Tag Archives: Cortes Island

Debate On proposed SRD Grant In Aid Policy  continues

The Strathcona Regional District is considering a Grant in Aid policy which would funnel all applications through staff. According to Gerald Whalley, who has been a Regional Director since the SRD was formed in 2008, this is the third time the idea of a policy has come up. After an intense debate, the proposal has been forwarded to the Electoral Areas Services Committee and Municipal Services Committee for further discussion. 

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June 6-8, 1911: A point in time look at Cortes Island

Unlike most local histories, which often celebrate the accomplishments of prominent settlers, Canadian census records give us a quick peek into communities as a whole. 

The 1911 census is especially interesting for Cortes Island because, for the first time, all of the island’s 135 ‘settler’ entries are grouped together. Similarly, there is a segment for the 60 Klahoose First Nation residents in Squirrel Cove. There was also a second First Nation with a reserve on Cortes, but any relevant Tla’amin entries appear to be included with those from their main village to the south in what is now qathet Regional District. 

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Deep Breath: the work of Andrea Padovini

Deep Breath, the exhibition of work by Andrea Padovani currently being shown at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery, is a lesson in inspiration.  The word is from the Latin—inspirare—meaning to breathe in or blow into.  In art, inspiration is a power that cannot be commanded, but when present, moves the intellect and emotions with a sudden sense of awe.  In considering how to look at Andrea’s work, I discovered that the titles of his paintings were a guided tour into the indicators of inspiration. 

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A Message for Luxury Yachts Appears at Cortes Bay

Three new signs have recently been greeting boaters arriving in Cortes Bay.

They say: 

  • “200 gal/740 l diesel = 2 tons CO2”
  • “<2 tons CO2 per person per year = safe fair share”
  • “luxury emissions wipe out life”
Continue reading A Message for Luxury Yachts Appears at Cortes Bay

SRD Wants A List Of School District Properties For Potential Housing Development 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) wants a list of School District 72’s properties on Cortes Island and in Area C. As Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney pointed out, in a letter to the other rural Directors, some of them ‘may be a good fit for a housing project.’ Mawhinney proposed that the SRD ask for a list.  

At the Board’s August 21 meeting, Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott made an amendment to Mawhinney’s motion: 

“I’m going to say that a letter be sent to School District 72, inquiring whether or not there are lands available for either  the school district to develop for housing, or over which they have an interest, that they own or have a license of occupation or right of access that they’d be interested in disposing to the Regional District.”

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