All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Arts, Rivers & Oceans

Documentary dives into endangered orcas’ race for survival

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The riveting heartbreak of an endangered orca that carried her dead calf for 17 days and more than 1,500 kilometres in B.C. waters in July 2018 captured the world’s attention.

The extended mourning of the mother orca, J35, also known as Tahlequah, illustrated endangered southern resident killer whales are at a dangerous tipping point, and further catalyzed two young filmmakers to explore what is necessary to save the iconic orcas, which frequent the Salish Sea along the U.S. and Canadian coast.

Continue reading Documentary dives into endangered orcas’ race for survival →
Forests, Justice

Property being illegally seized at Fairy Creek old-growth blockades, lawyers argue

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Kimberly Murray faces a difficult dilemma after her vehicle was towed during an RCMP raid of the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades on Vancouver Island in early August. 

Aside from questions about whether the car was legally impounded, given it was parked outside the RCMP temporary exclusion zone off to the side of the road on Aug. 9, Murray is facing a $2,500 fee to get it back. 

Continue reading Property being illegally seized at Fairy Creek old-growth blockades, lawyers argue →
Rivers & Oceans

Is Ottawa breaking its promise to close fisheries and protect wild salmon?

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

West Coast conservation groups are worried Ottawa is backtracking on a recent commitment to close the bulk of commercial salmon fisheries as a radical measure to save endangered stocks.

Continue reading Is Ottawa breaking its promise to close fisheries and protect wild salmon? →
Forests, Justice

Old-growth activists want fewer police powers at Fairy Creek; The RCMP want more

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A slew of legal applications involving the contentious Fairy Creek old-growth blockades are moving forward in B.C. Supreme Court this week as the protest becomes one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Canada.

Continue reading Old-growth activists want fewer police powers at Fairy Creek; The RCMP want more →
Politics

Election 2021: NDP should be wary of weak spots in Vancouver Island stronghold

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In the past two federal elections, Vancouver Island has been a stronghold for the NDP, and one campaign observer predicts it will largely stay that way after Sept. 20.

But there are some chinks in the orange armour on the island given the strength of voter concern about the climate crisis and Erin O’Toole bumping up the popularity of the Conservatives, the NDP’s historical nemesis in the region.

There’s no doubt the recent Green Party infighting offers the NDP some advantage this election with climate-concerned voters, said Mark Williams, chair of political studies at Vancouver Island University.

Continue reading Election 2021: NDP should be wary of weak spots in Vancouver Island stronghold →