Tag Archives: Affordable Housing

Finances

Where do Discovery Island property tax dollars go? 

How our local government works – Part 2 of 5 from the Feb 9 SRD Board Meeting

Electoral Area C is the largest electoral area within the Strathcona Regional District. It spreads out over 10,650 square kilometres: from Quadra throughout the Discovery Islands to some of the Mainland Inlets. The vast majority of people live on Quadra. In the second of five articles arising from the SRD Board meeting of Feb 9th, 2022, Cortes Currents is looking at how the tax dollars from this area were spent in 2021 and a proposed budget for 2022. 

Continue reading Where do Discovery Island property tax dollars go?  →
Development, Housing

What’s ahead for Rainbow Ridge in 2022 and 23?

Executive Director Sandra Wood discussed the Cortes Community Housing Society’s achievements in 2021, when the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing project will be shovel ready and what lies ahead after it is finished.

“We ended the year so strongly!” she exclaimed.

Continue reading What’s ahead for Rainbow Ridge in 2022 and 23? →
Housing

Cortes Island faces housing listing shortage while BC supply at an all-time low

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant to Canada-info.ca

A recent BC Real Estate Association report says 2021 was a record year for sales in the BC housing market, while 2022 begins with the lowest number of listings on record.

On Cortes Island, local resident realtor Martha Abelson, who has 17 years experience, says there are only four active listings, fewer than half the average for this time of year. She believes the pandemic is contributing to the housing supply shortage.

Continue reading Cortes Island faces housing listing shortage while BC supply at an all-time low →
Development, Housing

Public Meetings for two large Quadra Island developments deferred

How our local government works

Public meetings for two controversial Quadra Island real estate developments have been deferred until this April, 2022, because of concerns about meeting in-person during a pandemic. 

The public meeting for the proposed Gowland Harbour Views development was scheduled for January 18th, 2022, and the rezoning meeting for Quadra Links Golf Course was to have occurred the following day.

With less than a week to go, at the January 12th SRD Board meeting, Quadra Island Regional Director Jim Abram, said, “I have two items of business that are very timely. We need to deal with them today at this meeting because we have scheduled two public hearings in the next week.” 

Continue reading Public Meetings for two large Quadra Island developments deferred →
Politics, Poverty

2021 as seen by Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River

Rachel Blaney, Member of Parliament for North Island – Powell River, gave Cortes Currents an overview of the important political issues and her family life during this past year. 

Continue reading 2021 as seen by Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River →