All posts by Guest Post

Food, Waste

A third of North Americans throw out $3,000 of unused groceries every year.

Originally published on Talker

Editor’s note: While the topic is food waste, the following article may throw some light upon Recycle BC’s expectation that Cortes Island residents increase the volume of recyclables that go into curbside pick-up. There undoubtedly are some Cortesians who waste up to $63 of food a week (as is the case with our American neighbours cited in the following article), but there are probably also a significant number that waste little, if any, food.

3 months worth of garbage for two people – Photo by Roy L Hales

This is the amount of garbage one Cortes household of two produced in about 3 months. Do Cortesians, collectively, also throw out a significantly lower amount of recyclables than society as a whole? Does Recycle BC have unrealistic expectations of the volume of recyclables Cortes Island should produce?

The average American spends nearly $3,000 a year on unused groceries, according to new research.

Continue reading A third of North Americans throw out $3,000 of unused groceries every year. →
Transportation

Transportation Safety Board probing train derailment which crashed car loaded with hydrochloric acid in Port Coquitlam yard

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

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating a trail derailment in Port Coquitlam which caused a car loaded with hydrochloric acid to leave the tracks.

The incident occurred on April 12, just after 3 a.m. at the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) yard. Company was handling an assignment of 15 cars, when five cars derailed on their sides.

Continue reading Transportation Safety Board probing train derailment which crashed car loaded with hydrochloric acid in Port Coquitlam yard →
Health

110 purple flags will fly along Tri-Cities routes on Friday to mark 7th anniversary of B.C.’s toxic drug emergency

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

On Friday April 14, commuters travelling along the Tri-Cities’ arterial routes counted 110 purple flags – one flag for every 100 people killed by toxic drugs since a public health crisis was announced.

Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody all granted the TriCities Overdose Community Action Team (TCCAT) a highway use permit to display the public art message meant to lessen the stigma around opioid addiction. 

Continue reading 110 purple flags will fly along Tri-Cities routes on Friday to mark 7th anniversary of B.C.’s toxic drug emergency →
Food

New Cortes Cafe owner optimistic about spring after challenging startup

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

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.

Continue reading New Cortes Cafe owner optimistic about spring after challenging startup →
Forests, Indigenous Nations, Parks, Tourism

Meares Island Big Tree Trail a labor of love for Tribal Parks guardians

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofino, BC – In 2008, when the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardianship Program took over the maintenance of the Meares Island Big Tree Trail, they had lots of work to do.

Saya Masso, lands director for the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Program, has been a guardian since 2008 when the positions were first inaugurated to help implement the land vision outlined in the Tribal Park Declaration.

Continue reading Meares Island Big Tree Trail a labor of love for Tribal Parks guardians →