Tag Archives: Cowichan Valley Regional District

Housing, Politics

SRD looking into establishing a Housing Service

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is looking into the possibility of setting up a housing service to access funding for affordable housing projects. 

In the staff report prepared for the June 14 Board meeting, it states that 45% of the renters in the SRD are paying more for housing than they can afford. Many homeowners are facing similar affordability problems.

“Both the Comox Valley Regional District and the Cowichan Valley Regional District currently access requisition taxes for a housing service fund, to be accessed by local non-profit housing providers and other partners to support housing projects.”

Staff is not suggesting the SRD increase taxes, the proposal is to set up a service which would allow it to access grant money. 

Continue reading SRD looking into establishing a Housing Service →
Cost of Climate Change

Two ferries away from Vancouver Island: No food or gas shortages on Cortes Island

The panic buying that swept throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland last week has not reached Cortes Island. 

Eva, from the Gorge Harbour General store suggested that, “People on Cortes are probably better prepared.”

The only place she noticed the shortage was gasoline, because the provincial government was limiting sales to 30 litres.

Curt Cunningham, from the Squirrel Cove General Store, believes that rationing boosted his gasoline sales 50% – because most people purchased up to the limit!

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Finances, Transportation

Should We Reopen Island Rail?

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The Island Railway suspended operations on March 18, 2011, due to safety concerns about the condition of the tracks. Plans to reopen the line continue to this day. In fact, one of the items of correspondence at the  Strathcona Regional District’s May 13th Board Meeting was an email from Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

Continue reading Should We Reopen Island Rail? →