All posts by Roy L Hales

Roy L Hales - is the editor/owner of Cortes Currents. He has had close to 3,000 articles published in print or the web since 1982, and a daily news program on Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ 89.5 FM, (since 2014). Hales is also a former president of the Cortes Community Radio Society (June 2017- Apr 2021).
Transportation

Planned price increases; dismantling FAC’s – Changes Coming To BC Ferries 

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As some of you may have already heard, BC Ferries is going through changes. They range from a total revamp of the way they have been engaging with the public, to  expenses 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.”  

Continue reading Planned price increases; dismantling FAC’s – Changes Coming To BC Ferries  →
Community

The 10th Annual Holiday Fair at Mansons Hall

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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 Pickford, the Hall Manager.

Continue reading The 10th Annual Holiday Fair at Mansons Hall →
Housing

Discovery Islands in the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report

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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 assumption is that the Discovery Island’s population will continue to grow by 8% over the next few years.

Continue reading Discovery Islands in the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Report →
Politics

Area C Director’s Report: Quadra OCP kickoff & Regional Recreation

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From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
It’s my sincere hope you’ve managed to stay warm and dry during the recent storms. The weather ‘bomb cyclone’ was certainly impactful! Along with the local power outages and ferry cancellations, the power went out at the Board office and roads to some of the smaller municipalities were closed, resulting in our regularly scheduled Board meeting of Wednesday November 20 being cancelled (and rescheduled for November 27).

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: Quadra OCP kickoff & Regional Recreation →
Business

A Closer look at Cortes Island’s Economy

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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.   

Continue reading A Closer look at Cortes Island’s Economy →