All posts by Guest Post

Environment, Rivers & Oceans

Marine heatwaves a threat to B.C.’s shellfish industry says expert

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By Mick Sweetman,  CHLY 101.7 FM Nanaimo, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

This summer was hot, not only for us, but also for the life in our oceans as marine heatwaves swamped B.C’s coastal waters. According to researchers, sea temperatures off northeastern Vancouver Island reached 21 degrees Celsius in July, boiling kelp alive.

In the first week of August the average global sea surface temperature reached a record-breaking 30 degrees Celsius.

Continue reading Marine heatwaves a threat to B.C.’s shellfish industry says expert →
Education

How burnt out are our school teachers?

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Editor’s note: While this is a report from the Sunshine Coast, one has to ask how applicable it is in other areas.

By Jordan Copp, Coast Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a survey of nearly 200 Sunshine Coast teachers, more than 45 per cent said their mental health is declining. 

Teachers Jacquie Shields and Alison Liddicoat said their goal is to alleviate some of the main stressors teachers face as they presented the survey findings at the SD46 board meeting on Sept. 13. 

Continue reading How burnt out are our school teachers? →
Housing

Number of Tri-Cities properties cashing in on short-term rentals spikes 45% in year

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Editor’s note: To what extent are we looking at a province wide trend? Is this spike happening in our area, or is it a more urban phenomenon?

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The number of landowners in the Tri-Cities using their properties for short-term rentals spiked 45 percent in one year. 

In August, sites like Airbnb and Vrbo posted 807 active listings for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, according to data provided by AirDNA, a market research provider.

That’s up from 446 total listings in August 2022. Despite the number of active listings being halved during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall rental growth still jumped 35 percent since 2018.

Continue reading Number of Tri-Cities properties cashing in on short-term rentals spikes 45% in year →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

Pemberton pauses Official Community Plan process to build ‘deeper’ relationship with Lil’wat Nation

Editor’s note: A possible model of how rural communities and First Nations can cooperate.

By Roisin Cullen, Pique Magazine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Village of Pemberton (VOP) is pausing its Official Community Plan (OCP) review process so officials can focus on building a “deeper and more meaningful” relationship with the Lil’wat Nation, the VOP announced at Pemberton’s Sept. 12 council meeting.

Continue reading Pemberton pauses Official Community Plan process to build ‘deeper’ relationship with Lil’wat Nation →