Tag Archives: Cortes Island

Politics

Must Quadra Island taxpayers pay for Strathcona Gardens? 

In a 7–6 vote, on March 25th the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board moved to have a bylaw prepared that would add Quadra Island to the catchment area for the Strathcona Gardens Recreational Facility. If the bylaw proceeds, Quadra residents could face an additional $558 in property taxes—slightly more than the $526 Campbell River residents pay for their facility. One SRD director was not present when the vote was taken, which raises the possibility that the proposal could be defeated in a 7–7 tie when all 14 directors are present.

Opposition from Quadra Residents

The board faces fierce opposition from Quadra Island residents. Among the 90 or so Quadra residents who crowded the SRD Boardroom and adjoining lobby for the May 25 board meeting, were some of the 1,226 area C residents who signed a petition opposing inclusion in the Strathcona Gardens catchment. Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C noted that this number represents about 44% of the adult population of her area.

Continue reading Must Quadra Island taxpayers pay for Strathcona Gardens?  →
Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming

Construction on the BC Ferries Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals will soon be coming to an end, and we will probably have a brand-new-to-us hybrid electric ferry this summer.

Sheila Reynolds, Senior Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, explained: “Construction at the terminals actually began last spring to replace both berths at Heriot Bay and Whaletown, which were both nearing the end of their service lives and needed replacing.”

Continue reading Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming →
Rivers & Oceans

2025/26: A Busy Winter for Cortes Community Docks 

Cortes Community Docks has had a very busy winter. The projects in Whaletown and Squirrel Cove are nearing completion, and a new one is about to begin in Cortes Bay. Cortes Community Docks has a new website, and all the railings on its docks have been painted blue as a visible reminder that they are not a government organization.

“We never have been. These docks are here for the community, they’re utilized by the community and they’re supported by the community,” explained Harbour Manager Jenny Hartwick.

Continue reading 2025/26: A Busy Winter for Cortes Community Docks  →
Community

 2026 Microgrants 4 Neighbours

The 2026 Microgrants 4 Neighbours program is out, and there are some changes this year. 

Jemma Hicken explained, “Our Microgrants 4 Neighbours is a super cool little grassroots granting program. It operates with the philosophy that our community knows what it needs, and that low-barrier granting really gives individuals a chance to get small chunks of money and make things that they’re enthusiastic about happen in our community.” 

“It developed out of Cortes Island Literacy‘s Seed Grant program in partnership with Folk U, but now Microgrants is run by the Cortes Island Community Foundation, in partnership with the Neighborhood Small Grants Island Network, which is a really cool program as well. It basically operates the same microgrants-for-neighbors program under the NSG Neighborhood name. Small grants exist in many other communities around BC, so it’s happening all over the province, but maybe Cortes did it first.”

Continue reading  2026 Microgrants 4 Neighbours →
Housing, Politics

2026 Housing Survey Results

(Part Two of the March 18, 2026 Area B Director’s Report )

By Regional Director Mark Vonesch

When we put out the housing survey I was hoping to get at least as many respondents as two years ago. The more people that participate, the better understanding the Cortes Housing Society and I have about the housing reality for people on Cortes and their opinions of how we should move forward.

I am happy to report we received 100 more submissions than two years ago with 361 submissions in total! Thank you to all of you that filled one out.

Continue reading 2026 Housing Survey Results →