Tag Archives: Affordable Housing

Q&A With NDP Candidate Tanille Johnston

Cortes Currents asked all three candidates in North Island-Powell River (NIPR) for an interview. Jessica Wegg, of the Green Party, was the first to respond. Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn, who 338Canada currently projects as leading in our riding, has yet to acknowledge the invitation. NDP candidate Tanille Johnston, whose party is trailing in the projections, intends to visit Cortes Island soon and emailed her answers to my questions.

As with my previous interview with Jessica Wegg, this is a discussion of Johnston’s beliefs, not a debate on policy. There is some fact checking on her remarks about the Conservatives negativity (by comparing the name calling and negative imaging in the headlines of Conservative, NDP and Green press releases) and whether they do represent the rich (by looking at the cost to attend a party event and a report from the National Post).

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Residential Upzone Proposal for Cortes Island

By Carrie Saxifrage

We are lucky to have impressive work toward affordable housing by our  Regional Director Mark Vonesch, Cortes Island Housing Society Executive Director Sadhu Johnston, Cortes Foundation  Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Cortes Community Economic Development Association ​​Economic Development Officer Kate Maddigan, donors who make all this possible and everyone else helping the community as a whole. Also, the 2002 bylaws have worked really well for us, especially the foresight regarding forest zones. Thanks to those who engaged in that process. I hope, if you have thoughts about the proposed revision, you will let the SRD know

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BC NDP and Greens ink new deal to stave off provincial Conservatives

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The governing BC NDP and Green Party have hashed out a new agreement to bolster the NDP’s slim margin in the Legislature after the recent election. 

Deputy Premier Niki Sharma and the Green Party’s two newly elected MLAs unveiled the four-year deal Friday. 

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Cortes Island’s Draft Zoning Bylaw Online

The proposed changes to Cortes Island’s DRAFT Zoning Bylaw are on online

An additional dwelling may soon be allowed on Residential ( R-1), Rural Residential (RR-1), and RU-1 (lands whose primary designation is conservation or agriculture) zones. 

Another proposed changes is more flexibility on lots larger than 3 hectares. For example,  no prescribed building types for dwellings on Residential lots.

Houses that are currently permitted to have suites will most likely be allowed to opt for a duplex instead.

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A Closer look at Cortes Island’s Economy

When the Cortes Island Foundation released Cortes Island’s Vital Signs Report last month, Executive Director Manda Aufochs Gillespie said she’d like to go into specific sections in more detail. 

“One of the things that really stood out to me is the information around income and work and economy.  This area starts around page 13 in this document and I’m going to be using a lot of words to talk about this, but when you look at the report there’s graphs,  little quotes and etc. that make it easier to read.”

She suggested inviting Kate Maddigan, from the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), to get another perspective.   

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