The next Conversation Cafe asks ‘what does quality and accessible education look like and how do we support it? Colin Funk, President of the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), will be the facilitator of this public meeting in the Pioneer Room of Mansons Hall from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 16.
Continue reading What Does Quality Education Look Like On Cortes Island?Editor’s note: This is a local issue. 33% of the respondents to the most recent Point In Time count of Campbell River’s unhoused population said they lost their homes because of insufficient income. In the Comox Valley, this statistic rose to 56%. According to the 2021 Census, 38% of the renters in those areas are paying more than they can afford for shelter. This is also true on Quadra Island and on Cortes Island the number of tenants paying unaffordable rents was 47%.
By Sidney Coles, Capital Daily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Wednesday morning, representatives from the not-for-profit, private and public sectors gathered at the Living Wage Symposium at Victoria City Hall to discuss creative ways they can address the economic squeeze people are feeling in the CRD. The event was organized by the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC) in partnership with the United Way Southern Vancouver Island, Vancity, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Living wage Families for BC.
Continue reading Living Wage Symposium brought multiple sectors together to tackle the affordability crisis
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, November 8. Provincial legislation requires regional districts to annually elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair for a one-year term at the first meeting of the Board after November 1.
Continue reading SRD Re-elects Baker Chair, Sinnott New Vice Chair
“When you get to Cortes, you can multiply all those economic stressors by three or four because we have clients who have been suffering for years with precarious employment, precarious housing, and higher food costs than mainland food costs.” – Cortes Island Food Bank
It’s been a month since hundreds of Campbell River residents were shocked to learn that their city council appeared to be punishing the local art gallery for not confronting the homeless people camped outside its doors. As city councilor Ron Kerr put it, “We certainly don’t need to give them tax deferrals if they’re not working with us.”
Local MP Rachel Blaney referred to the incident in the House of Commons when speaking about the housing and homelessness crisis:
“My region has seen the largest increase of unhoused people on record. There was a 106% jump in the Comox Valley and almost 70% percent in Campbell River. This is a catastrophe. The Prime Minister says housing is not a federal responsibility, as people and communities move beyond a crisis point. This while Conservative council members in Campbell River have begun targeting non-profits who provide essential services to the unhoused. When are the Liberals going to be an actual federal partner and build people homes? ”
Continue reading Rachel Blaney on the Housing Crisis, Homelessness and Campbell River’s treatment of the Art GalleryEditor’s note: The city of Campbell River has a goal of growing the equivalent of 10% of its food supply by 2031 and 50% by 2060. Thanks to the 2018 LEAP Report, there is more precise data for Cortes Island – 63% of the respondents stated that 21% of their food was produced locally and close to half of these grew or sourced +51% of their food on Cortes. The percentage of people consuming local foods was highest among people with low incomes. Surprisingly few respondents said they obtain less than 10% of their food locally.
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Expanding Nanaimo’s Duke Point Terminal could strengthen Vancouver Island’s vulnerable supply chain and improve the flow of food, fuel and essential goods when climate disasters or other disruptions strike, according to the Nanaimo Port Authority.
Continue reading Nanaimo port expansion floats potential solutions for Vancouver Island supply chain woes
