosystems and impact species. Oolichan, for example, don’t like being in waters that are warmer than 8°C and in some of the inlets we don’t see waters that are colder than 8°C anymore,” said Jennifer Jackson of the Hakai Institute, lead author of a study of Rivers, Knight and Bute Inlets, as well as the Douglas Channel.
She added right now the big three climate change variables that scientists are watching are warming, the loss of oxygen and acidification. They are all interlinked. Warmer waters do not hold as much oxygen, which leads to more acidification.
“The loss of oxygen trend that we are seeing in the coastal waters is really large, it is about 20% in deep water over the past 70 years. It will often put these deep waters into a realm where there is not enough oxygen for most animals to survive. It can shrink their habitat,” explained Jackson. “In the 1950s, 60’s and 70’s there was always enough oxygen throughout Bute Inlet, or Knight Inlet or Rivers Inlet, but during the last ten years there are sometimes months at a time when there isn’t enough oxygen below, say 300 metres.”
Sea Stars, zooplankton, most fish species, prawns and crabs are among the species affected by this change.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - he new daily average of COVID 19 cases per 100,000 people has dropped to zero throughout most of Vancouver Island, according to the latest data from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The exceptions are Greater Nanaimo, where the number has dropped to 2, Greater Victoria, where the rate is now 1, and the Southern Gulf Islands, where the rate is also 1 per 100,000 people.
The average daily rate of new cases per 100,000 people in Greater Campbell River, the Comox Valley and the rest of North Vancouver Island is zero.
This data is for the week of May 25th to 31st.
Another data set, also from the BC Centre of Disease Control, shows one case in the Greater Campbell River Area and 7 in the Comox Valley during the week of May 23 to 29th.
The most up to date data, released by Island Health at 4 PM on Wednesday, June 2nd states there are still 5 active cases in North Vancouver Island.
There are a total of 52 active cases on Vancouver Island, 90% of which are in South or Central Vancouver Island.
According to yesterday’s joint statement, from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, there were two new cases on Vancouver Island.
A reporter asked whether it is time for BC to adopt a regional, rather than province wide, approach to COVID.
“I believe one of the things that has allowed us to manage this pandemic in the way we have, and to keep our overall numbers low, is a co-ordinated provincial approach. We have seen the numbers decrease as the testing capacity increases, as the public health teams are doing their work, as our businesses are opening and changing around the province in sync,” replied Dr Henry.
“I don’t feel that there is a differential risk rate right now. We are having low levels of transmission in parts of the province. We’ve had a couple of new cases in the North, a couple of new cases in the Interior, but where the population is, is where we are seeing most of it. This approach has really served us well and I think we should have a continued approach unless there is good evidence not to.”
She also reported that 3,365,286 doses of vaccine have been administered in BC and more than 71% of the population has received its first dose.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents -The aquaculture sector’s response, to Alexandra Morton's report that there were low sea lice counts in the Discovery Islands arrived yesterday.
A spokesperson for Cermaq Canada emailed, “We have once again this year hired an independent environmental monitoring organization to conduct wild fish sampling in the Broughton Archipelago, the Discovery Islands and the Clayoquot Sound region. We will not have the results of this work for several weeks, so at this point, and with no access to current data, we do not have any data with which to compare the results of the 2020 wild juvenile salmonid monitoring results. Once we have those results, we will be sharing them on our website at https://www.cermaq.ca/public-trust/public-reporting. As you will see, we have been completing this work annually since 2015.”
A spokesperson for the BC Salmon Farmer’s Association responded to Alexandra Morton’s statement the sea lice numbers in the Broughton Archipelago were lower in 2020 (now that some of the farms have been removed). She claimed that “last year, some of the highest levels of sea lice were found in the Broughton area where salmon farms have been removed.”
She sent me a link to the 2020 sea lice report from the Broughton Archipelago, where its says that sea lice were on 22.8% of the salmon tested. A chart for the years 2016 to 2020, shows that 2020 had the lowest numbers for the prevalence and abundance of the sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis in Chum Salmon, but it was a middling year for Pinks. This is the sea lice Morton says everyone is watching.
2020 had the second highest number for the prevalence of the sea lice Caligus clemensi on both Pinks and Chum, and the second lowest for abundance.
These are industry statistics; Morton’s sea lice numbers are much higher.
In a previous interview, Dr Andrew Bateman explained why the Pacific Salmon Foundation believes open net fish farms should be removed from the Discovery Islands.
However Bateman also said that if the open net pens were not on migration routes it was a different topic, and he did not know enough about Cermaq’s semi-closed containment system to comment.
Carmaq’s spokesperson replied, “We agree that the health and welfare of wild salmon populations is the priority. We are trialing the semi-closed containment system in the territory of the Ahousaht Nation in Clayoquot Sound, and one of the benefits experienced in Norway, and we are seeing similar results here in Canada, is the elimination of lateral transmission of sea lice between wild and farmed populations. We will be releasing further trial updates in the coming weeks.” “As a company, we will continue to look for new innovation and technology which will improve the sustainability of salmon farming, reduce the impacts of our farming operations and create shared value and opportunity for local communities and organizations. The United Nations has shared that in order to sustainability meet the growing demand for protein, we will need to farm our oceans. Farmed salmon has one of the lowest carbon footprint of any farmed proteins, and is a healthy and sustainable choice. Cermaq Canada believes that farmed salmon has a role to play in supporting wild populations through knowledge sharing, capacity building and resource lending with local enhancement and restoration organizations, and support for ocean clean up and habitat restoration and enhancement.”
Photo of salmon steak courtesy BC Salmons Farmer's Association
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents -The wireless vs fibre optic debate is about to heat up on Cortes and Quadra Islands.
TELUS intends to erect cell phone towers on both islands during 2022, and the Connected Coast project will wrap up this fall.
Last Mile Schedule
Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson outlined the last mile schedule for cable:
“In the next week or two you’ll be receiving communications from the Strathcona Regional District about the roll out of this last mile fibre optic connectivity to your home. The intention is that mid June through July, they will be doing ‘house-drops.’ Bringing it from your pole, or the end of your driveway, literally to your house, like your hydro or telephone.”
“It will be optional, but free. You don’t have to connect up to it. If you want the house ‘house-drop’ now, you can connect up to it next year, or in ten years, or never.”
“Over the course of the later summer/fall, we’ll be running the wires down the public road system.”
Anderson added, “I would like to get all of that infrastructure in and all the funds received from senior government before we have cell phone towers, just so there isn’t any concern about us being considered ‘served’ for internet connectivity and for whatever reason some of the funding revoked.”
The wireless vs fibre optic debate
She expects the wireless vs fibre optic debate on Cortes to be “a really hot one that I don’t look forward to being in the middle of.”
“Some people think cell phone connectivity is just basic safety. Lives are lost because of it (not being in place), businesses require it and it is paramount to civilization. Others believe that the 5G that will come with these towers is cancer causing. It is everywhere in the world and lets have a pocket of sanity where that doesn’t exist.”
“I know that beliefs are held very strongly on both sides of that continuum and so I want a very significant and meaningful consultation where TELUS shares with us what they are intending on those towers, and where people have an opportunity to be heard and hear each other. If, indeed the community wants cell phone towers, I will support it and the Regional District will support it.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Now that most of the fish farms have closed down, sea lice numbers in the Discovery Islands have plummeted 95%.
“Most of the salmon farms are empty; All of the one south of Chatham Point are. Sea lice levels have plummeted over 95%. The Pink and Chum Salmon look gorgeous. This is due to the MInister’s decision and the seven First Nations who prohibited her from restocking the salmon farm,“ said independent biologist Alexandra Morton, who returned home to Sointula Friday afternoon.
Cortes Currents first learned of that there was no longer a sea lice problem on Wednesday, May 26th, when Angela Koch of Sierra Quadra gave the Strathcona Regional District Board a report from the Okisollo channel, which separates Quadra from Sonora and Maurelle Islands.
“On Sunday I talked to a couple of people who monitor, they test the smolts for sea lice every year. They said they’ve seen a 95% reduction in sea lice. So last year each smolt that they caught had an average of 9 sea lice on them. This year, there was a total of 9 sea lice on 50 fish,” she said.
These findings follow on last years report that the number of sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago, where fish farms are closing down, was significantly lower than areas where fish farms are still active.
“Those are my numbers,” said Morton.
Since April 1st, Morton says she has examined over 1,000 fish in the Discovery Islands and another 400 to 500 in Nootka Sound and Esperanza on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, “where the story is very different.”
“Last year, 50% of the farms went over the 3 adult lice limit. This was a limit that was set in 2003, by the Provincial Government, to protect wild salmon. The sea lice outbreak was horrendous. The sockeye had an average of 9 lice per fish, which we know from the DFO’s own research would have had profound impact on them,” she said.
Morton cited a 2018 study by Dr Simon Jones and two other scientists from the Pacific Biological station in Nanaimo, “which found that when young sockeye get infected with sea lice, basically they couldn’t keep the salt out of their bodies. They had a huge glucose spike, which is a serious stress response.”
One of the areas that Morton visited was the Okisollo channel which separates Quadra from Sonora and Maurelle Islands.
“One of the things that I realized now, with the farms all out of the Okisollo Channel, which is a very short body of water with a narrow ending at both ends, is that all three Norwegian companies were operating in that little body of water. There were four farms.This is the highest density of salmon farms anywhere on this coast and it is the only place where all three companies decided to operate side by side. You could not have picked a worse place because millions of salmon from the Fraser River funnel through those waters,” said Morton.
“I’ve been doing this work on and off since 2005, with the incredible assistance of Jody Erickson and Farlyn Campbell from Sonora island. Those two are incredible fishermen. They have these nets that we use to collect the fish. Sometimes we look at them alive’ sometimes we have to freeze them. In any case, I have looked at a lot of fish since 2005: a thousand this year, hundred last year. The difference is so obvious, there is no mistaking it.”
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District Board decided to not support the DFO decision to remove open net pen aquaculture from the Discovery Islands.
This was virtually a foregone conclusion, even before Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson put forward a motion of support at the May 26th Board meeting. Five of the SRD’s 14 Directors come from Campbell River, where fish farms are one of the city’s key first dollar industries. Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams and Director Charlie Cornfield have already spoken in support of this sector. The industry also has hatcheries in Sayward and Gold River, whose mayors have spoken on its behalf.
“I will not be supporting the motion. We have not been consulted, not been involved and not been engaged in this process what-so-ever. We have repeatedly said we want to be engaged by them and they failed to do it,” said Cornfield.
“This decision was not based on science. The Minister (of Fisheries) said so in her letter. It was not based on science, it was not based on expert recommendation but was to obtain social license and that was from the honourable Jordan - and I use the term honourable very lightly.”
Regional Director Brenda Leigh added, “How can you take a hard position on supporting the closure of these fish farms, when you are still asking to be consulted?”
Cornfield stressed the fact that the people employed on fish farms are the SRD’s constituents.
“They are all of our people. It’s their families and their children.It is their people who use our schools that give us the quality of education we want. They give us all our recreation facilities. They are the taxpayers who pay for all of this, pay for our salaries and they are the ones being put at risk. I do not care if you live in an electoral area, or inside a municipality, those constituents are there. It is our duty to stand up and make sure their interests are represented,” he said.
Campbell River Director Ron Kerr said he supported the men and women working in the aquaculture industry and their families.
Ironically, the two directors with fish farms in their areas, Regional Director Jim Abram of Discovery Island - Mainland Inlets and Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis, - both spoke in favour of the motion to support the DFO.
Abram pointed out that the aquaculture sector came into being in his area, adding that if the SRD wants to be part of the discussion they should vote in favour of the motion to support the DFO’s decision.
Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis said he wished this motion was to phase out fish farms throughout the SRD.
“In my community we depend of sports fishing. We’ve seen severe declines since fish farms have come into this area. The sea lice outbreaks and algal outbreaks are well documented” he began.
“Because we depend on sport fishing, we are losing work here because of the actions of fish farms on our side of the waters. So it is a bit disingenuous to say we are losing jobs everywhere. Your actions here are actually harming us.”
Cortes Islands Director Anderson acknowledged the fact that that fish farms are an important part of the economy, especially in Campbell River.
“What I am seeing is that this decision has been made and I do not expect it will be reconsidered. I would like us to be in a position of cooperation with the Federal Government, to assist in any possible way we can with this transition - in support of the industry, in support of our economy, in support of (wild) fish, tourism - the whole sector,” she said.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District Board is speaking against a new ambulance service initiative that could cripple services in rural communities like Cortes Island, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos.
BC Health Services has sent out a letter stating they intend to create 170 new ambulance service positions across the province.
What they did not say is they are cutting the pay for paramedics on standby back to $2 an hour.
Mayor Julie Colborne of Zeballos has written a letter of protest to Adrian Dix, the Minister of Health, informing him that this is not a living wage and wili cause a reduction of services in rural communities where paramedics are on standby more often than responding to calls.
While this program may work in larger communities, Colborne described the result as catastrophic in Zeballos. They maybe losing their unit chief, who has not received word as to whether he still has a job under the new system.
“Paramedics are making decisions to guard the livelihood of their families. They may be accepting positions elsewhere,” she said.
If Zeballos cannot find enough paramedics, it will need to call on Port Hardy, which is an hour and a half away, for help.
“It is paramount for us to stand up for the communities that are even further than us. This is going to do a great deal of damage to communities like Kyuquot Checleset (KCFN). So I have done extensive talking with KCFN, MLA Michele Babchuk, just trying to spread the word that this is not an increase in service,” said Colborne.
A paramedic has been coming out from Vancouver to help serve Sayward, but this will not continue now that her wages have been cut back to $2 an hour.
“We’re going to have half of our shifts not covered. This is going to be a huge problem for Sayward, as it is for Zeballos and other small communities,” said Mayor Mark Baker.
Regional Director Noba Anderson said she has been hearing similar stories from ambulance attendants on Cortes Island.
“We have had a lot of people train up under the existing system . If they are only receiving $2 an hour, they are not going to keep up with their training and they are not going to keep up with the ambulance service.So, as far as I can tell, this is actually a massive reduction in service,” she said.
“I would like to see some proactive lobby on behalf of our region as a whole, our rural communities as a whole, to the appropriate parties, to see if there is any way of rolling back or having accommodations made for communities this won’t serve.”
“We have the same issues here. We are on the verge of losing service and personally I have never understood how somebody could be paid $2 an hour, which is far below minimum wage. It is going to affect all the small communities,” said Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis.
Anderson made, and Davis seconded, the motion that was subsequently passed by the SRD Board, “That the chair request a meeting with our MLA, the Ministry of Health and affected rural communities within the SRD.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Two days into BC’s new restart plan, the BC Centre for Disease control has released a new chart which shows that the daily rate of infection rate throughout most of Vancouver Island is less than 1 per 100,000 during the week ending on Monday, May 24th.
The only places with a greater than 1 per 100,000 rate of infection are: Greater Nanaimo and the Comox Valley, where the rate is 3, and Langford/Highlands were it is 2.
There were 15 active cases in the Comox Valley during the week ending on Monday, as opposed to 18 the previous week.
This is the only Local Health Area in Northern Vancouver Island currently listed on Island Health’s school exposure. There is a cluster in Highland Secondary school in Comox, and potential exposures listed on eleven days between May 3rd and 17th.
The trend, everywhere on Vancouver Island except Greater Nanaimo and the Saanich Peninsula, is that numbers are now falling.
For the first time in months, the number of active cases on Vancouver Island has been under 100 so far this week.
Half of Vancouver island, especially in the North and West, appeared to be COVID free during the week ending Monday, May 24th.
The daily infection rate was less than 1 per 100,000 in Greater Campbell River, where the number of active cases dropped to 2 during this period, from four the week before.
Both Vancouver Island North and West appear to be clear of COVID 19.
In Greater Victoria, the numbers have fallen from 16 to 11 and the daily infection rate 1 per 100,000
We are now in phase one of of the restart plan.
Personal gatherings of up to 5 people, or another household, are now permitted indoors.
Up to ten people can meet outdoors and, if they have a COVID Safety plan, there can be more organized meetings of up to 50.
Recreational travel is permitted throughout Vancouver Island, but only essential traffic can cross to the Mainland.
If the number of case counts and hospitalizations continues to fall, BC will move to phase two of the restart plan once the 65% receives its first vaccination. Province wide travel will be permitted and outdoor personal gathers of up to 50 people. This is expected to take place in June, the earliest possible date being the15th.
Assuming that everything goes well, we could be back to something resembling a pre-COVID normal by September.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Kai Harvey of Cortes Kayaks is feeling optimistic as BC enters phase one of its new restart plan.
“We definitely have a lot of bookings from Campbell River and all up and down Vancouver Island. No one from off island has booked yet. It is nice to know that people want to travel locally, so we will be able to get by and I feel optimistic about that,” she said.
“We have two trips for Cortes youth in the works this summer, which will be really fun. Hopefully other Cortesians will want to come paddling as well. We have a local discount.”
This is her third year of business.
Photos courtesy Cortes Kayaks
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - There may be more to the enhanced emergency ambulance services being brought to rural communities like Cortes Island and Zeballos than meets the eye.
According to the letter which Darlene MacKinnon, Chief Operating Officer of BC Emergency Health Services, sent the SRD, they are creating 170 regular positions across the province. This includes regular part-time Scheduled On-Call (SOC) unit chief positions at every rural and remote station in BC that does not currently have a regular unit chief.
While this new enhanced emergency ambulance services model helps some paramedics, Mayor Julie Colbourne of Zeballos believes that the remainder will receive less pay. She wrote Adrian Dix, BC’s Minister of Health, that
“I see this move as a catastrophic collapse of a service. We are still in the thick of a global pandemic and are trying to see to the healthcare needs of our residents, the area, and the visitors who are seeking a break from urban locales. Help us do just that by finding a model that works for all the service users,” she said.
Paramedics are on standby for 12 hour shifts, during which time they cannot do anything that might hamper their response should a call come. They couldn’t leave the area; or be the only one looking after a child; or drink at a party - or even be a designated driver because you might have to leave everyone!
Under the previous plan (a KILO guarantee), paramedics were guaranteed four hours pay during each 12 hour shift.
This has been eliminated. Instead, they will receive $2 an hour standby pay unless called out.
“This project may be working in larger places but is not sufficient for a remote community such as ours,” writes Coulbourne.
The problem, in remote communities like Cortes Island and Zeballos, is that paramedics spend more of their shifts waiting than responding to callouts. Consequently, they will now be receiving $24 for most of their 12 hour shifts.
This is not a living wage and Mayor Colbourne predicts some of her community’s paramedics will seek employment elsewhere.
Prior to the introduction of the KILO guarantee, in 2017, Cortes Island ambulance needed to recruit new personnel every year. This turnover stopped after the KILO guarantee was introduced and paramedics received a real wage. Most crew members have sought additional training and the overall effectiveness of the ambulance service increased.
What will the elimination of the KILO guarantee mean for Cortes Island’s ambulance service? Will paramedics continue to devote as many hours to public service if they have to seek employment elsewhere? Who will fill the gap if there is an emergency and no available paramedics?
Mayor Colbourne is concerned that some emergency patients in Zeballos may be forced to wait for ambulances to make the two hour drive out from the city of Port Hardy.
There are occasions, on Cortes Island, when patients have been flown to Campbell River or even the Vancouver General Hospital, but this is not an alternative to a local ambulance service. Even on those rare occasions, paramedics responded to the immediate call, gave interim medical care and transported patients to the helicopter.
BC Emergency Health Services has been queried, but did not respond in time to be included in this story.
Photo credit: Catastrophic accident by Sergei F via Flickr (CC BY SA,2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At their upcoming board May 26th Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District will consider informing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that they are opposed to TELUS erecting Cell phone towers on Cortes Island.
They have already done this in regard to the proposed TELUS tower on Quadra Island because “the method of public engagement proposed by Telus did not meet what the SRD considers to be an acceptable standard.
In the May 19 SRD staff report, it says:
“The public engagement process in respect of the proposed Codes Island cell tower proposals is similar in that questions, comments and concerns would be managed on a one-on-one basis rather than through a broader, community-wide discussion managed by the Regional District.“
“Telus appears to be avoiding the standard process of seeking support from the local government before proceeding with finalization of its plans, the Board may wish to consider expressing its concerns to ISED regarding the lack of meaningful public consultation.”
Staff recommends that the SRD write a letter expressing their concerns to ISED and oppose any permission TELUS receives until the community has been properly consulted and supports the construction of the proposed cellular towers.
The SRD Board will vote ob this recommendation in two days.
Photo credit: proposed TELUS site in Whaletown, Cortes Island - courtesy TELUS
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The offshore region between Northern Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii is one of the most seismically active regions in Canada. There have been more than 2,000 earthquakes during the last 4 to 5 years, and four of them measured more than 6 on the richer scale. While the 2.9 quake in Campbell River last February was smaller, it is a reminder that earthquakes happen here. In this morning’s broadcast Andrew Schaeffer, an Earthquake Seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, describes the network of seismic stations that have been erected to observe earthquakes on the West Coast
Cortes Currents contacted Schaffer last March because he installed and looks after the seismometer on Calvert Island, midway between North Vancouver Island and Bella Bella, but soon discovered there is a much larger story.
The seismometers at Mount Washington, Campbell River and Sayward are among the twenty installed on Vancouver Island.
There is another seismic station in Prince Rupert and a string of stations along the Douglas Channel and out to Banks Island. After that, there is a station in Bella Bella.
“Because it is a challenging area to work in, with very little in the way of communications, stations are fairly sparse on the inside north coast. They are more than adequate to detect magnitude four earthquakes, which is what the Canadian National Seismic Network is tasked to do. It is tasked to detect and alert magnitude four earthquakes anywhere is Canada. Those are the earthquakes that will have an impact. Those are the earthquakes that, if you are close to it, it could cause damage. Less than that could cause an unpleasant shaking, but they do not typically cause damage,” explained Schaffer.
TheGeological Survey of Canada is trying to understand the how, when and where of earthquakes.
“To do that, we need a better understanding of the small earthquakes. That’s where adding more stations along the coast comes in. We are not improving the protection of magnitude fours, but we are improving the detection and location of magnitudes twos and threes that allow us to paint a much clearer picture of where the earthquakes are happening and start to address questions like why? For example, there are 300 kilometres between Port Hardy and Bella Bella and we’ve cut that distance in half by installing a station on Calvert Island, which allows us to detect smaller earthquakes than we could before,” said Schaffer.
The seismic station on Calvert Island is extremely sensitive. For example, it records ground vibrations from the impact of waves hitting the beach and trees swaying in a breeze.
“When there is a local earthquake it is usually significantly higher amplitude than these features from wind and waves. Once there is an earthquake of a decent magnitude nearby, that will all of a sudden come out of this low level noise,” said Schaffer.
“The seismometer on Calvert Island has picked up every global earthquake of more than a magnitude five since it was installed. The most recent would have been those earthquakes in New Zealand off the Kermadec Trench. (See chart at top of page) It has picked up a very beautiful signal from all of those. Any earthquake around the world that is at least a 5 or so, 5½, possibly even 4 depending where it is: this seismometer will pick it up.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce and Destination Campbell River have launched an EXPERIENCE LOCAL campaign for tourism.
They ask that people show their support on social media by using hashtags #DiscoverCampbellRiver and #BCTourismCounts.
Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce, which represents Cortes, Quadra and the rest of the Discovery Islands as well as Campbell River, says, “The biggest challenge for the tourism sector throughout the Campbell River area is that we may have to make it through a second summer without international travel. One summer, they were able to manage okay. They limped along with the domestic tourism. It is going to be very challenging to make it through a second summer, because following a second summer is a second winter when they have to keep lights on through the winter months to get to the Spring of 2022, when everyone is hoping the world is opened wide up again.”
There is much more in the podcast
Photo credit: Elk Falls byTyler Cave Productions courtesy City of Campbell River
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Telus unveiled its plan to erect five cell phone towers on Cortes and Quadra Islands at the January 13th, 2021 SRD Board meeting. More recenlty, they have given public announcements for three towers.
Two weeks ago they announced plans to erect a 73 foot metre tower is proposed on land owned by the We Wai Nation in Drew Harbour, Quadra Island. Anyone wishing to comment on this project has until June 4th
Another two towers have now been announced on Cortes Island. A 63.1 metre tall tower is proposed on TELUS’ property at 798 Rexford Road, in Mansons Landing. A second tower, 73 metres high, is to go up at 765 Whaletown Road in Whaletown. The comment period for these towers ends on June 28th.
According to their original plan, there could be another teo towers. TELUS did not answer a Cortes Currents query about an agreement they mentioned reaching, with a Squirrel Cove property owner, last January. They were looking for a property in the Heriot Bay area at that time.
A TELUS spokesperson emailed, “We are seeking input from local residents through the public consultation process, which is underway. We will continue working with the community and the Strathcona Regional District, and look forward to keeping residents updated as we progress toward our goal of upgrading wireless service in 2022.”
A concerned citizen wrote, in the Cortes Tideline,“If Telus gets the bid to build their towers on Cortes and Quadra, then the Connected Coast Project would not receive the funding it needs to be completed, as these areas would no longer be considered ‘unserved’. If the Connected Coast Project lost its funding, we’d be losing the opportunity for remote communities who could benefit from this government funded telecommunications infrastructure.”
She suggests that while Twincomm ‘could have the opportunity‘ to use Connected Coast’s cables, TELUS’ towers would take away business.
The TELUS spokesperson claimed the towers are “part of a broader project to improve cellular coverage throughout the inside passage of Coastal B.C. These proposals will provide residents of Cortes Island with an excellent level of cellular connectivity and will complement the high-speed Internet access planned as part of the Connected Coast project.”
There is more in the podcast
TELUS photo by Andrew Currie via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr Richard Stanwick recently observed, "What we are seeing is a general decrease both in South and Central Island. The numbers are absolutely bang on ... and that means our contact tracers are able to make sure we get a hold of anybody who has been exposed at this point."
This aligns with COVID numbers that Island Health just released. There are still 120 active cases on the Island, which is 33 less than when Cortes Currents reported last week. However there has been a slight increase in North Vancouver Island, where there are now 30 cases.
The BC Centre for Disease Control released more area specific data last night, but it is already five days old. As of the epi week ending on Saturday May 15th, there were 4 active cases in the Greater Campbell River Local Health Area, which includes Cortes, Quadra and other Discovery Islands. This is two less than the week before.
There were 17 cases just to the south in the Comox Valley Local Health Area. This is an increase of 4 over the previous week. The only North Vancouver Island school listed on Island Health’s school exposure page is in Comox.
There were no cases reported in Vancouver Island North or West.
The most recent data from BCCDC shows that 83% of the cases on Vancouver Island are variants. 67% of these are the “UK variant” (Variant B.1.1.7) and 32% the “Brazil variant” (Variant P.1).
Eleven Vancouver Island residents are currently in the hospital and 3 in critical care.
Roy L Hales /Cortes Currents - On May 12th, Eileen Sowerby from the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society (QISES) gave the Strathcona Regional District Board a presentation about the three threats to Quadra Island’s wild salmon: salmon farms, logging and climate change
This was originally intended to be a talk in support of the DFO’s decision to phase out the Discovery Island fish farms.
Notice of motion
This was the second presentation in favour of the DFO decision in a little over two weeks.
After Sowerby left the meeting, Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson gave a notice of motion, “So I was just coming out of the presentation we had at our last board meeting, from a number of wilderness tourism folks in regard to the Discovery Island fish farms. They had a request of the Board and I just wanted to put before us for consideration … The notice of motion is that the SRD support the federal government decision to remove open net pen aquaculture ”
That notice of motion was seconded by Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield, a friend of the aquaculture sector, which means there will most likely be another heated debate about fish farms at the May 26th Board meeting.
The Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society
Meanwhile Eileen Sowerby told Cortes Currents, “The Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society was started forty years ago, to try and help remediate the problems with salmon, bring them back and educate (the public).”
They monitor the salmon in seven creeks south of Quadra Island’s Portage. There are usually Chum and Coho, and occasionally Pink, but there has been no Sockeye runs up Village Bay Creek since 2008.
“That was because sockeye need the late August rains and we weren’t getting them,” Sowerby explained. “The biggest dangers facing salmon, I think and many people would agree, are climate change, habitat loss and fish farms.” (More in the podcast)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Associate professor Rajnish Dhawan, from the University of the Fraser Valley, makes a distinction between hate-based and ignorance-based racism.
He is quoted in a series of programs that Fraser Valley Community Radio recently broadcast about Abbotsford’s hushed racist history.
That prompted me to think about the community I was raised in, across the river in Maple Ridge.
For the most part, the racial prejudices where I grew up in the 1950s and 60s were almost invisible. While I knew that First Nations people had once occupied our land, there were probably less than half a dozen at my school. I think I was in my teens when I first heard of the Katzie Nation. Decades would pass before I learned they still claim title to the land.
The more immediate problem was what happened to the Japanese. There were so many Japanese immigrants prior to World War II that Maple Ridge acquired the nickname ‘Japtown’ and one of the principal streets along the road to my home was ‘Jap Alley.’ Their lands were confiscated.
As I remember it, Ray and Colleen Nagai eventually bought back about 17 of the 120 acres the Nagai family owned prior to the war.
I learned this because they were friends of my family.
On the other side of the ledger, if you are keeping a ledger, is the fact that the commissioners who took away the lands of Maple Ridge’s Japanese immigrants stayed in my maternal grandparent’s summer home.
Were my maternal grandparents ‘racists’?
To a certain extent, I believe we have all (regardless of our ethnic origins) been exposed to ‘racist’ ideologies. )More in podcast
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Liberals placed third in North Island- Powell River during the 2015 election. In 2019: they sank to fourth – just behind the Green party. While this is challenging, Michael Ballard, the new Chair of this riding’s Liberal Electoral District Association, has a larger vision. He says the keys to moving forward as a society, is bringing everyone to the table.
“ I originally got involved in politics because I could see that I could make change,”explained Ballard, an Operations Field Supervisor with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He has worked with the NDP in the past, knocking on doors for both Claire Trevana and Rachel Blaney. He has also stood beside Elizabeth May, fighting for clean water.
“It’s not about parties. For me it’s about the kinds of policies that create enabling – more inclusive, more diverse – where people are more engaged, said Ballard.
He joined the Liberal party because they can bring about the kind of political policies that would be in our best interests.
Photo credit: screen shot from the DFO YouTube video Start your adventure – become a Fishery Officer!
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Current - On March 29th, the city of Nanaimo passed a resolution calling on the provincial government “to immediately defer logging in all high productivity, rare, oldest, and most intact old-growth forests as recommended by the Old-Growth Strategic Review, until all 14 of the panel’s recommendations have been implemented.” This issue was hotly contested. Four of the nine councillors present, include Mayor Leonard Krog whose signature is at the bottom of the letter that subsequently went out, were opposed. Never-the less at least eight other municipal governments, and the Comox Valley Regional District, have passed similar resolutions calling implementation of of the province’s Old-Growth Strategic Review. In response, Campbell River passed an opposing resolution, calling for “an elevated direct response of support for Forest operations based on fact and science” at their April 26th Board Meeting.
This motion was brought forward by Councillor Charlie Cornfield, who did not explain what parts of the Old-Growth Strategic Review are unscientific, or how he came to that conclusion.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - CEO Peter Wrinch emailed the following update from hollyhock:
The new restrictions threw a bit of a wrench in our plans for opening, so we have pushed our opening back to June 25th.
We are really keen to welcome our staff and guests back to Hollyhock. We deeply support the public health measures of the Public Health Officer and every time there are new restrictions it is hard on our team both working and non-working (just like it is hard on everyone). We are really looking forward to welcoming people back when it is safe to do so.
I am continually inspired by the resilience and innovation of our team. Despite not operating in a "normal" way since October 2019, our team is constantly looking for ways to streamline our business, create new opportunities for programming, and welcome people to the land. We also continue to have success with our online gatherings. Two weeks ago, we hosted over 170 Women Entrepreneurs online for Social Venture Institute Women.
All photos courtesy Hollyhock
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - For the first time in over two months, the number of new COVID cases on Vancouver Island dipped down to single digits on Wednesday. They rose to 21 again Thursday and there are more cases in North Vancouver Island than a week ago, but the overall trend across the Island has been downward for more than a month.
There were 153 active cases on Vancouver Island yesterday, which is less than a third of the 508 reported on April 9th.
There were only three schools listed on Island Health’s school exposure page, but one of them is École des Deux Mondes in Campbell River. The school has published a warning of possible exposures on May 4th and 5th. Island Health notified staff and students that may have been exposed need to self-isolate for 14 days.
The BC Centre for Disease Control released the most recent data for the Greater Campbell Health Area Wednesday evening. The number of active cases in the epi-week of May 2-8 was 6. That is five less than the previous week.
However there was a similar increase in the Comox Valley, where the number of active cases rose from 7 to 13.
There have been two cases in Powell River during both weeks and none in Vancouver Island North or West.
Top photo credit: People with protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic by Jerónimo Roure via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Yesterday Cortes Currents published a story about local governments asking the BC government to defer logging in old-growth forests until the recommendations of the province’s Old Growth Strategic Review have been implemented. At the bottom of that story there are links to reports from the Comox Valley Regional District and the municipal governments of Courtenay, Cumberland, Lantzville, Metchosin, Nanaimo, Powell River, Port Moody, and Victoria. The Capital Regional District (CRD), which represents 13 municipalities and three electoral areas in Southern Vancouver Island, was going to vote on a similar resolution Wednesday, but the Pacheedaht First Nation said this would be a violation of the sovereignty and wishes of their nation. The CRD has not yet published the minutes of that Board meeting. Locally, Geraldine Kenny, from Sierra Quadra is asking the SRD to support the old Growth Strategic Review.
“Be it resolved that the SRD call on the provincial government to immediately defer logging in all high productivity, rare, old and mostly intact old-growth forests as recommended by the Old-Growth Strategic Review, pending the implementation of all 14 of the panel’s recommendations,” said Kenny.
“We ask that the SRD call on the Government of British Columbia to allocate sufficient funding to enact deferrals in an economically just manner, and in the full spirit of reconciliation to support the economic transition of affected First Nations communities—and all non-First Nations communities, too— from unsustainable old-growth logging to the development of long-term sustainable local economies.”
“The United Nations[ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has determined that we now have less than ten years to do everything possible to reduce global emissions and avoid climate catastrophe. The protection of primary forests has been identified as one of the best global solutions to address climate change. The BC government and all elected officials must act quickly to protect these globally significant carbon sinks. It is the government’s responsibility to the people of British Columbia to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and associated land-use changes through an immediate ban on old-growth logging.”
“Public support for protecting old-growth is evident: 55,000+ people have signed a petition to end logging in at-risk old-growth forests across B.C. Thousands more have sent emails, made phone calls, and reached out on social media. More broadly, the Sierra Club’s recent polling indicates that over 90% of people living in British Columbia support action to protect endangered old-growth forests.”
“We demand that our elected officials act as climate leaders and immediately stop the destruction of the globally essential carbon sinks that are BC’s remaining old-growth forests. It is encouraging that the Resolution to do so has been supported to date by the communities of Cumberland, CVRD, Lantzville, Nanaimo, Port Renfrew, Metchosin, Colwood and Powell River, with more signing on daily.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Refuge Cove general store should soon be reopening.
This is the Desolation Sound’s only grocery store in a deep-water harbour and is normally open from June until September.
According to the website, “During the summer, the store is well stocked with block and cube (best on the coast) ice, groceries, marine hardware, souvenirs, local books, fuel, tackle, and ice cream novelties and cones!”
The associated fuel dock serves customers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, through-out the winter months.
Lucy Robertson emailed Cortes Currents that the store was impacted by the pandemic last summer, “We did notice a downturn in sales and traffic as a fair number of our customers are from the USA. It was a quieter summer in Refuge Cove as a number of families who have second homes here were not able to make the trip.”
“I did have the impression that there was an increase in the number of new Canadian boaters last summer and that people were spending more time out on the water in general. Many customers were making an extra effort to resupply locally and support the smaller places. We also had a lot of support in the form of kind words and deeds from our local community and from visitors.”
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - A local government initiative to protect Vancouver Island’s old growth forests may have been checked by aboriginal title issues.
The controversial Fairy Creek logging blockade is within the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation, which has ”secured commitments from tenure holders and the government of BC to suspend operations.” They are strongly urging outsiders to "show an appropriate level of respect to the sovereignty and wishes of our nation" and "respect our desire for self-determination."
Prior to this, the Comox Valley Regional District, and municipalities of Powell River, Courtenay, Cumberland, Lantzville, Nanaimo, Port Renfrew, Metchosin, Colwood, Victoria and Port Moody all passed resolutions requesting the province defer logging in old-growth forests until the recommendations of the province’s Old Growth Strategic Review have been implemented.
While it has not yet had time to respond, some local residents have asked the Strathcona Regional District Board to follow suit.
A similar motion was on the agenda of the Capital Regional District (CRD Wednesday, but the Pacheedaht “strongly encouraged CRD to continue to focus on policy, planning and service delivery, and to work with our Nation and the nearby communities on priority matters within CRD jurisdiction.”
Their memorandum summarized three key points from a letter message the Pacheedaht sent the CRD a month earlier:
(1) "Pacheedaht First Nation is concerned that third-party interference on our Nation’s interests and affairs including resource stewardship is polarizing and harming our community, and we have asked for it to cease."
(2) "Pacheedaht is conducting an inclusive Integrated Resource Stewardship Plan (IRSP) involving our entire community to guide the future management of our Traditional Territory."
(3) "Pacheedaht does not welcome unsolicited interference or involvement from others."
In closing, the memo states, “In the event that Pacheedaht First Nation determines at some point in the future that our Nation would benefit from increased involvement from CRD in the stewardship of our Traditional Territory, we will contact you.”
The CRD has not yet published the minutes of their May 12th meeting, but a CTV news reporter noted that of 2:35 PM it had not been discussed.
Image from old growth protest in Campbell River
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - part 4 of a series in which three Cortes Island residents discuss QAnon
Photo credit: Alexander Andrews via Unsplash
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - part three of a series in which three Cortes Island residents discuss QAnon and its local manifestation.
Photo credit: QAnon in red shirt" by marcn is licensed with CC BY 2.0.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - part two of a series
QAnon - Q Conspiracy - Deep State Trump by mikemacmarketing is licensed under CC BY SA, 2.0 License
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - For many people, their first awareness of a social media phenomenon called “QAnon” came with news coverage of a failed autogolpe in the US, on January 6th of this year. On that date, an organised mob invaded the US Capitol building in an attempt to derail the election process and prevent the inauguration of newly-elected President Joe Biden. Their mission was to keep the defeated incumbent Donald Trump in power.
Among the banners and signage carried by the insurgents, onlookers saw many variants on the letter Q and slogans like “Where We Go One We Go All,” “The Great Awakening,” “Trust the Plan,” “Save the Children,” etc. For those who had been observing the QAnon phenomenon during the decade leading up to the insurrection, all these slogans and symbols were familiar indicators of a deeply troubling development in both US history and social media culture.
Among those worried observers were Darshan Stevens and Alex Hornby of Cortes island. When we discovered our mutual interest in the topic (cults in general and QAnon in particular), I suggested an interview for Currents. The result became a four-part special feature, airing the week of May 10th 2021.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Radio - In this edition of the Folk U Radio’s Reporters Roundtable, our journalists talk about environmental issues in some Vancouver Island small communities.
Our host, Manda Aufochs Gillespie of Folk U Radio, is joined by:
Shalu Mehta, reporter for The Discourse in the Cowichan Valley and on the West Shore. Rochelle Baker, Quadra Island resident and reporter with the National Observer Roy Hales, editor of Cortes Currents . Marc Kitteringham, reporter with the Campbell River Mirror
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “We have been reaching another exciting milestone, in our immunization here in BC. At some time today, the two millionth dose will have been given to people in British Columbia,” said provincial health officer Bonnie Henry, yesterday afternoon.
That’s nearly half of the provinces 4.3 million eligible residents.
While numbers are falling across British Columbia and Vancouver Island, they may temporarily be higher in Greater Campbell River.
The difficulty in making that assessment, is that the data released last Wednesday evening was already a week old.
There were 11 cases in Greater Campbell River Local Health Area during the epi-week ending on May 1st. That is almost a three fold increase over the previous epi-week, but not really a concern. This number was fluctuating throughout April.
There were 20 active cases in North Vancouver Island as of Thursday, May 6th and the numbers have been steadily going down for the past four weeks. There were 40 on Thursday April 16th.
The Vancouver Island wide statistics have been falling for an even longer time. There were 508 active cases on Thursday, April 9th, and 187 yesterday.
77% of the cases on Vancouver Island were variants of concern The 8 schools currently listed on Island Health’s School exposure page are all in Victoria.
In yesterday’s update, Bonnie Henry said, “It is incredibly encouraging to see our immunizations going up and our rates of transmission ever so slowly bending down. It’s also so important that we started to see the impact of the measures we have been taking together in BC, meaning that hospitalizations and ICU admissions are also decreasing. This is a huge relief to many of us, to those of our colleagues who are working so diligently every day.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Midway through Cortes Island’s second Spring of the pandemic, more people are buying locally, but government restrictions and Quadra Island’s negative messaging have an impact.
Bill Dougan reported that, at the Gorge Harbour general store, “Up until the beginning of May, it was up quite substantially over last year. We’re seeing new people and a lot of local islanders who maybe were gone during the winter in normal winters, but are still here. We’re seeing a lot more people from Mansons Landing down at this end, I’m not really sure why. A bit of both: new people and people who usually go away during the winter.”
Eric Hargrave from the Cortes Natural Food Co-op emailed that “We do have more local customers; people are staying on the island more for their shopping, and we expect that to continue. However, we’re still seeing plenty of visitors on the weekends especially. People are still coming to the island – whether they’re looking for a new home, considering their retirement here, or just relaxing at the beach – I don’t know, but they are coming.
He reports that a year before the Pandemic, in April 2019, the Co-op’s sales were $140,000. They rose to $182,000 in April 2020, the height of the pandemic run on food. Sales for April 2021 were not much less than last year: $177,000.
Curt Cunningham said sales at the Squirrel Cove General Store have been steady.
“Local traffic is up, slightly, not a lot from before the virus and, of course, tourism traffic is way, way down. We’ve had very few tourists and a couple of boaters.”
Dougan says that, with sales being substantially higher, he is also ordering more stock. Yet, aside from a few tricky items, there has not been any problem keeping up.
Hargrave wrote, “Instead of making big orders in the store for bulk quantities like last year, people have gone back to more regular shopping. However, because the restaurant business is so limited now, people are looking for new foods to try and are still buying more on every trip. After a couple years at these levels, we expect them to become our new baseline for the future.”
Take-out has become a big treat for many Cortesians.
As of Wednesday, May 5th, the Floathouse restaurant is open five days a week, from one to 8:30.
The Sunflower Food Truck will be reopening at its new location by the Gorge Harbour store this Friday, from 8 AM to 1 PM and it will be open 5 days a week after the long weekend.
They have a full breakfast and lunch menu plus lots of home baked goods like Cinnamon Buns, Muffins, Cookies, and a local favourite: sausage rolls.
When I interviewed Carie Taylor a couple of months ago, she reported they were selling more than 30 sausage rolls a day through the Gorge Harbour store.
Sujon is now calling the Toki Bap Cafe Toki to go. Order from the menu on the Tideline, and select the pick up time by Thursday 4pm by email toki8cafe@gmail.com or phone 250-935-6665 or text 250-201-5421. Pick up Friday 12-5:30.
The Co-op cafe is now a deli and has been slowly building sales again since the beginning of this year.
The Cortes Market Deli and Coffee Bar is open during store hours, with strict COVID protocols in place. They offer sandwiches, a variety of sweet and savoury goodies, plus Tim Horton Coffee to go.
There have also been challenges.
Eric Hargrave reports “There is an acute shortage of working people this year.
On April 23rd, the province announced it is prohibiting non-essential traffic between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Quadra Island is asking visitors to stay away.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Rick Shellinick has been trying to subdivide his property for more than ten years and it now looks like he will not be able to have a public zoning meeting anytime in the immediate future. At their last meeting, the Strathcona Regional District Board passed a motion postponing all public meetings on Quadra Island until the province removes restrictions on public gatherings.
This is a controversial project, which in its current incarnation calls for developing 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks in Gowland Harbour.
The opposing vote
Though this was a meeting of the whole board, it is a rural issue and only the four Regional Directors could vote. All but one of them voted in favour of suspending public meetings.
Cortes Island’s Regional Director Noba Anderson, explained why she opposed the motion: “ I would support a delay for a few months, but it seems very likely that we won’t be able to have mass indoor gatherings for a year or more and I do not think it is appropriate to delay the core business of community land use planning, which is arguably the reason Regional Districts exist, indefinitely.”
Listen to the podcast to find out more
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Funding is being set up for broadband internet on Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as other relevant parts of the Strathcona Regional District.
“In essence, there are two different categories. There are communities that the Feds consider already served because they have a minimum upload and download speed. Parts of Quadra are like that and parts of Quadra are not. Cortes is not a minimum served community, therefore we can get Last Mile Funding from the Feds. Whereas areas that are considered served are not eligible, explained Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson.“So in Cortes’ instance, [City West Cable and Telephone Corp] receives 90% of the funding required from senior levels of government.”
The SRD is borrowing the funding to service communities considered to be well served, but in its opinion are not well served.
Most of Squirrel Cove, Mansons Landing, Seaford and the part of Whaletown stretching north from Gorge Harbour will receive grant funding.
So will Bold Point, Granite Bay and Open Bay on Quadra Island and the village of Zeballos.
“This is to bring fibre optics to people’s houses, not to the ends of people’s driveways …The intention is that this is at zero cost to the homeowner. We are running on the telephone poles, across the whole island, but getting it from the telephone pole to your house will also be at our cost. If you have telephone poles up your driveway to your house, we will run it on those, and if you have an underground buried service, we will bury it, said Anderson.
The more established southern part of Quadra, along with Gold River, Tahsis, and Sayward are not eligible for grant funding.
So the SRD has agreed to borrow up to $12,540,255 so that City West can build the necessary high-speed broadband infrastructure.
City West agreed to make all payments (principal and interest) for the Indebtedness.
Disbursement of Loan:
$5,700,000 – Quadra Island $800,000 – Tahsis; $3,000,000 – Sayward; $2,500,00 – Gold River
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Telus intends to erect a a 73-meter tall cel phone tower on land owned by the Wei Wai Kai Nation at Drew Harbour, on Quadra Island.
They announced this in the Bird’s Eye on April 21 and April 28, stating “any person may comment by close of business on June 4th.” Interested parties are to email Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting at briangregg@sitepathconsulting.com
Gregg emailed the Strathcona Regional District that “As you know, the land use authority in this instance is the First Nation however we wanted to send your team a copy of the upcoming newspaper notice as a courtesy to keep the SRD aware of TELUS’ plans in the area. We have full support of the We Wai Kai Nation Chief and Council and wanted to ensure that your team is in receipt of this notification as a courtesy.”
In response, the SRD Board is writing a protest to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to say they are opposed to this project until the community has been properly consulted.
According to Regional Director Jim Abram, the SRD lost out on Connected Coast funding because Telus gave the government incorrect information. The SRD had to borrow the money.
Regional Director Jim Abram said Telus has been trying to impede Quadra Island’s involvement in the Connected Coast project.
He said the more developed southern part of Quadra Island was not able to obtain funding through the Connected Coast because Telus gave the government misleading information about their internet connection speed.
” … That we were covered to a degree of 50 megabytes down, 10 megabytes up. That is untrue and we (subsequently) proved it with our screenshots. The highest one was 38. most of them were down around the 10s,” said Abram.
“They cut out a huge amount of our funding for the Connected Coast, which we are all involved in. We just passed a motion to borrow a bunch of money and that is because of what Telus has done. in this situation”
“Now they are trying to further impede our movement on the Connected Coast by putting up cell towers that will provide cell service … Also telling people that they can get high speed internet from those cell towers, which I believe they can – at a great deal of cost. That they are not telling us.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a year since the The Campbell River Business Recovery Task Force described fish farms as one of the city’s three key first dollar industries. Mayor Andy Adams said they are Campbell River’s largest economic driver. This is also a sector being phased out over the course of the next year. In the last of a series about the 2021 Federal Budget, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney talks about funding for salmon farms
She began by acknowledging that indigenous communities and wild salmon stewards have been raising concerns about sea lice from fish farms for some time.
“Recently, in the fisheries and oceans committee, I was reading some pretty powerful testimony about the impact sea lice is having on wild salmon stock. We have to recognize that,” saiid Blaney.
Funding for salmon farms That said, prior to this budget $55.5 billion was already allocated to a sustainable aquaculture program.
“That is something that is being worked out with the Parliamentary Officer for the DFO, Terry Beech. He promised that this Spring he would have a report that would talk about what sustainable aquaculture would look like into the future. We are still waiting for that.”
“In this budget, the 2021 budget, another $20 million over the next two years was designated for more engagement work, support for Indigenous communities, communities at large, the industry and looking into how the sector can move forward. Of course there is also another $3 million invested, for the next two years, to look at pilot area based management approaches to planning management and monitoring activities of aquaculture on the BC coast.”
“So there are some resources coming, but what we really need to see is what is the plan?”
The government is currently meeting with industry, communities and indigenous leaders.
“We need to see some support for people as we go through this transition and, of course, I have been a longstanding advocate for closed containment so we don’t lose those aquaculture jobs, they just have a period of time when they transition into something else."
Photo credit: Parliament Hill in Ottawa by tsaiproject via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At the April 28th meeting, The Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) of BC asked the SRD Board to support DFO’s decision to remove fish farms from the Discovery Islands.
WTA President Breanne Quesnel, of Spirit of the West Adventures on Quadra Island, reminded the board that they also represent the interests of 15 of its member companies operating within the Strathcona Regional District.
“Our ask is that threats to wild salmon, which in turn are a threat to our business and this industry, are removed, and our specific ask for the board is that you do not come out with a letter in support of fish farms,” she said.
If the Board does write a letter, Quesnel asked that it be in support of the DFO and the consultations that occurred.
Four SRD Directors have come out in support of the Aquaculture sector: Mayor Brad Unger of Gold River, who is also Chair of the SRD Board; Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River; Mayor Mark Baker of Sayward; and Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield.
Subsequent to that, the entire SRD Board signed on to a letter protesting the DFO’s failure to consult them on a decision that will have immense economic impacts on the region.
“My memory on this one, is that in January we passed a resolution stating our concern about the lack of process. I do not believe this board has taken a position one way or the other,” said Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson.
Jim Abram, Regional Director for most of the Discovery Islands, pointed out that two of the three WTA presenters – Breanne Quesnel and Ross Campbell – were his constituents.
Jamie Boulding, President of the Strathcona Park Lodge, intended to inform the board how important wild salmon were to his business, but was not able to speak due to connection problems.
Quesnel told the SRD board, “We speak to you today as business owners within the community, as Wilderness Tourism Association members as well as owner/operators of thriving eco-tourism companies. We are coming before you for several reasons. We want to ensure that the board is appraised of the value of the wilderness and adventure tourism sector in this region … We ask that the SRD work with various governments and levels of government to assist with the transition of the net pens out of the Discovery Islands.
“The Wilderness tourism operators in the region include lodges, whale and wildlife watching tours, bear viewing companies, kayaking companies, boat charters, sport fishing and many others. These companies depend on and thrive when there is healthy wild salmon stock and are considered part of the wild salmon economy.” (There is much more in the podcast)
She added, “The removal of these farms from the Discovery Islands will benefit the communities and wild salmon economy up and down the coast, including here is the Strathcona Regional District.”
Quesnel reminded the SRD that while the aquaculture and fishing sectors contribute $3.3 billion in GDP to the province, tourism brings in more than $8.7 billion.
More than 5.5 million tourists come to Vancouver Island every year, spending over $2.2 billion. This translates into over 60,000 jobs.
“Within the Discovery Islands, there are over 60 tourism businesses that directly depend on wilderness and wildlife and these businesses of course provide many spin-off benefits to the community. The tourism industry in this region is estimated at between $40 and $50 million per year,” she said.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - Cortes Currents has received several reports of drivers passing cyclists without due care.
Currents sought to increase clarity on what is expected of cyclists and drivers who wish to operate their vehicles safely and follow the laws of British Columbia. And so we reached Corporal Chris Voller at the Quadra island detachment of the RCMP for advice on the matter.
Corporal Voller was pleased to discuss legal and safety matters around cyclist-driver interactions.
To begin, Corporal Voller recommends that bicycles make themselves as visible as possible, he says “visibility is everything”. In addition to high-visibility outerwear – he suggests riding defensively.
Visibility isn’t just about colour and brightness – but also bicycle position on the road. “If you’re in the middle of a straight stretch, one meter off the side of the road is great.” Voller says. But on a sharp corner, he recommends riding more toward the centre or left-of-centre of the right-hand lane in order to give other vehicles a chance to see you earlier and adjust their speed appropriately in response.
Voller says bicycles are allowed to ‘take the lane’ – and as far as the motor vehicle act is concerned, they are treated just like a car or truck. Corporal Voller points out that cyclists are expected to follow all the rules of signaling and obeying traffic signs that are required by the regulations affecting vehicles in the Motor Vehicle Act of BC.
Passing a bicycle Similarly, passing a bicycle is really no different than passing a car – you may pass with caution, when it is safe to do so, on our single-yellow-line, two-lane highways.
If it is not safe to pass, that is a violation of the motor-vehicle act and may result in a ticket and points on your license.
The Motor Vehicle Act has several ticket-able offences related to passing other vehicles.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the fourth in a series of programs about Canada’s 2021 Budget, Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island Powell River talks about the temporary COVID Relief subsidies and benefits.
More than half a million Canadians have lost their jobs since the pandemic began.
According to the Canadian government, the vast majority were working poor.
Local people would have normally worked in the aquaculture sector, or the marine tourism, or places like Hollyhock were unemployed.
The Canadian government responded to this situation with a number of temporary COVID relief programs such as the recovery benefits, rent and other subsidies in which are currently in place until early next fall.
One of these programs, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy helped more than 5.3 million Canadians keep working. A significant number of them are on Cortes Island, Quadra Island and Campbell River. This subsidy was set to expired in June, but the new Federal Budget proposes to extend it until September 25, 2021.
“I am happy to see the extension for some of the programs that really support businesses, but it does only go to that date in September, The most stressful thing I hear from constituents, all the time, is we do not know when it is going to get better. We see it is extended, but this government has the flexibility to respond if things don’t get better,” said Rachel Blaney.
She continued, “As for Canada Recovery Benefits for individuals, it is a little concerning. For those folks, it can be a lot concerning. Right now they qualify for $500 a week to support their families and the government is going to be cutting it down to $300 a week. That’s a big difference if that is what is keeping your lights on, your rent paid and again it is not knowing when it going to get better. Not knowing when you r area of work is going to get better.”
She would like to see a more substantive support for tourism because they cannot invite people to take advantage of opportunities.
“Hotels are literally calling people and saying you cannot come if you are from this area or that area. That’s BC jurisdiction, I understand that, but the impact on these places is going to be profound - especially for local tourism operators and hotels.”
“If we do not have these businesses here, able to pick up when the pandemic ends, we are going to be in a lot of trouble. How do you rebuild? How do you get the economy moving if everybody is starting from scratch? We need these businesses here to get through the next part.”
“They were viable to this, they will be viable after. We need to support them through this tough time.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is a COVID 19 update for Thursday April 29, 2021: The numbers of active cases in North Vancouver Island are continuing to fall.
Travel Restrictions It has been six days since the province issued restrictions on non-essential travel between Vancouver Island and the Mainland.
At that time, Dr Bonnie Henry said, “Community transmission and COVID-19 cases – including variants of concern – have increased in our health authorities, with many cases being linked to non-essential travel within BC.”
In their joint statement yesterday, Wednesday, April 28th, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health said, “Each week, more and more vaccine is arriving in our province, and with each person who gets their vaccine, we are all a little safer.”
Yesterday, 5,645 doses of vaccine were administered on Vancouver Island. Six of these were AstraZeneca, 1,068 were Moderna and 4,571 were Pfizer.
More than 1.7 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered across the province and close to 90,000 of these are second doses.
There were 18 active cases in North Vancouver Island yesterday, as compared to 35 the same day last week.
No North Vancouver Island schools are listed on the school exposure page.
While the data for the Greater Campbell River Health area is already five days old, it shows a similar decrease. There were 4 cases in the epi-week ending on Saturday, April 24th, and 11 the week before.
Similar drops have occurred throughout the rest of North Vancouver Island. There were no cases in Vancouver Island West and 2 in Vancouver Island North.
Higher numbers are only persisting in the Comox Valley Local Health Area, which borders on Central Vancouver Island. There were 16 cases during the epi-week ending April 24.
Roy L Hales/Currents - Cortes CPR: climate plan for Resilience was officially launched just days ago. An interview with Ashley Zarbatany about they hope to do and what they have already achieved
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - What solutions does the 2021 Federal budget have for Canada’s our riding’s housing crisis?
Houses were selling for between $452,000 and $2.85 million on Cortes Island, during 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.
The Quadra Island Real Estate team website is currently displaying prices ranging from $725,000 to $4.3 million.
No wonder a realtor recently told the Campbell River Mirror that first time buyers, with a downpayment, are opting for a cheap condo in the downtown area.
Close to 35% of Cortes Island’s population rent their homes. On Quadra Island, where rents are higher, the number is about 23%. A number of these people join the seasonally homeless every year, when their homes become vacation rentals.
Taxing vacant homes owned by non Canadians
A large number of houses on sit vacant most of the year.
This was the problem Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland was trying to address in the 2021 Budget, when she announced, “Houses should not be passive investment vehicles for offshore money. They should be homes for Canadian families. So on January 1st, 2022, our government will introduce Canada’s first national tax on vacant property owned by non-resident, non-Canadians.”
“I think it is a step. I have some appreciation of acknowledging that there is some empty housing, especially people who do not live in the community and are from other places … but the challenge that I do not see a strategy that addresses our housing needs,” said Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island - Powell River.
“For the past 35 years we’ve seen two things happening at the same time. One, a decrease in how much supports the Federal and Provincial governments have been putting into housing strategy across the country. And the other side is that private investors were purchasing less and less housing to rent. These two things have been happening for the past 35 years. I’ve seen the graphs where, on both sides, they are slowly coming down. So the fact we are in a crisis actually makes a lot of sense when you look at the data. The problem is no one was watching that data.”
Photo credit: Affordable housing now by fumigene via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 28% of the population of Cortes and Quadra Islands are seniors. The Federal budget for 2021-22 includes a one-time $500 payment and a 10% increase to Old Age Security for people over 75 years old, but nothing for those aged 65-74. Rachel Blaney, the MP for North Island - Powell River, talks about the forgotten seniors?
She is 100% behind the government’s decision to support seniors 75 and older.
“The problem I have is it seems to say that all seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 are doing great and they have options. They can go to work for a while longer, if that is what they want, and it is all good,” said Blaney.
There are a lot of seniors who are doing well, she admits. Some of told her they do not need the extra money.
“I understand that, but the seniors who need it - need it desperately. One of the things I was disappointed about, is I didn’t see an increase in the guaranteed income supplement. That is a round of money that goes to the most low income seniors across this country,” said Blaney.
She insists that a couple of hundred dollars a month extra would make a difference.
“That would change lives and allow seniors to live healthier, happier and more content.”
Blaney adds, “I keep telling the government, when we are looking at great solutions we shouldn’t just take the simplest and easiest thing that makes us feel better. We need to look at the complexity of the issue and make sure no one is left behind. And I feel in this budget, the most vulnerable seniors in Canada were left behind.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -A small portion of the property is going to be used for affordable housing. Some Cortes residents have asked what will happen to the rest of Rainbow Ridge?
“If there are a few people, there are several people who haven’t come forward to say anything,” said Elizabeth Anderson, President of the Cortes Community Housing Society.
So she sent the following letter out to the community:
Dear Friends & Neighbours, Residents of Cortes Island,
As you may know, Rainbow Ridge is a 51 acre property, located in Mansons Landing. Recently 6 acres of the property has been rezoned allowing us to create 20 Non-Profit affordable rental homes on the northernmost portion (directly south of the Firehall).
We have received some questions about the status of the remaining 45 acres and we would like to publicly restate that our Board of Directors and staff are committed to the following:
Maintain a permanent public trail connection from Beasley Road to Cemetery Road. Maintain a wildlife corridor along the west side of the property. Maintain a green buffer along the east side of the property. Include two east-west forested zones and wildlife corridors. Protect the wetland/bog at the south-east corner of the property. Join all other community efforts to continue protecting Hague Lake. In the very unlikely event of the sale or lease of any portion of the remaining 45 acres, then we are committed to placing a covenant on that specific parcel to ensure that all our above mentioned protections are honoured by the new owner/leasee. Our year-end appeal raised all the funds required to retire 100% of the outstanding land loans in 2021, thanks to the immense generousity of local donors, who helped us to take the brave step of purchasing and owning outright these large and important legacy lands.
Through community visioning and collaborations with other Non-Profit groups, we will in time be able to determine specific trail routing, wetland restorations, as well as specific habitat conservation areas, all of which will be sensitively integrated with future housing clusters.
‘It takes a community to raise a village’ and together we can continue to both protect these lands and see our vision of affordable housing on Cortes become a reality.
Thank you all for your interest and your caring.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Anderson, President, on behalf of Cortes Community Housing Society (CHS)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A week ago, on Monday April 19, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented Canada’s budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 to the House of Common. Since the finance minister delivered that speech, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s minority Liberal government has survived two non-confidence motions. These pertained to amendments. This morning, Monday April 26, the House will be asked to approve the Budget as a whole. THis is expected to prompt yet another non-confidence motion. The NDP party has promised to support the government and in this morning’s interview Rachel Blaney, the MP for North Island - Powell River will talk about the aspects of this budget she thinks work for her constituents? And what doesn’t?
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A $50 million a year business seeks increased logging restrictions in the Outer Discovery Islands.
Ralph Kellar, ad hoc chair of the Discovery Islands Marine Tourism Group, cites studies showing that marine tourism brings just as much money into the local economy.
“The Discovery Islands proper were identified by tourism as an area of concern and exceptionally high value. For example, in Campbell River today there are twelve, perhaps more, motorized tour companies that exclusively the afore mentioned islands anf those companies generate over $10 million a summer for the Campbell River economy” said Kellar, whose family operates the sea kayak company Coast Mountain Expeditions out of Read Island and the Discovery Lodge on North Quadra Island.
“We kept seeing more and more clear cuts show up on the landscapes of the Discovery Islands, our operating area. We got tired of explaining this stuff to our customers,” said Kellar. “Most of the timber was being exported to the Orient and we were left with the clearcuts. There was virtually no return to the local economy, except for a few logging jobs.”
Last August, the Campbell River Business Recovery Task Force identified tourism and forestry as two of the three first dollar pillars of the city’s economy.
They said that the top four forestry companies with headquarters in Campbell River – Western Forest Products, Interfor, Mosaic and BC Timber Sales – pay an estimated $47 million in wages and benefits every year. Their operations extend over a considerable portion of Vancouver Island as well as the Discovery Islands. There were smaller companies as well.
“We conducted a study and ended up with a number we think is pretty realistic, maybe even a bit low, but the value of the Discovery Islands tourism, not including Campbell River, is about $50 million a year,” said Kellar. “That compares very favourably to the forest industry. Depending on the year, it would be the same size as and some years even bigger.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents: Four Quadra residents are seeking to have the public zoning meeting for the Gowland Harbour Views development, on Quadra Island delayed until it is possible to meet in person. Land owner and applicant, Rick Schellinck, originally approached the Strathcona Regional District in the summer of 2010
The current rendition of his application is to develop 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks in Gowland Harbour.
The podcast includes clips from the presentations by Michael and Jean Stahnke, Mark Nighswander and George Murdoch, as well as a response by Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Born in New York, he chose Canada. Another two years passed before he arrived on a remote island off the West Coast. Paul Kirmmse remembers Cortes Island in 1971.
“I originally came here in January of ’71, looking for land. A guy gave me a job for the summer, beginning in April, serving coffee to the fishers and the loggers. There was a little cafe just above Mansons Lagoon, across from used to be the Barton store - which I understand is now the Cortes Island Museum. It was drug up the road and put in place to become the museum,” he says.
Kirmmse tried a variety of jobs that summer. He bailed hay for Ken Hansen, on what has since become Linnaea Farm. Jack Parry hired him to bag oysters, in the era before there were oyster leases or trays.
In the podcast above he talks about the beginnings of Cortes Island's oyster's business as well as anecdotes from Mansons Landing, Squirrel Cove and Whaletown.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There are isolated reports of increased violence, both physical and verbal, as a result of the increased isolation during the pandemic.
In Campbell River, RCMP Cst Maury Tyre reports, “We are seeing a lot of escalation in basic disagreements due to the level of language that people are using causing greater and greater offence to others. Then simply put, people who are on edge just aren’t able to walk away. In some cases we are seeing arguments occur over minor traffic events or the behaviour of someone else’s pet. None of these events should have escalated to violence.”
“Police attended multiple fights during the afternoon on April 17th, 2021. Unlike most instances of violence that the police attend, drugs and alcohol were not involved in these incidents at all.”
“Maybe it’s the fact that people have been spending more time behind their keyboards during the pandemic and they can get away with saying whatever they want without any real repercussions,”
“A reminder to the public, even if you find yourself in a consensual physical altercation, you can still be criminally charged for Causing a Disturbance or worse if someone is severely injured.”
It has been a year since Diane Palmer, of the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society told the National Observer that Historically, violence against women jumps when there is widespread societal distress.
Tanya Henck of the Cortes Island Women's Resource Centre clinic recently mentioned this in an interview with De Clarke, of Cortes Currents.
“We were already noticing it back in last May. I’d say it’s pretty consistent that there’s now three to four times the amount of calls we were getting before. And aside from relationship crisis we are also getting people trying to deal with mental health issues, Covid stress.”
She believes the number of incidents would probably drop as much as 80%, if Cortes were not also dealing with a rental crisis.
According to a report from Statistics Canada, Almost a third of all police-reported violence happens between intimate partners.
While women were more often the victims, there were also a significant number of male victims.
In 2018, there was more violence in boyfriend-girlfriend situations than marriages. A large percentage of these cases involved former boy or girlfriends
“Women in rural areas experienced the highest overall rates of intimate partner violence, with rates close to four times higher than those for men in these areas.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - More than 800 adult Cortes Island residents were vaccinated during the Whole island immunization March 25th to 27th, and the previous clinics at the Klahoose village, but some people still missed out. If you are one of them, there is still a chance to get vaccinated.
Call Public Health to book an appointment on April 28th with Cortes Island’s health nurse. Limited number of spots available. 250-850-2110 Or call 1-833-838-2323 to book an appointment with Quadra Island’s immunization clinic May 3rd to 7th.
Vaccination update for Quadra residents Adrienne Breen, Patient & Public Engagement Advisor at Island Health, emailed that some Quadra Island residents have mistakenly been booked into Campbell River
“I understand that initially, some Quadra Island residents experienced .challenges with the provincial booking system. If you or someone you know encounters this challenge, telling the booking agent that you are within the Island Health Authority and are eligible to book at the clinic in the Quadra Community Centre will help them clarify and get you booked in,” she wrote.
Photo credit: COVID 19 by Ricardo Huñis via Flickr (Public Domain)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Cortes Island Museum ZOOM AGM is this Sunday, April 25th, at 1:30 PM.
As managing Director Jane Newman explained, “The only other I would love to tell people is that we have an AGM coming up. We have a really fascinating speaker, Gordon Cyr of Mason Bee Central, who lives over in Back Creek and he is a North American champion of Mason Bees. He is really, really engaged. His family has a business building bee houses and educating people about mason bees and their importance as a pollinator.”
On Cyr’s website, Bee Canadian.ca it says “Most home orchards and gardens can be well pollinated with as little as 50 Orchard mason bees. Each female can visit up to 2,000 blossoms a day. One acre of a commercial apple orchard can be pollinated with approximately 250 female Orchard mason bees.”
A description of the Cyr family business is given under the About us tab,
“Our staff is 1 husband , 1 wife, 2 kids,1 cat and a group of volunteers. We have been raising Mason bees for about 20 years; it has been a huge learning process.”
For the first several years we enjoyed successes and suffered through failures, learning from both. We started supplying friends, family and neighbours and the growing interest in Mason bees inspired the creation of a website. We have been selling Mason bees and Mason bee homes online since 2007, currently available at masonbeecentral.com.”
“In 2019 our rental program filled the pollination needs of over 600 homeowners and 3 commercial orchards in the Campbell River, Courtney area and produced 180,000 Mason bees. Our ever-increasing amount of Mason bees allows us to expand our service to the South Island.”
“Our rental program now services Vancouver Islanders from Campbell River to Victoria.”
“In 2015 we won NEDC’s “Best Environmental and Sustainable Business of the Year Award” and in 2018 Honorable Mention in NAPPC “Pollinator Advocate Award Canada” category.”
Mason Bee Central offers mason bee kits for rent, starting at $20/year, to help gardeners increase their crop yields.
You do not have to be a member to attend the AGM, but you would not be permitted to vote unless you are a member.
“Having said that, it is very easy to become a member of the museum and we are really encouraging anybody that may have been a member in the past three or four years has been a member, but for some reason has not visited or felt like this was something they would follow through with. We are looking to rebuild our membership and bring it back to what it was in 2019. As we did lose members through the pandemic year,” said Newman.
She added, “There are so many ways you can become a member, just by volunteering time, by volunteering money, and if you have done any of those things prior to the AGM you can vote on the things that need to be decided.”
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - If everything goes according to plan, every community within the Strathcona Regional District will soon have emergency supplies at hand in case of an earthquake.
The topic came up within a larger conversation, in which SRD Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman described the emergency preparation grants the District is applying for.
I asked him, “Are you doing anything for earthquakes?”
“Not with any of the grans specifically. Unfortunately aside from the Union of BC Municipalities grants to help with communications, there is not a lot of funding for earthquake and seismic notation mapping. That is what it is. I do sit on the province’s Seismic Safety Council and I’ve advocated for that for a number of years,” said Koopman.
He added, “Through the Emergency Support services grant, we have been staging Seacans with a mixture of group lodging an post earthquake supplies in all of our rural communities. If all the dominos fall according to plan, this year every major area in the SRD, including Cortes Island, will have a Seacan in their area. Now it is not stocked with enough food, water and shelter for the whole island for two weeks, It is a bare bones start, but at least it is something.”
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - At the end of March, Tamias was riding its bike when it was nearly struck by a pickup truck.
It was Tamias’ first time heading to the Freestore since it reopened this year – it was going to get new shoes for its child, Dera.
Tamias had the child-trailer in tow behind its bike, but fortunately not Dera. The trailer was just for cargo this time – usually if it has the trailer in tow, it has a child on board.
On its way home, Tamias was rounding the horse field, heading to Manson’s, when it noticed a pick-up approaching from behind.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - At the end of March, Tamias was riding its bike when it was nearly struck by a pickup truck.
It was Tamias’ first time heading to the Freestore since it reopened this year – it was going to get new shoes for its child, Dera.
Tamias had the child-trailer in tow behind its bike, but fortunately not Dera. The trailer was just for cargo this time – usually if it has the trailer in tow, it has a child on board.
Cyclist nearly struck by pick-up On its way home, Tamias was rounding the horse field, heading to Manson’s, when it noticed a pick-up approaching from behind. Tamias remembers thinking that from its position, it would be able to make it up to the motel, a safe spot to pass, before the vehicle overtook it. The truck caught up faster than expected and was right behind Tamias as it rounded the last corner before the last hill to the motel. From the corner, it could see a smaller white car coming in the oncoming lane. Then, the pickup began to pass on the left, on this blind corner, on a collision course with the car.
Tamias’ memory is blurry from this point, but it seems that both vehicles were able to come to a stop before impact. Tamias had thought for sure that the pickup would have to swerve into it’s lane to prevent a big crash, but calamity was avoided. Tamias was super scared. By the time Tamias recovered from the shock and terror – the vehicles had left the scene.
Tamias didn’t feel fit to ride any further, given the emotional upset. It sat in the field across from the motel and cried for about 1/2 an hour. Ten cars passed without checking in with Tamias. Eventually Sonya Friessen passed by, and realized that something was wrong and came to check on Tamias.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The number of active COVID cases is rising in North Vancouver Island and two Campbell River schools are now listed on Island Health exposure list..
As of yesterday, Friday April 16th, Island Health stated there are 40 active cases in North Vancouver Island. A week ago there were 32.
While it is not yet known where these cases are, the only North Vancouver Island schools on Island Health’s school exposure page are in Campbell River
A member of Ecole Middle School tested positive and on April 13th the school sent out a potential exposure notice.
A member of the Willow Point elementary community also tested positive and a potential exposure notice was posted for April 7,8,9, 12 and 13.
However the numbers for Southern and Central Vancouver Island have declined, so that while there were 504 active COVID 19 cases throughout Island Health a week ago, there are now 446.
To put this in context, a recent estimate states there are more than 870,000 people living on Vancouver Island and almost half of them are in Victoria. There are only 44,000 people throughout the entire Strathcona Regional District.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At its April 14th meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board. welcomed the first First Nation to the board.
The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN) was one of the five First Nations that signed the Maa‑nulth First Nations Treaty in 2011 and the only one whose lands are within the SRD. ( The other Maa-nulth Nations are members of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.)
One of the directions mentioned in the treaty was that First Nations should interact and join should join their Regional Districts.
Recording starts 1:20 Joining the SRD Board Kevin Jules is KCFN legislative vice chief and has attended SRD Board meetings as an associate member/observer since 2017. Wednesday was the first time he attended as a Director.
SRD Chair Brad Unger started the meeting by acknowledging that the SRD building stands on the traditional territory of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation.
“The SRD looks forward to building stronger relations with all ten First Nations in our region. We are committed to being … with our neighbours, consider common interests, and being mindful when making decisions that may impact them. Today we have the privilege of welcoming the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN) as full members of the SRD Board,” he said.
Unger added that KCFN was the first indigenous nation to join the SRD Board and he hoped this leads the way for others.
“This is a long time coming and something we are very proud to be a part of,” Director Jules responded.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has become the Hakai Institute‘s first partner in a new citizen science sea star monitoring program.
The Cortes Island Project As Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI explained, “”We just launched a really exciting joint project with the Hakai Institute. They are monitoring Sea Stars in the Discovery Islands and we can contribute from Cortes Island.”
“Hakai is using a program called iNaturalist which allows you ere you can to go out, take a picture with your iPhone and upload it to the web. It is really easy. If you have downloaded the app, you can upload pictures while you are standing there.”
FOCI is also looking for volunteers to do monthly beach walks
“Once we have the volunteers, we will let them know about the low tide dates.and try to get them to record Sea Stars in a more methodical manner. That’s looking at both healthy sea stars and any sea stars that have the wasting disease,” said Hall..
Interested parties can email FOCI at friendsofcortes@gmail.com or phone 250-935-0087
Hakai is an outgrowth of the Tula Foundation, which purchased the Hakai Beach on Calvert Island in the Great Bear Rainforest during 2009. This became their first ecological observatory. A second observatory was set up on Quadra Island in 2014. The following year, the Hakai Institute’s corporate office opened in Campbell River. The Hakai magazine is based in Victoria and there is a Hakai node for Fisheries and Oceans at UBC.
According to Hakai communications specialist Kelly Fretwell, researchers on Quadra and Calvert Islands have been studying the Sea Star Wasting disease for years, but iNaturalist opened up the possibility of enlisting citizen scientists.
“It seemed like a perfect focal point to bridge community science in the Discovery Islands and Hakai’s work in sea star wasting and sea star monitoring … This is our pilot year in combining those two focuses. As a result we wanted to reach out and see what community groups would be interested,” said Fretwell.
Reaching out to community groups Lannie Keller, from the Discovery Islands Ecosystem Mapping Project, introduced Fretwell to Sabina Leader-Mense. FOCI’s Marine Stewardship Coordinator.
“She already partners with Hakai on other projects, so it was a perfect link up. Sabina was super excited about this project. Then, early last Fall I did a short intro to iNaturalist with some folks from FOCI and the Wild Cortes partnership. We were talking about some ideas that might be of interest and they had some great ideas about how to apply iNaturalist to their work,” said Fretwell.
She has been communicating with groups like the Quadra Island Outdoors Club, BC Marine Trails Group, Maple Leaf Adventures and the Comox Valley Yacht Club, but FOCI is currently Hakai’s principal partner.
Fretwell hopes to set up some specific sea star monitoring dates on Cortes Island this summer.
“The nice thing about this project is we aren’t just collecting data and sitting on it. If you are out there doing the monitoring, you’ll get some feedback on what is going on in a few months time.” said Hall.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - COVID update fror While the rest of BC reels under reports of COVID’s third wave, it still does not appear to more than touched North Vancouver Island. The number of active cases has risen slightly, to 37, as of late yesterday afternoon.
Island Health does not report any school exposures north of Qualicum.
According to statistics released yesterday,the number of active cases the Greater Campbell River are dropped to 4 during the epi-week ending on Saturday, April 10th.
Quadra Island’s whole island vaccination will begin on Monday, May 3, 2021.
With the number of active cases across British Columbia getting close to 10,000, the province is discussing possible restrictions on businesses and social activities and travel. The current ban on indoor dining may be extended into May.
Photo credit: The MV Aurora Explorer cruises toward the Seymour Narrows in Discovery Passage between Vancouver and Quadra islands by David Stanley via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Kelly Fretwell from the Hakai Institute recently described sea stars as wolves of the ocean floor.
Sea Stars prey on Oysters
The topic came up when I mentioned that they prey upon the oysters in Gorge Harbour, on Cortes Island.
Julia Rendall, President of the Bee Islets Growers Corporation,said they normally eat about a third of her crop. The bottom clusters are “all chewed, eaten.” She remembers the summer that Sea Star Wasting Disease reached the Gorge.
“That was the year I had the very best harvest, for shuck oysters,” said Rendall..”I got about $8,00 a raft instead of $5,000.”
Other oyster growers.have told Hakai researcher Alyssa Gehman that, thanks to sea star wasting disease, they no longer need to hire people to dispose of the sea stars preying on their oysters.
Why having ‘wolves’ on the sea floor is beneficial
“It is an interesting anecdote, but I think having the broader loss of this keystone predator has an even bigger impact,” said Fretwell.
Ochre Sea Stars keep mussel populations in check, so that other species can colonise local ares.
The devastating Sunflower Sea Star losses in the Pacific Northwest has had a terrible effect on kelp. The sea urchins, who are normally kept in check by sea stars, are voracious consumers that can remove entire kelp forests. They turn them into “urchin barrens.”
“Sunflower Sea Stars help keep kelp forests alive and healthy. Then those kelp forests can support a ton of other species that are important for fisheries and the integrity of the food web. ,” said Fretwell.
She added, “Research has shown that when a species is removed from any coastal system, the biodiversity really decreases.”
photo Kelly Fretwell – photo by Koby Michaels, Hakai Institute
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents- The first of three interviews with Kelly Fretwell of the Hakai Institute: Sea star Wasting disease. Includes audio from the opening of the Hakai Institute video "Sunflower Sea Stars Now Critically Endangered"
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The BC Government is currently reviewing the scenic impact of logging in the Outer Discovery Islands. They are determining the level of viewshed protection for scenic corridors important to the $50 million-a-year marine tourism industry, local residents, and recreational users. All of the crown lands on Cortes, Read, Maurelle, Raza, Stuart, and the Redonda Islands are being given new Visual Quality Objective designations.
Photo credit: Working in the Woods by Hans Peter Meyer via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - additional audio from interview with Tanya Henck and Jim Foster.
Photo credit: Domestic violence hurts by ghetto_guera29 via Flickr (CC BY Sa, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The City of Campbell River thanks the region’s three big fish farm companies for their donations to specialized recreation.
Grieg Seafood has sponsored programs for adults and youth with disabilities for the past seven or eight years.
When Grieg said they were not sure they could donate as much in 2020, the city asked Cermaq Canada West and MOWI to also contribute.
“They agreed, but Cermaq decided they want to do more. So, they give a little bit more,” said Deb Simpson, a Specialized Recreation Programmer who normally operates out of the Campbell River Community Centre.
These corporate donations were all “under $2,000.”
The only other donation Simpson mentioned was “a healthy snack and drinks for our After School program for youth with disabilities or special needs” provided by Thrifty Foods.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - For the first time in her 13 years as Cortes Island’s Regional Director, Noba Anderson writes that there is so little substantive information in the Strathcona Regional District Budget that she cannot do her job. Anderson made this comment in a report, in which she alleges to have witnessed the erosion of the budgeting process over the last number of years. “This year, I see essentially no room for informed Director input,” consequently she will be voting against this budget.
Anderson continued, “After our last Board meeting, I asked both the Chair of the Board and the Chair of EASC to discuss the matters below with me. Both declined.”
She added that, "By Provincial legislation, it is my understanding that we are supposed to update our core long-range planning documents every 5 years …"
Anderson provided a list of delinquent planning documents:
Cortes Island OCP (Official Community Plan) has not been renewed since 2012 Quadra Island OCP - since 2007 Cortes Island Zoning Bylaw - since 2002 Menzies Bay OCP - since 2000 Area D OCP - since 1996 Menzies Bay Zoning Bylaw - since 1996 Desolation Sound Rural Land Use Bylaw - since 1993 Quadra Island Zoning Bylaw - since 1990
In response to Cortes Currents queries about Anderson’s statements, the SRD’s Communications Coordinator emailed, “The Board will address the report when its received and at that time follow up will be included in the SRD board minutes or online via the recordings.”
However, as you can hear in the podcast above, the Board chose not to comment when it received Anderson’s report.
This is not the first time, in recent years, that Director Anderson has raised concerns or mentioned the SRD’s delinquent long range planning documents.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Cortes Currents - In partnership with Cortes Community Radio & Cortes Currents, Folk U Radio offered its first Reporter Roundtable: Fish farms and seaweed production.
The panel: Binny Paul (LJI reporter for Campbell River Mirror), Rochelle Baker (LJI reporter for Cortes and Quadra Islands, National Observer), Roy Hales (editor of Cortes Currents) and Ashley Zarbatany (Folk U Radio's political and climate commentator).
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “As many of you might have heard, cases are on the rise within the North Island, which includes the Comox Valley and Campbell River. The number of COVID cases in the north of Vancouver Island has more than doubled in just three days. We are asking everyone to increase their vigilance, when it comes to slowing the spread of COVID 19 ,” said Jesse Ketler, Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District.
That was taken from Chair Ketler’s February 24th YouTube news update, when there were 56 cases.
Two days later, on Friday, Feb 26, there were 64.
This is more than a sixfold increase over a ten day period.
The BC Centre for Disease control will inform the public about the Local Health Areas where these cases were found next Wednesday, at which point this data will be five days old.
Their last report, for the week ending on Saturday February 20th, that showed 82% of North Vancouver Island’s active cases were in the Comox Valley and the remainder (18%) in the Greater Campbell River Health area.
Two food industry workers in Courtenay Thrifty Foods confirmed a staff member at its Cliffe Avenue store in Courtenay tested positive, and this employee has not worked since February 20th.
An A&W staff member, also in Courtenay, has also tested positive. Their last day of work was February 21st.
Six School closures Six schools are listed on Island Health’s exposure page.
Three are in Courtenay and one in Comox.
On Wednesday. February 24th, the superintendent for School District 71, Comox Valley, sent parents a letter stating that eight members within the district tested positive for COVID-19, and 108 staff and students will be self-isolating for two weeks.
The other two school exposures are at Carihi and Timberline Secondary Schools in Campbell River. The most recent potential exposure dates were February 16th, 17th and 18th at Timberline. Both schools have taken the appropriate actions.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Though the number of active cases within Island Health is still relatively small, they have doubled in a little over a week. The increase is especially marked in North Vancouver Island, where they went from 10 on February 17th to 56 at the end of the business day yesterday.
More detailed information for the Greater Campbell River Health Area is always at least 4 days old. However there has been a seven-fold increase in the numbers. There were 7 cases during the week ending on Saturday, February 20th. A week prior to this, there was one.
The Spike has been even worse in the Comox Valley, where the number of cases has grown from one to 32 over the past four weeks.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Sunflower food truck opened beside Whaletown road last summer, when the Pandemic seemed to be fading away and whole province was coming out of self isolation. IN this morning's interview, owner/manager Carie Taylor talks about the business and why she moved her business into the Gorge Harbour General store.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - MP Rachel Blaney is inviting the Federal government to set up a branch of Canada’s seventh Regional Development Agency (RDA) in North Island -Powell River.
Minister of Economic Development Mélanie Joly is currently in the midst of regional roundtables throughout British Columbia, listening to key business and community leaders about their realities. A government press release identified “stakeholders from the South Okanagan, Kootenays, Vancouver Island and Central Coast regions.” These include eleven key BC innovation organizations, like the BC Tech Association, SFU venture labs and Accelerate Okanagan.
Prior to this, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were all lumped together in Western Economic Diversification Canada.
It has been almost three months since Joly acknowledged British Columbia needs a separate Regional Development Agency.
Joly describes Regional Development Agencies as a “kind of a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs.” Her ministry currently has an office in Vancouver, but none across the different regions.
In a public letter released yesterday, Blaney stated “There is no region more fitting of this mandate than the one I represent.”
She described a series of negative economic blows. No sooner had the region’s 10-month long forestry strike ended, than the COVID-19 pandemic began. A thriving tourism industry was put on hold. The paper mill in Powell River was shut down. The region’s already crippled sport fishing industry was hit by new restrictions on chinook salmon retention.
“Then in December, your government announced the decision to phase out the licenses for the open-pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands. The aquaculture industry is a significant employer in the region, and while I respect Minister Jordan’s decision, it will impact many sectors and businesses in my riding,” continued Blaney
” … I invite you to consider North Island—Powell River for a branch location of the new regional economic development agency for BC. It makes sense that your department will want to target economic growth in rural and remote areas of the province because these are the places that need to break the long-suffering cycle of boom and bust resource economies. Having a government office in one of our communities would allow your department to experience first- hand the challenges of connectivity and transportation in rural and remote regions, which can only lead to better local economic outcomes for all who are to be served by this agency.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -The Toki Bap Café is another Cortes Island business that has been impacted by the pandemic. It is in Mansons Hall, which closed down in March 2020. The cafe reopened on June 16th, 2020.
“Strangely enough, last summer was good. We were just open one day a week and it still worked. We still had fun. Everyone got a bit of pocket money to get them through the next cycle.” said Sujon, the manager and sole proprietor.
“The cafe has always been a community hub. Kids are running around, colouring; people coming and going, touching each other, hugging, kissing. It still was that gathering, but it has really slowed down a lot. It is a lot quieter, in fact no one goes into the cafe room anymore, it is all take-out. So we don’t get to see each other as a group and I really miss that a lot. I think it is very much missed.”
The Toki Bap was born out of homeschooling project in 2017. Some of the parents wanted to add some extra curricular activities. Some of the teenagers said they wanted to cook. After they went through the first round of everyone doing something on the wish list, this became ‘cooking with Sue.’
“We covered cooking techniques. I’ve always liked the chemistry of food, how you work with heat and water, also taste, flavour, emotions, memories – that type of stuff… That’s a good avenue for me.” Sujon explained. “We cooked some Asian stuff that they have never seen. We made Mochi, which is basically working with rice flour. A lot of gluten free stuff, because there were a few people who had gluten free needs. Of course they wanted to do sushi. We did different variations of rice things, from pilafs to dumplings.”
Sujon’ daughter was a catalyst in the transition from a homeschool program to a cafe.
The kitchen at Mansons Hall was not in use at the time.
“She was like ‘Mum, running a cafe was sort of your bucket list thing, right?“
“I said,” yes.”
“So she said, ‘Why don’t we do it.”
So, in 2018, Sujon rented the hall and employed a group of teenagers to work there. Nola, Laara and Lilly were in the core group. There was also Amber and Asha. Hall Manager Mary Lavelle was one of the parents, and helped out.
Sujon explained, “
The full name of her business is Toki Bap, Celebrating Cortes Pan Pacific Cuisine & Culture.
“People started coming, we set a menu and we picked up speed – we definitely picked up speed,” she said.
In addition to the cafe, Toki Bap, with $420 seed money received from Cortes Literacy in 2018 and the numerous community volunteers, sponsored AC/DC(another community dinner club). For two years ACDC was able to provide during the quiet winter months, affordable if not free, to 40 guests at a time, gourmet sit down big family style dinners. Unfortunately, Covid has put this project on hiatus.
A Friday take-out service Everything changed after COVID brought the island’s economy to a near standstill.
“Right now it’s only Fridays,” explained Sujon. “We still get long shifts, where we do it once a week. I don’t know if I really qualify as a restaurant in the typical sense. What restaurant opens one day a week for four hours or less? It’s more of a canteen.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -There was only one active COVID 19 case in the Greater Campbell River Health area as of last Monday, according to the latest report from the BC Center for Disease control.
At that point there were only seven cases in the North Vancouver Island Local Health Area.
Now there are ten.
The only other report from our area pertains to Cortes Island. The Klahoose village’s immunization program experienced a weeks delay, but is rolling out despite the province wide shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.
Chief Kevin Peacey told the National Observer, “We hear a lot of our members are jumping at the bit to get in line first. It is frustrating with the delay, but I keep positive that it will all work out in the end.”
The Klahoose were put at the front of the line of First Nations receiving vaccinations because of their COVID cluster in November/December.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - We have a report from Burnaby on the mainland, where Trans Mountain (Tmx) plans to cut 1,308 trees in preparation for its proposed pipeline expansion.
On December 7, 2020, the energy gave the city of four days to approve the necessary permits.
Then Trans Mountain applied directly to the Canada Energy Regulator, which found that TMX is not beholden to the city bylaw stating they would need a permit.
According to Peter McCartney, of the Wilderness Committee, (1:32) “A big chunk of the trees are along two creeks in Burnaby, just south of Highway #1. There’s a fellow who’s been up in a tree for two months now and was served an injunction Saturday. I talked to him last night. He seems pretty confident that they’re going to move in toi remove him today. I was out at the site yesterday, and there are workers everywhere. There are security everywhere. There is police. They already cut down a couple of trees to set up a work site. The workers did tell me they want to start cutting trees as soon a s possible. I’m heading out there shortly to see what’s going on.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Clark McKay and Carol Pierce have been running the Floathouse restaurant, on Cortes Island, since last October.
Though they have both been working in the industry for 20 years, this winter is different. As a result of COVID, the community has gone into semi-isolation. For many local residents, picking up their food is one of their principle outings for the week.
This has brought about an unexpected benefit to both Pierce and Clark.
“This is the first winter in 10 years that I’ve spent in Canada,” she explained.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Donations to the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project, on Cortes Island, have reached the point that all loans can now be repaid.
A number of people loaned the project large sums of money, at rates as low as 0% interest.
Project coordinator Sandra Wood was not sure how much they have raised to date, but could confirm that by the end of 2020 the project had received the $450,000 needed to repay all outstanding loans.
“We have enough cash in hand to pay all of them back. There was never a mortgage on the Rainbow Ridge land. We bought the land outright with the money that local people had loaned us. So it wasn’t a mortgage, it was local loans combined with local cash that was donated, that enabled us to buy that property. So now we have no debt on the Rainbow Ridge property,” she said.
They can now proceed to erect up to twenty-two affordable housing units in Mansons Landing.
Wood said they still have money left over for construction, and on top of that we are still waiting for the BC Housing Grant and project funding to be approved.
“That’s what we are hoping to hear back, hopefully later this year,” said Wood.
She added, “Local Islanders are making this happen. They are using their personal savings and putting it towards community projects.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - While the largest slide in human memory occurred only months ago, local historian Judith Williams says Bute Inlet lets loose all the time. In the podcast above she talks about a slide in the 1860s, another in the 70's and how debris from the most recent slide appears to have reached Cortes Island.
Williams has a special connection to Bute Inlet, which was the setting of her most recent book.
She also talks about its importance as a source of what some experts are already calling the 'oil of the future': water.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is sending Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson a letter advising of the SRD Board’s expectations regarding communications between Directors and Regional District staff.
an Mei Xi/ Vancouver Co-op Radio - In a time when many have felt hopeless, Libby Davies is anything but.
The former MP of Vancouver East of 18 years told The PULSE that she believes every group, no matter how marginalized, can “absolutely” make change.
"People know what needs to be done. The hard part is knowing how to do it," says Davies, in the podcast above.
"Libby Davies is one of Canada’s leading advocates for social justice. She was known for her principled yet collegial approach to important but often contentious issues as a community activist, a Vancouver city councillor and, subsequently, a long-serving member of Parliament. Throughout her 18 years in the House of Commons, she provided leadership and continuity during a tumultuous period in our political history. She gave a voice to the voiceless on such issues such as the plight of thalidomide survivors, LGBTQ rights, affordable housing, missing and murdered women, and safe injection sites - Governor General of Canada
She points to many wins for the neighbourhood during her decades as an elected representative, including the successful opening of Insite, North America’s first supervised drug injection site.
Davies said that a tip she would offer advocates is to persevere. Political change is an inherently slow process, said Davies, but a concerted effort over time will yield change.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - I decided to finish this hour off by redoining the story of a visit I took to a fish farm, four years ago.
Some people will call this program one sided, which is what happens when you interview the people on one side of an argument.
Prior to this, I interviewed Alexandra Morton on three occasions, and also reviewed her movie “Salmon Confidential Documentary.”
On August 23, 2016, Morton joined members of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw nation to board Marine Harvest's Midsummer farm in Kingcome Inlet, BC. The video embedded on Cortes currents shows what Morton found after lowered a Go Pro camera into the pens for ten minutes.
“I was stunned. I saw a fish go by with a big tumour on its’ head. This is one fish out of 800,000 in this pen. How many of the others have this? … Are they going to sell that fish for people to eat, or is that dogfood? I would worry about that,” she said.
When I asked Marine Harvest about the incident, they invited me to visit their fish farm in Phillips Arms.
This is one of the Discovery Island locations now scheduled to be phased out by 2022. In the audio above I describe the visit and how it relates to what I saw in Morton's video.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix issued a joint written statement urging British Columbians to stay home during the Family Day long weekend and lunar new year approach:
“The risks from COVID-19 remain high for all of us, especially with the variants of concern, which is why staying in our local community and avoiding any unnecessary travel is so important right now. This weekend is the weekend to stay home – to show your family and friends you care by not giving COVID-19 the opportunity to spread.” There has been no update on the spread of the UK variant, since four cases were reported on Vancouver Island a week ago.
None of these were in the northern half of Vancouver Island and associated islands.
The BC Centre for Disease Control released geographic statistics, on the spread of COVID 19 within specific local health areas.
During the week ending on Saturday, February 6, there were two (2) active cases in the Greater Campbell River Health Area, which includes Campbell River, Sayward, and the Discovery Islands.
There were also four cases in the Comox Valley and one in Vancouver Island North.
On Sunday February 7th, Loblaws confirmed that one of the employees at the Real Canadian Superstore in Campbell River had tested positive. The employee had not worked since the previous Wednesday.
Island Health COVID-19 Dashboard has more up to date information for the whole of North Vancouver Island, which stretches north from Courtenay. There were 11 active cases as of 4:30 PM yesterday, February 10.
There are currently 269 active cases within Island Health, 21 of these are in hospitals and 8 in critical care.
1,625 Island Health residents have recovered since the pandemic began and 20 have died.
De Clark/ Cortes Currents - [OPINION/EDITORIAL/RESEARCH]
The “fish farm” issue simmering for decades on the BC Coast has boiled over again, in the controversy over DFO’s recent decision to close down open-net Atlantic salmon “farms” in the Discovery Islands and Broughton Archipelago areas. Locally, the issue is mostly being discussed in terms of First Nations sovereignty vs employment, though debate continues over the scale and impact of externalities like sea lice infestations, chemical and biohazard effluent, etc.
I’d like to back up a bit and try to put this local conflict into a larger perspective. “Fish farming” is a global issue, with a long history. Canada is only one minor player in the international Great Game of Atlantic salmon feedlots. This is such a big subject that it can’t be fully covered in a readable article; I’ve compiled a brief bibliography (of links) by topic, at the end. There are also many links and footnotes throughout the text, so readers can dig deeper.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - An injured hawk has recovered and recently been released by a local wildlife advocate.
Cortes Currents reached Autumn Barrett-Morgan at home, by zoom, for the story.
On January first, Autumn's neighbours found the red-tailed hawk by Gunflint Lake and they called the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS), in Merville BC, for advice. MARS told them to get in touch with their Cortes contact for support – Autumn Barrett-Morgan – who happened to live right across the street.
When Autumn got to the hawk, it was wet and muddy and hungry – Autumn says one can assess the latter by body language.
They brought the hawk inside, keeping her safe in a dog crate. Autumn got in touch with MARS for furthur advice. The bird would need to come in to the rescue centre for an evaluation.
As luck would have it, due to stormy weather the ferries weren't running, so Autumn had to care for her overnight. She says the hawk seemed to enjoy drying herself out by the fire.
The next day, when Autumn got the bird to the MARS recovery centre, the experts there gave her an assessment. She might have needed a bath, but the MARS experts erred on the side of less intervention – and the hawk was able to clean herself just fine after a solid meal. The bird seemed to just need rest and food.
Two weeks later MARS said the bird was ready to be released. Autumn brought her back at the end of a weekend of volunteering at MARS, and said that the hawk looked like a brand-new bird. Autumn released the bird in the same spot where it was found. She said, “it was a really, really beautiful experience to see that full circle.”
She's not too sure what happened to the hawk -- they are a smaller bird, so they can be bullied by larger birds-of-prey, but also a large truck had recently driven by, and the hawk could have gotten struck or tumbled in the air turbulence.
Autumn has been building a relationship with MARS ever since she found a northern pygmy owl, with a broken wing – a species at risk.
It was difficult to get the bird over to MARS – it was summer, so ferries were overloaded. Autumn helped the owl hitchhike to the centre in Merville. Through the experience, Autumn identified a need for someone to have some skills more locally to fill the gap in emergency care and transportation – a non-human ambulance service. The transportation is such a stressor for animals – it really needs to be done by someone with a bit of education and experience and the right temperament.
MARS had the owl for over three months, but decided that the bird could not be rehabilitated. And it was killed. Unfortunately, MARS does not have the resources to care for animals indefinitely, so animals that cannot eventually care for themselves and be returned to the wild, have to be euthanized.
Autumn has just recently began volunteering for MARS at their rescue centre.
Autumn would like to take the opportunity to encourage folks to learn more about MARS, and participate in their fundraisers – they'll take your cash, your time, and other stuff too! Autumn is in the process of finding other ways that Cortesians can support MARS.
Autumn would like the public to know something she learned on her weekend of volunteering. While bird feeders bring many joys to people, they can be problematic for birds – they can become contaminated if not cleaned properly and regularly, and become breeding grounds for salmonella.
Bird feeders can also be bear-feeders – becoming an attractant that can get bears and people in trouble (it is against the law to provide food to a bear).
Autumn recommends that people don't have bird feeders. It is better to learn what plants support birds through the winter and consider planting some of those.
Autumn would like the public to know that if you find a distressed or orphaned animal – leave it, watch it, and call her or MARS.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In 2020, Campbell River stores reported 275 cases of shoplifting to the RCMP. That is in a city, what is the shoplifting situation like in more settings like Cortes Island.
Cst. Maurey Tyre said those 275 cases in Campbell River are a major problem, “For staggering statistics, some quick online research points to shoplifters only getting caught 1 out of every 48 times they steal. That would mean over 13,000 instances of shoplifting would have occurred in Campbell River last year, putting losses easily into the millions of dollars for local businesses.”
A U.S. study estimated that the average American pays an extra $423 every year because of the resulting price increases.
Tyre explained, “The losses these businesses face are then made up by the rest of the consumers who shop in the stores by paying price increases and sometimes in the case of a small struggling business it can be more than they can manage as losses mount and shoplifters can put them out of business.” He added, “There are of course all sorts of social ills that lead to the thefts, not the least of which is an increasing addiction problem as drugs become more toxic and addictive.” This report comes from Campbell River, a city of more than 35,000 people.
What is the situation like on Cortes Island: where the population is a little more than a thousand, most residents at least recognize their neighbours, and the only police are stationed on another island? Bill Dougan, Manager of the Gorge Harbour Marina and General Store, emailed, “Yes, there has been shoplifting in the past. Each time they occurred it was either through an addiction (stealing booze) or hunger, that caused them to steal. These are the ones who are caught and we have not caught many, less than a handful in 10 years.” Curt Cunningham, from the Squirrel Cove General Store, added, “I believe that we have a very strong supportive community and shoplifting is at a minimum.”
Roy L hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is applying for a grant to assess the extent and potential vulnerabilities of sea level rise on Cortes and Quadra Islands.
The Grant The Union of BC Municipalities is willing to provide successful applicants with up to $150,000 to ensure they have accurate knowledge of the potential flood hazards and develop effective strategies to mitigate the risks.
Geographic data would be used to model the potential threat to residences, docks, marinas, Regional and Provincial Parks.
Specific areas on Cortes and Quadra Islands Smelt Bay, Mansons Landing park, Rebecca Spit, Quathiaski Cove, Hoskyn Channel, Hank’s Beach, Gnat Park and Moon Park were among the locations specifically mentioned.
Once completed, the proposed project will support local governments’ and First Nations’ ability to better understand the risk of sea level rise, support land use planning and policy development and provide information for public outreach efforts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U-Cortes Currents collaboration - Are you thinking and wondering about the Free Store? If you live on Cortes island, the answer is probably yes. Are you drowning in stuff, or down to two bowls in a household of four people? Every week, there are new theories as to what happened to the Free Store: where it went, what will take to get it back, and also exciting possibilities to use the Free Store model to grow Cortes Island: for keeping resources local, making better use of what the island has and reducing the amount of stuff shipped off Island.
Noba Anderson, our SRD (Strathcona Regional District) elected representative joins us to discuss the history of the Free Store, its organizational (or non organizational structure), and what it would take if Cortes residents wanted to grow the Free Store or expand its operations in the future. Lori Ann then joins to discuss what the Free Store reopening plan looks like in practice.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The most recent map of the Geographic distribution of COVID cases, shows data in the North Vancouver Island Area up to Saturday, January 30th. At that point there were 4 cases in the Greater Campbell River Area, which includes the Discovery Islands, 17 one in the Comox Valley and one in Vancouver Island West.
This shows a significant drop in the number of active cases in the Comox, where there were 9 cases the week before. At that point there were 3 cases in the Greater Campbell River Area and 2 in Vancouver Island North.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - You may have seen a couple of tiny homes just outside the linnaea farm parking lot and wondered, as I did, what's the story with those?
Well, that would be the right question to ask – the tiny homes are a multi-faceted project of Robert Carrington, aka Bobbie Noobie.
Robert told us about his project:
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to the SRD, Cortes island Director Noba Anderson was violating an agreement that one of her land partners would communicate with staff regarding the subdivision of her property on Cortes Island. Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voell, disagreed as to the nature of the ‘agreement.’ He produced a long stream of emails demonstrating that staff repeatedly initiated the direct contacts with Anderson. He maintained that Anderson ‘communicated with Regional District staff in her personal capacity and not in her role as a director,’ used her personal email address, and ‘almost always copied her land partner Ms. Lovena Harvey.” At the close of their January 27, 2020 meeting, the SRD Board referred the matter to their legal council before deciding whether to proceed with the motion to seek legal action to have Anderson disqualified from holding office.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - “What exactly do we do need to do as a community to survive, and thrive, through what is coming. Through the climate crisis; through climate breakdown; to mitigate as much as possible so that hat we can forego the extreme worst case scenarios and avoid them,” said Ashley Zabartany.
Climate Action Plan
After the informal launch of Climate Hope, a year and a half ago, the organization was sidelined by the COVID pandemic. Zabartany was hired to get it going again. Her first project will be drawing up a climate action plan for Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Campbell River RCMP are experiencing a marked increase in the number of emergency calls in January.
In a issued last night, media relations officer Cst Maury Tyre, "2020 was the busiest year in terms of calls for service at the Campbell River RCMP for at least 10 years. This makes January 2021's file count thus far concerning when we compare to our 2020 numbers."
David P Ball/ Vancouver Coop Radio - A growing number of First Nations in British Columbia and beyond are ramping up their urgent demands for control over the welfare of their own children, particularly after numerous reports of "birth alerts" surfaced in the media this year.
A birth alert is the longstanding practice of social workers being alerted to an Indigenous mother going into labour so they can seize the newborn baby from her as soon as it is born. Sometimes, hospital staff alert children's ministries.
The issue sparked controversy after recent media reports, including an investigation by IndigiNews' reporter Anna McKenzie, who told The Pulse on CFRO the issue has deep personal impact for her not only as a child welfare reporter, but as an young Indigenous mother herself.
But her attempt to get information released by the government of B.C. about what it knew of the practice — before banning it, at least on paper, last year — hit a wall when the province gave her documents revealing the government's own lawyers suggested the practice could be unconstitutional.
McKenziw said the government demand the documents back and attempted to suppress IndigiNews' publication. After consulting with a lawyer, McKenzie said the Indigenous-run outlet refused to back down and published the exposé in the public interest.
The provincial children's ministry said in a statement that it would not tell parents if they had been subject to birth alerts in the past, because it wants to look "forward" not back in time, out of concern for "retraumatizing" parents. McKenzie called that explanation, "problematic."
She said now more First Nations are stepping forward to join the few who already negotiated self-determination over their own child welfare systems in B.C.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - One of the advantages of virtual AGM is that people from Vancouver, Calgary, and select locations on both the West and East Coast can also attend. Most were in houses, but one was in a parked car and another on a sandy beach somewhere in Washington state. The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island (FTCCIS) reviewed significant accomplishments of the past year at a ZOOM conference on Jan 23, 2021.
“We did our first COVID compliant Mycoblitz in the Children’s Forest… We identified 66 species and added 23 new species … We build these lists over time and will clearly get into several hundred species on Cortes. I would guesstimate there are more than 2,000 species on Cortes, so this is just the very beginning, “ explained mycologist Paul Stamets, who co-led the team with Cortes Island biologist Sabina Leader-Mense.
“We took one day to focus on research and mentorship, which Sabina organized in the field with six youth. Then we had a day of education and public participation. Those youth mentored and guided us through those interpretive mycostations,” said Christine Robinson.
“We started a whole new vocabulary. I just added mycoknots to it. Mycoblitz, mycostations, mycothanks, mycomerriment, and mycowonder came out of that week-end and now I am adding mycoknots – so the vocabularly continues to expand,” added Leader-Mense.
There is much more about the mycoblitz, as well as the James Creek spawning bed project, Youth programming, and the FTCCIS board for 2021 in the podcast above and https://cortescurrents.ca/significant-accomplishments-reported-by-forest-trust-for-the-children-of-cortes-island/
Photo courtesy Max Thaysen
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - The relocated Whaletown Post Office has finally got its approved Canada Post internet connection! Twincomm and Canada Post’s technical staff were able to get the PO online in January, so semi-automation is restored for many routine postal functions. Customers can once again use credit cards.
heat, phone & internet The Post Office now has a Telus landline number again: 6341.
The Whaletown community has continued to support the relocated building during many upgrades since its relocation last year. Both volunteer and paid hours have resulted in proper under-floor insulation, power metering, an electric heater, and other improvements. Canada Post supplied an entire new wall of (sequentially numbered!) post boxes, installed by local carpenters.
Acknowledgements In a recent Tideline article, Postmistress Mary Clare expressed her particular thanks to Hubert Havelaar, Bruce Harrison, Bill Wheeler, John Messent, Carol London, Tammy and Bill, Rod and Karen Lee as well as others who “wished to remain anonymous.” The community participated in a hand-made knitted hat raffle just before the holidays, which helped to raise money for several of the recent upgrades. Hats were contributed by Ayami Stryke, Bernice McGowan, Carole Davidson, Donna Nichols, Gabriel Dinim, Helene Racine, and Jo-Anne Thompson.
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - In the Agenda published on Friday Jan 22, 2021 for the SRD meeting of Weds Jan 27th, 2021 can be found a couple of items of interest to Cortes Islanders. For item N.1 (Cortes Island Assent Voting Bylaws), all sub-items have been postponed indefinitely. But more dramatic developments are found in section M (Staff Reports) item 1, “Director Anderson — Insider Influence.”
Attached to Item M.1 is a staff report dated January 21st and signed by David Leitch, CAO, with several documentary attachments. The Board is requested to “consider the process for deciding whether to pursue allegations of insider influence in relation to Director Anderson’s December 17, 2020 communication with a staff member as it pertains to a proposed subdivision of land co-owned by her and located on Cortes Island.”
In order to place this document in context, we will have to review some history rapidly receding in the rear-view mirror.
Aftermath of the Regional District Elections in 2018 Ms Anderson narrowly won the Area B election for Regional Director in October 2018. Immediately after the election, political opponents made allegations whose apparent intent was to overturn the result of the election — by disqualifying voters, or by disqualifying Ms Anderson herself from serving a further term.
Disqualification of voters was attempted very shortly after the results were announced, by means of a complaint filed with RCMP alleging “illegal voting” by 43 persons who did not meet residency requirements. RCMP did travel to the island to investigate, but found no case of any unqualified voter casting a ballot in October 2018.
Disqualification of Anderson as a Regional Director was attempted by means of a petition filed with the BC Supreme Court by 13 residents of Cortes Island. This petition, which showed signs of hasty composition and little or no fact-checking, was dismissed as “without merit” in June 2020 by agreement of both counsels. While Currents has been informed of a story in circulation that the litigation was “settled” (i.e. Anderson paid or otherwise persuaded the plaintiffs to abandon their case), there seems to be as little substance to this story as the court found in the original allegations.
Unknown to most Cortes Islanders at the time was a third incident affecting the newly re-elected Director. Only a few days after the election, a complaint was filed with SRD regarding zoning violations on the land on Whaletown Road where Anderson lives, which she co-owns with five other land partners.
Zoning complaints are rare on Cortes Island, if we discount the occasional skirmishes over shellfish leases and their use of mechanical equipment. A land-based zoning complaint is very unusual; Cortes Island has a long tradition of “live and let live” — which is one reason why people come here. This is not the kind of suburban community where neighbours eagerly keep watch over their fences for the slightest infraction. Local resident Kristen Scholfield-Sweet says, “I cannot think, in my 28 +/- years on the APC, of an instance where a neighbour filed a complaint against a neighbour in an unprovoked situation.”
Read more at https://cortescurrents.ca/srd-contemplates-further-litigation-against-noba-anderson/
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - When Campbell River was reeling from the onset on COVID last Spring, a task force was formed to study the economic impacts. They interviewed about 300 businesses over a two and a half month month period. The Campbell River Business Recovery Task Force concluded that the city’s economy primarily rests on three pillars: tourism, forestry and fish farms. This is where the first dollars enter, that support numerous other businesses. Now the Task Force warns about the economic consequences of phasing out fish farms.
“If you look at the interrelationships, you can see that so many things that we enjoy in this community, and on your own island to some extent, are a product of a successful forest industry, aquaculture industry, and, when it’s able to, the contribution made by tourism and hospitality,” said Task Force Co-Chair Brian Stamp.
“ ...We had a very clear message from the aquaculture business because they are all tied together with the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
Stamp cited statistics from the BC Salmon Farmer’s Association report, Raising Opportunity: How BC Salmon could lead BC’s Post COVID Recovery where it says there 572 people from Campbell River, Sayward and the Discovery islands employed in salmon farm operations. They receive $31 million in wages and another $132.6 million goes out to local venders.
“If you take the supply chain numbers from the aquaculture industry and forestry industry and add them up, that’s a significant amount of money. Then, if we are lucky enough to get the tourism component back on its feet, then you have the three pillars firing on all cylinders,” said Stamp.
“The retail opportunities that we have in Campbell River, the big box stores - the Walmarts, Home Depots, Home Hardware, Save on Foods, those large retail operations - are a product of Campbell River having a resilient economy. If all of a sudden the traffic in Home Depot was to suffer because the numbers of people shopping there are reduced, because their incomes are reduced, or the numbers of people available to shop are reduced because they haven’t got a job and they’ve moved on - guess what. If that store isn’t producing the results that they expect, it will close,” said Stamp.
“That goes for all the other things that we enjoy here and the residents of Quadra and Cortes Islands enjoy some of the same benefits. We have a very wonderful array of physicians, and surgeons in Campbell River. we have a new hospital in Campbell River. Those are all products of have a group of citizens that have the where withal because they have jobs and are well paid to live here.”
“You can see small communities that are not successful. They struggle to keep doctors in their communities. So we are fortunate that these industries [tourism, forestry and fish farms] have provided us with a very nice way of life.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - In what at least one First Nation leader describes as a challenge to Aboriginal rights, Mowi Canada West and Cermaq Canada are seeking a judicial review to overturn the DFO’s decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands.
This is unceded territory, which has belonged to First Nations for countless generations.
When she announced the decision to phase out the fish farms by June 30th, 2022, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan explained, “These facilities are some of the oldest sites on the West Coast and are located on the traditional territory of the Holmalco, Klahoose, K’omoks, Kwiakah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. Consultations with the seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands area provided important guidance to the Minister and heavily informed the decision. This approach also aligns with the Province of British Columbia’s land tenure commitment that all aquaculture licenses as of June 2022 require consent from local First Nations.”
David Kiemele, Managing Director for Cermaq Canada, issued a press release stating the judicial review focuses “on the conduct of DFO and the Minister of Fisheries …”
“We respect the opinions and the rights of the First Nations in the Discovery Islands region. As a supporter of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the reconciliation process, Cermaq recognizes the inherent Indigenous rights and title of the local First Nations in whose territories we operate. The judicial review brought by Cermaq is meant to allow time for Cermaq to engage with these local First Nations regarding our operations in their territories,” he wrote.
Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco First Nation told the Campbell River Mirror that Cermaq’s statement is “hollow… just words, no action.”
“If they (aquaculture industry) want to reinstate the farms they will have to consult with First Nations going all the way up to the end of the Fraser and every other person who gets impacted on the B.C. coast,” he said.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - On January 12th and 13th 2021, the first hearing of BC Supreme Court case S15097, Anderson vs Strathcona Regional District, was held in Campbell River before Justice Geoffrey Gaul.
Counsel for the Respondent (SRD) was James Goulden assisted by Sarah McCalla. Counsel for the Petitioner (Anderson) was Paul Hildebrand assisted by Matt Voell. Both senior counsels are distinguished professionals.
The Judge apparently found the case of sufficient importance to hear it in person rather than by phone (as most cases are now heard, due to the pandemic). After two days of argument, the hearing was adjourned for continuation as soon as another court date is available.
Case S15097 is a petition for judicial review of certain decisions and actions taken by the Strathcona Regional District Board of Directors during 2019 and 2020. The fundamental question Justice Gaul is to decide is whether elected officials are entitled to independent legal counsel in matters touching on in camera business.
The right to independent legal counsel (which was not guaranteed to indigenous Canadians until 1977!) is considered “quasi-Constitutional,” which means that limiting it or setting it aside is a fairly serious matter. Whether in camera privilege as exercised by e.g. municipal bodies and regional districts can supersede such a quasi-Constitutional right is the question on which opposing arguments are being presented to Justice Gaul.
In the specific case of Anderson vs SRD, certain actions of SRD — a motion of censure passed against Anderson, and possibly a never-explained refusal to indemnify Anderson for legal expenses incurred in 2018-19 — appear to hinge on their contention that Anderson’s consultations with independent legal counsel constituted an illegitimate revelation of in camera information. Anderson’s counsel disagrees.
Petitioner’s (Anderson’s) counsel have presented their initial argument in full, but Respondent’s (SRD’s) counsel did not complete their presentation by the end of Day 2. When the hearing reconvenes, Respondent’s argument will be completed and the Judge may then hear rebuttals, or further argument or explanation. Petitioner’s argument is a public document as of the adjournment on January 13th, but Respondent’s argument is not yet available. Cortes Currents will refrain from discussing Petitioner’s argument until both arguments can be covered in the same article.
Judgment in the case (which could potentially set a precedent affecting all BC local governments) will almost certainly not be pronounced until some time after the hearing is complete. We expect to publish a second installment of this story after the second session of the hearing, and a third installment after judgment is rendered. Stay tuned…
Note: Some Cortes Islanders mistakenly interpret this case as a continuation of litigation launched in January 2019 against Director Anderson by 13 residents of Cortes Island, i.e. think that she is still defending herself against those charges. That litigation, however, is resolved. The original petition was dismissed in court in June 2020, after Petitioner’s and Respondent’s counsels agreed that it was without merit. However, some actions taken by SRD in 2019 and 2020 (and presently being challenged by the current litigation) were consequences of the 2019 petition; so the two are historically connected.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - BC Hydro’s 2020 Annual report provides insight, but local knowledge is needed to understand the Cortes Island electric grid.
Vancouver Island has more trees per kilometre of utility power line than any place else in North America and this can translate into power outages.
The average Campbell River resident experienced 1.86 power outages, averaging 2.55 hours in 2020. This seems high when compared to cities like Victoria and Nanaimo, but is better than Duncan or Port Hardy.
Cortes Island does not appear in the graph, but a Squirrel Cove resident recorded 6 outages lasting between 2 and 12 hours (each) in her calendar. While the numbers are rounded off, this suggests Cortes is one of the worst areas in the Vancouver Island area for outages.
The average lifespan of a wooden power pole is 40 to 50 years, and BC Hydro is currently replacing more than 8,000 poles across BC.
As electricity reached Cortes Island in the early 1970s, many of the poles are presumably near their end of use.
Vancouver Island produces about 40% of its electricity. The remainder is supplied by two transmission submarine cable systems crossing the Strait of Georgia. The older of the two systems, built in the 1980s, crosses from the Sunshine Coast, over Texada Island and emerges at Qualicum Bay. A second cable, laid in 2008, connects Tsawwassen and Duncan.
Transmission cables cross from Campbell River to Quadra Island, but Cortes’ electricity comes from a different direction. A submarine cable connects the Cortes Island electric grid to the Malaspina peninsula.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) board has joined the growing number of local governments protesting the DFO’s failure to consult before ruling that the Discovery Island fish farms must be phased out by June 2022.
Regional Director Brenda Leigh brought forward a motion that the SRD write the Prime Minister of Canada and Federal Fisheries Minister.
“Whether or not you are in favour of these particular fish farms that they are eliminating, the crux of this motion is that we were not consulted. I would like the Federal Government to consult with our Regional District since we have all these communities under our care, regarding land use decisions and we need them to listen to us. We need to tell them so that this does not keep happening. People are out there. Their lives are being decimated and they have no input into this decision that is happening right now. Our MP is talking to the Federal Fisheries Minister right now and I am afraid that we are not going to get the point of view of local communities across to the Minister,” she said.
Charlie Cornfield, who is both a Campbell River councillor and SRD director, explained, “The federal government does not recognize local government as a level of government. So … if they talk to a couple of people in town, or a couple of organizations, they’ve done their community consultation … Whatever letter goes off, I want it to be very clear that they did not have any dialogue with any local government: whether it is cities or the Regional District. The impacts of this decision are huge. We need to stress the fact that local government is the voice of the local communities.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - TELUS is looking at five potential communication tower sites in the Discovery Islands.
Three of these are on Cortes Island, where they already have land rights on two sites. TELUS owns property in Mansons Landing and has reached an agreement with a property owner in Squirrel Cove. They are also looking for a Whaletown resident who is willing to host a tower on their land.
TELUS is looking for properties in Heriot Bay and Drew Harbour on Quadra Island, but has not yet identified any candidates.
Discovery Island Regional Director Jim Abram told two TELUS representatives at the January 13th Strathcona Regional District Board meeting, “You have mentioned a number of times, on the flyer with the maps, that you haven’t picked a spot, but I am receiving calls from very elderly people on Quadra Island that they are receiving calls from your consultants offering them 30 year contracts at $1,000 a month to put a tower up on their properties. So you have obviously picked some sites, based on their geographic location, how far they reach etc. You have actually gone as far as going to these people and offering them large sums of money.”
He chided TELUS for ‘jumping the gun,’ by approaching property owners before consulting with the SRD.
Abram also said, “I’ve worked with TELUS since 1990, progressing our connectivity whether it be broadband, wireless or cell towers. Our service is still terrible, as they probably know.”
Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting Ltd was part of the TELUS delegation.
“TELUS does not have dependable wireless service on Quadra and Cortes Islands, including the surrounding waterways. This not only poses an inconvenience, for people to remain connected, but also a public safety issue given that the majority of calls to emergency service responders are now placed through wireless devices, such as cell phones,” he said.
A TELUS spokesperson emailed Cortes Currents that, “more than 70% of phone calls to 911 these days come from a cell phone.”
Gregg continued, “For a number of years, we’ve been receiving a lot of customer complaints from community members, regarding a lack of service. With increased remote working during COVID 19 pandemic, those complaints have been escalating in your area and, frankly, across the country.”
If this project goes forward, it is expected to would dramatically increase cellular service throughout the area which means residents and visitors could use their wireless devices (such as cell phones and tablets) to make phone calls, send emails and text messages, and use the Internet.
Photo credit: existing tower at TELUS' property on Cortes Island - Roy L Hales
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Salmon farming is a significant local employer in Northern Vancouver Island. According to a recent report there are 572 Campbell River, Sayward and the Discovery Islands residents working in this sector. 702 people are said to have indirect jobs, which means the industry is bringing about $324.3 a year into the local economy. Another 512 direct and indirect jobs, representing $135.1 million, are in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.
Mayor Andy Adams announced the extent of the mayor’s support during a the January 11, 2021 meeting of the Campbell River City Council.
“Speaking on behalf of myself, Mayor Baker of Sayward, Mayor Unger of Gold River, Mayor Dugas of Port Hardy, Mayor Wickstrom of Port McNeill, we have all been working in collaboration together for the industries, staff and employees and residents of the North Island. While we recognize that there is nothing more important than the preservation of wild salmon stocks, we are of course in Campbell River, the salmon capital of the world,” he began.
“ … We have seen the evolution of aquaculture here on the North Island. It is science based, with the innovation and technology that have made it the number one agricultural export for the province of British Columbia and that industry is at risk.”
“That is 1,500 employees in the North Island. It is people’s lives, people’s jobs and all the family and friends around them that are adversely impacted.”
“So I can tell you that the group of mayors have been working right through the holidays, every single day. reaching out to the powers that be at the provincial and federal level. We had a video conference Friday with Minister Kahlon, MLA Babchuk and Minister Osborne reviewing the economic impact. We were to have a video conference this morning with MPO Blaney, however that got sidetracked and is now trying to be rescheduled with the parties that we are in agreement should be there. We are also working to set up a conference call with Minister Jordan”
Mayor Adams added that the mayors are also in communications with people supporting open net salmon farms on the Atlantic coast.
He concluded, “I want to say to all of those that have worked in the industry through our economic recovery task force, as we have done with forestry in the past, we are going to stand up and speak on your behalf, for you and in support of you. And in support of dealing with the facts of science, technology and innovation.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third of what has become a series of articles about the need for a transition plan, John Paul Fraser, President of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, considers the industry’s prospects for survival.
“You can make these tough decisions smart. You actually find out how to do it in a way where time and preparation help reduce the temperature and help create a plan to move forward and maybe also help invigorate local discussion. There is no question that this is also a good thing,” he began.
As regards the Minister of Fisheries decision to phase out the Discovery Island’s fish farms by June 30th, 2022, Fraser said, “Eighteen months … is a completely untenable and unworkable time frame to exercise any kind of transition, or whatever you may call it. It is really about termination … but I think the part that really upsets a lot of people … is that apparently this government made absolutely no effort.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the second in what has turned out to be a series of interviews about the need for a plan to help the 1,500 fish farm workers who will allegebly be losing their jobs because of the decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Island. Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, is questioning the numbers.
Are 1,500 people actually losing their jobs?
“I really do feel for the few people who are losing their jobs, but let’s do some math here,” said Stan Proboszoz.
He suggests that, conservatively speaking, the actual number i probably closer to 300.
(Listen to his calculations in the podcast above.)
This raises the question of whether the closure would be a major economic blow to the region? Or a personal tragedy for the affected families?
After my interview with Proboszoz, someone from the BC Salmon Farmers Association said the 1,500 figure is a combination of direct and indirect jobs. The actual total is 1,498 and 672 of these are people directly employed on the Discovery Island fish farms.
“How many jobs have been lost because of … the parasites and diseases from fish farms?” asks Proboszcz.
Have fishermen lost their jobs?
What about negative impacts on the wild wilderness tourism and recreational fishing sectors?
“I can’t prove with 100% certainty that there have been jobs lost because of fish farms. It is tough to prove anything with 100% certainty. I would suggest that salmon farms are a contributing factor … There has been a fair bit of science that shows they contribute to wild salmon declines,” said Proboszoz.
“I have heard that the industry was blindsided by this decision. People were surprised, shocked, but I just want to remind everyone that this isn’t a surprise. This was explicitly stated in recommendations from the Cohen Commission that was tabled eight years ago. One of the recommendations stated that the farms should be removed in 2020. Everyone knew that this likely going to happen. I think it is a little irresponsible for the industry to suggest they were blind-sided. They should have been preparing for this a long time ago,” said Proboszoz.
As far as funding the retaining of fish farm workers who have lost their jobs, Proboszcz wondered if it could be part of a larger transition of the industry to on-land farms.
“I’m not sure of the best way forward, that’s not my area of expertise, but I do not that there are jurisdictions around the world that are moving forward with [on land fish farms]. There just seems to be this resistance, especially in Western Canada, to this technology. I think we need to change and perhaps they are starting to see the writing on the wall. Perhaps after this bitterness assess we’ll see that sort of transition. , … We are going to miss the boat if we don’t transition towards a more environmentally sustainable method of growing fish,” he said.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be a plan to help displaced fish farm workers, and threatened wild salmon stocks, in the Discovery Islands.
Approximately 1,500 people, many of whom live in Campbell River or Quadra Island, will lose their jobs by June 30th, 2022.
On December 17th, the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, announced,“no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “Fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”
The mayors of Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Gold River asked to be included in the discussion leading up to this decision, but were ignored.
MP Rachel Blaney met with Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, yesterday.
“First of all, I outlined to her how unfortunate it was that she made the decision to help the affected workers and what the economic impact will be. I think the lack of a plan left people left people in a void. They are concerned about what the future will look like. So what I requested from her was a coordinated approach to the economic realities faced in our region,” said Blaney.
“I outlined the fact this area has lived through a very long forestry strike, we’ve had a lot of changes because of COVID and tourism was really impacted.”
“When you look at that reality, we need to make sure that we have multiple federal departments participating in this. We’ve heard clearly from people that there are opportunities. They need supports to look at those opportunities.”
“Two of the things we’ve heard from people are better connectivity, so that we can have better internet speeds and increased cell phone reception. And I’ve asked the minister, as well, if the other ministers will be playing a role. There are some key minsters, like Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development, Ministers Monsef and Baines, who are in charge of the Connect Coast project for internet,“she continued.
“The Minister promised me there would be a whole government approach to these challenges.”
Photo credit: Rachel Blaney
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Radio: Art of Community Leadership 101. In this episode Colin Funk joins to discuss with host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to look at the idea of community leadership a little deeper. What is the mix of magic and resourcefulness and entrepreneurialism that makes an effective community leader? How do we cultivate that resilient and spontaneous aspects of our selves? And how do we create organizations that will support us in being responsive and visionary to the needs of a community? Even harder, how do we pivot organizations and businesses and ourselves when it is time for things to change or to let old-ways go? Jenny Evans from North Island Employment Foundation also joins to discuss a bit more about how individuals can pivot in their work lives.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The arrival of an additional 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine has allowed Island Health to vaccinate health Care Workers in North and Central Vancouver Island. Vaccinations of health care workers and volunteers started in Campbell River.
“Today is important because we need to get as many shots around Canada as possible, to slow this down,” said Lynn Wurz, a volunteer for baby clinics and the hospital thrift shop.
She added, “I think our grandchildren should record this somehow. Take pictures of everybody in masks, around town.”
“We’ve been hoping for this day since the Spring when the pandemic started and preparing for it since the summer. The public health nurses and leaders have been working so hard … So it is really incredible to be here today … getting to administer vaccines and saving lives,” said Tara FitzGerald, the Director of Public Health with Island Health.
“It is a pretty emotional day for everybody. The public health teams have been working in extraordinary times, putting out an outstanding effort. It is amazing to see from COVID testing and collection, to contact tracing and case management to now vaccine administration … The accomplishments that our public health nurses, teams and leaders have made are truly awe inspiring.”
FitzGerald stressed the manner in which COVID impacted everyones lives and families.
On a personal level, she said “my daughter’s great grandmother was in hospital when the visitor restrictions began.”
“My family has ties to the Snuneymuxw First Nation [in the Greater Nanaimo area] and yesterday our public health program was able to administer vaccines.”
According to acting chief medical officer Dr. Shannon MacDonald, 191 First Nations members in Island Health have tested positive since the pandemic began.
Four were on Cortes Island, where the Klahoose Nation received doses of the Moderna vaccine this week.
According to the Island Health COVID dashboard, there are now 152 active COVID cases on Vancouver Island, 26 of which are in North Vancouver Island.
The BC Centre for Disease control released statics for the number of new cases in North Vancouver Island during December. There were 37 in the Comox Valley Health Area,18 in the Greater Campbell River area, 12 in North Island and 2 in West Island.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - When BC’s restaurants closed their doors last march, they virtually shut down Cortes Island’s #1 industry. Though sales are still below pre-COVID levels, the shellfish sector is coming back.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - At the January 4th press conference, Dr Bonnie Henry unveiled the plan to immunize British Columbia.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to a recent report from the BC coroners service, there have been 30 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths in the North Vancouver Island Health Service Delivery area during the first eleven months of 2020. Fentanyl was detected in 22 cases. That’s in a population of more than 122,000, which probably explains why there have been no opioid related deaths reported on Cortes Island so far this year. The number of drug overdoses is far higher. Campbell River’s Fire Chief said there were times his men saved the same drug user more than once in the same day. Cortes Currents asked two medical professionals from the Cortes Medical Clinic for their observations of Cortes Island’s opioid ‘crisis’.
The Cortes Medical Clinic Iain Law is one of the six doctors who take turns serving in the Cortes Medical Clinic. He has an established practise in Victoria, which is where he connected to our ZOOM chat.
“The Cortes Medical Clinic is a full service facility. We provide comprehensive care to anybody on the island. That means we are often the first point of contact for a lot of people with different health issues. We help people manage health issues and also help them navigate through the health care system including specialists and hospital care. Cortes is somewhat unique compared to other family practises in that we also provide emergency care in conjunction with BC Ambulance on the island,” he explained.
Do you deal with Opioids every day? Dr Law added, “Opioids are a small part of what we do on a day to day basis.”
Do you deal with it every day?
“No,” he said.
“It is a clinic, anything can come through the door. Substance abuse, of any kind be it alcohol or drugs, has an impact on a certain percentage of those visits. Underlying substance abuse [sometimes] makes the condition they are coming in for worse, such as alcohol and heart disease or something like that. We are not seeing overdoses coming into the clinic on a rampant basis. You can’t really say it is the opioid crisis, but drug abuse certainly impacts some of the things that come through the clinic,” said Bernice McGowan, a registered nurse who works in the clinic as a casual nurse.
She qualified this answer, “I don’t see most of the people that come into the clinic.They aren’t necessarily coming in. Many are speaking on the phone and I don’t know what is happening on those phone calls. I’m not looking at their medical records. I don’t have access to a lot of that information, you’d have to talk to the doctor, but I do know there is a substance use impact on some of those clinic visits.”
McGowan also oversees Cortes Island’s home care sector.
“I wouldn’t say that my home care job is really impacted a lot by substance use issues. To some extent with certain clients, but not in any sense [as] ’the opioid crisis,’” she said.
Seeing part of the picture “What we see in the clinic is just part of the picture,” explained Dr Law.
He suggested contacting the local British Columbia Ambulance Service, which was not available for comment.
“The patients we typically see, related to addiction issues, are patients that are concerned about their struggles with addiction and are looking for help. We try our best to connect them the appropriate services and offer to manage them on our own. That sometimes means connecting them with counselling and education around substance abuse. Not everything is on the island, there are addiction services in Campbell River that we work with. Sometimes pharmaceuticals are needed. There are various interventions, including opioid replacement therapy with either methadone or suboxone. We do some of that on the island, but certainly not a lot and not every day,” said Dr Law.
This is the first of two episodes coming out of our interviews. In part two, Bernice McGowan and Dr Iain Law discuss the way the opioid crisis is portrayed in the media.
Roy L Hales /Cortes Currents - All four new units at the Cortes Island Seniors Village are now occupied.
Moving In
Axel Nagory was the first to move in. He arrived around December 20th and chose one of the corner units, looking out into the forest. The 650 square foot cottage was more than three times the size of the camper Nagory had been living in and possessed more up to date amenities. The faint aroma of fresh paint still lingered inside his new home.
“For me, this is the most perfect house that I can ever dream of,” exclaimed Axel.
He said that the new duplex beside the Cortes Medical Clinic was occupied and a woman is moving into the last of the new cottages.
The Seniors Village
The four new units are all 650 square feet.
They share a central courtyard with six cottages that were built in 2008/09.
Downtown Mansons Landing is within easy walking distance.
Tenants will pay about $535 a month, but the specific amounts are adjusted to ensure that no one spends more than 30% of their income on rent.
Financing
The Cortes Island Senior’s Society provided the land on which these units were built.
Around $100,000 was raised through donations and the provincial government granted another $400,000 through the Building BC program.
BC Housing provided about $1 million in construction financing and annual operating funds.
More about Axel
Axel was the only resident visible when Cortes Currents arrived, on December 31st.
His girlfriend lived on Cortes Island in 1999, when Axel first paddled his kayak over from Lund.
He has been a well known Cortes personality for the past 21 years.
Photo credit: Axel Nagory in front of his new home - Roy L Hales photo
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - Cortes Island had its annual community Christmas Dinner on December 25th.
As a result of the COVID shutdown, close to a third of the island’s population turned out.
It was truly a gourmet delight.
Cortes Currents sent Noah Davidson and Izabelle Perry a list of questions, which they chose to answer by email.
Imagine this is Noah’s voice, rather than mine, reading this out.
“After the cancellation of all community events, dances, Easter, and Christmas craft fairs, we really wanted to find a way to not have to cancel Christmas Dinner!”
“Community Christmas Dinners at the Gorge Hall have been an annual tradition for as long as anyone can remember. We recently took over the planning and cooking responsibilities from Jim Kearney, who believed that everyone should have the opportunity to gather and enjoy a warm meal together on Christmas Day. We hope that people found the take-out meals were a reasonable alternative to gathering.”
“On average, the free Christmas dinner in Whaletown serves around 125 people at the Gorge Hall for a sit-down meal on Christmas Day. Usually, 3 or 4 turkeys are prepared along with the fixings, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and veggies. The attending community brings a plethora of potluck dishes that really add something special to the dinner.”
“This year was different, we served over 300, free take-out style meals from the Floathouse restaurant with no potluck items. We cooked 21 turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes and veggies, gravy, and cranberry sauce. We also offered a vegetarian option, with a lentil nut loaf, wild rice stuffing, vegan mashed potatoes, and miso gravy.”
The story continues in the podcast
Photo courtesy Noah Davidson and Izabelle Perry
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - When the Chum salmon returned to Cortes Island four years ago, they entered every creek. Approximately 1,050 swam up Basil Creek this year, but the numbers were far lower everywhere else. Some Whaletown residents saw Chum in their creek, these did not make it to the official tally - which is zero. Despite the disappointing returns, Streamkeeper Cec Robinson describes 2020 as a year in which steps were taken to ensure future Chum runs.
Some experts within the Department of Fisheries say this is a phenomenon happening throughout the West Coast. They believe that the poor runs are made up of survivors from a new marine heatwave similar to ‘the Blob’ that “disrupted the West Coast marine ecosystem and depressed salmon returns” five years ago.
Cec talked about the streamkeeper’s new incubation boxes and plans to restock Whaletown, James and Basil creeks next year.
The interview ended on another positive note, next year the first 30,000 Chum raised in a hatchery will be returning to Basil Creek.
Photo credit: The new marine heatwave off the West Coast stands out in this map of sea surface temperature anomalies, with darker red denoting temperatures farther above average. The highest temperatures shown are more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit above average. Image from NOAA Coral Reef Watch, which corrects effectively for cloud cover.
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - China wants more oysters than are grown in BC.
“No discussion about seafood markets can go anywhere without talking about China. It is just the number one driver of seafood consumption. It is their market,” said Erik Lyon, owner operator of Rising Tide Shellfish on Cortes Island.
He added, “I haven’t been there, but from what I hear China has a rising middle class with disposable income and culturally they really value seafood, especially shellfish. Fresh and live are probably the most important things to them, as far as food goes.”
According to the Chinese market research agency, Dauxe Consulting, “With polluted and overfished waters at home, China is importing a lot of premium seafood. Wealthier Chinese consumers who can afford to avoid scandal-plagued chicken and pork have in some cases switched to seafood.”
Many Shanghai and Beijing restaurants “sell imported oysters, and most often as a side dish. Only some places exclusively sell oysters as a key element of the restaurant. The price varies from 30 to 150 yuan per dish. The key feature of the restaurants selling oysters is that most of them are western-oriented.”
Dauxe added, “Chinese consumers are more and more demanding about the quality of oysters they buy. Therefore, they are willing to pay a high price for high-quality oysters.”
China wants more oysters than BC can produce “There were Chinese brokers who came here and they wanted more oysters than are grown in BC, never mind Cortes Island. We simply do not have that volume. We are talking thousands of dozens and for us three hundred dozen is a large order. We don’t even count. We did try,” said Kristen Schofield-Sweet.
Photo credit: Pearl Of Asia Fried Oysters by snowpea&bokchoi via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The new COVID 19 variant reached Vancouver Island. According to a Ministry of Health statement released Sunday, “The individual, who resides in the Island Health region, returned to B.C. from the U.K. on flight AC855 on Dec. 15, 2020.” CTV news suggests this may be the person that a flight exposure warning from the BCCDC suggests it may have landed at the Vancouver International Airport. An infected person was on a Dec. 15 Air Canada flight 855 from London to Vancouver. Another exposure warning from the BCCDC indicates an infected person travelled from the Vancouver airport to the city of Nanaimo. This individual developed symptoms while in quarantine and was tested immediately, according to the statement. The test came back positive on Dec.19, 2020. In speaking with CTV News, Dr. Henry said the person’s infection “does not appear to have spread.” “The person was maintaining their quarantine … (and has) very few close contacts so we're monitoring them very carefully,” she said. In Sunday’s statement,"It is important to note there is no evidence that the new COVID-19 variant is more likely to cause severe illness, nor is there evidence to suggest the Health Canada-approved vaccines will be any less effective against the new variant.”
The numbers are going down again on Vancouver Island and, on December 24th, there were only 13 active cases in North Vancouver Island, and 65 throughout the whole of Island Health.
Photo Credit - Nanaimo by Brian Chow via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L hales / Cortes Currents - Picture a homeless encampment in a public park. The rains and recent snow have transformed most of the lawn into a massive puddle. The number of tents in Victoria’s Central Park has decreased since last fall, but there were still 45 of them on December 15th. One was sitting on a pallet, which raised the floor above the water, but the neighbouring tents are all in water.
That’s the scene that greets your eyes in Krista Loughton’s video “This is Canada” which was filed in the park on December 21st.
She published it along with an “open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier John Horgan, and all other federal and provincial elected officials who are responsible for social housing and human rights federally and provincially in Canada.”
In the text it says “I, and whoever else likes or shares this video, demand that we find an indoor solution immediately for people who are literally being flooded out of Central Park in Victoria, B.C.”
Sarah Suleman, from CFUV in Victoria, reports:
“On Dec 23, those sheltering in Central park began relocating to Royal Athletic park due to flooding from recent heavy rain and snow. The move comes after a media release was issued the previous day by the City of Victoria addressing the move as well as announcing that extra support would be provided to the homeless community in the form of new tents and bedding.”
“In the statement, Mayor Lisa Helps commented on the situation explaining how the recent fluctuations in the weather have exacerbated the situation. ‘With the recent heavy rainfall, the situation in Central Park has become untenable for those sheltering. As the cold and wet weather continues to make sheltering in parks more challenging, the City is actively working with its partners to secure more safe spaces for people to stay warm and dry, by March 31 at the latest,’ said Helps.”
“Helps also acknowledged the extra support that has been extended to those sheltering in the park. ‘In the meantime, we are grateful to everyone who has mobilized to help move people camping to firmer ground that won’t flood. I’d especially like to thank BC Housing for their continued support,’ Said Helps.”
“The Victoria Fire department and BC housing will be supplying tents, cots and bedding. Discussion have begun with the GSL Group to reuse the Save-on Food Memorial Centre temporary shelter but this option has yet to be confirmed.”
“The media release reiterated that homelessness has been a top priority for the provincial government and the recent storm and pandemic have further highlighted a need to address homelessness within Victoria.”
“Due to social distancing guidelines because of the pandemic, access to indoor shelters and available beds have been reduced as well as overall support for people experiencing homelessness.”
“The Municipal Government is also investing in services and programs such as the salvation army, the Umbrella Society for Addiction and Mental Health, a community care tent, our place society, as well as extending public washroom hours and having bylaw officers conduct daily checks.”
A series of photo from the North Park Neighbourhood Association shows the new tent city in a parking lot, with every tent raised above the pavement’s surface on a pallet.
David P Ball/ Vancouver Coop Radio - The newly launched BC Recovery Benefit opened for applications last week — a key NDP promise in last fall's controversial election — but already it's turning into an insurmountable barrier for some low-income people and seniors faced with an unexpected barrage of paperwork and documentation.
If the prerequisite to have filed taxes this year wasn't already a barrier for many people who earn too little to even pay taxes, or afford an accountant, many individuals who have attempted to apply for the $500 non-taxable funds ($1,000 for families) since it started not only faced website crashes due to overloaded servers, but also follow-up emails from government demanding they provide printed or scanned copies of government photo identification and bank account records.
Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, of First United in the Downtown Eastside, said even she struggled to understand an unnecessarily complicated website where the link to actually apply wasn't obvious — and was hit with a government email requesting documents simply unavailable to many of her DTES clients.
She said the government’s recovery benefit falls far short of what's required — and is inaccessible to those who most urgently need it during a pandemic that's seen huge swathes of the public lose income, plunge deeper into debt, skyrocketed overdose deaths, and cast people from their homes.
Instead, Landsdowne is among a growing number of advocates who say instead of one-time handouts, the province needs to — in the short term — cancel its cut to the disability top-up and add any emergency benefits directly into social assistance. And an even better solution, she argued, is to launch a B.C.-wide universal basic income pilot project.
Such a policy ensures every resident is topped up to a set minimum annual income, regardless of how much or how little money they make. It wouldn't claw back or cancel benefits for people who earn a small amount of money or attempt to re-enter the workforce.
Landsdowne said the pandemic has made such a move all the more urgent here, and she said even after the vaccine is widely distributed she fears an escalation of deep poverty and economic desperate could last much longer. UBI has been tried successfully in Scandinavia, several communities in Ontario and, historically, in one Manitoba city to measurable effect on poverty and health.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Scientists are just grasping the extent of the environmental devastation. According to the Hakai Institute, which operates an ecological observatory on Quadra Island,10 million cubic metres of rock and earth plunged into Eliot Creek on November 28th. Andrew Schaeffer, a Pacific division seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, said the landslide “sent out low-frequency surface waves resembling those of a quake with an equivalent magnitude of 4.9.” The glacial lake outburst was about 100 metres high and to shot through Elliot Creek into the Southgate River and Bute Inlet. The Hakai Institute said, “The flood resulted in a turbidity current that extended almost 70 kilometers away from the river mouth. And over just a few weeks, we observed a 0.5 C0 cooling in the deep water, which will impact ocean properties like oxygen and pH. It is likely the inflowing sentiment will impact which bacteria and phytoplankton can grow. Changes from this event will impact fish and fish habitat.” Brent Ward, co-director for the Centre for Natural Hazards Research at Simon Fraser University, said “The lower reaches of Elliot Creek are Coho habitat, and if you look at those images, that habitat is now buried with gravel. These landslides happen, but when you’re dealing with a four-year life cycle of a fish, it’s going to have a longer effect than that.” Chief Darren Blaney, of the Homalco First Nation, “I’m just hoping some chum have spawned further up (the Southgate River) and the eggs have survived.” He is also concerned about the grizzly bears who will not be able to feed on salmon.
A team from Hakai flew over the devastated area, with a lidar scanner, on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Hakai founder Eric Peterson explained, “We make multiple passes and thereby build up a very precise 3D model of the landscape. We hope to be able to conduct a detailed comparison of the ‘before’ and ‘after’ 3D lidar models, and thereby be able to work out exactly what material moved from where to where. The current model may help us predict whether the mountain is stable now, or whether another collapse might be coming.”
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - There have been a number of new revelations about Jeff Levine and the proposed Bliss Landing wood waste landfill.
Levine withdrew his proposal on December 15th and a Ministry of Environment spokesperson informed the quathet Regional District the same day.
"People have threatened me, verbally abused me, threatened my family. It's not worth it, it's absolutely not worth it. And it's all because this person called it toxic waste — and it's not," he told CBC news.
Levine added, “If you don’t agree with the industrialization of an area, that’s one thing to disagree with, but don’t try to turn someone into [an] environmental monster that’s going to dump hazardous waste on land and ocean and negatively affect people, because those are two different things.... I was guided by the Ministry of Environment by this process, and I followed the process.”
Variations of Levine’s story appeared in Cortes Currents, The Squamish Chief, and Powell River Peak.
He claims to have already lost $400,000 through the venture. 1.25
Much of the opposition came through a Change.org petition called “Major Vancouver developer planning on dumping toxic waste into Desolation Sound.”
The ‘developer’ in question was not Levine, but rather a Vancouver based company which he hoped would use his services. Levine has repeatedly said he does not have a contract with Bosa Properties, the owners of the Squamish old site, and will also be seeking wood waste from sites throughout the Fraser Valley.
The Squamish Chief reported that District of Squamish staff informed them that, “the District is not banning wood waste from being disposed of in town, but determined in 2017 that municipal land would no longer be leased for wood waste disposal, and that wood waste landfill on District property will be phased out by 2022.
As a result, Levine created a company and offered up land that he bought in Desolation Sound as a dumping spot for local businesses seeking to get rid of their wood waste.
He said he was hoping to attract the business of the SEAandSKY Bosa-Kingswood project on the Waterfront, which has been looking for a contractor to take the wood waste, as the area was previously the old Interfor mill site.
However, Levine hadn’t signed a deal with the company, as the province had yet to approve his project.”
A spokesperson for Boas Properties confirmed that no contract has been signed.
The report which Vancouver based Keystone Environmental prepared for Levine states, “The material to be landfilled will originate from several wood processing locations such as sawmills, dry land sorts and former sawmills where the saw dust, wood chips and bark was previously buried.”
Image taken from the from WATERFRONT LANDING SUB AREA PLAN, Squamish Community plan (2017)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - A new report from the BC coroners service states that as of the end of November, there were 153 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths.
30 of these were in the North Vancouver Island Health Service Delivery area, which stretches north from Courtenay and includes rural locations like Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as urban centres like Campbell River.
This brings the total of deaths in North Vancouver Island since 2016, the year BC declared the number of drugs overdose deaths a public emergency, to 153.
A little more than half (55%) of the deaths in 2020 occurred in private residences. 28% were social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations. 15% in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks and other outside locations. There have been no deaths reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.
70% of those dying were aged 30 to 59 and 81% were males.
Campbell River Fire chief Thomas Doherty said that calls for overdoses are becoming a regular occurrence and there are times when firefighters have had to save the same drug user more than once in the same day. “There’s not enough paramedics out on the street to handle what’s going on. We’re heading in a real bad direction when it comes to the health services on the street right now, and we’re here to help and support our paramedics locally, and certainly support more resources for them, but at the same time we want to make sure we’re giving the citizens of Campbell River the best possible care that they can receive, ”he said.
Campbell River RCMP spokesperson, Cst Maury Tyre, emailed Cortes Currents, “We have seen anecdotally at the RCMP level anyway, an increase in overdose calls that we are responding to and there have been near deaths and deaths, presumably related to overdose in recent weeks and months.” “Presently in Campbell River there seems to be a batch of Opiates that are a bit more potent than in the past. Users are well aware that what they are getting is Fentanyl but there has been a presence of Carfentnil in the drugs since last year. Another insert into the drugs in the last few months has been the introduction of Benzodiazapines which apparently smooth out the "high", but seriously counter acts the Nalaxone/Narcan. We have seen people take 4-6 doses of Narcan to bring them back whereas before it was 1 or 2.”
Crime and the drug trade
There were numerous drug related crimes reported in Campbell River this year. Ten people were charged, and charges recommended for 10 others, for trafficking on January 9th. On August 30th, police responding to a noise complaint ended up arresting a 34-year-old man from Campbell River for possible drug trafficking and possession of stolen property charges. The following night, a Campbell River man was hospitalized after being attacked by two assailants with a hammer. In the arrests that followed, police seized several grams of illicit drugs as well as stolen drugs.
“this is a stark reminder of the violence that follows the drug trade. The homes that house this activity are a plague on the community and the local RCMP are constantly investigating these houses,” said Cst Tyre.
Yesterday, Cst Tyre reported, “Three local women will likely be facing multiple charges of possession for the purpose of drug trafficking, after a significant stash of cocaine and cash was located in an apartment building on 7th Avenue in the early hours of December 19th, 2020. A warrant was executed the following evening at an apartment in the 800 block of 7th ave. In total over $5000 cash, over an ounce of cocaine, several grams of fentanyl, several grams of methamphetamines, and several grams of MDMA were seized. Two of the females were well known entities in the local drug trade and it's believed the cocaine was being used to manufacture crack.”
Photo credit: RCMP by Charles Leblanc via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Max Thaysen /Cortes Currents - Today we hear a first-hand account of a concerning hunting episode On October 24 in Smelt Bay, Cortes Island. We'll hear from Conservation Officer Brad Adams, a local authority on the laws around hunting. And then we'll take a deeper dive with Sabina Leader Mense into the some ecological considerations of hunting around Cortes.
Cortes Currents learned of the reports on a local facebook page, We Heart Cortes Island, that described a scary situation.
Kim Lotnick tells us the story.
Kim was walking on the beach with her dog. The weather was stormy and the seas were rough. She saw someone canoeing and thought that it was wierd that someone would be out on the water.
Through her large headphones, she heard a loud blast like a gunshot. She turned to look and saw a flock of birds flying away from the canoe, and something flopping in the water that looked like a seal.
She would later learn that another witness to the scene saw that it was a goose.
Kim began filming. And the person in the canoe was watching her as something was pulled into the boat.
Kim describes feeling terrified and many terrible thoughts flashed through her mind about what revenge the hunter might take on her for filming his actions.
The canoe followed her as she hurried to her vehicle.
She says the hunter was probably just heading in the same direction, and might have spoken to her, to discuss the situation. But she was not going to stick around to find out. At the time, she felt like she was being chased.
She called 911, and was transferred to the Quadra RCMP. They told her that seal hunting was out of their jurisdiction, and suggested she call the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Kim says she understands that illegal hunting would be out of RCMP jurisdiction, but would expect them to express more interest in shots fired at smelt bay.
Safely at home, Kim sought support from friends and from the Cortes Island facebook group, We Heart Cortes Island. Another person replied to her post about the situation, saying that another witness had seen that it was a goose that was shot. And another respondent informed the group that it was goose season and if properly licenced, the hunt was probably legal.
Kim says that she did feel a little better knowing that the hunt may have been legal, but it still made her feel, “totally uncomfortable”.
To get some clarity on the laws around hunting, we contacted the Conservation Officer for the North Island Region, Brad Adams.
Officer Adams informs us that in Management Area 1, our area, there is an open hunting season that includes Canada geese, ducks, coots, snipes, snow geese, ross geese, “there's quite an assortment”, he says. The season is October 3rd to January 22nd.
Photo credit: Smelt Bay by Djun Kim via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The licenses for 19 salmon farms in the Discovery lslands expired today. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reissuing licenses for 18 months, during which time “no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”
interview with Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, as well as clips from previous interviews with independent biologist Alexandra Morton and Chief John Hackett, of the Tla’amin First Nation, as well as press releases from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the BC Salmon Farmers Association about the closing down of open net salmon farms in the Discovery Islands.
Photo credit: Protesting in front of Cermaq Canada in Campbell River on Sept 26, 2020 – Rod Burns photo
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The fourth of BC Ferries Island Class ferry was launched early Thursday morning, at Damen Shipyards Galati, in Romania. The yet-to-be named ship is the second e-Ferry destined for the Campbell River – Quadra Island route.
As BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall explained, “We’ve got two vessels right now. One is sailing between Texada and Powell River. The other one is on the Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula run. The third and fourth vessels will sail the Campbell River - Quadra run. Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola for the fifth and sixth.” The Powell River Queen, which currently services the Campbell River, will be replaced by two Hybrid electric ferries in 2022. This will increase the ferries capacity from 59 to 94 vehicles per hour, and hopefully eliminate some of those long summer ferry line-ups that Quadra and Cortes residents are currently experiencing during the summers.
Photo credit: screenshot from BC Ferries video BC Ferries' Fourth Battery Electric-Hybrid Island Class Ferry Launch
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - This past week was the deadliest British Columbia has seen since the pandemic began. Dr Bonnie Henry reported 24 new deaths yesterday, which brings the total number of fatalities since last Friday to 105. The number of active cases in the province is close to 10,000.
However there is also good news.
British Columbia's first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given to front line health care workers on Tuesday. A small shipment, possibly consisting of two trays of vaccine, will arrive on Vancouver Island next week.
The number of active COVID cases is falling on Vancouver Island.
There were 19 active cases reported in North Vancouver Island yesterday. Only two weeks ago, there were 41.
Thanks to prompt action by the Klahoose First Nation’s emergency operation team, there are no known active cases on Cortes Island. But Island Health does not report the whereabouts of individual cases. So the public does not know when the virus actually reached Cortes and, to paraphrase Dr Charmaine Enns, Medical Health Officer for North Vancouver Island, it is best to assume it is still among us.
In the podcast, Dr Enns describes contact tracing and close encounters
photo credit: Syringes with bottle with COVID 19 vaccine on white background by Marco Verch, Professional Photographer, via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Folk U December 11th Natural Burial & Community-Led Deathcare: FolkU Radio@89.5FMpastedGraphic.png
Folk U Radio 101 Show. Where we ask our neighbours: What do you know? It’s that time of year when the light is short and the natural world around is in its big rest, preparing for transformation. I feel particularly appreciate to be spending this season in this strange and tumultuous time, here on this island, surrounded by the natural world and by this community. Margaret Verschuur helped bring together the Cortes Island Deathcare Initiative and has served as a death doula on Cortes and Quadra Islands. In this episode she and Emma Tius, the new contact person for the Death-Care Collective, to discuss what community death care are and what natural burial looks like on Cortes and Quadra Islands.
David P Ball / Vancouver Coop Radio - The Vancouver Police Department has warned of public safety consequences of City Council refusing their requests to boost budget by millions. Instead, last week councillors froze police spending at last year's levels.
On Sunday, a group of community organizers in Vancouver hosted a virtual teach-in event to strategize their next steps for the local "defund the police" movement.
"All across Turtle Island, Black, Indigenous and communities of colour are all dreaming of abolishing the police," said the online event's host, Vancouver musician Tonya Aganaba, during the event. "I know I'm dreaming of abolishing the police every single night.
"We're dreaming of building powerful structures, organizations and resistance strategies to build a society where all communities and members can grow and thrive … We are excited to be a part of a conversation about what we can build here in Vancouver."
The budget decision went against the city staff's own recommendation to cut the police budget along with most other areas of the city budget, in the midst of the pandemic's debilitating economic shortfall. But the Vancouver Police Board said despite keeping funding the same, costs had risen meaning they would be short funding for over 60 officers next year.
"The Vancouver Police Board has serious concerns regarding the decision," Board chair Barj Dhahan said on Dec. 9, "… and actually results in a $5.7 million shortfall.
"A shortfall of this magnitude is extremely challenging, in particular during a global pandemic, where the police department is facing unprecedented stress in ensuring public safety in Vancouver."
Speakers at the "defund the police" online event included Indigenous land defenders who spoke about police enforcement of injunctions against them, and the history of police abuse of Indigenous people's rights in B.C. and across Canada.
"Anyone living in the cities, or in the rural areas, we're harassed — our safety is violated," said Mayek Manuel with Tiny House Warriors in the B.C. Interior, which is doing "direct action" to block the Trans Mountain pipeline. "Some of the things that's going to engage the police is the direct action we participate in. It does get really scary because we feel at any time we could be shot … Both RCMP and vigilantes could come shoot us dead."
Desmond Cole also spoke, he's an activist and author of "The Skin We're In" and encouraged Vancouver organizers to continue pushing city council on the issue.
"What I'm seeing that what's effective and urgent is the local stuff, because the police are funded by your municipality," Cole said. "Even if the municipality tells you, 'Well we get that money from the province or we get it from the feds,' they're the ones passing the budget, they're the ones controlling the dollars … They have a lot more power than they want you to believe."
On the show today we also talk with journalist and academic Gordon Katic. The executive producer of Cited Podcast talks about his new show Darts & Letters, from public intellectuals to populism, Big Pharma's opioid decisions & social change ideas.
Top photo credit: Strathcona, Vancouver, Vancouver City Police doing their thing keeping the kids areas safe by Lee Down via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - When Jeff Levine purchased the155 acre property 14445 Sarah Point Road in Bliss Landing, he planned to use a tiny portion of it for a business venture. Ministry of the Environment staff helped him develop the proposal. They told him that the ideal sit for a wood waste landfill was land that had previously been clearcut or was a forest industry site. Levine had a four acre parcel that fit both categories. It had been clearcut three years ago. A sawmill had once stood there. In addition, the site was close to the ocean which would make it easy to barge wood waste in. Ministry staff said he needed to submit the name of a proposed waste wood site, so they could see how his operation would work. So he used the old Interfor mill site in Squamish as a model.
He does not have a contract with them. In fact, Mr Levine does not have a contract with any wood waste site anywhere. If his proposal had been approved by the Ministry of the Environment, he had planned to seek customers from old mill sites.
In wake of the resulting public protest, he has aborted the idea. As Mr Levine told Cortes Currents last night, “I have to live in this community.”
When he withdrew his proposal, last night, Levine wrote “It is unfortunate that false information was intentionally distributed stating that the wood material was toxic waste. This is simply not true. This was an application for disposal of non-hazardous wood material, in accordance with Provincial guidelines and by Qualified Environmental Professionals.”
“The constructive feedback and ideas of the local community are appreciated. Although all Provincial requirements for this type of facility have been met, it is the concerns of the local community that has prompted the decision to withdraw the application with the Ministry of Environment, effective immediately.”
Photo credit: A sawmill by r berndt via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - A numbered company called 1265209 B.C. Ltd. intends to a develop a wood waste landfill at Bliss Landing, just across from Cortes Island on the Malaspina Peninsula.
According to their environmental protection application, filed by Strategic management Consultant Jeff Levine on November 17th, “The maximum rate of industrial wood waste residue discharged from this facility will be 375,000 m3 over a 15-month period. The operating period for this facility will be 8am to 5pm 5 days per week. The refuse discharged, will contain saw dust, wood chips, hog fuel, end cuts of wood less than 1 metre in length, dredging’s of wood waste, sand, gravel, rocks, inert waste and inert cover material. All material will be non-hazardous and covered through intermediate cover material until the landfill is completed (15 months) and a final low-permeability cover will be put on top and soils and vegetation will be replanted.”
The matter was brought before the quathet Regional District Board on December 8th. According to a report in the Powell River Peak, Powell River City director George Doubt calculated the project works out to moving 81 dump truck loads of wood waste, with a pup trailer, per day, five days a week over a 15 month period.
To which qRD planner Julia Dykstra replied, “They are planning on barging it from the Squamish area to the actual location and they are not proposing any road use over the Sarah Point Road at all.”
Where the waste is coming from
Some opponents of the project are concerned that “the waste materials are coming from a site in Squamish that is notorious for contamination from industrial activity, including a nearby mine.”
The wood waste comes from an old Interfor sawmill site in Squamish, which was operational during the 1980s and 90’s. Waterfront Landing is on the eastern shore of Mamquam Blind Cannel, across from downtown Squamish. The city plans to use this former industrial site for mixed density housing, a marina and a park.
In their description of the proposed Waterfront Landing park, the city states, “previous industrial use has led to some site contamination.”
According to a 2019 article in the Squamish Chief, Municipal environmental co-ordinator Caroline Ashekian informed the Squamish council that “the waste wouldn’t contaminate the area but it could result in structural instability.”
Tla’amin approval
On November 18th, Levine, notified the quathet Regional District that, “We have completed the required First Nation consultation and have received a letter of support for the project from the Tla’Amin Nation.”
People concerned about the project have until this Wednesday, December 16th, to send in their comments
Email Mr. Jeff Levine - jeff@jlamc.ca 1265209 B.C. Ltd CC: the Ministry of Environment - Authorizations.south@gov.bc.ca Application No. 110495 / 397189
Tan Mei Xi/Vancouver Coop Radio - A single-family home may be our current vision of ideal housing but that picture is no longer realistic, says housing advocate Bruce Haden.
The non-profit organisation Urbanarium, of which Haden is a board member, recently released a report promoting 'Missing Middle' housing as one of the solutions to Vancouver's housing crisis. The report uses the term 'Missing Middle' to refer to multi-family housing types denser than duplexes and smaller in scale than condominium buildings.
"We live in a planetary environmental crisis... and all of us will have to contribute to solving that catastrophe," said Haden.
"One of the villains of the planetary crisis is the single-family house. It's a tough thing to say, but it's the reality... It's the most environmentally expensive way to house people."
Odette Auger / Cortes Currents - During the last week of November, a health officer stopped Teen Szene as it was a hang out, not a sports program. We spoke about the need these programs fill, and Jodi’s thoughts on the process of adapting to COVID 19 reality.
Photo credit: Smelt Bay on Cortes Island via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
David P Ball/ Vancouver Coop Radio - Author of the memoir 'Outside In' and upcoming fiction book talks about the 40th anniversary of saving the Carnegie Centre as a DTES "community hub"
The Downtown Eastside has for decades been a site not only of poverty and struggle, but also "resilience" and successful community organizing, says Libby Davies. And the former Member of Parliament hopes the community can remember to celebrate and honour the successes and victories over the years as the struggle continues.
That's particularly true as demands for reforms and solutions to the neighbourhoods multiple crises gain urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a growing number of media reports focusing on violence, desperation and injustice.
Former Vancouver-East member of Parliament Libby Davies talked about decades of organizing history marking the 40th anniversary of how the community rallied to save the Carnegie Centre from closure, turning it into a vibrant neighbourhood hub to this day. Davies was an early organizer with the since-defunct DTES Residents Association (DERA), which was shuttered following financial scandals in the 2000s, with some of its operations resurfacing as the Portland Hotel Society.
Davies shared some of the history of organization in the DTES with The Pulse on CFRO, about her upcoming book, and crediting the decades of activism and leadership shown by groups such as the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and the Women's Memorial March Committee, among many others.
Max Thaysen / Cortes Currents - The DFO has recovered over 1000 oysters that were harvested illegally on Cortes.
On October 29th, based on information received from the public on Cortes Island, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (also known as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or DFO) stopped and inspected two vehicles as they disembarked from the BC Ferry in Campbell River.
The DFO enforcement officers found more than 1000 oysters in one of the vehicles. The person in possession of the oysters had a recreational fishing licence, which limits oyster possession to 24 per person ( the daily harvest limit is 12).
The person was fined the maximum for such an infraction -- $1200.
The other driver who was investigated, admitted to having been part of the harvest, despite not having any oysters in his possession. And since he didn't have a recreational fishing licence, they were fined for fishing without a licence, which carries a fine of $100.
Fishery Officer, Greg Askey, was contacted by Cortes Currents. He said that, had this been an illegal commercial harvest, the fines would have been much more. Commercial infractions can get $100,000 fine and/or 5 years in prison.
Askey said that the two individuals were from the lower mainland, and had been staying on Cortes.
According to Askey, enforcement actions in an area can lead to increased observation of that area, and consequently, more enforcement. He reminds shellfish harvesters to get a licence, and know the limits.
Askey said that there is no mechanism for recreational fishers to harvest a larger amount for storage or preservation, or for sharing with a large family or community.
The confiscated oysters were returned to the sea, but to an area that is permanently closed to harvesting -- because the DFO doesn't know how the oysters were treated, they can't go back to places where people may harvest them again, and potentially get ill. Conveniently, all the shoreline around Campbell river is permanently closed due to contamination concerns.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The licenses for all 18 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands are due to be renewed by December 18th, 2020.As these sites are within the traditional territories of the Holmalco, Klahoose, K’omoks Tla’amin, We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge), Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River) and Kwiakah First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) sent them letters stating they have a 60 day window to respond before a final decision is made.
Newly elected Hegus (Chief) John Hackett, of the Tla’amin First Nation, found himself confronted by, “a mountain of scientific data. Luckily we have very close relations with our sister nations, the Klahoose and Homalco. They got me up to speed very quickly. We share the same vision. We do not want the fish farm licenses renewed here because of the low sockeye returns. Basically, we’re just getting our data together and forming a united front. We’re just going to see what is going to happen this December 18th. That’s when they told us they are going to make a decision on renewing it. We are united in saying we do not want it there.”
Cermaq’s Raza Island farm, just north of Read and Cortes Islands – Courtesy Cermaq Canada
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - “This is black bear country. It has always been black bear country. North Cortes Island is likely the most populated with bears. They can travel very far in one day and swim up to five miles, especially in salt water. They do travel from island to island and there are likely year round bears here. In the fall of 2019, there was a bear sighted at Blue Jay Lake. Then in April 2020, there was a black bear around Green Mountain. Since then, we’ve had these conflicts with two bears: one in Whaletown and one in Squirrel Cove,” said Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a volunteer co-ordinator with the Friends of Cortes Island’s wildlife COEXistence program.
The Whaletown bear she mentioned was killed during the summer.
On November 28th, a Conservation Officer arrived on Cortes Island to kill the Squirrel Cove Bear.
Barret-Morgan explained, “The Conservation Officer was called by someone in Squirrel Cove. This resident was feeling very fearful, so the Conservation Officer had no choice but to bring a trap here. Once the bear is trapped, it will be put down.”
The Squirrel Cove Bear has been raiding a number of the houses, backing onto Basil Creek, for a little more than a month. It was drawn by the spawning salmon, but the inviting aromas of apples, compost and variety of other attractants brought it onto human properties.
“At this time of year, a bear needs to eat 20,000 calories a day. We had a fairly good salmon return this year … and there is evidence of bears being down in Basil Creek. They have the best nose on the planet. They can smell up to a kilometre away and will eat anything they can get their paws on,” said Barret-Morgan.
Was a human/bear conflict inevitable? “No, this definitely did not have to happen,” said Barrett-Morgan.
There is an abundance of year-round wild foods for bears on Cortes. There are roots and shoots in the Spring: like horse tails, skunk cabbage, sedges, grasses, nettles, dandelions and late spring salmon berries. Summer brings shrubs, grubs, insects and blackberries. Salmon runs are the #1 food source in the Fall. Year round, bears eat barnacles, muscles, clams and crabs etc.
“They have year round food sources here, that is why Cortes is prime bear habitat, said Barret-Morgan.
Unfortunately, bears follow their noses when searching for food – and that is what brought the Squirrel Cove Bear to all the food waiting in the habitations backing onto Basil Creek.
“Once it was rewarded with apples, fish fertilizer, compost, bird feeders and this sort of thing, there was a conflict. The bear will keep returning to a spot where it knows it can get food.”
In the podcast above, Autumn Barrett Morgan explains why she knows situation like this can be prevented and how Cortes Island can coext with bears
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Worried about staying warm this winter? What will it take for Cortes to have sustainable fire wood for all? Corry Dow discussed all things firewood, the Cortes Community Community Firewood Program and how you can take part in staying warm @ Folk U Radio on CKTZ 89.5 FM Friday November 27th from 1 to 3 p.m.
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - Around the globe, people are dealing as best they can with the novel coronavirus outbreak, SARS-CoV-2, also known as Covid-19.
After we wash our hands, don a facemask and avoid non-essential travel and socialization – many of us are looking for ways to maximize our immune function.
A quick internet search will reveal an assortment of advice on what foods, lifestyle and supplements may increase your resistance to contracting the virus, and your resilience to illness if you do.
But there are internet resources that say the opposite – supplements are unproven and those peddling them are pseudoscientists.
Cortescurrents sought to shed light on the importance of the immune system and how we can support it.
We connected with Dr Jenna Creaser from the Cortes Community Health Centre and Dr Philip Calder.
Photo credit: Chantrelle jackpot by Suzanne LaGasa via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - Two months have passed since Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) announced that “nine peer-reviewed, scientific risk assessments” find that salmon farms pose a ‘minimal risk’ to salmon migrating through the Discovery Islands. This finding is important because the Canadian Government has until December 18th to decide whether to renew the licenses of the 18 salmon farms operating in that region.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Dr Bonnie Henry announced that British Columbia’s first COVID 19 vaccine should roll out in January.
BC’s first COVID 19 vaccine “As vaccines become available, they will become our first step to protect people who are most at risk from severe illness and from death. And to protect our health care system,” she said in yesterday’s daily statement.
“We know that we will have limited amounts at first. So we won’t be able to broadly achieve what we’ve been calling community immunity, or herd immunity, right off the bat – but that will come.”
“Our first priority will be protecting those who are most at risk. We know that is our seniors and elders in our communities, and long term care homes in particular and in hospitals here is British Columbia.”
Dr Bonnie continued, “Once we have more vaccine available, we will be making it available to all of us in BC. and that is when we can get to the point of managing and controlling this pandemic.”
The supply of vaccines should increase by April and by the end of the year anyone in the province who wants a vaccine should be able to get it.
Good news from the Klahoose village Good news from the Klahoose village, on Cortes Island, where Chief Kevin Peacey reports, “There are currently NO active cases of COVID here on the reserve. 3 cases are recovered. All symptomatic testing came back negative. This is a big relief. However we are not letting our guard down as we are not out of the woods just yet. We are still going to be on lockdown until December 7th. “Lockdown” includes the ability for our Emergency Operation Center (EOC) team being able to leave the reserve for essential or emergency purposes. Please respect our people. The last two days have been very disappointing. Look out for further updates and thanks again for those that have been supporting us. There is too many to name right now. Emote.”
Good News from Campbell River Good news from Campbell River, where a staff member at Discovery Harbour long-term care home tested positive two weeks ago. Island Health declared that COVID outbreak over on Wednesday.
Not good news However this morning’s news is not all good.
As Dr Bonnie Henry pointed out, “Many of our communities around this province are affected right now. Many of whom went through the first months of this pandemic without having any cases. Without having it touch close to home.”
The Island Health Dashboard shows 41 Active cases in North Vancouver Island as of yesterday. We do not know how many of these are in the Greater Campbell River Health Area, or the three other Health Areas in North Vancouver Island, let alone specific communities or islands.
As of 4:30 PM the British Columbia COVID 19 Dashboard states there were 277 throughout Vancouver Island. Twelve of these are now in hospitals and four in critical care.
Photo credit: Needle drop 2 by ZaldyImg via Flickr (CC BY SA. 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On October 24th, more than 50% of North Island’s electorate chose Michele Babchuk to represent them in the Provincial Legislature. Though more than a month has passed, she has only just stepped down from her previous roles as a Campbell River councillor and Chair of the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board. Though yet to sit in parliament, she has been made the Deputy Government Whip and a member of the Appointment Orders Committee. I recently asked Michele what becoming our MLA is like.
She attended her last SRD Board meeting, as a director rather than Chair, on November 4th.
Last Monday, she attended her last meeting of the Campbell River City council.
“It has gone relatively smoothly. I think I have accomplished everything that I wanted to do with those organizations before I move on. The transition into the legislature is still ongoing and we’ll see what that looks like because the Premier is going to call the session back in order on December 7th,” said Babchuk.
She has not gone to Victoria yet and, thanks to COVID, may be be attending the next session virtually from her home in Campbell River.
“We haven’t seen the schedule for the schedule for next year, but with COVID, and the way the legislature is working on a hybrid model right now, we’ll see what the legislature is going to look like on December 7th,” said Babchuk.
Only a minimal number of people actually went to Victoria during the last session. Most meetings were on ZOOM.
Babchuk wants to visit the legislature, to ‘learn who’s who in the zoo,’ but does not intend to rent an apartment just yet. A hotel room will suffice for occasional visits. She can always find something more permanent accommodation should it become obvious it is needed.
She will have constituency offices in Campbell River and Port Hardy.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation continues to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak in the community.
Chief Kevin Peacey posted an update to cortesisland.com yesterday, December 1, explaining that the nation has declared a state of emergency.
The Toq village has a staffed checkpoint at the Whaletown Rd entry, to prevent any unauthorized comings and goings. They are only permitting “supplies, essential deliveries, emergency services and front line workers” in order to contain the spread of the virus.
The nation has expanded the medical team, adding a nurse and getting support from the Doctor at the Cortes Community Health Centre.
Testing and contact tracing is ongoing.
Chief Peacey thanks the non-indigenous community for donations of firewood to keep the checkpoint staff warm and says they have a “good supply now”.
The Island Health Covid-19 dashboard reports that there are 39 active cases in the North Vancouver Island region and two days have passed since a new case was reported to the health agency.
Doctor Jenna Creaser, from the Cortes Community Health Centre, recommends that people take extra care during the ongoing pandemic to maximize their immune systems.
Her presciption is: A well rounded diet with minimal sugar, lot’s of colourful fruits & vegetables, protein, plus: 1- Garlic - 2 cloves/day, best if chopped up & fresh 2- Ginger - 1 inch piece grated or steeped/day 3- Turmeric - approx. 1 tsp powder most days 4- Probiotic & fermented foods - i.e. kefir, plain yoghurt, pickled vegetables, kimchi 5- Mushrooms - i.e. culinary (shitake, button) & medicinal (reishi, chaga, lion’s mane) And avoid added sugar as much as possible! ! FOUR SUPPLEMENTS - For an extra boost Based on your diet and lifestyle, pick a few of these to take: 1- Zinc - i.e. Zinc acetate, citrate or glycinate, 30-60 mg total daily in 2-3 divided doses 2- Vitamin D - 1000-5000 IU daily (she recommend 1000 IU in summer, 2000 IU in winter) 3- Elderberry - aka Sambucus nigra, 500 mg daily 4- Vitamin C - 1000-3000mg (1-3g) daily (if not attained from diet) Doses listed are for a healthy adult and may vary ! Exercise -- 20 minutes each day: walking, yoga, whatever suits you.
TWO SOOTHERs - For mind, body and spirit 1- Stress reduction - identify and reduce with exercise, self care, solo time & connection 2- Sleep ! - get enough (~8hrs/night), keep the time you go to bed & wake up consistent ONE AFFIRMATION - Use the power of intention Trying sitting quietly and read or say the following to yourself: “I can feel my immune system working well inside of me. It’s strong and effective. I know it’s doing it's job to protect my body and keep me healthy. I feel gratitude and awe for all that it does for me.” Doctor Creaser also recommends that folks visit the Institute of Functional Medicine at www.ifm.org for more diet and lifestyle advice related to Covid-19. Photo credit: A lonely clove by Andy Thrasher via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Another one of North Vancouver Island’s 26 Active COVID cases identified himself over Facebook last week. Lawrence O'Connor is a stock car driver who contracted the disease while participating in a benefit race for Amnesty International in the Arizona Desert.
“There’s nothing pleasant about this painful illness; I feel like I’ve been eaten by wolves, and s**t off a cliff,” he wrote.
He arranged for friends to drop off groceries at his door, in Port Hardy, and is currently in quarantine.
Closer to home, Chief Kevin Peacey posted an update about the situation in the Klahoose village at Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island.
“Several people have been tested. They are self isolating. We are waiting for the results. The storm did not help delaying our ability to get the swabs off the island. We should know by Monday whether we have more confirmed cases. We will continued to announce the number of confirmed Covid19 cases as we get the results back. We hope that more “positive” cases are not going to happen but we are getting ourselves prepared.
“Officially we have only one confirmed case and the contact tracing is STILL ongoing. This is why it is VERY IMPORTANT for everyone to follow the provincial guidelines and stay home, stay in your household bubble, wash your hands and mask up if you do leave your home. We are doing our due diligence, following the guidelines from various government agencies, as well as advice from our sister nation Tla’amin’s Covid19 emergency response team.
“We do all live on this island together and I very much appreciate the whole community rising to this occasion and doing your part of shutting down COVID. On another note, I’m getting a lot of people asking how they can actually help, right now bringing a couple armloads of DRY firewood to keep our frontline workers warm at the check point is a fantastic contribution to our efforts here. Once again I raise my hands to you all. Emote.”
Island Health has not disclosed the whereabouts of the other 24 active cases in the North Vancouver Island Health Service Delivery Area.
The 2016 census lists more than 122,000 people in this 40,225 square kilometre region.
There are a great many small islands and rural communities, as well as urban centres like Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Campbell River, Courtenay and Comox.
Tan Mei Xi/Vancouver Coop Radio - Last week, Vancouver City Council approved the five-year Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), which contains 19 actions and sets Vancouver on a path to reduce Vancouver’s carbon pollution by 50 per cent by 2030.
According to the City, 54 per cent of Vancouver's carbon pollution comes from burning natural gas used to heat space and water in buildings, and 39 per cent of the city's emissions come from burning gasoline and diesel in vehicles.
The "game-changer" actions of the CEAP include setting carbon emissions limits for existing buildings; setting requirements for low-carbon construction materials and practices in new building construction; expanding the paid-parking-permit program across the city; and creating a plan to implement transport pricing, or congestion pricing, in the city by 2025.
Matt Horne, the City's Climate Policy Manager, said that while the CEAP is focused on mitigation, the city has adopted other strategies for helping Vancouver adapt to climate change. Some strategies he noted were increasing tree cover to reduce the "urban heat island" effect and access to cooling stations for residents during extreme heat events.
According to a report released earlier this year by the urban-solutions organization Evergreen, strategies that will help Downtown Eastside residents adapt to climate change include increasing access to clean, well-maintained washrooms; increasing access to clean drinking water; increasing tree cover in the neighbourhood; and additional cooling spaces.
Photo credit: Vancouver, Taken at the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park by Kim Siever via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales /Cortes Currents - British Columbia saw a new daily record for COVID-19 cases yesterday, with an additional 911 people testing positive. According to the British Columbia COVID 18 Dashboard there are now 8,472 active cases in the province.
The number of active cases is smaller in North Vancouver Island: 26, but a week ago, on Friday Nov 20th, there were 12. A little more than a month before that, on Friday October 16th, there were none.
The BC Centre for Disease Control did not list any cases in the Greater Campbell River Health Area, which includes Cortes and the other Discovery Islands, during August and September. There was actually a case in Campbell River on September 28th, but that data is reported under October.
Up until two days ago, there has not been a confirmed case on Cortes Island. There have been rumours. A woman picking up take-out food at Hollyhock, during the last week of August, spoke of a confirmed case on the island – but that was not correct. There were no active cases anywhere in the Greater Campbell River Health Area at that time. There may have been an active case on Cortes sometime prior to August, but this has not been confirmed.
Now one of the elder residents of the Klahoose village has contracted what Indiginews described as a mild case. That entire community has gone into isolation. Chief Kevin Peacey said a security team will be at the entrance to Tork Rd is monitoring traffic to and from the reserve, which is currently limited to emergency and essential trips.
The Squirrel Cove General Store closed down on Thursday, to assess the situation, but now all of the stores on Cortes Island are now open again.
Hospitalizations and Deaths
Dr Bonnie Henrie says “There are 301 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 69 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. Currently, 10,430 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases …”
As of 4:30 yesterday, Friday November 27th, the British Columbia COVID 18 Dashboard shows that 395 people across the province have died of COVID. Six of these were on Vancouver island, but there have not been any fatalities here in recent months.
Dr Bonnie Henry once again confirmed that most of the deaths were people in their 70s and 80s. She described them as “our seniors, our elders, grandparents, spouses, family members.”
There are currently 301 people in British Columbian hospitals. For months, there have not been any Vancouver Island residents among them. Now there are 6 and 2 are in critical care.
Dr Bonnie Henry advises everyone to keep to the established protocols, “That means keeping your distance, wearing your mask, washing your hands, keeping your numbers small, keeping local. Support our local businesses who need our support, whether that’s shopping online and picking up or booking ahead or picking a time when it’s not busy.”
David P Ball/ Vancouver Coop Radio - Isolation and quarantine saved thousands of lives during the pandemic, but UBC Nursing assistant professor says her research is a warning to governments to better consider mental health as well.
A University of British Columbia nursing professor's new study should cause governments alarm as they battle to protect citizens from the worst impacts of COVID-19 — that they boost resources to also protect people's mental health.
Dr. Emily Jenkins is author of the newest research released this week titled "Assessing the mental health impacts of COVID-19: A national survey study."
She found that across the country, marginalized communities saw the worst mental health impacts of orders to self-isolate or quarantine at home because they had COVID-19, had contact with a case or traveled. And that includes people being twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts than the general population.
For those with disabilities, racialized communities and Indigenous people the impacts were even worse, she explained.
But she emphasized that such isolation measures are necessarily to containing the pandemic and reducing its death toll. That is known in the wide array of research so far.
Governments should put mental health of citizens closer to the forefront of their thinking and beef up mental wellness support resources, including existing online and phone services such as Bounce Back for anxiety and depression, and Crisis Centres.
But the data also reveals deep fractures and gaps in Canada's mental health system, in which generally only the wealthy can pay for private psychological and counseling services, Jenkins said.
If you are experiencing mental health distress, you are not alone. B.C. Crisis Centre at crisiscentre.bc.ca or phone 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).
Cst Maury Tyre/ RCMP - Campbell River RCMP have already responded to several calls from local businesses and customers regarding individuals who refuse to follow new provincial mask protocols.
As of 6am on November 27th, 2020, the Campbell River RCMP had yet to hand out any of the new Covid face covering fines advised Cst Maury Tyre. Fines and arrests are absolutely the last action we want to be taking, but if people continue to push boundaries it's going to happen.
Police are reminding the segment of the public that chooses not to wear masks that there are other options to attain items they may be seeking in stores:
Online shopping curbside pick-up delivery I recognize their are dissenting opinions and multiple other concepts that can be found online regarding the present mask policies, but right now these are the rules and laws that are being applied equally across the province, said Cst Tyre. Being belligerent with a store employee who is just working to feed their family is not going to change the laws and is more than likely going to get you fined or arrested.
If you have a medical disability that prevents you from wearing a face covering, please be sure to let staff at a location know if they are asking you to wear a mask. Your particular diagnosis is your business, but the location you are entering is their business. A suggestion could possibly be a doctor's note simply excusing you from wearing a mask, without diagnosis on it, much the same way as employers may require an employee to bring in a doctor's note if they have been sick for any length of time.
In the end, people are doing their best in trying to deal with an ongoing pandemic that many people are frustrated by. Keep that in mind and try to treat everyone with as much respect as you would want shown to you and your family.
Be kind, be safe, and above all, please be calm.
Roy L Hales /Cortes Currents - Noba Anderson vs the SRD was not heard last week. Though the suit was scheduled for the assize week starting November 23, 2020, the courts are dealing with a heavy backlog of cases and it now seems possible the hearing will not take place until next January.
The origins of this suit go back to a legal petition that fourteen Cortes residents filed a legal petition against Regional Director Anderson for an alleged conflict of interest in the manner she carried out some of her duties. When the case reached court, the lawyers from both sides made a joint submission stating, “There is no basis for the declarations sought by the petitioners” and Director Anderson “did not accept a gift contrary to section 105 of the Community Charter.”
The current suit arose because the Strathcona Regional District subsequently refused to pay Director Anderson’s legal costs.
Last month, the SRD’s lawyer, James H Goulden, filed a response in which he argued, “The Disqualification Petition is not a ‘claim, action or prosecution’ and was brought against Director Anderson in respect of the alleged receipt of gifts that were not in connection with the exercise of her powers or the intended exercise of her powers or, the performance, or intended performance of her duties or functions. The SRD is therefore not required to indemnify Director Anderson for the legal costs incurred.”
The SRD Board also censured Director Anderson for showing confidential documents to her lawyer, while seeking his legal advice.
According to the SRD’s Code of Conduct Bylaw, “information discussed or disclosed at closed meeting or the board” or marked as confidential “must not be disclosed or released to anyone.”
De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - On or around November 22nd, the 30-ish foot wooden sloop Hoy Hoy sank while tied to the Gorge Harbour Public Dock.
Hoy Hoy has made more than one ocean crossing, but most recently belonged to an American who seems to be known locally only as “Earle.” He visited Cortes in 2019 for an extended period, living aboard with his young son on the Gorge Harbour Marina dock. He left the country in the Fall, prepaying four months’ moorage and intending to return in February or March of 2020.
Over the winter of 2019/20, Hoy Hoy took on water slowly but steadily and had to be pumped out regularly by neighbour Rodney Pohl. Then along came a pandemic, and Earle was unable to travel to Canada. Unfortunately, he also didn’t pay any more moorage (after February).
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The first known active case of COVID on Cortes Island was announced this morning. Chief Kevin Peacey posted the following notice on the Tideline,
“I received the call today that no chief wants to hear that one of our elders here at Klahoose tested positive for COVID-19. We have a COVID team in place that is already working on our response to this. We are asking all reserve residents to stay at home “shelter in place” especially as contact tracing is still happening. No visiting households. No off reserve visitors. We are asking everyone to wear masks if having to leave the home. Food and supplies are being delivered to each household. We will be having a security team at the entrance to Tork Rd that monitors traffic at Klahoose which should be limited to only emergency and essential trips on and off reserve at this time. We are staying calm, supporting each other and following the guidelines. We are letting the wider island community know our situation to get ahead of the gossip and we will keep people updated as this unfolds. With everybody’s help, working together, we will get through this. We are praying for everyone’s protection and healing. Thank you. Emote.”
The number of confirmed cases in North Vancouver Island has been escalating rapidly in the past month. As of yesterday there were 15 active cases. One of which is presumably the health care worker who tested positive at Discovery Harbour long-term care home, in Campbell River, last week.
According to the British Columbia COVID 19 Dashboard, as of 4:30 yesterday there were 173 active cases on Vancouver Island, three of which are hospitalized.
The numbers are far worse province wide: there are 7,816 active cases, 371 of which are in hospitals.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After two intensive weeks, the frequency of bear raids along Squirrel Cove road, on Cortes Island, appears to be decreasing.
According to Sandy Hoffman, who has been keeping tabs on developments, “Thursday night around 11 PM the bear went through on Graham [Blake’s] property by the trail cam, which is kind of between our properties, but on his side. It was coming out from [Basil] Creek. So I would guess that it goes down my driveway. That’s all connected to the logging road that goes out my driveway to [Squirrel Cove Road].”
“I didn’t hear anything from anyone on Friday or Saturday and Sunday night the bear was back at Laurel’s,” said Hoffman.
The bear had not found anything to eat at Bohart’s, but did get into a neighbours compost.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In Saturday’s half hour Cortes Currents magazine, which will repeat at 9 AM on Wednesday, we described a human/bear situation developing in Squirrel Cove, on Cortes Island. There has been a bear in the Squirrel Cove vicinity for a year or more. At this point, there are believed to be two bears. Earlier this month, one of them started breaking into fenced yards to the steal fruit. Manuel Perdisa wrote the song "Bear in my Bubble" about one of these incidents.
Returning from Campbell River, around lunchtime on Monday Nov 16th, Leslie Perdisa found the door to her cellar burst open. The ‘Squirrel Cove Bear’ had eaten most of the apples stored inside.
The following morning, the bear attempted to claw through the siding on her parent’s home to get to the apples stored within. It is still afraid of humans and was driven off. However it had snowed overnight and bear tracks were found circling the house.
Leslie’s son, Michael Perdisa, wrote this song about these events.
The Conservation Office Service has been observing events. They advise Squirrel Cove residents to put up electric fences and not leave any fruit or garbage where the bear can access it. They have not yet decided whether the bear needs to be removed.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Radio - Today’s Folk U Radio is called Board Reality 101. And by board I am referring to a piece of wood. What is a tree? What are our forests to us? On today’s Folk University we look deeper into this question and the incredible partnership between the Klahoose First Nations and non-nation members in creating a forest managed by a community. INterviews with Mark Lombard & Nick Gagnon
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Curt Cunningham first encountered the Squirrel Cove Bear while it was still a cub. Not knowing where the creature’s mother was, Cunningham took refuge inside the Cove Restaurant. No mother bear appeared and the cub disappeared into the woods. That was a year or more ago.
interviews, by ZOOM, Skype or email, with Nancy Beach, Laurel Bohart, Curt cunningham, Sandy Hoffman, Derek and Lore Mack-Mumford, and Conservation officer Brad Adams.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There was a COVID 19 outbreak at the Discovery Harbour Care Centre in Campbell River, where a staff person tested positive on Thursday, November 19th.
A press release from Island Health states:
“At this time, no residents are experiencing symptoms. Communication with residents and families is underway. Discovery Harbour is owned and operated by Park Place Seniors Living. The staff member who tested positive is self-isolating at home. The outbreak is limited to one neighbourhood within the facility. Admissions, transfers and visitation to the entire site have been stopped.”
Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are now in place and all staff and residents are being screened twice a day.
There are no outbreaks currently listed in any other North Vancouver Island care facilities, or schools.
In response to the Province’s November 19th public health order, the city of Campbell River now requires employees and visitors over two years old to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth in all public and common spaces within City facilities. High intensity fitness activities, including Spin and Tabata, have been cancelled. No spectators are permitted at indoor or outdoor sporting events or practices. No outdoor or indoor social bookings or rentals are available.
“We urge everyone to do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and appreciate people’s patience and cooperation as we adjust our service levels to comply with evolving public health requirements,” said says city manager Deborah Sargent.
North Vancouver Island
The BC Centre for Disease Control reported 20 new COVID cases in North Vancouver Island in the two weeks between November 6th and 19th.
Some of these people have already recovered because the Island Health Dashboard only shows 12 active cases yesterday.
North Vancouver Island is divided into four Health Areas: The Comox Valley; Greater Campbell River (which includes the Discovery Islands); Vancouver Island West and Vancouver Island North.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island Society held their annual general meeting this past wednesday evening, November 18th.
There were approximately 16 people in attendance.
The meeting was hosted by Max Thaysen, president of the board of directors, and much of the presentation was given by Helen Hall, FOCI's executive director.
In the executive director's report, Helen Hall gave a summary of the past years' activities. A written version is available on their website, friendsofcortes.org.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Only weeks ago, Canada was on the verge of a Federal election. If the NDP had stood beside the Conservative party, they could have toppled the Trudeau government. Our Member of Parliament, Rachel Blaney, explains why they didn’t and what she thinks the prospects are for a Federal election in 2021.
Shortly after the management of a $900 million student grant to WE Charity was announced, the Federal government came under fire for WE’s alleged connections to both the Trudeau and Morneau families.
Every Canadian party with at least 12 MPs is allotted times to propose motions, for discussion and a vote.
So, Blaney Explained, the NDP proposed, “that we should have a special committee set up to address the We scandal. We could take it out of all the other committees and have one committee come together for a short time, do that work and come back to the House of Commons.”
“The Conservatives took that idea and expanded upon it quite substantively. First of all the language around it was about studying the corruption in the Liberal Government. Of course, the Liberals were not a fan of that title. But it also gave the committee a lot of power. The committee would have been able to call the Prime Minister, or any minister, whenever it felt like - without consulting with them to find out a date that would work for them. It would have really put this committee in a place to decide how everything worked at all times.”
“No Government would ever support that. So we had conversations with the Conservatives and said, ‘Come on, you gotta tone down the motion. We really want to see this work happen, the important part is to address the We scandal and what happened there. It should be addressed. Let’s put it in a special committee … so it doesn’t get in the way of all the other committees and the important work that those committees have to do.”
“The Conservatives did not want to back down and when they formally put forward the motion, the Liberals said this is a confidence motion. If all the opposition parties support this motion, we will go to an election.”
“The NDP had already told the Conservatives,’If you cannot make this a motion that makes sense, that really deals with the issue of we and doesn’t make it a political power grab, we’re just not interested in supporting it.”
The Conservative motion was defeated, 180-146, with the NDP, Greens and Independent MPs all supporting the Liberal governments.
A possible 2021 election?
Since that vote, there has been some speculation about a possible 2021 election. A Global News poll found that 47% of Canadians want Trudeau to wait until his term his over. CBC’s poll tracker’s latest projection (Nov 17th) is for another Liberal victory, though not necessarily a majority. There were several references to a possible Spring election in a recent ZOOM call of the North Island Powell River Greens.
Cortes Currents asked Rachel Blaney, what do you think about the probabilities of our having an election in 2021?
“When you are in a minority government, you’re always waiting to see if there is going to be an election around the corner,” said Blaney.
“ … Usually when there is a minority federal government, they last about a year. We’ve just passed the year mark … So I expect there will be an election next year, I’m just not certain when, and I certainly have not heard any gossip yet.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Our MP, Rachel Blaney, was appointed the NDP Deputy Critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services.
Blaney said NDP party leader Jagmeet Singh is passionate about the issues that indigenous communities across Canada are facing. So after the last election, he assumed the role as the principal party spokesperson for these concerns.
She added, “He made the decision, after the last election, to take on the role of the main spokesperson on these issues. He has asked me to be the Deputy because he is the leader and it is good to have a couple of people on the file. That means I would be very working very closely with the leader on both of those important departments and ministries to address concerns that Indigenous communities and people are bringing to us.”
When her appointment was announced, Singh said, “Rachel has proven that she is a strong ally for Indigenous people across the country and I have every faith that she will continue to work hard to push the government into making significant improvements in the lives of Indigenous people.”
Blaney explained, “I think what he sees reflected in the work I’ve done is a lot of connections with Indigenous communities across the [North Island-Powell River] riding. We have over twenty communities and a fairly significant urban population. He has seen the work that have done in building those relationships up.”
Vice Chair of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee
Blaney’s recent term as Vice Chair of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee brought her into contact with communities across Canada.
“Probably the most important [project] that we worked on was worked the legislation that was brought forward towards the end of parliament: Bill C92 - that talked about “that talks about a framework for indigenous communities to take back the power and capacity to address indigenous children in care.”
“There are more Indigenous children in care now than at the height of the residential system. There is obviously something wrong. When you see that many children in care, you know there is something broken in the system as well as in some of these families.”
While Blaney is proud of the work that the committee did, she feels the resulting legislation falls short.
“Unfortunately, after a lot of hard work and a lot of support from stakeholders, we did not get the government to change that. There were some changes that we did get them to do, but that fundamental one - not putting a dollar figure in the legislation, but making sure that there was something about equitable funding - would have made that legislation so much stronger.”
“As of today, I believe Canada has been served with eight non-compliance orders. They found that Indigenous children are getting less money invested in them; less support for foster parents, especially ‘on reserve foster parents.’ Not enough in supporting families that the children can stay. They were identifying that some children were being taken because their housing was not called ‘good enough’ - and that was of no fault to the community members, who were living in housing the community provided. We had communities that lived in more remote areas that talked about the challenges when children were often taken so far away that there is no ability for them to be in contact in a meaningful way with any of the family. And there is no problem solving around any of those issues.”
Tan Mei Xi/ Vancouver Co-op Radio Local Journalism Initiative -Affordable housing is within reach for British Columbians with a manageable amount of government investment, says a housing expert.
The Affordable Housing Plan produced by the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) calls for an annual $1.8 billion in government investment for building affordable housing. Jill Atkey, CEO of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, noted that the level of investment her organisation called for is “not dissimilar from the investments made over the past two years provincially and federally”.
According to the BCNPHA, in 2016 there was a backlog of 80,000 rental units and an additional 117,000 renter households that needed income assistance to afford their rent. In addition, there were at least 6,860 people across the province experiencing homelessness.
To address these issues, the BCNPHA calls for 115,000 rental units to be built before 2026; income support for renter households experiencing challenges affording their rent; and a 'housing first' approach to addressing homelessness.
According to the Plan, investments made in housing will yield significant community benefits. For example, the BCNPHA stated in the Plan that "The proposed annual investments of $81.6 million for homelessness... have the potential to save $177 million annually in other areas of spending within BC."
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There could be a federal election next Spring and Green party leader Annamie Paul is looking for promising candidates. Also, the Canadian Government is expected to release its proposed climate legislation on Monday. These were a couple of the ideas mentioned Saturday, when the North Island-Powell River Greens hosted a ZOOM conference entitled Annamie Paul in conversation.
Growing support
She was joined by three Green candidates from the recent provincial election. Kim Darwin received a third of the votes in Powell River-Sunshine Coast. Alexandra Morton and Gillian Anderson received just under 20% in North Island and Courtenay-Comox, respectively.
Odette Auger/ Cortes Currents - The following article is an excerpt from a program that was originally aired on Cortes Radio. This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative.This is Odette Auger with Cortes Currents.
In the parking lot at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex, COVID-1919 Ambassadors take in screening checklists, supervise hand sanitizing, as the novice hockey kids arrive at the arena.
The ambassadors are basically replacing the parents- without dressing rooms, the kids show up in all their gear, walking through the parking lot with skate guards. They ensure kids hand sanitize before putting on their gloves, and the masked ambassadors take the guards off and space them out 6 feet apart along the hallway in the arena.
CRMHA sends out regular emails outlining COVID-1919 protocols, updates to how this translates to the arena. Assessing how measures were working, making adjustments to trouble shoot.
Jeanine Sumner and Jodi Check Broer are two of the covdi19 ambassadors trained to support the novice age group. They share their thoughts and explain how things are different this year.
“Upon the kids returning to play,” says Sumner, “Parent volunteers, such as ourselves, also known as COVID-19 ambassadors were identified and trained and that included new entry and exit points, no use of the change rooms. The kids were not allowed inside the building due to the capacity COVID-19-19 restrictions in 19 restrictions yet. So wearing masks, hand, sanitization health check screening for all the kids, ambassadors and coaches minimal contact with any inside the facility and arena, thorough disinfection protocols, tracking number of players, coaches, and volunteers.”
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On Friday, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced there were 16 new COVID cases in Island Health. This is our region’s highest daily total since the pandemic began.
Over the course of the last five days, the number of active cases on Vancouver Island has increased from 39 to 67.
Two people were admitted to Intensive Care Units, which hasn’t happened for months.
While a series of media reports are coming out of two schools and the hospital in Nanaimo, the number of active cases in North Vancouver Island quietly increased from 8, on Monday, to 15 by Friday. After five days, the number of cases is close to double.
Yesterday, November 13th, Island Health issued a press release stating they had been contacting patrons of Browns Socialhouse, in Courtenay, about a possible exposure to COVID-19 on November 3rd and 5th.
“Contact tracing has been completed and anyone identified as a close contact has been instructed to self-isolate.”
“ … If you have not been contacted by public health, then please be assured you did not have a high-risk exposure related to this case. No ongoing COVID-19 risk from this exposure has been identified.”
Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, has also issued a Public Health Order stating “Effective November 13, all owners and operators of campgrounds and RV parks must collect information from each patron that would enable contact tracing, including names and phone numbers. This information must be kept for a period of 30 days.” North Vancouver Island is divided into four Health areas: Comox Valley Campbell River, which includes Cortes, Quadra and the other Discovery Islands. Vancouver Island North and Vancouver island West.
The most recent statistical breakdown of cases within those areas shows the cumulative total of cases up until the end of October. Comparing those numbers with those of the previous monthly summary, there were 8 new cases in the Comox Valley, 6 in Campbell River and 1 in Vancouver Island North during October.
Most of those people have recovered and there more active cases,
A monthly update of the cumulative cases in each health area, up until the end of November, should be released about this time in December.
David P. Ball/Vancouver Co-op Radio, local Journalism Initiative -Dr. Thomas Madden, with Acuitas Therapeutics at UBC, says that most vulnerable communities will be first to receive the "90% protective" vaccine he helped discover.
A Vancouver scientist says he is proud of his team's contribution to the world's most promising vaccine candidate yet to defeat COVID-19 — and potential begin the end of the ongoing pandemic.
And with the Prime Minister promising that any vaccine distributed by Canada would target the most vulnerable populations as a priority, seniors and those with compromised immune systems and respiratory illnesses would likely be at the front of the line.
Dr. Thomas Madden's his firm Acuitas, based at the University of British Columbia, has become something of a global celebrity after it played a key role in developing the most promising coronavirus vaccine yet — believed to be 90 per cent effective, far higher than average flu vaccines or any COVID-19 candidate so far.
Photo credit: Virus illustration by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - BC Health officials tell us the number of COVID 19 cases is doubling once almost every 13 days.
There were close to 5,800 active cases as of 4:30 PM, Thursday, November 12th.
“The data shows us that the virus is able to transmit far more easily in the colder weather when we are spending more time indoors, which means that many of the things that we were able to do safely this summer are no longer safe,” said Provincial Health Officer said Dr Bonnie Henry.
Campbell River Health Area in October
Six people in the Campbell River Health Area tested positive during October., according to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s latest monthly cumulative COVID case count for local health areas.
Two of these COVID 19 cases were at Carihi Secondary school and reported in the media. The others could have been anywhere in Campbell River, its outskirts, or the Discovery Islands.
These are not the first cases reported in the Campbell River Health area. There were a dozen earlier this year, but none in August or September.
Recent COVID 19 cases on Vancouver Island
A less geographically specific report for the past two weeks, states there were 18 new cases in North Vancouver Island, which includes the Comox Valley, Campbell and other regions to the north. Some of these people have already recovered.
Island Health’s Public Health COVID-19 Status Dashboard shows a total of 51 active cases, as of yesterday, and 11 of these are in North Vancouver Island.
British Columbia’s COVID-19 Dashboard confirms that there are 51 active cases on Vancouver Island. None of these have been hospitalized, admitted to the ICU and there has not been a new death reported in months.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Across the waters just to the south of Cortes Island, the qathet Regional District has been carrying out extensive beach-clean-ups for several years. The most recent outgrowth of this is the opening of BC’s first Ocean Plastic Depot in Powell River last month. Abby McLennan, from Let’s Talk Trash, says that started the beach clean-up program in 2017.
How the beach clean-ups began
“A resident, who spends a lot of time on his boat, contacted the Regional District and asked. ‘If residents are out on their boats and we see debris is there not a way that we could pick it up and bring it in for free disposal to Augusta - which is where we bring our waste in Powell River. From that one little letter, that one resident wrote, my manager at the Regional District put forward a proposal to the elected Board of Directors for a shoreline clean-up initiative,” she said.
Where do they occur?
This led to annual clean-ups on Lasqueti, Texada and Savary Islands.
Harwood Island was added to the list in 2018.
“Last year Hernando, which is just north of Savary Island and pretty close to you guys on Cortes, got on board. They circumvented their entire island and, since it has never been cleaned before, brought a massive load of debris.”
There are smaller annual clean-ups in Mainland Powell River, hitting any south facing bay.
What do they do with the debris?
“Our first year, most everything went straight into landfill. Then we became aware of the Ocean Legacy Foundation, which is a really great clean-up organization that also delves into education, infrastructure, policy and advocacy. They wanted to go one step better than just picking up marine debris and disposing it into landfill,” explained McLennan.
Most recyclers do not want to work with ocean plastics because they are degraded, due to their long exposure to the elements, and covered with salt water.
The Ocean Legacy Foundation developed partnerships with recyclers in the Lower Mainland, who are willing to work with ocean plastics.
McLennan says that 90% of the debris from the District’s beach clean-up can be turned over to the Ocean Legacy Foundation.
BC’s first Ocean Plastic depot, which opened up in Powell River last month, is a joint project of the Ocean Legacy Foundation and qathet Regional District .
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - According to a November 9th report from Island Health, there are now 8 active COVID cases in that part of Vancouver Island stretching north from Courtenay and the Comox Valley. While the number is trivial, most of us probably haven’t even seen one of those eight people, the trajectory is not. It wasn’t so long ago that the reports were of one to three new cases in a week.
Data for the Campbell River Health Area The BC Centre Disease Control releases statistics for the Campbell River Health Area on a monthly basis. The most current report displays data to the end of September, at which point there were not any new cases since July. We know that at least two people in Campbell River, itself, caught the virus since then. The statistics up until the end of October should be released this week.
Vancouver Island There is no cause for panic. There are currently only 39 confirmed cases of COVID on Vancouver island and none of them are in the hospital or ICU.
Second wave more than three times worse However: the number of active cases province wide has grown to 4,891. According to the British Columbia COVID situation report, the first wave peaked in mid March, at which point there were 9 cases for every 100,000 people in the province. As of the end of October, the percentage of infected people has more than tripled.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - COVID has not had a negative impact on the SRD’s Electoral areas finances. The accounts carry a surplus forward every year, and 2020 is not an exception. SRD staff just released a preliminary surplus report for the electoral areas during 2020.
In the podcast above, Chief Administration officer David Leach explains this year’s $325,529 surplus for planning to Regional Director Jim Abram. While this is technically a surplus, it is right on budget and should not be spent.
There are areas where the electoral areas did save money because of work not done and services not performed, due to COVID.
Close to $75,000 was saved, compared to last year, for administration of the four electoral areas.
Most of the items for Cortes Island are on budget, and there are also several surpluses: The Cortes Fire Department deferred implementing First Responder program until 2021 due to COVID There was a $43,149 surplus for community parks. close to $19,000 available for feasibility studies on Cortes was not spent A $2,660 budget for heritage conservation, carried forward from 2019, remains unspent.
Gorge and Mansons Halls were recently given their annual stipend. For comparative purposes, it is interesting to note that this is a little more than half of the subsidy given to the Quadra Island Community Hall.
There were a number of unspent items in the Discovery Islands budget More than $56,000 of the budget for parks remains unspent Close to $42,000 of work on the Quathiaski Cove sewer was deferred $20,000 allotted for feasibility studies was not used. More than $7,000 of the Grants in Aid budget is still available The Quadra Island Community Hall did not spend .
Tan Mei Xi/Vancouver Co-op Radio, Local Journalism Initiative - For Vancouverites, the drastic increase in unaffordability in the city only became an issue in the last 15 years, but an urban affairs reporter says the crisis has its roots in decades of housing policy.
According to The Tyee urban sociology reporter Chris Cheung, before the 1970s, the federal and provincial governments were building thousands of affordable housing units every year.
"Even before the 1970s, [there was] a consensus that housing is something the government needs to be involved in," said Cheung.
The federal, provincial, and municipal governments would team up to provide non-market housing, such as social housing and co-op housing, said Cheung.
"Up until the 90s, we saw this partnership work out very well with providing housing for people," said Cheung. "But in 1993, Paul Martin's [federal] Liberals... cut funding for all new social housing units."
That halt in funding caused almost all provinces to cut back significantly on the construction of social housing, said Cheung, except for BC.
However, he noted, when the BC Liberals took power in 2001, they cut back on funding for new social housing.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - After 24 minutes of debate, the SRD passed Rainbow Ridge’s application to have a six acre portion of land rezoned to facilitate the development of up to 22 seniors' and affordable housing units.
At one point it looked like the whole issue could be put on hold until an accidentally omitted January 10th letter from Island Health was made available to every director. The resulting vote was split along very familiar lines, to anyone who has been observing the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board in action. The motion to defer the issue was evenly split, 6 to 6, which means it did not pass.
There were moments of magnanimity. Cortes Island’s Alternate Director, Corry Dow, said that if it would put the minds of her fellow rural directors at ease, the matter should be deferred until the missing letter was available. Regional Director Jim Abram's response was to suggest staff simply read the letter out loud.
After this was done, Regional Director Brenda Leigh revealed that her opposition stemmed from additional concerns.
“This proposal is for 25 units on 6 acres and unless there is a lot of money put into high end sewage systems and, you know, Cortes will be looking for grants and monies to do that probably. I do not think it is wise to put that kind of density in an area that has no water, no sewer, and Hague Lake - which is their main source of drinking water - right down hill, about a quarter mile from this location. I do not think this is a wise move and it is going to lead to a lot more people asking for more money, more money to make this work,” she said.
Fact Check: The application is to rezone 6.95 acres of a 51.3 acre property for the development of 20 units, plus 2 flex studio units.
“That was a major concern of many residents of Mansons Landing, when the project was first proposed. The engineers and wastewater specialists they have dealt with have reassured people that they can deal with it. They have a whole team working on grant applications and philanthropic donations in order to make this happen because the Cortes Community so passionately believes in having a little bit more affordable housing on the island. I appreciate the concern for the water quality, but due diligence has been done and the applicant has replied to this more than one time as we have looked at this over the past few months,” said Dow.
All of the Cortes residents that attended the public hearing for this project, either in person or virtually, spoke in favour of it.
The SRD received more than 100 letters regarding Rainbow Ridge and, according to Dow, all but two expressed support.
When the issue was finally voted on, it passed with a single voice (Director Brenda Leigh) raised in opposition.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There is a false report about the Quadra Island RCMP detachment circulating on Cortes Island. I was recently informed they are shutting down.
So Cortes Currents emailed the head of the Quadra detachment, Cpl. Sean Bulford, the following questions.
- Is it true?
Cpl. Bulford - “No. However, with continued budget constraints and minimal increases in resources for several consecutive years, the RCMP in E-Division (BC) have been looking at ways to maximize the man power we have. They have been looking at many options, one of them is hubbing or regionalising Detachments. They have been looking at areas that this could work.”
“I can say that when I first arrived on Quadra Island in the spring of 2018, Quadra Island was mentioned as a possible Detachment that could be hubbed. That being said, Senior Management acknowledged that there would be significant logistical hurdles to hubbing Quadra Island Detachment specifically, as we cover several Islands and respond 24/7 by police vessel.”
“There are many other Detachments on Vancouver Island that they would try this with first, and so far they haven't moved in that direction at all. There has been no further discussion about hubbing Quadra Island Detachment. I have been told there would definitely be public consultation before any such measures were considered.”
- If so, do you have a date for when this is expected to occur?
Cpl. Bulford - “This is an unlikely scenario and if it does happen, will likely not occur for several years, if at all. If (big if) this were to happen, I imagine members would be assigned to some type of Campbell River Rural section that would have to be created. Members would have to be trained in operating a police vessel so they could respond at any time. I can only speculate on how this would eventually play out if they went this route, as this idea hasn't even moved to preliminary planning stage.”
“Hope this helps clear the air. I've heard this rumour on Cortes myself, and I've tried to clear things up when it pops up.”
“I personally don't feel like Quadra Island would be an option for this type of plan simply because of the geographical area we cover. As you know, a trip from Quadra to Cortes in the middle of a stormy night is a challenge. The waters around the south end of Quadra Island near the Cape Mudge lighthouse can be incredibly treacherous in those conditions, and would impact response times too much, as well as jeopardize officer safety if they were required to attend from Campbell River.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A 2014 study estimates there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. There is also a great deal of polystyrene. These are two of the most prevalent types of ocean debris washing up on our beaches. The Ocean Legacy Foundation decided to do something about it and partnered with the qathet Regional District to open up BC’s first Ocean Plastic Depot in Powell River.
This is the first of a series of two interviews with Abby McLennan from Let’s Talk Trash in Powell River. Let’s Talk Trash is both an hour long monthly radio program broadcast over Power River Community Radio, CJMP 90.1 FM, and, since 2011, also the qathet Regional District’s Waste Reduction Education Program.
The quathet Regional District stretches from the ferry terminal at Saltry Bay, north along the coast to Toba Inlet. Hernando, Texada, Savary, and Lasqueti islands are all within its boundaries. More than 65% of the inhabitants live in Powell River (2016 pop: 13,157).
Savary Island, the village of Lund and smoke from the mill at Powell River can all be seen from the eastern shore of Cortes Island. They are also within the broadcast area of Cortes Radio, CKTZ, 89.5 FM.
The Ghost Fear Fund
“The $8.3 million Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program, known as the Ghost Gear Fund will fund 22 projects in Canada and four internationally over the next two years. All projects fall into at least one of four categories: gear retrieval, responsible disposal, acquisition and piloting of available gear technology, and international leadership.” - press release from Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada.
The First Ocean Plastic Depots
“The Ocean Legacy Foundation was successful is getting some funding, we partnered with them and that is how this Ocean Plastic Depot came into being. It’s really a vision of the Ocean Legacy Foundation. They want to have these satellite depots all up and down the coast, so there is a place to bring the material for recycling, and not just disposal, when [beach] clean-up efforts happen. This is the first depot in BC, and I believe in Canada … A second one has just been installed in Tofino,” said McLennan.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - According to data on the Pacific Salmon Explorer website, Northeastern Vancouver Island’s Chum runs have tended to be about 42% lower in the last decade. 2016 was an exception. Pete Calverley, from the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society, recently told the National Observer, “This year’s chum spawners are the result of a strong parent run four years ago.” The final numbers are not in yet, but there are high expectations for this year’s Chum return.
Terry Palfrey, Resource Manager with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said the numbers further south, along the Nanaimo, Cowichan and Goldstream Rivers, are already much better than last year. 6,000 chum returned to the Goldstream. Between 45,000 to 50,000 are expected on the Nanaimo and over 160,000 on the Cowichan River.
The numbers are lower on Cortes Island.
There were only about 50 last year, but we have already greatly exceeded that.
Will this year’s count match 2016’s, when more than 1,300 Chum were counted?
Cortes Island streamkeeper Cec Robinson emailed, “We are hoping that the bulk of the run is still to arrive, in the next few days, with this rain raising the stream levels. So far, as usual, Basil Creek is the most active. First chum counted just today (Wednesday, Nov 4th) in James Creek. A very few so far in Hansen. Nothing yet in Whaletown.”
It has been almost three weeks since October 17th, when a group of young streamkeepers from the Cortes School counted 197 Chum at the mouth of Basil Creek, in Squirrel Cove. This appears to be the highest of four tallies.
More fish arrive every day.
While Cortes Currents visit to Basil Creek a few days ago was not a count, several dozen chum were reported. There were more waiting in Squirrel Cove, just outside the entrance to the creek, and in the segment of the creek between the mouth and culvert. Others had already swam upstream.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) released the funding for Cortes Island’s community halls. Though they were to have received this money in quarterly instalments, it has been close to a year since the SRD passed the Bylaw “to establish a community hall service within and for the benefit of Electoral Area B (Cortes Island).” The minutes of that meeting refer to the need for “a further report outlining next steps for implementing the community hall service.” Former Chair Michele Babchuk and the SRD’s Corporate Officer did not receive authorization to ‘execute the contracts’ until last August. A spokesperson from the Whaletown Community Club (WCC), which operates Gorge Hall, said the funds needed for a year of operations have now been deposited directly into their bank account. Manson's Hall Manager, Mary Lavelle, confirmed that a similar deposit was made into the Southern Cortes Community Association’s (SCCA) account on Friday, October 30th, 2020.
This money comes out of Cortes Island’s property taxes and will be used for core operating expenses: electricity, heating, garbage collection, telephone and fax, internet service, property taxes, insurance, supplies and contract services related to operating and maintaining the two halls.
De Clarke’s 2018 study of twenty community halls, between Haida Gwaii and the southern gulf islands, found that almost all of them were funded through property taxes. Three of these halls service populations of less than 200 people.
As WCC Director Ashley Zarbatany said, in a recent interview, “For years we struggled to pay our bills due to a lack of stable funding sources. Now, we will be able to focus on what we do best, which is providing services that make our community better.”
“The SCCA Board of Directors appreciates that the SRD staff were able to respond to the Cortes Community's concerns about the Hall Tax funding being delayed,” said Myrna Kerr, President of the SCCA Board of Directors.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In response to reduced revenues arising from the pandemic, the city of Campbell River plans to increase property taxes and either defer or cancel $1.5 million dollars worth of services.
Why this is important for the Discovery Islands?
While this does not directly effect Cortes Island, Quadra Island, or the other Discovery Islands, we are in the Strathcona Regional District.
Close to 80% of the SRD’s inhabitants live in Campbell River.
Mayor Andy Adams, and city councillors Charlie Cornfield, Ron Ker and Claire Moglove are all members of the Strathcona Regional District Board. So was former city councillor Michele Babchuk, whose seat is now vacant as a result of her election as our representative to the Provincial legislature.
Proposed Campbell River property tax increases
City council wants to keep the tax increase to no more than $79 for the average Campbell River home, valued at $442,000.
This is less than the regular annual tax increase that Campbell River residents experienced in the years prior to 2014, when Mayor Andy Adams was elected.
Similar tax increases are being implemented in other communities throughout the province.
Proposed Service cuts
The proposed cuts include $356,300 from recreation programming, $165,600 from the Campbell River Airport’s payroll and $360,200 across many City departments.
This week’s Council decisions will be reviewed Nov. 30, when more detailed estimates on new construction values are available from BC Assessment. The budget will be adopted in December, and submitted to the Province before year-end.
“While the cuts reflect difficult, but necessary decisions, this budget still provides for renewal and replacement of aging infrastructure and funding to support new initiatives. In 2021, there will be a stronger focus on downtown safety, economic development and new maintenance requirements for the Bike Skills Park and Robron Fieldhouse,” said Mayor Andy Adams.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Chum salmon have returned. Last year was disappointing. Cec Robinson told Cortes Currents there were perhaps 50, but there had been close to 1,300 in 2016. So Cortes Streamkeepers anticipate a much stronger count this year.
There were between three and four dozen around the new culvert on Basil Creek on Sunday, Nov 1, 2020. Most were swarming around the front, but at least a half dozen were on the other side.
The Tideline carries Christine Robinson’s report of a survey of Basil Creek made two weeks ago, on October 17th. A party of young streamkeepers from Cortes School broke into four groups, each of which made its own tally. One group counted 197 Chum: 110 females and 87 males. The aggregate count varied widely:
live fish - numbers between 80 and 286 dead - numbers between 8 and 28 predators - numbers between 12 and 40 (They counted every raven & crow!)
There are two viewing areas where the public can look at the salmon in Basil Creek without trespassing on private property, the culvert and where the creek empties into Squirrel Cove.
Christine asked that visitors keep their dogs on leases or better still, leave them at home.
She added, “Approach from downstream (that way, if you startle the salmon, they will swim upstream rather than downstream where they came from).”
There are three more salmon bearing creeks on Cortes Island. James Creek runs through the Children’s Forest into Carrington Lagoon. Hansen Creek empties into the Gorge Harbour. Whaletown Creek runs through the other new culvert into into Whaletown Lagoon.
Friends of Cortes Island Streamkeepers will continue to monitor and count spawners from mid-October through November.
Tan Mei Xi/Vancouver Co-op Radio, Local Journalism Initiative - Vancouver's City Council has been passing a number of motions to alleviate the city's homelessness crisis since May. But for those on the street or in tent cities, those motions haven't translated into changes in their living conditions.
Earlier in September, Council directed staff to report back on five options to alleviate the homelessness crisis, including leasing apartment buildings, hotels, or motels; allowing tiny homes; creating temporary disaster relief shelters; converting City-owned buildings into temporary shelters; and opening RV parks.
Since then, Council has passed a motion directing staff to spend up to $30 million to purchase or lease apartment buildings or hotels and create an indoor temporary disaster relief shelter. More recently, Council passed another motion directing staff to research how bylaws would need to be changed to allow for tiny homes in the city.
In the last week, the federal government announced $51.5 million dollars in funding for housing for residents experiencing homelessness. According to the Tyee, it is still unclear when the funding will be provided.
This i part 2 of our interview with journalist Jen St. Denis. Jen covers the DTES beat for The Tyee.
David P. Ball/Vancouver Co-op Radio, local Journalism Initiative -Although Premier Horgan's $10-a-day childcare pledge would be a game-changer for many, Simon Fraser University's Stewart Prest said other important issues — renters rights, welfare rates, homelessness and drug laws — got sideswiped off the election campaign stage by COVID-19.
The political scientist in Vancouver said people hopeful for radical reforms from the newly elected B.C. New Democrat majority government should probably brace for some disappointment.
Stewart Prest, a lecturer at Simon Fraser University, said many issues of vital importance for the province's lowest-income residents got swept aside in the election campaign — which was dominated by concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic damages — so the new government is unlikely to make any radical or sweeping reforms on issues like drug prohibition, homelessness and housing affordability, welfare and disability rates, or renters' rights.
But he said one of the few big policy promises of Premier John Horgan's campaign would make a big dent in many families' pocketbooks, particularly those at the bottom of the economic ladder: affordable daycare. If Horgan fulfils the promise to extend $10-a-day childcare to more families, Prest told The Pulse on CFRO, that itself would be a significant help to low-income families in the province struggling with their bills and ability to work.
On other issues such as expanding the safe supply of illicit drugs or expanding harm reduction programs, protecting renters from eviction, or effectively finding solutions to homelessness and tent cities, Prest warned voters not to expect anything dramatic.
The NDP has a strong mandate, but it is based on widespread voter support on how the Horgan government handled the COVID-19 emergency, not necessarily on its social policies. With Horgan reaching out across the political aisle immediately following the election, pledging to work with all parties in Victoria, it seems the party is re-assuring British Columbians their main aim may be a steady economic hand at the wheel of government through a crisis.
Meanwhile, advocates for tenants' rights, drug decriminalization or legalization, and other issues say they will continue pushing the new government to go further and act more aggressively on issues vital to many vulnerable communities in Vancouver and the province.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Last Day for Quinsam Road camp
Friday, Oct 30th, was the last day for Quinsam Road camp in Campbell River. There were only three residents remaining and all left peacefully when the RCMP and Ministry of Natural Resources went up to clean the site.
“At one point, there was about twenty people living in four or five different camps,” said Cst. Maury Tyre.
During the five to six months months the property was occupied, the RCMP opened more than 50 case files: for theft, assault; fires.
Tyre added, “The biggest one was environmental issues, which probably why the Ministry of Natural Resources got involved - plus it is their property.”
Nunns Creek Park
Some of the people from Quinsam Park are now camping in in Nunn’s Creek Park, others have found different housing options.
In what some regard as the first step in establishing a right to housing in Canada, a 2015 BC Supreme Court ruling recognized that homeless people have right to sleep in public space.
Constable Tye explained, “That’s part of the reason you see tent cities in many cities. There is no allowance for permanent structures. In Campbell River, I believe they have said people have to have their tents taken down by 9:00 AM. The understanding being that it is still a public space and the rest of the public gets to use those areas. That’s the area that the city of Campbell River has allotted to people, if they do wish to camp.” The homeless community
There are believed to be about 100 people ‘without permanent housing’ in Campbell River, and much smaller numbers on Quadra and Cortes Islands. Most are couch surfing, living with friends or sleeping in vehicles. A minority camp out.
Twenty are now temporarily housed in the former Rose Bowl restaurant, in Campbell River.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A little over a year ago, a year since three quarters of the Cortes Island respondents voted to fund the Island’s two community halls through our taxes. Early last December, Strathcona Regional District (SRD) staff received the go-ahead, to start negotiations with the Whaletown Community Club (WCC) and the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA), which manage Gorge and Mansons Halls. The WCC and SCCA still haven’t received any funding or been told what is holding things up.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The most recent change to Elections BC's Preliminary Voting Results, at the time of this writing, was made at 2:53 PM on October 28, 2020.
Though the numbers changed, the list of winners has not.
The NDP appear to have been elected in eleven Vancouver Island ridings, and Green party MLAs were re-elected in the other two.
NDP challenger Adam Walker is still a thousand votes ahead of the Liberal incumbent in Parksville-Qualicum, the closest race on Vancouver Island. The last Liberal riding appears to have gone NDP.
In our North Island riding: Michele Babchuk’s lead has widened, so that she is now close to 4,000 votes ahead of her closest challenger. That is now Liberal candidate Norm Facey, who replaced Alexandra Morton as the runner up.
This increases the number of ridings where the Liberals came in second to four; the Greens are runners up in the remaining seven ridings.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The pandemic inflicted deep financial wounds on some businesses; others prospered. Things looked pretty uncertain when the crisis reared its head last March but, as manager Eric Hargrave explains, 2020 is turning into the Cortes Natural Food Co-op’s best year ever.
Best Year Ever in terms of sales
“In terms of net profit, it’s the biggest we have ever seen - for the first half of the year at least and we expect that to continue,” he began.
Hargave was pondering a much different scenario last March. He didn’t know if he would need to close the doors and to go to deliveries only, or if the Co-op would have any staff.
“March and April were up about 33%, compared to what they would usually be. That means we were profitable in the Spring, rather than just breaking even. Then the summer was busier than what we expected. We figured we’d be down maybe 25%. We were only down 10%, so it was like a normal summer from a couple of years ago.”
This fall
Sales volumes normally take an abrupt drop after labour day, but that didn’t occur this year.
“Even in September and October, we are 25% up over last year. Which is a lot! - something I wouldn’t have guessed,” said Hargrave. “Just right now, we are starting to see days that are comparable to what they were last year.”
“People are … not coming to the store as often, but they are buying a lot more when they are at the store. They are looking for new and interesting things to take home because they have been cooking for awhile. They are willing to try new things. They aren’t spending that money in restaurants, so they are generally willing to spend it in the grocery store.”
A lot of people on this island right now
Hargrave explained, “There are a lot of people on this island right now. I do not know where they are staying, or where they are living, but a lot of people who decided to come when the pandemic started are still here. People who had a second home here, or that sort of thing, but we are also seeing new people. I’m not sure if they are just straight up tourists, or they are coming to visit other people they know here. We still have the occasional person just browsing, who has never been in our store before - which is very different for October.”
In the podcast above, Eric Hargrave also talks about keeping up supplies and how the Co-op Cafe is doing.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There is currently only one active case of COVID 19 in North Vancouver Island and there have been no reports of new cases anywhere on Vancouver Island since last Thursday, but British Columbia has just set a record for the highest daily rise over a three-day period. As of 4:30 PM Monday, there were 2,316 active cases, and 77 people in hospitals, on the Mainland. It is not certain that Vancouver Island will continue to remain relatively COVID free while the virus spreads throughout the rest of the province. Dr Bonnie Henry has just issued a province wide health order limiting gatherings in homes to immediate family and six others.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The final count will not be finished for another three weeks. However as of 1:58 AM this morning, Elections BC reports that 45.03% of the known electorate voted NDP, 35.41% chose the Liberal and 15.30% the Greens. John Horgan won his majority, Michele Babchuk is our new MLA. and the only real surprise was the Green party numbers on Vancouver Island.
Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen have both been re-elected.
The Green party has also won its first seat on the Mainland: West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky.
North Island
Driving around Cortes Island recently, it’s not surprising to learn that there was a three race in North Island. We may lean further to the left than most of British Columbia, but every lawn sign I saw was Green. Alexandra Morton is currently in second place. As she is less than a hundred votes ahead of Liberal candidate Norm Facey, this could change, but it is also a pattern repeated in other eight Island ridings*, as well as Powell River-Sunshine Coast.
The rest of Vancouver Island and Powell River
Nanaimo-North Cowichan, Chris Istace trails Doug Routley (NDP) by 1,001 votes. Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Nicole Duncan trails Murray Rankin (NDP) by 1,647. Victoria-Beacon Hill, Jenn Neilson trails Jenn Neilson (NDP) by 1,777. Powell River-Sunshine Coast, Kim Darwin trails Nicholas Simons (NDP) by 2,166. Victoria-Swan Lake, Annemieke Holthuis trails Rob Fleming (NDP) by 2,739 Esquimalt-Mtechsin, Andy MacKinnion trails Mitzi Dean (NDP) by 3,136 Nanaimo, Lia Versaevel trails Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) by 3,857. Langford-Juan de Fuca, Gord Baird trails Premier John Horgan (NDP) by 3,887. Mid Island-Pacific Rim, Evan Jolicoeur trails Josie Osbourne (NDP) by 4,537.
It seems unlikely that the Green Party will take any of these seats from the NDP after the final count, but the Liberal party finished second in most of these ridings in the 2017 provincial election.
This is not the first election where the Green party has shown promise. In the weeks prior to the last federal election, 338Canada’s projections showed them leading in four Vancouver Island ridings. This melted down to two on election day, which has been the pattern up until now. 1:54
This time, the numbers suggesting potential for a Green shift come from election results.
One of the questions on a recent Angus Reid poll was what would be your second choice? The Green Party was 20% ahead of second place NDP. (Greens 34%; NDP 14%; Liberals 10%; “Another party” 18%; Undecided 22%)
If there is a marked Green shift in the next election, or the one after that, most analysts expect it to be strongest on Vancouver Island.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - This week, Cortes Currents presents a conversation with the Manager of the Cortes Community Forest, Mark Lombard, and President of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, Carrie Saxifrage. The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) is the non-aboriginal equal partner with the Klahoose First Nation in the Cortes Forest General Partnership (CFGP).
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Radio - With a high stakes election in the U.S., a sudden BC election called amidst a pandemic, and numerous local elections across Canada, the role of democracy is on many people’s minds. What works? What doesn’t? How is it that democracies can be used for personal gain and it can seem so hard to change things even when they seem to so obviously go wrong.
This week’s guest, Rex Weyler, is a pulitzer-prized nominated author, journalist, ecologist, co-founder of Greenpeace International, musician, educator, and immigrant. He’s a favourite at Folk University and I’m glad to welcome you here to Folk U Radio. Thank you Rex!
How do democracies go wrong?“ “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely,” is a quote by British politician Lord Acton. People use power, often unintentionally, for their own gain, even if well intentioned. Democracy attempts to disseminate this power out to more people.
Nevertheless, democracies go wrong all the time. Listen to the program to find out how.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On July 13th, Regional Director Noba Anderson’s lawyer filed a suit against the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She seeks repayment of her legal fees, from a frivolous lawsuit brought against her last year, and the dismissal of a subsequent SRD motion of censure. The case is to be heard sometime during the assize week starting November 23, 2020. James H Goulden just filed the SRD’s Response to Petition.
Legal argument for not paying court costs
This document argues that the SRD’s Indemnification Bylaw only provides protection for officials “in connection with the exercise of of the official’s powers or the performance, or intended performance of the official’s duties or functions.”
“The Disqualification Petition is not a ‘claim, action or prosecution’ and was brought against Director Anderson in respect o the alleged receipt of gifts that were not in connection with the exercise of exercise of her powers or the intended exercise of her powers or the performance or intended performance of her duties or functions. The SRD is therefore not required to indemnify Director Anderson for the legal costs incurred.”
Legal argument for censorship
The Response to Petition also confirms Anderson’s contention that she was censored for showing her lawyer confidential SRD documents, while seeking his legal advice.
According to the SRD’s Code of Conduct Bylaw, “information discussed or disclosed at closed meeting or the board” or marked as confidential “must not be disclosed or released to anyone.”
Chronology of events
Thus when Director Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voeil, cited two of these documents, in a March 7, 2019 letter to the SRD, the Board perceived it as a violation of the Code of conduct.
In response, the SRD stopped providing Director Anderson “with closed reports to the Board respecting matters that relate to Director Anderson and to which Director Anderson may be in a conflict of interest with the Board.”
On April 15, the SRD’s legal counsel wrote Mr Voeill that these documents were confidential and “should be returned to the SRD or deleted.”
On May 1, 2019, Mr Voeill responded that “Director Anderson was entitled to disclose those documents to him.”
At their closed meeting a week later, on May 8, the Board resolved to not pay Director Anderson’s legal fees.
continued on the Cortes Currents website
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Though only a little more than 2% of the electorate voted for him in the last provincial election, John Twigg is back. This time he is running for the Conservative party - which has not contested this seat for decades. Twig especially wants to talk about self sufficiency in food, policing and banking
He is a veteran journalist who previously served as Premier Dave Barrett’s press secretary (1972-75), and was the Financial Editor for the Regina Leader-Post (1978-85). He also successfully lobbied for fo the creation of the West Coast Trail and Nitinat Triangle portions of Pacific Rim National Park, as well as pioneering the concept of community gardens in Victoria’s James Bay.
He has been living in the Campbell River area, for the past 25 years.
Q: “Why are you running in this election?”
Twigg replied, “When you run you get opportunities to answer questions like the one you just asked. I use this opportunity to raise what I think is one of the major concerns for British Columbians, that’s to get more self sufficiency. When we look around the world at the troubles that are already there and getting worse - and I think the people on Cortes relate to this - I think British Columbia urgently needs to have self sufficiency strategies.
“Certainly in food, of course we have lots of water, but we also need self sufficiency in policing and in banking. I’ve been advocating the revival of the BC provincial police force parallel to the RCMP and all the municipal forces. I also want to revive the Bank of BC and issue currency. That may sound a little outlandish but, for the province’s centenary in 1958, Premier W.A.C. Bennet issued a silver dollar without approval from the Bank of Canada. So, yes, BC could have its own parallel security, police force, self sufficiency in food and many other things that are important to maintain the civil order in society.”
“There are other reasons too, like I would more jobs, better management of resources> There is more than one reason I’m running, but the main one is to get out this message of raising BC’s self sufficiency.”
Tan Mei Xi/ The Pulse (CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative - How can society help folks experiencing homelessness? A new study based in the Lower Mainland shows that one of the solutions can be simple—just give folks cash.
Foundations for Social Change, a Vancouver-based organization, worked with UBC researchers to examine whether direct, unconditional, and one-time cash transfers could help lift people out of homelessness. The study found that research participants who had received cash transfers were able to, on average, move into stable housing faster, achieve greater food security, and increase spending on clothes, food, and rent. The study also found that cash recipients reduced their spending on alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs by 39 per cent on average.
"[Stereotypes] are incredibly harmful to the people we are trying to work shoulder-to-shoulder with in community to better their lives," said Claire Williams, CEO of Foundations for Social Change.
"A lot of social policy is built around these broken stereotypes...we make the burden of proof for folks to get on any kind of support incredibly high because we default to this thinking that they are trying to cheat the system."
It "isn't true", said Williams, that policy makers know better than the people experiencing poverty what support is most needed.
In this research study, cash recipients were given $7,500 with conditions placed on spending. To be eligible for the study, participants had to be recently homeless and not be experiencing addiction or mental-health issues.
Foundations for Social Change plans to expand its research project with 200 more cash transfers in 2021 to 2023.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - This past winter/spring – the conflict between Coastal Gaslink pipeline the BC gov and the wetsuweten nation resulted in nation-wide solidarity actions and mass protest. The issue was not resolved and protest was quieted by the pandemic.
Cortes Currents reached out to the NDP, Liberal, Green and Conservative candidates for their views on the conflict in Wet’suwet’en territory. We asked how the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples could accord with the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline project.
John Twigg, the nominee for the Conservative Party said that he didn’t think UNDRIP, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, gave indigenous peoples veto power over economic development, but neither did he think that they should be steamrollered. He also said that he supports reconciliation and that looks different in every location.
Alex Morton, Green party candidate stated that the history of colonization destroyed traditional indigenous governments, and they have been doing heroic work reestablishing their systems. We have to be patient and supportive and if companies can’t handle that process and schedule, then they need to walk away from the resource.
She went on to say that she was part of the Fish Farm occupation in the broughton archipelago. That occupation was led, as is the Wet’suwent’en land defence, by the members of first nations and their hereditary chiefs – – the elected chiefs were encumbered by their relationship with the provincial government.
She said that both Adam Olsen and Sonia Furstenau, Green MLAs, came to visit and demonstrated a serious commitment to reconciliation.
She went on to say that the systems of government that were created on the land by indigenous people are primarily concerned with the issues on the land and are therefore often the best systems for caring for the people and places we love.
Liberal Candidate, Norm Facey, did yet not respond to a call and an email in time for publication.
NDP candidate Michele Babchuk directed Cortes Currents to her campaign manager, Kassandra Lowell, who initially sounded positive about making time for an interview. But after consulting with the NDP Regional Media Team, it was decided that there would not be time for an interview. Kassandra said that if the issue had been more urgent or local, she might have been able to make the case to the Regional Media Team to discuss the matter with us, adding we would be on a list if any time became available.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This could become the longest election in bc recent historuy. Advance voting in our riding began last Thursday, October 15th, in the Campbell River Commons. Though Elections BC states it will release a preliminary count after 8 PM on election day, October 24th, the final count begins on Nov 6, and Return day (ie the official count) is expected to be Monday Nov 16th.
This means that unless there is an NDP landslide, we may not know the final result until three weeks after the election.
There are 45,121 registered voters in the North Island riding. Only 63% of the electorate turned out in the last provincial election.
Statistics from Elections BC show that 10% of the electorate of the electorate have taken advantage of advanced polls and another 20% or so applied for mail in packages.
So what is the turnout going to be like on October 24th?
Cortes Island residents who wish to vote in person may do so between 8 AM and 8 PM at the Cortes Island school
Quadra Island residents must go to the Community Centre on West Road.
Roy L Hales/Deep Roots - Toba is not an English word, or Coast Salish. The first Europeans to visit this remote fjord on the West Coast of British Columbia were Spanish. Deep Roots story producer Roy L Hales interviews Michelle Robinson and Ken Hanuse, from the Klahoose First Nation, and local historian Judith Williams about the story behind Toba Inlet's name.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The leaders of BC’s two largest political parties were in Campbell River over the week-end.
Andrew Wilson criticizes NDP forestry Standing on a flat-deck truck in the Discovery plaza, Saturday, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson criticized the NDP’s failure to address the forestry crisis.
“Last year and earlier this year, we had an eight month strike at Western. Most of you felt that – hard. If you were in Port McNeill: you watched coffee shops shut down permanently; you watched people’s trucks get towed away; you watched people lose their homes,” said Wilkinson.
“And what did the NDP do for that eight months?”
“They did nothing – because they couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to these communities. They couldn’t be bothered to come out to the meetings.”
“And how many of you were at that meeting with [former MLA] Claire Trevana that made it onto Youtube? We were talking about that on the way down here. It was an embarrassment. When the elected MLA for North Island, where the beating heart if this economy is coastal forestry, can say nothing more than ‘Yes I hear you, I will go and ask my boss in Victoria.”
“And did she do anything in Victoria? – nothing happened.”
“So you folks, rightfully, got a little fed up. You took your trucks down to Victoria, on February 18th of this year, and said ‘enough is enough.’ You circled the legislature. You showed them that you are proud of what you do. You showed them the investment you make in these massive machines, to do the work you do.”
“What happened?”
“Claire Trevana wouldn’t come out to see you. The Minister of Forests wouldn’t come out to see you. They were having a cabinet meeting in that building to the west of where you were parked. And they sat there and looked out the window because they were too embarrassed to come out and saw hello.”
“That’s just plain wrong. Does anybody here with a horn in their truck agree that’s just plain wrong?” prompted Wilkinson.
NDP Forestry The NDP responded with a press release, in which they pointed out that the number of jobs in the forestry sector dropped 40% when the Liberals were in power, and 45% less logs were processed.
In their 2020 election platform, the BC NDP have promised to work with First Nations governments, labour, industry, and environmental groups to “implement recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review” to protect old-growth forests.
The Ancient Forest Alliance pointed out that Premier Horgan did not promise to implement all of the panel’s recommendations and he may choose to “implement only those recommendations that have the least impact on the logging industry’s short-term economic interests.”
Salmon Farms One of the unknowns in this riding, is what effect will having a relatively high profile candidate like Alexandra Morton do for the Green party?
So perhaps it is not surprising that when John Horgan spoke at the Campbell River Museum Sunday morning, he had a lot to say about wild salmon and fish farms.
Horgan said BC is currently partnered with the federal government on the $143 million BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, which he promises a re-elected BC NDP government would work to double.
As for salmon farms, “The vast majority of responsibility is with Ottawa. British Columbia issues the licenses for tenures, which is basically the land under the sea that the fish farms are attached to. So our responsibility in this area is limited, but we can in fact pull tenures. so [in 2017] we sat down with industry, indigenous leaders in the Broughton Archipelago, as well as communities, and we’ve now closed, I think, a dozen farms in the migratory route of the salmon through the Broughton,” said Horgan.
He added, “We’ve made a commitment that if the industry does not have buy-in from indigenous populations as well as communities by 2022, we’ll start to phase out those farms as well.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - “If we can go out and clean up - helping another set of communities like the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais and Gitga’at - we can certainly start cleaning up our community. That’s what I’d really like to see coming out of this,” said Jonas Fineman.
He was one of nine eco-tour captains who had just returned from a beach clean up along BC’s central coast.
The Misty Isles
Jonas was hired to serve as captain of the 70’ foot ketch "Island Odyssey", but his name is associated with another vessel here on Cortes Island.
He and his wife, Amy Bockner purchased the "Misty Isles" last year, but he was captain of another vessel most of that summer. They decided to officially launch their new venture in the Spring of 2020.
No one anticipated COVID 19.
Photo credit: Jonas Fineman and his daughter on Misty Isles
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Radio - Achaeology 102: the BC edition of the Science of Once and Future Things.
It’s fascinating to think about how human civilization evolved. In Archaeology 102: The Science of Once and Future Things BC edition professor and neighbour Dr. Brian Hayden, archeologist, takes us through thousands of years of human history and what it can tell us about the peoples of BC.
Archaeology, like all sciences, has those aspects of it which are certain, probable, and speculative Dr. Hayden tells us. Because archeology as a science has only been around for 150 years there are not a lot of certain things, such as that the first stone tools showed up 2 to 3 million years ago, that the first people came to North America 15 to 20,0000 years ago, and that both cultural and biological evolution of humans has occurred.
These things are known. Recent findings in BC, such as the 14,000 year old artifacts at Triquet Island, now compose the oldest artifacts found in North America. The artifacts were found just 500 km northwest of Victoria and included tools for lighting fires, fish hooks, and spears. They seem to confirm what many archeologists have speculated: that humans first came into North America along the coast of BC 20,000 to 15,000 years ago. Geologically at this time, the ice-sheets were parting. These ice-sheets covered the area and were covered by 1 kilometre-deep ice. This ice melted about 10,000 years ago in this area. It is probable that these first peoples were simple hunter gatherers that lived with no competition, where little or nothing was owned, and everyone lived in social equality without evidence of conflict, war, or hierarchies.
Around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago things changed. Much of Dr. Hayden’s particular research focuses on the complex hunter gather communities that began to develop around this time. These communities developed then technology to harvest and store food and are marked by more productivity and food storage capacity, more sedentary lifestyles (which in this case means that they stayed in particular areas for more of the time rather than always moving with game), larger living groups, more permanent structures, greater use of fish and other resources. The development of storage technologies had profound implications on all aspects of early human peoples. Storage meant preparing for spoilage, which meant overproduction and having more than was immediately needed. What do with the surplus? It seems to have been used for individual advantage and thus begins evidence of inequality. The evidence of inequality in archeological terms that began to develop around 4,000 years ago, includes:—human remains began to show signs of human trauma compatible with early weapons of the times— signs of adornment (like early lip rings) in human remains— a burial site with 350,000 stone beads and shell jewelry, representing thousands of hours of labor —and the linguistic origins of the word slavery in traditional languages suggests that the slavery originated in the BC region 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
Dr. Hayden also discussed the eponymously named Hayden Project at Keatley Creek an archeological site in B.C. with a great deal of evidence on how early people in advanced hunter-gather societies lived. This site also includes evidence of what Dr. Hayden refers to as early “secret societies.” He’s got an upcoming book out on the topic.
Photo credit: Quiggly hole, or Si7xten, in Lillooet, 1996 by Skookum1 @ en.wikipedia (Public domain)
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - The Rainbow Ridge Rezoning Public Hearing was held this Thursday October 15, 2020, at 2 p.m., six months after it’s originally scheduled date, which was postponed due to COVID19. In question was the rezoning of a 2.45-hectare portion of the 20.75-hectare Rainbow Ridge property. The public hearing involved an in-person option, a phone-in options, and a livestream option: to ensure numerous options for the public while maintaining public safety protocols. There were three Strathcona Regional District staff in person at Manson’s Hall. The rest of the SRD staff and the four rural directors joined virtually, this included alternate director Corry Dow sitting in for Noba Anderson for Cortes Island.
The Public Hearing heard from fourteen Cortes Island residents: 3 in person and 11 virtually. The fourteen speakers represented nearly 300 years of living on Cortes Island and all of them spoke in support of the Rezoning Proposal for Rainbow Ridge. This included one neighbour who said she had originally been opposed to the project and then after listening to the other speakers had changed her mind and decided to speak in support of the project.
To read more about Rainbow Ridge visit Cortes Currents https://cortescurrents.ca/tag/rainbow-ridge/ or to listen to a recent podcast about the project visit: https://cortescurrents.ca/findng-home-options-and-challenges/
Roy L HaLes/Cortes Currents - Though the number cases is still rising, there are still fewer deaths and and hospitalizations in the second wave of COVID 19. There were 968 new cases reported in British Columbia last week. The majority were in the Fraser and North Coast Health Regions. Vancouver Island continues to report the lowest numbers in the province and there were only two new cases in North Vancouver Island last week.
Comparing weekly maps released by the BC Centre for Disease Control yesterday and a week before, we find: two new cases in North Vancouver Island; eight in Central Vancouver Island and six in Southern Vancouver Island
Photo credit: Quadra Island by Pierre Mariotta via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The two incidents are unrelated. On October 8th, a homeless shelter in the forest behind the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church in Campbell River caught fire. The blaze started in the structure’s homemade fireplace. Neither of the two occupants were injured, but RCMP Cst. Maury Tyre said the fire easily have spread to nearby buildings. The day before this, the Campbell River Mirror reported that the homeless encampment at Quinsam road will soon be served with a notice to vacate.
Police Reports “ … There have been reports of domestic assaults out there, we’ve found stolen property out there, we’ve found kids that are listed as missing intoxicated out there and from a risk management standpoint, unfortunately, it’s a location that did have some issues,” Tyre explained.
The most alarming incident, in the friction between Campbell River’s homeless population and members of the surrounding population, took place in the early hours of September, 22nd, 2020. A 20 year old homeless male was set on fire as he slept underneath the highway bridge. He “managed to shed his burning clothing and made his way to the parking lot for help.” The man was treated for “severe burns to his back” and, when he returned to his sleeping place, found “some of his possessions had been removed.”
Residents of Quinsam Road Camp They are probably the most impoverished members of Campbell River’s homeless population, which numbers between 80 and 100 people.
In a recent interview with Cortes Currents, Sue Moen from the Campbell River Coalition to end homelessness explained that, according BC Housing, homeless people “ … are precariously housed, or couch surfing, or aren’t paying rent directly to a landlord. They may be sharing a room, but their name isn’t on the rental agreement. They don’t know if they’ll have housing for the next thirty days … Also, there are a lot of people who are living in vehicles, RVs, and some even in campsites.”
There are about 20 people currently living in the encampment on Quinsam Road.
Moen told the Campbell River Mirror that people camped at Quinsam Road “have nothing except their camping stuff.”
Constable Tyre agreed, “People are just trying to survive the best way they know how and in this case it’s not a sustainable option.”
Nunn’s Creek Park They will be given the option of camping in Nunn’s Creek Park, where a city bylaw says they must pack up all of their belongings and leave every morning by 9 AM. Failure to do so could result in a loss of the few possessions they have.
Photo taken from RCMP press release of homeless man set on fire on September 22nd.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - “ … The challenge is the economics that is going to come home fairly quickly. We’ve had too many people off business; off work. The bills are building and we must address that,” said BC Liberal candidate Norm Facey, in the only interview he granted Cortes Currents.
“I’m not saying we’re going to run in and balance the budget – because we’re not. We are going to run in and take care of people. We’re going to make sure that services are extended. We’re going to reduce costs. We are going to make sure that people come first and we get a recovery that includes everybody, not just a few.”
Interviews with the Green, NDP and Liberal candidates, plus a lot more.
Photo credit: Accounting by Foam via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - There were a lot of Discovery Island Items at the SRD (Strathcona Regional District) Board meeting last week.
Cannabis on Cortes Island Cortes Island’s zoning bylaw is being amended.
“I’m looking to be able to allow cannabis production and sale, pretty much in alignment with the existing provincial and federal regulations without requiring site specific zoning. but delighted to work with staff to bring something back for the public’s consideration,” said Regional Director Noba Anderson.
Quadra Island Items Quadra Island is talking a different approach and Quadraponics Cannabis property is one of three whose applications for rezoning have just been approved.
The others are the proposed BC Ferries berth in Quathiaski Cove and new firehall in Heriot Bay.
Heriot Bay Tru Value foods has been given a commercial development permit for a new recycling depot and gardening centre .
There has been a lot of talk about extending the SRD’s fire protection to north Quadra Island lately.
“We have been mulling this over for around a year, I believe. One lady has kept writing to us for services to north Quadra. Problem is they don’t have a fire service on north Quadra. While the survey that they got back said everyone want to have a fire service, nobody wants to pay,” explained Regional Director Brenda Leigh.
The SRD board decided that no further public consultation be undertaken until more than 50% of property owners and 50% of property values petition in favour of a fire service for North Quadra.
Quadra Island Conservatory and Quadra Island cat rescue have both received grants in aid for $1,500.
Read Island Items There were also two Read Island items.
The Surge Narrows Community Association recently purchased a 20 acre parcel which they intend to become parkland. The SRD approved an application for this parcel to be tax free.
The SRD is also applying for a Rural and Northern communities grant to renovate the old store, boardwalk and floating dock at Read Island.
“We’ve already gone through this with staff, the ministries and all the people we have to apply to. This is just the finalizing part of it, officially at the board table. That’s why it is here. It has already happened. We have already met with Minister Selina Robinson at UBCM. This was one of the three topics we talked about,” said Regional Director Jim Abram.
He added, “This is hopefully going forward. I believe the deadline … is the end of this month, October 30th and after that we will receive some kind of notification as to whether we got it or not. IT is for $2.3 milllion, so it is a big deal.”
Giving EASC authority over grants in aid Lastly, the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) is seeking the authority to decide who will receive a grant in aid in the SRD’s rural areas.
Up until now, they have made recommendations but the final decision is made by the SRD Board.
Given the ongoing friction within EASC, Director Anderson said Cortes Island would prefer to stay with the SRD Board.
The other EASC directors agreed to this.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Many scientists believe we have seven years to avert the worst ravages of the impending Climate Crisis. Even if they are wrong, it is clear that British Columbia must transition to cleaner energy sources. Should the BC government continue to pay out close to $1 billion a year in fossil fuel subsidies and tax cuts?
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Statistics released by the BC Centre for Disease Control show that our area is relatively COVID free.
These are found on a series of maps, and a weekly report, released on Thursday, October 8th.
One of the maps shows the number of new COVID cases in the previous fourteen days. While there were 19 reported on Vancouver Island, only three were in the region stretching north from Courtenay.
Another map gives the total number of cases, since the outbreak began, in Northern, Central and Southern Vancouver Island. There have been 71 in North Island, only two more than last week.
Local Health Areas The BC Centre for Disease Control releases the cumulative data for every Local Health Area in British Columbia every month. The most recent, which shows the number of cases reported as of September 30th, was updated yesterday.
It breaks Northern Vancouver Island into four areas. Comparing the data with previous maps, we find:
There were 4 new cases in the Comox Valley during September Another case was reported in Vancouver Island North, which includes the communities of Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Coal Harbour. There were no new cases in Kyuquot, Zeballos and Tahsis, and the rest of Vancouver Island West, since August. A single case has been reported in that region. There have been no new reports in the Campbell River area, which includes Cortes, Quadra and the rest of the Discovery Islands, since July. At that point there had been a total of 12 cases since the pandemic entered our area.
This detailed breakdown ends on September 30th and, as mentioned earlier, there have been at least two more cases reported somewhere in northern Vancouver Island.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the reasons that Alexandra Morton is running for the Green Party in this election is that “over the last twenty years, I’ve seen the politics and policies that are killing off the wild salmon of this coast are also destroying our communities.” However fish farms are overseen by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, not the provincial legislature. So I asked Alexandra what can an MLA do about fish farms?
How is the province involved?
“The licensing for salmon farms is federal, but it is the province that is the landlord. So they’re giving the tenures for the foreshore leases. I noted in the announcement that DFO made on the 28th of September, where they were talking about taking out the Discovery Island farms due to the Cohen Commission recommendation, they said they would be going forward in discussions with First Nations and also the province of British Columbia. So, the province is deeply involved in this,” she explained.
“They are also involved in the effluent that comes out of fish farm processing plants. For example at Brown’s Bay, where we found piscine reovirus (PRV). It is multi-jurisdictional but it is definitely in provincial hands as well.”
When does the lease come up?
“The leases are variable. Unfortunately, most of the tenures in the Discovery Islands are in the +2030 - which is a bit disappointing because twelve years ago the province of British Columbia came out and said that after 2023 the First Nations would have final say on whether these tenures would be renewed. But all the tenures are extended to the point where I believe the Fraser sockeye will simply go extinct. 2:00
What can the province do about effluence?
“They are also involved in the effluent that comes out of fish farm processing plants. For example at Brown’s Bay, where we found piscine reovirus (PRV). It is multi-jurisdictional but it is definitely in provincial hands as well.”
“In terms of the effluent and pouring the blood water from these industrial aquaculture operations into the Discovery Channel, which is where one third of Canada’s wild salmon are migrating - it’s such a bad idea. I believe that pipe just has to stop. It has to go into some kind of recycling facility. It has to be loaded into trucks, dewatered, dried out, turned into fertilizer - something other than just pouring it into the ocean.”
“I’ve been involved in this debate for quite awhile, with several processing plants. They deny that they are releasing live sea lice eggs or pathogens. Yet when divers go down and put plankton nets over these and bring them up to me, they are indeed loaded with pathogens and live hatching sea lice eggs. So, eyewitnesses to that.”
What’s the provinces role with the pipes?
“The provinces role with the effluent pipes is they are in control of what comes out of these fish farm processing plants. Plain and simple. It goes into the ocean, which is a federal environment, but the pipes themselves and the act of pouring effluent out of the plants and directly into the ocean, is a provincial jurisdiction.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Archaeology: the science of once and future things and I am joined in the studio by our neighbour Dr. Brian Hayden, archeologist extraordinaire. Brian got his doctoral degree from the University of Toronto and taught archaeology at Simon Fraser University for 40 years and is now a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada: and, of course, a professor here at the esteemed Folk University. His archeological and ethnoarchaeological research has taken him to Australia, Southeast Asia, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Ontario, and here to British Columbia.
In Archaeology: The Science of Once and Future Things, Dr. Hayden discussed what archaeology is and what it isn’t and the important distinctions of context that separate it from antiquarianism. Archaeology as the study of trash and archeologists are able to decode this trash to understand the level of income inequality, education, and many other things about a culture.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The giant trees that most of us associate with the term old growth now only make up 3% of the forests, but they are still being logged on Vancouver Island. The market is being flooded with young second and third growth timber that possesses a large percentage of sapwood. A Cortes builder (and Vice President of the of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative) explains why you do not want to use this wood on the outside of your home. The BC Liberal candidate, Norm Facey, declines to comment. His party frames this issue in terms of jobs. Green candidate Alexandra Morton says we are running out of resources - houses, salmon, timber, but "it doesn't need to be that way if we plan for these things and work together on it." NDP candidate Michele Babchuk talks about government policy.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A quarter of a million British Columbians pay more than 30% of their income for rent. The statistics are worse on Cortes Island, where it applies to almost half of the tenants, and improves the closer you get to Campbell River. In response to the COVID crisis, the NDP Government provided a rental supplement of between $300 and $500 a month, but that ended on August 31st. The Green party just announced they would earmark $500 million for rental relief, and prioritize funding people who pay more than 30% of their income - but it is extremely unlikely the Greens will form the next government. So what do the candidates in our riding have to say about the affordable rental crisis? BC Liberal candidate Norm Facey did not comment. NDP candidate Michele Babchuk said, “It is an important issue in our riding Roy, and both the Liberals and the Greens opposed previous rental rebates. Andrew Wilkinson has opposed every major action we have taken to support renters: our COVID eviction plan; capping rent increases to inflation to save the average renter in BC about $333 a year; the speculation tax that turned about a thousand empty condos into homes for people. He thinks renting is just a whacky time and he would get rid of those caps on rent increases and the speculation tax. That’s just going to cost people more money.” She added, “A John Horgan government will continue supporting people, Roy, and we’ll have more say about that, especially about renters, in our plan coming up this week.” Green candidate Alexandra Morton took a less partisan approach, ”If I am elected, my goal is to talk with people because I don’t have all the answers, but I know there are wise people in every community. We need to discuss these things because there is a human migration headed our way - both from COVID, families who are trying to get out of the city and were locked down because of COVID and would like to have a yard, and of course we are both looking at and breathing the smoke from fires in California. So there are people moving our way. I think it is very important that communities have this discussion and come up with plans and solutions that work - so we are not simply overwhelmed.”
Photo credit: Vincent Van Gogh's bedroom in Arles (1889)- courtesy Art Gallery ErgsArt via Flickr (Public Domain)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The BC Liberals are calling for an immediate end to the tent cities that have sprung up in Campbell River as well as larger cities like Vancouver and Victoria.
BC Liberal press release
In a press release, Roxanne Helme, the BC Liberal candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, said, “This is a matter of public safety. Each unsupervised 24/7 tent encampment is an extremely dangerous place to be. We know people are smoking drugs in nylon tents; criminal elements have infiltrated the camps to prey on the vulnerable people within them; there is violent crime, in addition to drug and property crime, hiding within their walls; they are unsanitary; there is no compliance with public health directions in response to COVID 19 and so the list goes on. This not to mention that the 24/7 tent encampments are preventing the use of our parks as they were intended and that they are damaging their delicate ecosystems in the process.” Ms Helme added, “the only ‘solution’ that John Horgan and the NDP have come up with is to warehouse some of the homeless population in derelict hotels without sufficient supports.”
Aside from the suggestion “they must be appropriately housed,” she did not explain where the people in these camps would go.
The BC Liberal candidate for North Island, Norm Facey, is not available for comment.
Homelessness in Campbell River
Campbell River’s homeless population is now probably closer to 100 than the 81 listed in 2018.
The city was thinking of setting up a better run camp, using protocols to protect them from COVID, last Spring.
Enter BC Housing
A provincial agency, BC Housing, came forward with a more permanent solution.
BC Housing, the City of Campbell River and the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society are partnering to build 50 new homes with support services for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness at 580 Dogwood Street.
The province is also funding two other Campbell River building projects that target specific needs. The Fir street residence will have 49 units for women and children fleeing violence. Linda’s Place will have 27 units for people with low to moderate incomes, including those with brain injuries.
In addition, BC Housing purchased the former Rose Bowl restaurant, in Campbell River, as a transition house with beds for 20 houseless people until more permanent accommodation can be found.
At a meeting last summer, Kristi Schwanicke, Coordinator of the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness, “All of these projects, coming online so quickly, will have a tremendous impact over the course of the next six months.”
BC Housing Projects on Quadra and Cortes
The projects BC Housing is currently funding on Quadra and Cortes Islands are for seniors rather than homeless people.
However a 20 unit project in Mansons Landing is, at least in part, a response to Cortes Island’s seasonal homelessness problem. Every year, tenants are evicted from their homes during the warmer months, to make way for the more lucrative tourist trade, are forced to set up tents, couch surf of find some other accommodation until the season is over. If their property is rezoned, the Rainbow Ridge project will be seeking founding from BC Housing.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the key issues in this election is British Columbia’s lack of affordable housing. Earlier this year, the NDP government stated that it built, or is building, 25,000 new affordable homes this year.
Some of these projects are in our region. Cortes Currents has posts about three projects, with120 homes, in Campbell River.
Kristi Schwanicke, Coordinator of the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness, says these projects will have a tremendous impact on the city’s homeless problem.
In last week’s edition of Folk U, Manda Aufochs Gillespie reported:
“ … I also reached to get more specific stats from the BC Housing Research Centre on this very question and they told me get back in touch after the new cabinet has been formed. However the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing did issue this comment earlier, in preparation for this series.
“We know that for many years communities across the province, including small island communities, have been facing a shortage of affordable housing. Our Government is making the largest affordable housing investment in BC history, including thousands of mixed income affordable homes already underway around the province, with more to come.”
“Through the Building BC Community Housing Funds first intake, launched in 2018, we are currently working with non-profits to build new affordable rental homes on:
Cortes Island - 4 homes Hornby Island - 26 homes and Salt Spring Island - 80 homes. “The province has also recently issued a second call for proposals under the community housing fund and communities are encouraged for more housing to meet their needs." Photo credit: Construction site by Scott Lewis via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Sam Dharmasena/ CJRU - Toronto - A coalition of human rights and housing advocates are taking the City of Toronto to the Ontario Superior Court for a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 1. Members of the public and media may observe proceedings via Zoom at 10 a.m.
The coalition is comprised of the Sanctuary Ministries of Toronto, Aboriginal Legal Services (ASL), Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC), Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), and HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO).
In April, the coalition filed a lawsuit against the City of Toronto alleging failure to protect those who rely on the shelter system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition urged changes to Toronto shelter and respite standards in response to new information that COVID-19 spread quickly in shared living situations.
Sam Dharmasena/ CJRU - TORONTO - In September, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced an $11.5 million investment in mental health support for Canadians. From this, $4.9 million will go towards the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. CJRU spoke with Dr. Valerie Borum, director of Ryerson’s School of Social Work, on the intersection of race and mental health.
“It’s impossible to separate the two. When we look at mental health, race is always a variable in a nation that is dominated by whiteness,” Borum says.
Borum’s work explores the role of ethnoculture in health, mental health and disability. She conducts research from a womanist and afrocentric perspective and was based in the United States before joining Ryerson University in early 2020. Reflecting on her research with hearing Black families with D/deaf and hard of hearing children, Borum shares the disconnect she saw between racialized families with which she worked and the narratives that were shaping social work literature at the time.
“The bodies of work pertaining to deafness, deaf children, and parenting were based in white, middle-class experiences and values,” Borum recalls.
Protester holding sign that reads NO JUSTICE NO PEACE Photo Credit: Hybrid on Unsplash
She urges her peers in social work to recognize the ways that race, cultural beliefs, and language contribute to a person’s mental health and their relationship to mental health professionals. Borum adds that the impact of anti-Black racism should be considered.
“We have to begin to look at racism as a broader socio-cultural risk factor that impacts an entire population. That’s not to say that Black people are overwhelmed by racism, but it does have an impact,” Borum says.
When asked about the mental health impact of this summer’s social isolation, and continued protests around social inequities like police brutality, Borum says that this would make for an interesting research question. She says that isolation can generally contribute to feelings of depression and, while police brutality has a long history in North America, Canadians are grieving and responding to this summer’s publicized deaths without access to some of their pre-pandemic support systems.
To learn more about the latest recipients of the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund, and the resources available through this $4.9 million investment, read the Sept. 2020 backgrounder on the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. In the Greater Toronto Area, funding will go towards Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, Black Creek Community Health Centre, Black Health Alliance, and TAIBU Community Health Centre.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Cortes Currents/Folk U - The first podcast features Sandra Wood and Ian Scott discussing the options and challenges for creating affordable housing that they have encountered in pursuing the creation of four affordable rental units for seniors and 20 units for all ages on Cortes. That podcast is almost two hours long and includes a number of questions and answers from local community members. Please listen to the podcast for more in-depth explanation of the Seniors Village expansion and the Rainbow Ridge project.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Alexandra Morton is now the official Green candidate for North Island. She described her reasons for entering politics, and what needs to be done, in a quick ZOOM interview.
“The reason I’m running is that, over the last twenty years, I’ve seen that the politics and policies that are killing off the wild salmon of this coast are also destroying our communities.”
“At this point, I think everyone is very worried as to what we are leaving to our children, the ones who come after us. They aren’t going to nearly as much as we got. I think it is time to figure out how to do things differently … We need to figure out how we can thrive and the environment around us can thrive. So our kids get a chance.”
“There has to be solutions.”
“Obviously I am very informed about salmon and I know there is no reason to lose these fish. It is so frustrating to watch the mismanagement just go on and on.”
“In fact, we can have an aquaculture industry. We could have a very successful, cutting edge aquaculture industry. We have people that know how to grow fish, but it has to get out of the ocean and get onto land - like it is elsewhere.”
“Then with the wild salmon, the ones in the ocean, there is some phenomenal science in DFO that can actually read their immune systems. So the fish then start to ‘talk’ to us and tell us what is going on. That is so exiting, it goes back to the legends of the people who were here first. They always said the salmon could talk. Now we get a chance to catch up with them and be able to do that as well. We can ‘hear’ the fish say, ‘this is what is going on with us.’ Then we can try to change our behaviour and go back to the fish and say ‘did we make it better for you or not.”
“Now I know that salmon aren’t the only issue for the North Island.”
“So I’m going to be on a steep learning curve. I want to hear from people. I don’t really want to complain. We’re past that. I want to know the issues and what people think are the solutions.” . “I’m a hard worker. I’m ready to learn. I have a very open mind.”
“For the people who are worried about splitting the vote, I know, I hear you - I’ve been one of those people.”
“We have seven years to change climate change around. I don’t really know what we are saving ourselves for.”
“As far as I am concerned, the current NDP Government has done some really good things. They’ve taken us through COVID as much as is possible. A lot came at them, things that governments have never faced before. I watched a government actually listen to science, which to me - was astonishing. I appreciate that they have spoken to us as adults because we are adults. We can take it. Also, the NDP government - when the First Nations in the Broughton Archipelago said salmon farms are going to get out, there is no two ways about it and here is how it is going to work - they went along with it.”
“But on many other issues, I think they need help because if there is one thing I know, it is how hard it is to deal with these big corporations.”
[Corporations] “ … have a model, which is growth. They are based on share price, not even necessarily the sale of the fish, they are based on share price. They are have toi simply get bigger and bigger and bigger - and that is not going to work in the natural world.”
“They just need strict rules from government and I am sure they will comply. They will carry on under new rules that have to do with sustainability - because we are all heading for the cliff.”
“This effort to become MLA of this fabulously rich North Island riding where I have lived for 37 years is very exciting to me.”
“I’m really looking forward to hearing from people.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Current - The word is out. Sue Moen, who ran for the Green party in the last provincial election and had hoped to do it again, informed Cortes Currents on Tuesday. The Green candidate in North Island will be independent biologist Alexandra Morton.
Morton proclaimed her intention to run on Facebook four days ago, “I am seeking nomination to run for MLA for North Island as a Green Candidate. I need 175 signatures by 1st ferry on Wednesday. I will be at the Li'l Wild Gift Shop at the new dock (in Sontula) from 12-2:30. You can sign, or give me an earful!”
That meeting occurred yesterday.
The Norwegian based website salmonbusiness.com has been observing events and posted that “the anti-salmon farming activist” has “more than double” the number of signatures required on her nomination.
As of this morning, the Green party has yet to announce Alexandra Morton is their candidate and Morton has not returned Cortes Currents queries, but the Tyee ran the story yesterday.
Sue Moen is quoted saying, “I admire and respect Alexandra and think she’ll be a wonderful candidate and I will work with her to get her elected.”
Dallas Smith, who ran as a BC Liberal in 2017, told the Tyee, “I think Alexandra will definitely take away from the NDP in this one.”
Alexandra Morton said the NDP has done some good things, but the best election outcome would be a minority government “with a Green rudder on it.”
photo credit: Sointula by Paul Hamilton via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - I asked Norm Facey, the BC Liberal candidate for North Island riding, why are you running for office?
Why are you running for office?
Norm Facey: “I’ve always admired good government and the strength that it takes to do that. There is a strength of personality, integrity and the intelligence to pull it all together. So I’ve always had an interest.”
“On top of that, we are in incredibly challenging times and I see a need for strong, calm leadership.” “I think Canada and the US are blessed with a political structure that many around the world envy and I want to make sure that that stays at the very high level that it is.” “We talk about corruption in our government, [but] it’s just trivial compared to other nations. That’s important to me.”
“I have to admit the final little impetus is being called into an election at this point in time. We didn’t need an election. We weren’t supposed to have an election and it’s not for the people it’s for benefit of a particular party.
“I think that needs to be challenged, so I am here for the challenge.”
Why should I vote for you?
Norm Facey: “I bring a great range of ability, training and experience.”
“People tend to focus on the fact I have an engineering degree, I’ve been trained in business and I have been Executive Vice President for different companies over the past few years.
“ … My father was a faller. He had a massive injury and had to reinvent himself. He became a log scaler and then a very successful businessman in a small business realm - a log sorting realm.
That’s where I grew up. I grew up underneath sawmills. I dug ditches and I worked on the booms, in the sorting ground. That’s where my basis comes from and i tend to associate with middle businesses and, particularly in the North Island, want to see people do well … and communities grow strong.
That’s where I am putting my energies and I think I have that blend of abilities and experience to help it come true. I think I’m a great candidate.”
What’s the biggest issue for this election?
Norm Facey: “It’s COVID related.
“It isn’t COVID itself, because I think we have had great health leadership. Dr Henry is superb and I know that no matter who comes in, she is going to be supported and that is going to continue.”
“ … The challenge is the economics that is going to come home fairly quickly. We’ve had too many people off business, off work. The bills are building and we must address that.
“I’m not saying we’re going to run in and balance the budget - because we’re not. We are going to run in and take care of people. We’re going to make sure that services are extended. We’re going to reduce costs. We are going to make sure that people come first and we get a recovery that includes everybody, not just a few.
“That is the main challenge and it is complex. It has so many facets to it, but that is the crux. We have to take care of the economy and the people together. So that five years down the road, we are where we want to be. We’re building. We are prosperous, happy, not still digging our way out.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Managing Director Jane Newman explains how the Cortes Museum weathered the pandemic, financially
“It’s been an interesting and challenging year. We closed in mid March and then were fortunate to reopen for July and August,”she explained.
The Cortes Museum is normally open Tuesdays to Sundays for four months during the 'Summer' season.
“We would normally open by at least mid June and until mid September. This year … even though the directive is coming from the government in British Columbia, that we as a museum could potentially open in early June, it just seem like it was the right timing for us. It took a lot of preparation to open with a very solid safety plan and all the protocols in place,” said Newman.
Consequently, visitations were down about 50% and donations about 75%.
“We didn’t have [the] donations, we didn’t have our fund raising events, we didn’t even have membership renewals because there was no AGM,” said Newman.
Luckily, the museum receives funding from the BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, Department of Heritage and Canada Summer jobs. They provided the funding that the museum normally obtains through its normal fundraising efforts.
Those government agencies have not made any commitment to continue supporting the museum in 2021.
Newman added, “We feel that the funding that came through as emergency relief funding may have to carry us through 2021 as well. So we’re being very frugal and looking very conservatively at how we might offer programming.”
The Cortes Island Museum And Archives is currently open Friday and Saturday afternoons, as is normal during the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons.
Tan Mei Xi/Vancouver Co-op Radio LJI - After a protracted Council meeting that spanned two days, Council has passed a motion directing City staff to research and report back on five options for providing shelter to unhoused Vancouver residents ... during the council meeting, some unhoused residents had expressed discomfort with BC Housing operation protocols. When asked about issues that could arise given the negative perception of BC Housing of some residents, Bligh noted that Council is early in learning about this dynamic.
"I don't really have an answer in terms of what we need to do," said Bligh, "but I think it's an emerging conversation and we need to lean into this conversation as elected officials with BC Housing to find out where we're letting people down in this situation."
Odette Auger/Cortes Currents - Tla’amin weaver. Sosan Blaney is an Indigenous woman, artist, mom, wife. She's also a very talented Tla’amin weaver. Sosan came to Klahoose to teach weaving workshops before COVID-19 interrupted. In this story we'll catch up with Sosan and what she's been doing during COVID-19.
photo of women weaving L-R: Gail Blaney, Elsie Paul. Photo Credit: Sosan Blaney.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A hearing date has been set for Noba Anderson vs the Strathcona Regional District, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia courthouse at #500 – 13th Avenue, Campbell River, B.C., sometime during the assize week starting November 23, 2020.
Regional Director Anderson is seeking court costs from a frivolous lawsuit brought against her last year. The SRD refuses to pay and, according to Anderson’s affidavit, censured her for showing confidential SRD documents to her lawyer while seeking his legal advice. Director Anderson seeks to have that motion of censure quashed.
Anderson’s lawyer filed her suit on July 13th.
The lawyers for both sides agree that the hearing will take 3 days.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A short interview with the NDP candidate for North Island, Michele Babchuk
photo credit: pedicab passing in front of BC legislature byJoe Mabel via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Managing Director Jane Newman talks about one the Cortes Museum's biggest loses really during the pandemic.
"We miss our community. We had a lot of visitors this summer, most of them from Vancouver Island or [other parts of] British Columbia and we had some people from Cortes Island - but we really do miss that regular interaction," she said. "The culture of the museum is a gathering place and story telling space."
In a normal year, people drop in when they go shopping, or visit the health centre etc.
"A lot of people didn't do that this year. People had an adversity to enclosed spaces, which I totally understand. We were lucky to see 50% of our [normal] numbers this summer, but there were fewer locals and more visitors to the island."
She misses the story telling and regular visits from people who have been members of the museum for years.
"It was mask wearing and a lot of people are uncomfortable with that. You don't spend as much time talking when you are wearing a mask. If you don't want to wear one, you wouldn't even come to the museum because we did require everyone to wear a mask."
Ashley Zabatany and team/Cortes Currents - The September 22nd ZOOM townhall meeting /Cortes Radio broadcast with our MP, Rachel Blaney. Back-up team consisted of Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Ayton Novak and Roy L Hales.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie - Cortes Currents/Folk U - What can going back to school in a pandemic teach us about the future of education? Five Educators from the live listening area of Cortes Radio chime in to discuss what their districts are doing to get kids safely back to school and how the future of education in our area may change forever from what we learn in this time.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island is about to become home to four new units of BC Housing supported housing in the Cortes Seniors Village. The Seniors Village expansions is “already more than 50% complete,” says Sandra Wood the Housing Coordinator for the Cortes Island Senior Society.
This week interior finishing starts, including painting. She says they are “hoping that people will be in their new homes in time to celebrate Christmas.”
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Three quarters of Quadra Island lies outside of the fire protection zone. BC Wildfires responds to forest fires in this area, but normally do not come on to private property. Last June, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) asked North Island residents if they would to have the same level of coverage as the south. While roughly half of the respondents said they thought all Quadra residents should have the same level of protection, 64% indicated they were happy with the present system and less than 10% were willing to pay for any additional coverage. The Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) instructed SRD staff to draw up a report on how to move forward. Staff suggested forming an advisory group, comprised of representatives from each of the residential areas on the north island. Instead, EASC decided to let the proposal to extend Quadra’s fire protection die.
Some Canadians of European descent find the fact three Indigenous nations claim Cortes Island as their traditional territory confusing, but a member of the Klahoose Nation explained this in a recent interview. Norm Harry’s (“Tal-wa-ska“) father was originally xʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco) but became ƛohos (Klahoose). Some of Norm’s uncles and aunts are ɬəʔamɛn (Tla’amin) and his family also has close relatives among the K’omox. As Norm Harry understands it, these nations were all one people before the Canadian government put them onto reservations.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The latest version of a Strathcona Regional District staff report on directors input into the reporting process was not received by the Electoral Areas Services committee. Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson said. "I think that’s the first time I’ve ever voted in opposition to receipt of a report in 12 years.” Regional Directors Jim Abram and Brenda Leigh joined her in opposition. The vote against this report was 3 to 1.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The old Surge Narrows store, on Read Island, closed its doors in 2007. A Strathcona Regional District staff report sates, “since that time the building and its associated boardwalk, floating dock and fuel shed have been left in a state of disrepair.” Last November, the SRD board applied for a $2.2 million grant to revitalize the property and was turned down. Now it looks the Surge Narrows Store Revitalization project is going forward.
Starts 1:09:56
BC’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Selina Robinson, recently met with representatives from the SRD.
Regional Director Jim Abram wrote, in the September 2020 issue of Surge Currents, “This year staff and the Chair of the Board had three topics for the Board to consider and vote on as the topics to be discussed. I read them prior to the meeting and noticed that there wasn’t a single Rural Area issue on the list! Very upsetting since this IS our local government. So, I did the research and came up with one that I felt needed to go forward and it was directly related to this Minister’s portfolio.”
The Minister subsequently agreed that the Surge Narrows store project should go forward.
So did the Federal Ministry.
The Electoral Areas Services Committee gave its recommendation to the project at their September 16th board meeting.
When the SRD meets again, on October 7th, they will decide whether to send an application to the Canada Infrastructure Program - Rural and Northern Communities grant program.
According to Abram, Read Island already has the grant, “This is just the board endorsing it.”
In Surge Currents, he wrote, “The grant is for $2.2 Million for the Surge Narrows revitalization project which includes an additional wharf and dock, a rebuild of the Surge Narrows Store historic property and dozens of other wonderful projects within the property that we purchased a year or so ago. It will also look at a small seniors' village to accommodate the aging population that does not want to leave: Aging in place!”
Vancouver Coop Radio repost/Cortes Currents -By David P. Ball
Although very few cases of COVID-19 appear to have hit the Downtown Eastside (DTES) so far in the pandemic, an infectious disease expert who's worked in the neighbourhood for many years warns that the coast is not yet clear — and he is studying why there have been surprisingly few cases here.
That's particularly the case because of the disproportionately vulnerable populations that call the area home, with high levels of extreme poverty, illicit substance use and substandard, crowded housing.
Dr. Brian Conway, the medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, is now researching what exactly may account for the low case-count in the DTES, and whether it's luck, better preparation and prevention measures, or something else.
But with marchers in Vancouver marking International Overdose Awareness Day on Monday with two events in the DTES, Dr. Conway said the extreme and "truly tragic" death toll from contaminated opioids that surged during the pandemic is a devastating example of "collateral damage."
More, he said, needs to be done as the province braces for a predicted second wave of the virus as society and schools re-open this month — in particular to ensuring that COVID-19 testing services become available to DTES residents who have less access to transportation and public health information.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation is challenged by low salmon numbers resulting in a lack of traditional food, social and cultural resources. In this episode of Cortes Currents, we hear from Klahoose fishery and resource manager, Tina Wesley, and Tla'amin Nation community educator and language person Koosin Pielle
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) may be on its way to acquiring a $244,000 to reduce wildfire risk in rural areas. Close to $76,000 of this could go to a variety of projects on Cortes Island, more than $52,000 to Quadra and Read Islands and more than $50,000 each to Electoral Area’s A and D. The Electoral Areas Services Committee passed a recommendation that the SRD send application to 2021 Community Resiliency Investment grant program.
This matter will go before the SRD Board at their October 7th meeting.
The Union of BC Municipalities deadline for applications is October 9, 2020.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - While the number of confirmed COVID cases in Vancouver Island and the rest of the province continues to rise, data from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows there have been no new cases in North Island - which includes Courtenay, Campbell River, and the Discovery Islands, as well as communities further north - for at least a week. There has been only one new case throughout this entire region since September 10th and this would appear to be the only case still classified as "active."
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Your brain - the organ central to your nervous system - is a fascinating and complex machine. There are many MANY fascinating things to learn, far too many for one talk. So, in The Brain 101 we will start with learning the four key threats to the brain; what they are, how this relates to your day-to-day life and why it is useful to understand them. As well learn tips for self regulation to improve the function of your brain, even in when it’s a challenge.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Cortes Currents - As smoke fills the air and people told to close the windows after being told to open them to air out viral loads during the pandemic, the question forefront on many minds is “Are we prepared for what’s coming?”
On this special two hour live show, first aired on 9/11, a day associated with disaster across North America, Donna MacPherson from BC Coastal Fire Centre and Shaun Koopman from the Strathcona Regional District discuss how Cortes and Quadra are uniquely prepared, or not, for wildfires and other emergencies that may call for evacuation and which ones we will need to shelter through in-place.
They are joined by Debrah Zemanek is Forest Technician with BA Blackwell & Associates and Mark Lombard from the Cortes Island Forestry General Partnership.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Firstly, some news from a village on the Sunshine Coast, about 26 kms south of Cortes Island by water.
The number of confirmed COVID cases among the Tla’amin Nation has now reached 28. Another 21 people were tested yesterday and the results flown to Vancouver. The village is in lock down until 5 PM Thursday, when the results of the tests are known.
Children and educational support staff are being kept home from school.
Groceries are only obtainable by delivery. Telephone orders are being received at the Stockpile Market, Quality Foods, Pacific Market Point and Save on Foods. The Wildwood Public House is delivering take-out to the village. A free food hamper is being offered to those who need it.
On Monday, the band issued a statement explaining the need for this lockdown. “To some, this seemed like a drastic measure. Yet, every day … we have seen more and more of our relatives testing positive and confirming that they too have been impacted. “We recognize that the Order is making some people feel anxious, sad, and angry. We are worried about our families and how our kids will be treated when then return to school. Not being allowed to leave the village reminds many of us of a time when our movements were policed by outsiders. Our leadership and frontline workers share these feelings with you.” Chief Clint Williams has also expressed concerns about the effects that heavy smoke, due to wildfires raging in the United States, is having on sick band members who tested positive and are recovering at home.
In related news, Island Health reports there are currently “no COVID-19 outbreaks” at their facilities. The most up to date data for Vancouver Island was posted yesterday, at which point there were a total of 12 active cases. As there are close to 900,000 people on the island, only one out of every 73,000 people are currently infected. None of these were hospitalized.
There have been five deaths and 178 people have recovered since the virus reched Vancouver Island.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Cortes Economics 101 with Adam McKenty. Understanding the Cortes Economy starts with understanding macro economics influences. Very quickly Adam McKenty takes us from macro economics to the very, very local situation of Cortes. What’s a sustainable economy on Cortes look like? This session will look at global trends and get local with Cortes statistics and results from Cortes Community Economic Development Assocation’s (CCEDA) LEAP report.
Maria/Listening In - In a special episode of Listening In, Maria reads from former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould's book From Where I Stand. The program is introduced by a song from Cortes Island's own Willow. Photo of Jody Wilson-Raybould by Erich Saide via Wikipedia (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In a recent interview, Campbell of River’s general manager of community development, Ron Bowles, described how COVID is impacting the city on three levels: as a city, as businesses and as individuals.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A new UBC study suggests that Global warming could significantly reduce the areas where salmon can be farmed off the West Coast. The studies lead author, Muhammed Oyinlola said that up to 84% of the area suitable for fish farming could be lost. We need to act now: either move fish farms on land or further out to sea. I asked Linda Sams, Sustainable Development Director of Cermaq Canada, for Cermaq’s response.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Covid’s impact on local tourism has been devastating. While there was a rush of visitors in August, Kirsten Soder, Executive Director of Destination Campbell River, says it will not be enough to carry some businesses through the winter. However some businesses are faring better than others.
Reports from two Cortes Island businesses as well as Destination Campbell River.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - BC health officials announced 139 new cases of COVID on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at which point there were 42 people in hospitals and 14 of these receiving critical care. The number of confirmed cases among members of the Tla’amin Nation, who attended a funeral and wake in Powell River, has risen to seven. COVID statistics for Northern Vancouver Island are much lower.
The BC Centre for Disease Control releases more localized data every Thursday.
While there have been nine new cases on Vancouver Island, in the week since September 3rd, only one of these is from the area north from Courtenay. There isn’t a single COVID patient in any hospital on Vancouver Island.
The last report specific to the greater Campbell River area, which includes Cortes, Quadra and the rest of the Discovery Islands, is for confirmed cases up until July 31 of this year. There were 12 cases at that time, most of which have now recovered.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (also known as FOCI) Streamkeepers are increasing the salmon spawning potential of James Creek. Last weekend saw the first of many days of work moving gravel from the bridge over James Creek, down the Grandmother grove trail to five different locations in the creek bed. The spawning locations receiving gravel were chosen by FOCI Streamkeeper Captains Cec and Christine Robinson with guidance from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Community Advisor Stacey Larson and Dave Ewert, a retired hatchery manager now living on Cortes.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, as of September 3rd there have been 64 confirmed COVID cases in the North Island region this year. Only 4 were still active. None of these were critical. They did not indicate if there are still any active covid cases in our area, which includes Campbell River, the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets, but there have been at least 12 this year.
Odette Auger/Cortes Currents - This story is about how COVID-19 changed summer jobs for one Cortes student, I'm interviewing Natalia Nybida, a Vancouver Island university student, going into her second year. Originally airing on CKTZ 89.5fm, this is an excerpt of the Q+A, with photos.
Roy L Hales/ Daily News - Local tourism had really taken a big hit when Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce and Dianne Hawkins, CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce agreed to visit each other’s cities and film the event. The pair did not stop there. They launched a social media campaign encouraging people to explore neighbouring communities and leave a visual record of their visits on social media using hashtags like #ExploreNextDoor, #MeetYourNeighbours, and #ExploreBC.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Folk University’s Folk U Talks returned to Cortes Radio live shows and podcast recordings on Friday August 28th with a virtual book launch featuring sometimes local author Shaena Lambert and a guest appearance by Marnie Andrews of Marnie's Books in celebration of Canada's Independent Book Seller Day.
Max Thaysen/Daily News - Whaletown's Black Bear is still on the loose – but its days may be numbered.
This summer, a black bear has made the rounds in Whaletown, eating up fruit, stealing honey, breaking in to a chicken coop and even attacking a pig (according to community reports on the Tideline and Facebook).
The Conservation Officer Service, COS, received reports from several Cortes Islanders about the bear and responded by bringing a trap over to capture the bear.
We spoke with a Conservation Officer named Brad about the situation on Cortes and what the plan is for this bear.
If the COS can intervene early in a bear's career of homestead marauding, then they capture it, tranquilize it, give it an identifying earring and set it free in a distant location. If the bear returns to human spaces, they may escalate the human response.
Once a bear begins entering structures, the COS says it must be killed. Relocating a bear with that level of habituation and fearlessness around humans is too great a risk to public safety to release anywhere.
Brad said that they are aware that there could be more than one bear in the area and they rely on eye-witness testimony to identify the offending bear. The bear they catch must match the descriptions before they put the bear to death.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Daily News - Cortes Island staff and students will return to school for full-time classes on Monday September 14th and orientation will be on September 10th and 11th.
There are a lot of questions as to what school will look like this Fall. Cortes Island school is figuring out how to provide required schooling and ensure there are safe options for those with additional health concerns or that have caregivers that are vulnerable or work with vulnerable populations. Cortes Islanders with children planning to enrol at the school for in class instruction, those planning to be enrolled but more homebound, and those planning to homeschool or pursue primarily computer based learning are being asked to let the school district know by Tuesday September 1 their enrolment plans. Later today there should be furthered detail communications from Cortes Island School.
Principal Brent Wilken welcomes parents and students back to school on behalf of Cortes Island School and invites those with enrolment questions to reach out directly at brent.wilken@sd72.bc.ca If you haven’t received anything from the school district make sure you reach out to your local school so they know your intentions to enrol your child. If you are a Cortes parent and have concerns or questions, you can reach principal Brent Wilkin on his email or by calling the school directly at 250-935-6313.
Roy L Hales/News Update - The internationally recognized novelist Shaena Lambert recently visited Marnie's Books, on Cortes Island. Four of works have been chosen for Best Canadian stories and the Globe and Mail recognised three of her previous novels as books of the year. Lambert is also a dedicated environmentalist, who was arrested twice during the Burnaby Mountain protests, and continues to actively oppose oil pipelines and logging of old growth. In the most recent Folk U Friday radio program, the Vancouver novelist explained why she chose to to launch her new novel on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/Daily News -The grocery delivery program’s origins go back to October 2019. A Rendezvous Island resident, Judith Wright, organized a group run for four or five families every two weeks. After COVID hit, close to half of the permanent residents of Rendezvous, Read, Maurelle, and Sonora Islands took advantage of the SRD Delivers program to have their groceries delivered every week for three months. While the funding ended in mid July, the Surge Narrows grocery delivery program proved to be so effective that it continues today
The transition began after Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman advised a Read Island based accountant about SRD Delivers.
Ginny Vassal explained, “I started thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, what an opportunity.’ We don’t want people going to town, but they need to get supplies. Our population is pretty close to 50% seniors, actually 47%. All of a sudden, SRD was making made it possible for people not to go to town. The maximum grant was $5,500. We applied and we're very grateful to get the full amount.”
Vassal applied for the grant.
The delivery system coordinator, Judith Wright, added that SRD Delivers “helped cover the shipping costs for seniors and has been a useful buffer as we work the bugs out of the system. Because of the aid, we have been able to establish a reliable food delivery system that can be ongoing.”
Around thirty families continue to place their orders on Fridays and later converge on the tiny community of Surge Narrows, on Read Island, to pick up their food.
Some Canadians of European descent find the fact three Indigenous nations claim Cortes Island as their traditional territory confusing, but a member of the Klahoose Nation explained this in a recent interview. Norm Harry's ("Tal-wa-ska") father was originally xʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco) but became ƛohos (Klahoose). Some of Norm’s uncles and aunts are ɬəʔamɛn (Tla'amin) and his family also has close relatives among the K’omox. As Norm Harry understands it, these nations were all one people before the Canadian government put them onto reservations.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Gallery will only have one show this year. While they cancelled their summer season because of COVID, the artists group has been mulling over some ideas for almost a year now. On September 10th, 2020, they bring the discussion to the public in a show called “What matters most?”
A Time of Pause
“I think the community, the province and the planet is in a time of pause right now,” said Kristen Schofield Sweet, one of the gallery’s directors.
“We had a spectacular season last year. The gallery has grown from an artist’s collective creatively run space, which Oriane Lee [Johnston] called ‘creative chaos’ … No one was in charge … People showed what they wanted, when they wanted … Over the last twenty years, the gallery has become more professional in that larger context: in terms of exhibitions, a selection committee, a set of procedures and protocols.”
She added, “In a way, this show is a return to a community based ‘just for us’ kind of exhibition. The whole COVID-19 situation has created this pause, where we could say as board members, and community members involved in the arts, ‘What matters to us? What do we look like as artists? Who is emerging? What are some young people up to?’ It is an opportunity to get outside the box. We hope it will change things: not just for September, but for sometime to come.”
Returning the Gallery to its Members
Another director, Oriane Lee Johnston, said this has been brewing for some time:
“Last September, we went through a comprehensive review of the last twenty years since the founding of the gallery. That’s where the title of this show came from.We are returning the gallery to the members in a way. We purposely chose to wait until September … after the tourist season, to make it clear this is for the community, the artists and our own pleasure.”
“It’s always fun to see the people who submit a piece, or several pieces, every year for a members show - either their consistency or evolution as artists. I am particularly interested in emerging artists …”
In the Podcast
In the podcast above, they discuss: Why there will be no reception or opening night for this show protocols for this show: everyone must wear masks; only six people will be allowed in the gallery at a time etc. As they do not know how many pieces will be submitted, the gallery can promises that everyone who enters will have one piece in the show. If space permits, they may have atwo. A four step process to enrich your experience while viewing artwork. Much more
Artists statements Schofield -Sweet explained, “The best description of an artist statement I have ever heard is that it is like having the artist stand next to the work, helping you look at it. The artist isn’t standing in front of the work with their words, trying to explain it to you. Art should not need to be explained. Each person who looks at a piece will have their own engagement, their own stories, their own memories and emotional wisdom that emerges from it. That is how it should be. But if I take a few sentences to say: ‘here’s what I was experiencing’; or ‘here’s where this came from’; “or this is a real diversion from the work I usually do and this is how come …” - it helps the viewer get a context of the work.”
“What Matters Most” will be on display at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Thursdays to Sundays, September 10th to 20th.
Roy L Hales/Cortes News - The Cortes museum lists 28 independent fishing boats based at one of island's docks during the 1970s. Twenty years ago, 5 were still returning to Mansons Landing. By 2016 this number had shrunk to 2 boats and neither of them fished Cortes waters. While this decline may partially reflect the shift towards large corporate fishing fleets, a new UBC study states a quarter of Canada’s fish stocks are in decline and the industry would benefit from a complete closure of fishing for some species.
The authors point to the rebound of Norway’s herring stocks, which came close to the point of extinction in the 1980s but are now flourishing, as an example of what can be accomplished.
After the stocks are replenished, fishermen will be able to take a larger harvest.
The authors also suggest the federal government implement economic and social assistance programs to help the estimated 5,000 fishermen, who would lose their jobs, find alternative sources of income.
To learn more, go to Cortes Currents.ca
Roy L Hales/Daily News - This is a Cortes Currents news update broadcast over Cortes Radio, CKTZ 89.5 FM.
It has been a week since B.C.’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe “The number of people dying in B.C. due to an unsafe drug supply continues to surpass deaths due to homicides, motor vehicle accidents, suicide and COVID-19 combined.”
As of July 31, there have been 92 overdose fatalities in Southern Vancouver Island so far this year. Victoria has the second highest number of drug overdose deaths in the province.
There were also 18 deaths in North Island. While there are no statistics available, there have been a number of drug related emergency calls in both Campbell River and Quadra Island. It is not known how many of these ended in fatalities.
Regional Director Noba Anderson said, “We are not immune from this. Many people either knew a victim, or know someone whose life has been impacted by a drug overdose fatality.”
Click here for further information: https://cortescurrents.ca/tag/drug-overdoses/
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District moved one step closer to implementing its decision to fund Cortes Island’s first responder program and two community halls at its Aug 19th board meeting.
Chair Michele Babchuk and the SRD’s Corporate Officer received authorization to sign five year agreements with both the Southern Cortes Community Association and Whaletown Community. Payments will be made in quarterly instalments.
The SRD Board also passed a bylaw to authorize entering into an agreement for the provision of first responder services on Cortes Island. According to Chris Walker, President of the Cortes Island Fire Fighters Association the next step will be to write up a service provision contract, draw up a schedule for training and a service start date, Once this is done, the fire department can formally request the release of funds.
Cortes Islanders voted in support of funding both programs from their taxes in the October 26, 2019, referendum, in which approximately 75% of respondents voted for a hall tax and 83% voted for first responders.
For more details, see Cortes Currents.ca
Roy L Hales/ Public Service Announcement - Most of you have now received a questionnaire, about the Cortes Island Community Wildfire Protection Plan, through the mail. According to the records we possess, going back to 1950, Cortes hasn’t had a fire larger than 10 hectares in extent - but our climate is changing, wildfires are getting bigger and however unlikely it seems at the moment, we need to be prepared in case there is a major wildfire.
“Residents still have a month to give their feedback, either electronically or through the letter they should have received through the mail,” said said Shaun Koopman, SRD protective services co-ordinator.
“There are a lot more in depth sessions I want to have with residents who are interested. That kind of depth just could not be covered in the survey I sent out.”
He added, “The last question in the survey, asking for marine muster points, is something I should probably have covered in a small in depth focus group. People aren’t understanding that question. In close to half the surveys that have come back, people are saying “Squirrel Cove dock,” “The government marina,” “Gorge Harbour” etc.
“Marine muster points does not refer to the wharfs and docks, I already have those in the plan that I am updating. They are referring to the worst case scenario. If you can’t get to a dock or a ferry, and we are literally asking the Canadian Coast Guard to engage on a humanitarian initiative, what are some of the more common safe areas on the beach people could be directed to?”
“It is a very unlikely scenario, but my job is to plan for all the unlikely scenarios.”
Most major disasters were unlikely scenarios until they occurred. This is one example of the many seemingly insignificant bits of information that Koopman is collecting, which could save lives should there be a major wildfire.
Francesca/Listening In - The Cat's Table is a novel by Canadian author Michael Ondaatje first published in 2011. It was a shortlisted nominee for the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize. The novel is a coming of age story about an 11-year-old boy's journey on a large ship's three-week voyage from Columbia to England, via the Suez Canal and Mediterranean.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In a normal year, Cortes Island’s best known learning centre needs to take in $3 million in revenues to keep operating. 2020 has been anything but normal. As a result of COVID, most of this year’s programs were cancelled and Hollyhock could not rehire most of its usual staff. This has also been a year of innovations: with courses being offered online for the first time and a day-long virtual Hollyhock-a-thon called ‘Shine the Light.’ The Cortes Island centre’s response to this year’s challenges almost amounts to reinventing Hollyhock.
Francesca Gesualdi/ LIstening In - Helen Humphreys’ fourth novel, Wild Dogs, sure to be a hit with canine lovers everywhere, launches with a bold and poetic narrative voice. It is Alice, describing the circumstances of six strangers who’ve bonded over the loss of their dogs, now roaming as a pack in the woods. She readies us for one of the novel’s extended metaphors – “Love is like those wild dogs.”
Odette Auger/Deep Roots - Language Warrior is a story about Jessie Louie, and her life’s work preserving and revitalizing ʔayʔaǰuθəm a distinct dialect of Northern Salishan. Jessie knows the value of reclaiming language as a source of strength; a treasure to preserve, and a key to survival.
Toba Inlet is the glacier blue artery punching into the heart of the Toba River Valley and its mountainous flanks to access the mainland body of Klahoose traditional territory.
An entity in and of itself, Toba resources were, and continue to be, vital to Klahoose survival, culture and economic well-being.
The notion place can have affect on those that reside there is ancient and widespread in human history.
The Toba has shaped and has been shaped by the Klahoose, and the settlers, homesteaders and loggers who followed.
The story of Toba: The Heart Home is how living in his people’s traditional territory profoundly shaped a young boy. And, how that experience built a foundation of resilience, and forged an inspirational bond with an ancestor, both of which he’d draw upon to surmount challenges later in life.
Odette AUger/ Deep Roots - The electoral system was brought by the Canadian government and imposed upon nations who with hereditary chiefs. It was was meant to bring equality and prevent oppression. If this has happened, it is only through the strength, determination and honour of leaders like Jessie Louie. She was the first woman chief of Klahoose, elected at a time when women in leadership roles were few.
Odette Auger/ Deep Roots - Reclaiming Culture is a look into Culture nights with Michelle Robinson. What is shared over a meal? More than food, teachings are passed along through generations. Gathering to celebrate identity inspires drum making, and new songs are sung. Songs were lost as a direct result of intentional oppression [eg. residential school]. When Klahoose writes new songs to Welcome people to their lands, we are witnessing a profound moment of living culture, of cutting edge language work and a powerful pivot point in history. We also hear the voice of Jessie Louie, Drew Blaney drumming and song workshop, Cortes Museum and Archives work recording school children learning a new public song. Hands up to Jessie Louie, Michelle Robinson, CIMAS’s Brittany Baxter and Drew Blaney.
Jacqueline Mathieu/ Deep Roots - Behind Every Good Man Are Strong Women In this episode Deep Roots producer Jacqueline Mathieu takes us on a journey through one woman’s determination to reclaim a piece of her culture, through a coming of age ceremony and her son’s journey to claiming his identity.
Carrie Saxifrage/ Deep Roots - When a girl approaches puberty, her culture’s attitudes toward women and sex come at her in new and often intense ways, both by what is said and also by what is left unsaid. Elder Helen Nora Hansen was raised in a residential school that treated coming of age with the silence of shame. Michelle Robinson’s parents raised her in the bush in Klahoose traditional territory and gave her the traditional teachings about coming of age. From their dramatically different experiences, these woman have great advice on how to support our girls as they make their way toward adulthood.
Morgan Tams/ Deep Roots - Jacqueline Mathieu’s journey to uncover her indigenous roots began in the most unexpected of places - an animated movie. Driven by an obsession with the main character, an interest in her own heritage blossomed over the course of her young life, as her journey to understand her culture began to stretch into the lives of her mother, her family, her community and beyond. In this episode of Deep Roots Island Waves, Jacqueline tells producer Morgan Rhys Tams the story of a young woman’s quest to uncover, reclaim and ultimately celebrate her indigenous heritage, reclaiming her identity from mass media, personal demons and Canada’s shameful past.
Carrie Saxifrage/ Deep Roots - Settlers and immigrants in coastal BC are like driftwood tossed onto a shore where trees still stand. We came from afar to live among First Nations still connected to their roots. Some of us wonder what it’s like to be connected to the place of one’s ancestral roots and how ancient traditions nourish current generations. In this edition of Deep Roots Island Waves, Michelle Robinson tells story producer Carrie Saxifrages her experience of coming of age
Mercedes Grant/ Deep Roots - Why are we so afraid of death and how do we prepare for it? For something that’s inevitable we sure do our best to avoid it. Mercedes Grant takes us on a personal journey of grief and resolution.
Rick Bockner/ Deep Roots - “Do trees communicate? Do they look after each other and other species?
Story Producer Rick Bockner unearths a sophisticated network of co-dependent life forces, below and above our feet. “Every year, millions of people go to the forests to hike, camp, gather foods and medicines, and to renew themselves.We instinctively respond to the presence of trees, especially old ones, by slowing down, and becoming more silent, and Time slows and we begin to see things we had not considered before. Imagine the patience of trees.”
“Current research, as well as ancient knowledge, tells us that our lives are dependent on, and intertwined with trees. In this documentary we will explore forests as parallel communities to ours. This is more literally true than you might expect.”
Annie Rosenberg / Deep Roots -Decades after a nearly unspeakable family tragedy, family members gain insight from what appears to be a chance encounter, later revealing itself as an auspicious message.
Sobhanā Dilani Hippola/ Deep Roots - In search of the deep spiritual roots of today’s environmental crisis, Sobhanā Dilani Hippola traces the footsteps of a pioneer spiritual ecologist, Gilean Douglas, from an old miner’s shack in the Cascade mountains to the majestic land of Channel Rock here on Cortes Island. Gilean’s life and nature writings offer insight into the importance of dwelling close to wilderness and protecting sacred places.
Odette Auger/Deep Roots - Legend tells us first peoples of the Northwest Coast cultivated shellfish. To explore this further and to consider current shellfish farming and our future, Oudette Auger speaks with Judith Williams, author of “Clam Gardens.”
Morgan Tams/Deep Roots -Our material world is obsessed with acquiring and accumulating stuff. But how much do we all really need? Morgan Tams looks for options and solutions to this omnipresent conundrum.
Natalia Auger Nybida/Deep Roots - Western culture paints wolves with a dark brush as evil characters in myths and fairytales, but perhaps that’s because they’re more like us than we care to admit. Natalia Auger Nybida takes a deep look at the essential role wolves play in our ecosystem.
Vintage Vignettes #13 - Holiday Hooch - Loggers moonshine. Mary McMillan tells this story about Joe Gregson, a real Cortes Old-Timer
Vintage Vignettes #12 - Mouse Pie Mouse pie! Now introducing Peter Police, the man, the myth, the legend.
Vintage Vignettes #11 - Big Dance. A lively dance!. Penned by Peggy Pyner, reporting for the Manson’s Landing Mirror in 1955.
Vintage Vignettes #10 - Chores. Now that’s a load of chores! From an interview with Larry Borland, resident of 821 Sutil Point Rd from 1948-1968
Vintage Vignettes #9 - The first Squirrel Cove Post Office. From the desk of the Post Office Inspector, Victoria BC, August 19th, 1915. To a Mr. David Forrest of Squirrel Cove.
Vintage Vignettes #8 - Steamship A tale from Gladys Houghton-Brown Rekert about her first adventure up to Cortes aboard the Union Steamship in 1927!
Vintage Vignettes #7 - Women Loggers. Women loggers! Barbara Thompson looks back on her days of being a logger in Carrington Bay
Vintage Vignettes #6 - Overland Route. The first overland drive the length of Cortes Island; a True Tale of Travel and Adventure as told by Frank Hayes.
Vintage Vignettes #5 - When an earthquake hit the islands in 1946, it left the islanders a little shaken up. Reverend RM Boas reports.
Vintage Vignettes #4 - Ken Hansen moving a Cow to Cortes From the typewriter of Mary Ward, reporting for the Cortes Grapevine 1964
Vintage Vignettes #3 - Escape the Anthill Ruminations from retired logger Elton Anderson, questioning the soundness of his decision to move away from Cortes Island and take up residence on the Vancouver anthill.
Vintage Vignettes #2 -The Wharf is Out: Penned by Peg Pyner, reporting for the Manson’s Landing Mirror, Nov. 5, 1954
Vintage Vignettes #1 - Hot off the press from the late 1940’s Whaletown National Enquirer! - Lost teeth
Odette Auger/Cortes Currents - looks at an IndigenEYEZ training series: The intention of Touch the Earth land-based leadership training is to support front line workers in bringing youth out on the land in a way that is fun and engaging, and nurturing. We talk a lot about returning children to the centre of the community, and acknowledge it takes a community to raise a child. And I invite us to think of that community as also being our relations on the land. Our four legged, and two legged, and the plants, and medicines… and simply being on the land is a nurturing experience, on its own. A lot of times the land-based programs that I’ve witnessed have a focus more on teaching rather than on building and strengthening the relationship we have with our relatives. And so, we include all aspects of revitalizing and the resurgence of our land based knowledge and wisdom. But, where we start is around simply allowing ourselves to sit in silence, and notice and be curious, using more of our senses. Opening up our minds, our bodies and our spirits to how the land can help heal us and strengthen us.
Maria/Listening In - The definitive guide to fighting coronaviruses, colds, flus, pandemics, and deadly diseases, from one of North America's leading public health authorities, now updated with a new introduction on protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Fridays - Michael Moore explaining the mysterious underwater world of octopuses.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - This year has seen a couple of fairly major shocks to the global industrial economic system that so many of us rely upon. One could say that we had a near-collapse experience.
I thought it might be wise to take a moment, step back, and have a look at the bigger picture. To see where western civilization is at, what’s driving us and what kinds of a future we might want to plan for. How does the pandemic fit with other threats to stability.
To help me with this, I sought out the ideas of a Cortes Island thinker and researcher who deals with a lot of the shit on this island that most people would rather flush away without looking at – he’s a plumber, but so much more.
Francesca Gesualdi/Listening In - "For millennia, fresh olive oil has been one of life's necessities-not just as food but also as medicine, a beauty aid, and a vital element of religious ritual. Today's researchers are continuing to confirm the remarkable, life-giving properties of true extra-virgin, and "extra-virgin Italian" has become the highest standard of quality."
"But what if this symbol of purity has become deeply corrupt? Starting with an explosive article in The New Yorker, Tom Mueller has become the world's expert on olive oil and olive oil fraud-a story of globalization, deception, and crime in the food industry from ancient times to the present, and a powerful indictment of today's lax protections against fake and even toxic food products in the United States. A rich and deliciously readable narrative, Extra Virginity is also an inspiring account of the artisanal producers, chemical analysts, chefs, and food activists who are defending the extraordinary oils that truly deserve the name "extra-virgin." - Goodreads
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk u Fridays - Bear sighting have been on the rise in BC over the last couple of years, more than doubling in many communities. BC is bear country. And Cortes is no exception. Bears have regularly swam over to feed on the fruits of abandoned orchards and spend some time on the island. What we can learn about coexisting with bears on Cortes Island an interview with Sabina Mense Leader.
Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Summer is here, and with it an increase in the number of homeless people in our communities. According to Sue Moen, the Salvation Army’s representative in the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness, this problem goes back forty years - to when the federal government stopped subsidizing affordable housing. In the wake of the pandemic, many Canadians have come to the realization that issues like this are community problems and we all need to seek solutions. In this morning’s interview, we talk about the definition of homelessness.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Fridays - Ayurveda is a holistic health science from the east. It is possibly the oldest traditional system known to us today. It is both a medicine and a way of life. Ayurveda is unique in that it has very clear and effective guidelines on how to use lifestyle as a tool for preventing disease and staying balanced.
Odette Auger/Cortes Currents - This story is about small acts of community building for kids on Cortes Island. Signs of Spring was a community art project- where works of art were on show at their driveways during the Corona Virus Outbreak of 2020.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - As people get more waste conscience, the people on Cortes Island can be proud to know that they have one of the most successful waste diversion programs in the region. And BC has created successful programs to deal with their waste, so that there are still markets for the recycling in BC despite unstable global systems.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Cortes Currents - I first started taking my children to Guatemala when they were just one and five. It was an idea born on Cortes where two of my friends announced they were going to spend three or four months with their adopted son, so he’d have a chance to get better acquainted with this part of his heritage. Two of the first friends I met after moving to Canada had themselves just moved there to start a Children’s Village and I was excited to visit them. So, suddenly, I was moving to Guatemala for fourth months without my husband and without knowing enough Spanish to do more than order “Uno taco por favor.”
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Fridays - Small business owners and entrepreneurs struggle for money everywhere. Yet, this is perhaps more true in rural communities than anywhere in the developed world. Adam McKenty, head of Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), shared a creative solution that is allowing people to invest their money in their local communities while providing capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
By tracing the history and stories behind two hats, Tara Warkentin discovers a rich tapestry of practical and symbolic significance found in the ancient art of Cedar Weaving.
Francesca Gesualdi/Listening In - The True Deceiver (1982; Swedish: Den ärliga bedragaren, lit. "The Honest Deceiver") is a novel by Swedish-Finnish author Tove Jansson. It was translated into English by Thomas Teal and won the Best Translated Book Award in 2011
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - On today's Cortes Currents, we're exploring the concept of Conservation Planning. What is it, what's involved and why is it important.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U Fridays - On today’s Folk University Talk Show, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Hayley Newell shares with us a deeper scientific and practical understanding of play. By definition play serves no practical purpose. Yet, it is anything but valueless. It lays the foundation of a child’s cognitive development, contributes to their physical health, services an opportunity to work through traumatic experiences and develop emotional resources, and helps kids practice healthy social interactions. The brain doesn’t know the different between real and imagined experiences so play can set the foundation for a great deal of future development.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - On June 5th at Folk U Talk Show, Karen Mahon Carrington talked about her climate hope: what it is and how it inspired a new organization and movement.
Roy L Hales/CKTZ News - Cortes Island's 2018 Christmas Market Season kicked off at Gorge Hall on Saturday December 1, 2018. There were between 80 and 100 people at any given moment, but it is hard to get an aggregate number because this is also a social event where people go visit and enjoy the food.
Noba Anderson/ Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - The June 9, 2020, Cortes Virtual Community Meeting dealt with all things fire, The image is "Wind fire" by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr (CC By SA, 2.0 License)
Tara Warkentin/Cortes Currents - In this episode of Cortes Currents, I set out to learn what threats Cortes Island’s bees face. I speak to Sharon Figueira, an aspiring beekeeper, about the most ethical way of getting bees on Cortes. I seek out the advice of Tony Clark, to hear what he’s learned in his twenty-plus years of beekeeping on the island. We also delve deep into the world of fungi with Paul Stamets and find a surprising source of hope for our bees. Here are the four lessons I’ve learned from the bees, and their keepers:
Max Thaysen/ Cortes Currents - The folks of Cortes Island are hearing the call. Many people who previously had gardens are expanding them. People who haven't had gardens before are starting one up. But what about the other food groups? What about the critical brain-building inflammation fighting fats, and muscle building protein? Perhaps we will be saved by the humble Cortes Island shellfish farmer.
Francesca Gesualdi/Listening In - a reading from Ghost Sea: A spellbinding tale of the sea, love, murder, and mysticism. At the turn of the century, a Kwakiutl warrior from British Columbia's wild northern islands raids an artifact collector's yacht to reclaim stolen sacred masks. He takes the collector's wife, Kate, as hostage on his 200-mile canoe voyage home. The collector hires Dugger, a coastal trader living on the edges of the law, to give chase in his ketch with the collector as passenger, but Dugger's financial salvation comes at a terrible price, for he is Kate's secret lover. Day and night Dugger sails the uncharted islands, through raging currents and ship-swallowing whirlpools, and the account of his pursuit is interwoven with Kate's harrowing and erotically charged journey.
Based on a true story, this novel reaches its thrilling climax at the last secret, hallucinatory potlatch of the ancient Kwakiutl culture, where the history of a doomed people is melded with the fury of three hearts.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - Sobhana Dilani Hippola, certified forest therapy guide, joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss forest therapy and its many benefits. This was part of the Nature is Good For You series on CKTZ done in partnership with Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), Folk University, and the Cortes radio partners Cortes Currents and Cortes Community Radio.
Noba Anderson/ Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - The Cortes virtual community meeting of May 26, 2020. Adam McKenty and Loni Taylor explain some of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association's ideas.
Odette Auger/Cortes Currents - Jessie Recalma, Qualicum First Nation, is a self-taught contemporary Coast Salish artist.
Cortes Island School Parent Advisory Committee fundraises every year for an Arts/Music program. I offered to help coordinate artist visits, and as an Indigenous person and artist, wanted very much to see this happening. We were grateful to hear Jessie was willing to drive from Qualicum Beach for an artist talk series; meaning he was sharing a 14 hour day with us- leaving at dawn to get to Cortes School to share with 2 classrooms- intermediate and senior.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - Most of us intuitive understand that being in nature is good for us. On Friday May 22 Helen Hall joined Manda Aufochs Gillespie on Folk University’s Friday Folk U Talk Show on CKTZ 89.5 FM to explain just how true this is according to the research.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Helen Hall has been the Friends of Cortes Island’s (FOCI) Executive Director for close to five years. Autumn Barret Morgan came to FOCI as a summer student and continues on as the volunteer Conservation Assistant. In this morning’s program they talk about species at risk on Cortes Island.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - After hearing a number of concerns about the effects that COVID related NOba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - isolation is having on youth, Desta Beattie contacted between 80% and 90% of the Cortes Island families with teenagers to see how they are coping. Her quiet, unassuming manner is almost the opposite of Maunda Aufochs Gillespie, whose bubbling enthusiasm is displayed in constant movement and ever changing facial expressions. Gillespie has also reached out into the community, giving it platform to express itself and planting seed money where it is most needed. Their ministries, Cortes Island Family Support & Folk U, were the focus of the eighth Cortes Virtual Community Conference on May 19, 2020.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - Interviewed Autumn Willow a citizen scientist with Friends of Cortes Island (Foci), about how we can support species at risk on Cortes Island.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Many of you probably know Linda Solomon Wood as the Editor-in-Chief of the NATIONAL OBSERVER, but the award winning investigative journalist lived on Cortes Island for five years after 9/11. Her brother, Joel Solomon, was the Chairman of the Board at Hollyhock for a quarter of a century. While she currently lives in Vancouver, Linda returns every summer. I recently had a chance to interview her about her life and why, as the editor of a national publication, she recently hired a reporter to cover Cortes and Quadra Islands.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - On May 12, 2020 Max Thaysen, President of FOCI, explained the Friends of Cortes Island's bigger vision and Greenpeace founder Rex Weyler gave a reading lists of ecological books.
Manda AUfochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - Yulia Kochubievsky, herbalist and founder of Made by Yulia (madebyyulia.ca) talked about medicine 101 - keeping it simple: how to make herbal medicine in your own kitchen with locally abundant and common plants
Tara Warkentin/Cortes Currents - Linnaea Farm’s just launched a new initiative – the Linnaea Farm Food Security Guild. The guild offers farm produce, as well as seasonal products such as beef, pesto, and apple juice. It will also host farming and preserving workshops. Members pay a $40 membership fee, and can then top-up their account according to their budget.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - At the May 5, 2020 meeting Loni Taylor, a Directors of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA, and Tamara McPhail, Executive Director of Linnaea Farm, talked about developing Cortes Island's food security.
We’re delighted to be hosting our very own Dawn Chorus and numerous other Cortes bird songs on CKTZ with local twitcher Corry Dow. Join us to hear Cortes birds and listen while Corry describes who to listen out for and how to tell your towhees from your flickers.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - Helen Hall, from FOCI, introduced the Nature is Good for You Series and talks about ways to stay engaged with nature on Cortes right now and Jane from the Cortes Island Museum and Archives discusses the May 2nd Bird Count and how to put your new twitcher skills to use! As well, neighbour and Nature Boy, George Sirk called to discuss migratory birds and who is here right now and who to expect in the next couple of months, including our shortest visitor the NightHawk.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Mike Moore obviously has an intense passion for the ocean and for the waters around Cortes Island in particular. He has been working on the water or under it for more than 40 years, as a commercial halibut, crab and prawn fisherman, as a diver harvesting sea cucumbers, sea urchins, scallops and the giant pacific octopus, as a Navigation Officer with the Canadian Coast Guard for 11 years and finally, along with Samantha Statton, he was owner/ operator of Misty Isles Adventures, Cortes Island's kayaking and passenger schooner tourism business, which was the vessel by which many tourists and locals got to appreciate Cortes as an island, seen from the water.
De Clark/Cortes Currents - On April 15, 2020, I interviewed Tanya Henck, founding member of the first Cortes Island Women’s Centre which opened in January 2019. A combination of diligent sanitization and long microphone cables, plus a newly constructed and never-inhabited space, enabled us to set up for Covid-19-safe recording.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - More than 100 Cortes residents will most likely listen to, or read about, last night’s virtual meeting. Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - While fewer are logging on to the ZOOM call or reading these accounts in Cortes Currents, the number of people listening to the podcasts has doubled, growing from 21 to 43 since these meetings went public. Similar numbers most likely listened to the radio broadcast or will read Director Anderson’s report in the Tideline. The principal topics for the fifth Cortes Virtual community meeting (April 28) were vacation rentals, systems navigation
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - The main topics at the fourth Cortes Virtual Conference were housing, the food bank and employing people on priority community initiatives. The meeting started fourteen minutes late, but (thanks to Ayton Novak) with a polish that was not present in previous meetings. The proceedings started with a series of community updates.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - As the COVID-19 global pandemic unfolds our world has become shrunk by fear and limited travel and worries over loved ones and livelihoods. But as the initial fears subside and it becomes clear that it may take a very very long time for the world to return to a more familiar pace, countries that have taken other paths come more into focus. Much in the news are places like Sweden—which did not close primary schools or enforce strict social distance—another is Denmark that has already sent its primary students back to school after curbing their death rate. Another is the Netherland, which came closer to the Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - Canadian approach of encouraging 1.5 meters of social distancing and working from home when possible and closing schools and the like. Yet, already that country is taking measures to give children and teenagers more freedoms, including reopening childcare centres and primary schools in early May and secondary schools at the beginning of June. as well, outdoor sports games for youth are being reinstated.
Tara Warkentin/Cortes Currents - Loni Taylor is a member of the CCEDA – the Cortes Community Development Association. The CCEDA is working on initiatives to improve local food security. They are informed by a recent survey, which addressed community needs and desires. Respondents were eager to grow more food, but identified a need for permanent growing space. “[Many] people that have the knowledge and the desire to grow their own food don't have sustainable year round housing on Cortes, and they're usually displaced sometime in the spring.” Loni says. CCEDA’s food security initiatives aim to fill this gap by providing solid ground for all islanders to grow food in. CCEDA is entrusted with 2.7 acres of commercial land in downtown Manson’s Landing, adjacent to the Community Housing project, that they hope to develop into a vibrant green hub that meets islanders needs. CCEDA also hopes to generate produce and revenue for the Food Bank.
Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - On the April 17th Folk U Friday Gardening tips were provided by Billie Taylor and were focused largely on water conversation and included a call out to local potters to perhaps make and sell an ancient water conservation pot called an olla. Check out these photos of some I found online. Let us know if you try making your own or if you want to make some for sale!
The main feature on April 17th was Hayley Newell, RTC who came to the studio to discuss the Nervous System 101. Nervous system health has been a popular topic these days and with Hayley’s help we learned more about what nervous system health looks like and what regulation and disregulation and resilience (popular buzz words of the times) actually means. She also discussed how to mitigate the stress during these COVID-19 times There are many ways to tend to this amazing part of your body.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - In this episode, we get a deep dive from Eric Hargrave, manager at the Cortes Natural Food Cooperative, and Bill Dougan, manager at the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort General Store. These are two fellows who run grocery stores and have given a lot of thought to the modern food chain. They present their insights with wit and charm. Together we explored the impacts that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their lives and their businesses. I was especially curious about the pandemics impacts on frontline workers -- those working the tills and stocking shelves.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - At the third meeting: Vacation Rentals; anybody who has a worsening cough or significant symptoms in a rural or remote community now qualifies for COVID 19 testing; Well being during a time of isolation; possible self distancing gatherings
Folk U Friday for April 3, 2020: Resilience on Cortes Island 101: Food resilience and storage, energy systems, and much more! with Mark Lombard and Eli McKenty
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A group of 23 Cortes residents just returned from there. They decided to travel this year because the tour company owned by Chris Hartwick’s parents, is going out of business. The spread of COVID 19 had not prompted a global reaction. Nobody anticipated there would be any complications coming home from Africa.
Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meeting - Audio from Cortes Island’s Second Virtual Townhall Meeting was broadcast over Cortes Radio, CKTZ, 89.5 FM.
De Clarke/Cortes Currents - Anne and Sam run Big Fir Farm, a small market farm; it’s their primary livelihood, and they sell fresh produce at the Friday Market and through the Co-op. In this interview, I ask them what it’s like being a small market farmer, producing organic local food for a living. How hard is the work? How many hours a week? What kind of crops have they found successful? What kind of planning and logistics do they practise? What advice would they give to other people who feel inspired to support local food systems by becoming producers?
More people participated. At its peak, seventy listeners connected to the conference by computer or phone and an unknown number listened to the radio broadcast. Yet Cortes Island’s first virtual town hall meeting was essentially a continuation of the recent online conferences Regional Director Noba Anderson has been having with local businesses and organizations.
Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - An interview in which Greenpeace co-founder Rex Weyler states his belief that the underlying condition of COVID 19 is Overshoot.
Cortes Health Centre Staff, Tahmeena Ali, MD—visiting doctor—and Isabelle Laplante, RN—new staff nurse— speak out about all anyone is talking about, COVID-19, and what it means for the people of Cortes Island.
On Saturday March 14th, the monthly Cortes Currents news/talk show featured an interview with Mark Lombard, contract manager for the Cortes Forestry General Partnership. This podcast explores what the “Community Forest” is, and how it works. Did you know that CFGP’s license now covers far more hectares of Cortes Island than the MMB/IT/Mosaic license? This and many other interesting details are discussed in our program (such as what “MMB” and “IT” mean).
“It takes a community to raise a village,” it says on the Cortes Community Housing website (at cortescommunityhousing.org This has clearly been the case on Cortes Island with two upcoming housing initiatives undergone by the Housing Committee of the Cortes Island Seniors Society.
On the morning of Friday, February 7th, the RCMP moved in to raid the second of four camps along the gravel road that passes through the Wet'suwet'en Nation, Gidimt'en Territory. The RCMP were enforcing a court injunction that prohibited anyone from blocking access to anyone working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline. I was a legal observer for that raid – a collector of information for the purposes of legal defense.
When you talk about Cortes Island’s population, most of us think of humans but there is an even larger avian population. The Cortes museum has been taking an annual Christmas Bird Count since 2001. There were 38 participants this year. Most were in five groups, but there were also a number of people who reported birds visiting feeders, or parts of the island not on the established routes.
About forty Cortes Islanders attended a public meeting on February 15th at Manson's Hall, to discuss local governance models and alternatives.
"Convincing a stone to be something else is no small task; it's heavy, it's dusty, it's dirty and it's my labor of love", says stone sculptor Julie Glaspy from Quadra Island. Chosen to represent Canada at the 2020 International symposium in Nepal, Julie talks to CKTZ about her journey in shaping stone to be something else: a granite heart two feet tall, or a small rose quatrz necklace, or her beautiful bowls.
On February 8th 2020, Cortes Currents was pleased to welcome Adam McKenty of CCEDA as the first guest on our new live talk show component. CCEDA (Cortes Community Economic Development Association) is the new name for the organisation formerly known as CIBATA (Cortes Island Business and Tourism Association). Its 6-member board includes three members from prior CIBATA boards.
Recent events have shown that the Regional District system does not always work well in a remote island like Cortes. Some whisper it’s time for Cortexit. Our Regional Director says we should work within the existing structure. It would be very expensive for a community this small to go it alone. She added,0:57 “A minority of very active voices has been very effective in undermining my credibility at the Regional District and yet if what I brought to the District was backed by a community council it would be harder to marginalize.” In this morning’s program we go to Cambridge, Vermont, to explore how an even more democratic system of government would work here.
By the time you hear this, everyone on Cortes Island will have received a newsletter from their Regional Director. I found it left me with more questions than answers. So I asked Noba Anderson to explain her vision for Cortes Island’s future.
According to the definition at neighborhoodcats.org, “A "feral" cat is unsocialized and tends to be fearful of people and keep a distance.” That may once have been true of the sixteen cats Samantha Statton is currently looking after but, speaking as a former cat owner, a few of these are among the friendliest cats I have seen. It was hard to take a picture because they were constantly sniffing my lens, or trying to smooch, and one adorable youngster liked to jump up onto my shoulder for a nuzzle. In this morning’s interview Samantha tells us how Cortes Cat Rescue came into being, what they do and ways you can help out.
In October, Cortes Island’s Augmented Home Support (AHS) program was looking at the very real possibility that they may have to shut down. They had enough funding to continue until the end of the year, after which they could not pay their part time employees. Some of you may have read their appeal in the Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA) Newsletter and made a donation. The immediate concern is over, but it prompted me to reach out to the Augmented Home Support program’s organizer, Ron Kroda.
On Monday, November 25, 2019, the forest management company Mosaic began shutting down its Vancouver Island harvesting operations because of “very challenging pricing and market conditions.” Approximately 2,000 people - contractors, union and non union workers, are being let go “of ahead of the usual winter shutdown.” Mosaic plans “to resume harvesting when the market outlook improves,” but some see this as the symptom of a much larger industry problem. That same day, Sierra Club BC and the Wilderness Committee planned to hold an event in Campbell River’s downtown community centre. Two hours before this was to begin, the city of Campbell River cancelled it because of “the number of people anticipated, the strong potential for highly-charged emotion, and lack of time to establish a security plan for this booking.” This morning’s program is about the crises in our forests.
Reality 102 with Rex Weyler was the conclusion of a two part series at Cortes Island’s Folk University. This session was recorded and broadcast over Cortes Radio in the regular Cortes Currents slot on November 13, 2019. Rex asks what are realistic responses to the problem of overshoot.
Reality 101 with Rex Weyler was one of the lunchtime lectures at Cortes Island's Folk University. This session was recorded and broadcast over Cortes Radio in the regular Cortes Currents slot on November 6, 2019. The theme is overshoot, and what this means to humanity's future. Rex also writes about in the article below. The podcast is Rex's Folk U presentation.
Rex Weyler presented Reading Between the Headlines, how to get more truth out of today’s media. as part of Folk U Fridays.
Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - I probably first heard his Klahoose language program sometime between 2010 and 2013. We were already on Cortes and the radio was always tuned to CKTZ. By the time you hear this, he will have returned home from another teaching venue. Norm Harry was the eldest speaker for the ɬəʔamɛn, or Klahoose, Nation. The ɬəʔamɛn and three other Northern Coast Salish nations recently came together for an event called Speaking Our Language.
Roy L Hales/ Deep Roots - British Columbia is known for its totem poles. Examples of a less known artwork have surfaced in more recent years. Aborglyphs are carved into living trees. One was discovered a few years ago, two hundred kilometres north of Vancouver in the midst of a clearcut in Toba Inlet. The Klahoose Arborglyh has been moved to the band’s multipurpose building in Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island. Deep Roots story producer Roy L Hales interviewed Michelle Robinson and Ken Hanuse, from the Klahoose First Nation, and local historian Judith Williams about the arborglyph that survived into modern times.
Roy L Hales/ Deep Roots - Michelle Robinson and Ken Hanuse, from the Klahoose First Nation, and local historian Judith Williams about the pre-contact trail believed to have connected Toba Inlet and the Upper Squamish Valley
Roy L Hales/ Deep Roots - What was the role of the canoe in pre-contact indigenous culture? What caused its decline? And how are canoe journeys finding their way back to Klahoose and her sister nations? In this story, Deep Roots story producer Roy Hales outlines the Klahoose Tribal Journey.
Roy L Hales/ Deep Roots - An episode of CKTZ 89.5 FM's Deep Roots series: Fishing was once a cornerstone of British Columbia's economy, but the runs appear to be declining - where Have All the Salmon Gone? An inquiry which took place in the middle of one of the biggest chum salmon runs of recent history!