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.
Politics

Campbell River Chamber board issues apology for debate debacle

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Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Campbell River Chamber board suggests some rogue members are responsible for the perplexing last-minute cancellation of an all-candidates debate on Tuesday evening.

After an emergency meeting Wednesday, the board issued a statement saying recent actions by the specific members “were not decisions of the remaining board directors or officially known to the board.” 

The board said a decision to postpone an original debate set for early April, as well as to ultimately cancel the April 22 event at the Tidemark Theatre, was taken by isolated members. 

Continue reading Campbell River Chamber board issues apology for debate debacle →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn target of protest rally

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nation leaders and protesters rallied outside Aaron Gunn’s campaign office in Campbell River Saturday demanding the Conservative Party withdraw his candidacy. 

A crowd of about 150 people waved signs reading “Drop the Gunn” and “We Need Gunn Control,” while First Nations leaders, residential school survivors, educators and community workers voiced their anger over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s decision not to remove Gunn from the party’s slate. 

Continue reading Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn target of protest rally →
Politics

Ottawa needs parliamentarians, not partisans, Green Leader May says

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May isn’t worried about getting squeezed out of the riding she has comfortably held since 2011.

May approaches each election as a job interview focused on her track record of effectiveness as party leader and service to her constituents, she said

“I’m not afraid of anything and have deep faith in the values that make us Canadian and make us Greens.”

 Speculation she’ll lose her seat is based on fear rather than facts and the party’s own polling in the riding shows otherwise, she said.

Continue reading Ottawa needs parliamentarians, not partisans, Green Leader May says →
Politics

Vancouver Island NDP candidates aim to ‘make empathy great again’

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Unity, community and resistance were the rallying cries during a Vancouver Island NDP event Thursday night that drew more than 300 supporters. 

The election rally for Gord Johns, incumbent MP for Courtenay-Alberni and North Island-Powell River candidate Tanille Johnston featured live brass music and a jubilant and defiant crowd — some sporting orange wigs or draped in multicoloured Pride flags. 

A rainbow even made an appearance following a day of torrential rain.

Continue reading Vancouver Island NDP candidates aim to ‘make empathy great again’ →
Politics

BC Conservatives under fire for letter backing Aaron Gunn

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Provincial and municipal politicians in the North Island-Powell River riding are joining the fray about whether embattled Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn should stay in the running for the federal seat. 

Last week, First Nations located across the riding took Gunn to task for his long collection of social media posts that argue the treatment of Indigenous people in residential schools does not amount to genocide. 

They demanded federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remove him as a candidate, arguing Gunn has “absolutely no authority” to determine what constitutes genocide when it comes to Indigenous people’s experiences of residential schools. 

Continue reading BC Conservatives under fire for letter backing Aaron Gunn →