On Friday February 28th at 2:30pm, over 40 Cortes residents gathered at Whaletown Community Hall for a meeting with Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena, to discuss the future of BC Ferries. Ms Trevena had travelled to Cortes Island to gather public input as part of Phase 2 of the Ministry’s “public engagement” project which began last Fall. (Article includes this link to an online survey for ferry users.)
Continue reading Cortes Ferry Passengers Speak To MLA TrevenaTag Archives: Ashley Zarbatany
Who Speaks For The Wet’suwet’en?
The Wet’suwet’en crises reached our area this week. There were a number of protests, the biggest of which took place in Campbell River on Feb 12, 2020. One of the key questions is, who speaks for Wet’suwet’en?
Continue reading Who Speaks For The Wet’suwet’en?
Other Pro-Wet’suwet’en protests
There were at least three other pro-Wet’suwet’en protests in our area, in addition to the Feb 12, 2020, demonstration in Campbell River. The smallest was probably on Cortes, but it was the easiest for me to attend. I only learned of the events at the Tyee Plaza and in Courtenay days after they were over.
Continue reading Other Pro-Wet’suwet’en protests
Where Are We When Our Youth Need A Helping Hand?
The number of British Columbian participants in the Friday, November 29, 2019, Climate March was down, everywhere. 100,000 marched through the streets of Vancouver two months ago; A thousand took part in the mock funeral that ended with six arrests. A similar number blocked traffic in front of BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in Victoria for half an hour. Only 200 people rallied in Courtenay’s Simms Millennium Park, before marching downtown. There were only dozens in Kelowna. Fifteen people – all but two of them students – took part in a Cortes Island event. This prompted the organizer to ask, “Where are we when our youth need a helping hand to carry the big load?”
Continue reading Where Are We When Our Youth Need A Helping Hand?
Hall Tax Consultation Refreshing
Originally Published on Cortes Radio.ca
On June 6, 2019, Chair Michele Babchuk and three members of the Strathcona Regional District staff caught a water taxi from Campbell River to Cortes Island. Around 80 local inhabitants were waiting for them in Mansons Hall. I doubt anyone could have guessed what was to follow. The resulting Cortes Island Hall Tax consultation was refreshing.
Continue reading Hall Tax Consultation Refreshing