Tag Archives: Campbell River-Quadra Ferry

Transportation

Ferry Advisory Committee: Cortes and Quadra talk to BC Ferries

Cortes Island’s Ferry Advisory committee met (via Webex, a Zoom-like conferencing app) on the afternoon of Wednesday September 27th at 12:30pm. The meeting had originally been scheduled as a “town hall” style event at Mansons Hall; however, at the last minute BC Ferries announced that their FAC meetings would be held online, due to threats of violence from the public.

Though such threatening behaviour seemed unlikely on Cortes Island, BCF’s policy apparently applies across the board. The last-minute change of venue caused some confusion, but approximately thirty people joined the videoconference call on Wednesday (including BC Ferries staff and FAC members).

Continue reading Ferry Advisory Committee: Cortes and Quadra talk to BC Ferries →
Transportation

The Cortes Island ‘Room for Rider’ Initiative

 Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) is launching a new transportation initiative

“We’re really excited to be launching this new ‘Room for Rider’ initiative. It’s a mirror tag that people can hang in their rear view mirror to let people know that they’re willing to give people a ride across Quadra,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.  

Continue reading The Cortes Island ‘Room for Rider’ Initiative →
Health

Paramedic shortages still plague rural areas, but some remedies may be in the works

Editor’s note: According to BC Emergency Health Service, this does not apply to Cortes Island which is allegedly “well staffed with all 4 Scheduled On-call (SOC) positions filled and 3 on call staff.  SOC shifts are 24-hour shifts. Paramedics are at the station from 8am to 4pm, and carry a pager outside those hours.”

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Quadra Island resident Carol Woolsey had the misfortune to experience a medical emergency in her rural community last month after the last ferry had sailed for the night. 

After developing searing pain in her lower abdomen, the77-year-old and her cousin called911 around 10 p.m. on April 2. 

Disoriented by pain and vomiting constantly into her kitchen sink, it seemed to Woolsey it was taking forever for paramedics to arrive. She was relieved to see two people come through the door around 20 minutes later. 

However, relief turned to alarm when she learned the two were local volunteer firefighters responding because there were no paramedics available on the island. Woolsey had to wait for a crew to come by water taxi from Campbell River. 

Continue reading Paramedic shortages still plague rural areas, but some remedies may be in the works →
Transportation

What difference are the new Hybrid e-Ferries making? 

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Wind speeds of up to 35 kph were recorded on Quadra Island on Easter Sunday. For passengers crossing on the 11:50 AM from Cortes Island, this meant more than a two and a half hour delay at the Quathiaski Cove Terminal before they could cross over to Campbell River.    

Why were the two new hybrid-eferries kept in port while the Tachek continued to sail between Cortes and Quadra Islands?

A ferry worker explained it in terms of different wind conditions. 

Continue reading What difference are the new Hybrid e-Ferries making?  →
Transportation

West Coast electric ferries lack the power to ditch diesel

 Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BC Ferries got a half-billion-dollar cash injection on the weekend to keep fares below inflation and help electrify the fleet. 

However, while Premier David Eby and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming offered details on fare objectives over the next four years, they provided little information on the province’s goals for weaning ferries off fossil fuels.  

Continue reading West Coast electric ferries lack the power to ditch diesel →