While this year’s count was cancelled because of the pandemic, the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness (the Coalition) estimate the city’s unhoused population is currently more than a hundred. Most cite high rents as the principle barrier to their finding permanent accommodation. BC Housing is proposing to fund the build and operations of a 50 unit supported housing building at 580 Dogwood street. This sparked neighbourhood resistance and, at this point, 1,424 people have signed a Change.org petition against the project.
Continue reading Opposition to Affordable Housing at 580 Dogwood StreetAll posts by Roy Hales
SRD resumes public hearings
As Regional Director Jim Abram put it, “It is not the best way to do things, but these are extraordinary times and I do think we need to adapt for now.” The required bylaws were passed at the August 19th board meeting. Next month, the SRD resumes public hearings.
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Campbell River’s Homeless Camp
Complaints about a homeless camp at the end of Quinsam Road were discussed at the August 17th Campbell River city council meeting. The number of tents has expanded to the point they are now visible from the road. RCMP now respond to calls from the area on a regular basis. Canada Post notified residents that it considers the area ‘unsafe’ and will no longer deliver to their mail boxes.
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Discovery Island Items at the next SRD Board Meeting
Public rezoning hearings are proposed for four projects on Cortes and Quadra Islands. The final agreement with Cortes Island’s community halls is close to being signed. A parcel tax to help 32 Quathiaski Cove property owners pay their portion of the Quathiaski Cove Sewer Extension. Surge Narrows Community association is requesting a tax exemption for the proposed park on Read Island. These are among the Discovery Island Items to be discussed at the August 19th SRD Board Meeting.
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What Does The Surplus Food Rescue Program Mean to Cortes & Quadra?
During a visit to the Nutri Group’s head office in Quebec, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a $50 million federal initiative “designed to address urgent, high volume, highly perishable surplus products falling under fruit, vegetables, meat and fish and seafood.” Prior to COVID, this food was sold to restaurants. Now, instead of letting it go to waste, the federal government will distribute it to food banks and local food organizations across Canada. So what does the Surplus Food Rescue Program mean for our area?
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