Tag Archives: 2023 Wildfires

Fire

BC Legislators in the hot seat to respond to a firefighting crisis

Editor’s note: While there has not been a major fire on Cortes or Quadra Islands for decades, this could change as climate impacts grow stronger. I also think every British Columbian should be concerned when firefighters say ‘the wildfire system is in crisis’ and without ‘significant investments’ and ‘critical restructuring … will not be able to meet the demands of the coming wildfire season.’

By Sidney Coles, Capital Daily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Members of the British Columbia General Employees Union (BCGEU) went to the BC Legislature on Tuesday to meet with MLAs to lobby for transformational investments they hope will enhance public safety and make it easier for them to recruit and retain members.

Continue reading BC Legislators in the hot seat to respond to a firefighting crisis →
Food, Transportation

Nanaimo port expansion floats potential solutions for Vancouver Island supply chain woes

Editor’s note: The city of Campbell River has a goal of growing the equivalent of 10% of its food supply by 2031 and 50% by 2060. Thanks to the 2018 LEAP Report, there is more precise data for Cortes Island  – 63% of the respondents stated that 21% of their food was produced locally and close to half of these grew or sourced +51% of their food on Cortes. The percentage of people consuming local foods was highest among people with low incomes.  Surprisingly few respondents said they obtain less than 10% of their food locally.

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Expanding Nanaimo’s Duke Point Terminal could strengthen Vancouver Island’s vulnerable supply chain and improve the flow of food, fuel and essential goods when climate disasters or other disruptions strike, according to the Nanaimo Port Authority. 

Continue reading Nanaimo port expansion floats potential solutions for Vancouver Island supply chain woes →
Cost of Climate Change, Fire

The Quadra Project: Canada’s Forest Fires of 2023

Forest fires in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon and elsewhere in Canada reached record levels in the summer of 2023. They also coincided, for the months of June, July, August and September, with the highest recorded temperatures since the Eemian Interglacial Period 120,000 years ago. So 2023 is likely to become the hottest year ever recorded since we humans have existed as an identifiable species.

Continue reading The Quadra Project: Canada’s Forest Fires of 2023 →
Health, Housing, Politics, Transportation

Eby talks transport, toxic drug crisis and short-term rentals at economic summit

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Transportation, short-term rentals and disorder related to the toxic drug crisis in city centres were the top issues raised with Premier David Eby at the State of the Island Economic Summit on Thursday. 

After addressing the crowd at Nanaimo’s conference centre, Eby fielded questions and concerns from business and industry leaders, politicians and communities on the key issues hurting economic development across Vancouver Island. 

Continue reading Eby talks transport, toxic drug crisis and short-term rentals at economic summit →
Arts, Environment

First of 4 cultural events from Sierra Quadra: World Premiere of the Ridge

Sierra Quadra is bringing Robert Bringhurst’s poem ‘The Ridge‘ to  the Quadra Community Centre, at 7:30 PM on Saturday October 21st.

In an interview with Cortes Currents, Ray Grigg said he believes this is the 80 minute long poem’s world premiere.  

It is also the first of four performances Sierra Quadra is putting on this year. They also have two films lined up. On Dec 16, 2023, they will be showing ‘Once You Know’ and on Feb 3, 2024, ‘Keepers of the Land.’ A fourth event is still being planned.

Continue reading First of 4 cultural events from Sierra Quadra: World Premiere of the Ridge →