On August 4, 2025, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Sadhu Johnston, who gave an update on the developments happening at Rainbow Ridge, on behalf of the Cortes Housing Society. Tune in for a discussion about community housing, the island’s housing crisis, and construction challenges and joys!
Continue reading Folk U- An August 4 update from Rainbow RIdge
Originally Published February 2, 2020
The grounding of “March Wind” in January 2020 prompted Roy Hales to write a story about boats adrift. I’d like to dig (or dive?) a little deeper under that story and consider some of the factors that have led to the increasing number of derelict and dilapidated boats on the BC Coast.
Continue reading Vessels of Concern: Signs of the TimesThe second in a series of candidate visits sponsored by the Cortes Island Climate Action Committee
Green Party candidate Jessica Wegg came to Gorge Hall, on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025. She won’t be the next Member of Parliament for North Island Powell River (NIPR).
“We commissioned a poll at our riding level. I think they made the phone calls March 20th to 24th, and it matched what 338Canada is saying. The Conservatives will likely win and the progressive vote will be split pretty evenly by the NDP and the Liberals. As long as the NDP and the Liberals are both running, neither party will get in,” she explained.
Continue reading Jessica Wegg: Why Green Voices Matter
A quick question just came up in regard to Cortes Island’s ongoing Zoning Bylaw Review. Cortes Island residents have up until noon on Friday, March 7, to make their thoughts known on possible limits to house sizes known.
“Do we want to put a limit on the maximum house size on Cortes? It’s a basic yes or no question.” asked Regional Director Mark Vonesch.
“If you do agree, what is the maximum size you would like to see happen? Everything from 2,500 square feet to 4,300 square feet. I’ve certainly heard from a lot of people that this is something that’s important to consider. Basically do we want to have folks buy land here and build mega mansions? Do we want to have Cortes be a place where the ultra wealthy can buy a piece of land and build a summer mansion?”
Continue reading Should there be a Maximum Size for Houses on Cortes Island?
After years of anticipation, construction has finally begun on the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project in downtown Mansons Landing.
“We had an open house a couple of weeks ago, and we had a lot of back and forth with the seniors village next door. We made some considerable changes to our plans based on their input. Then Monday, we started clearing the land in preparation for phase 1 of our project,” explained Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Housing Society.
Continue reading Construction Begins at Rainbow Ridge
