Tag Archives: Director Area B

Politics

SRD looking into providing insurance for non-profits

The Strathcona Regional District is looking into the possibility of offering community-focused non-profits access to insurance. Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, brought the idea forward at the April 12 Board meeting. 

“I’ve been asked repeatedly if there would be a way for the Strathcona Regional District to offer access to more reasonably priced insurance for  nonprofit groups. I wonder if there are other areas within the SRD where nonprofits have highlighted this concern, and if we might as a board be interested in inquiring with the Municipal Insurance Service of BC (MIABC)  to consider offering a product accessible to community minded nonprofits in support of the valuable work they do, and I have a proposed motion when it’s the right time,” she said.

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Politics

April 25-27: 2023 RIEP Forum

The first Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) Forum was held on Pender Island during 2019. They were forced to hold virtual events after COVID hit, but the 2023 RIEP Forum is an in-person event that will be held on Gabriola Island, April 25-27.

“This is a flagship event for the 18 plus rural islands of BC. The reach is from Bowen Island to Malcolm Island to Salt Spring to Gabriola, to Cortes, and Quadra. Our motto is, ‘No one island can be resilient alone, and together we’re stronger and better,’” explained Francine Carlin, Chair and Interim Executive Director of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership.

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Politics, Waste

Mark Vonesch: Saving the Cortes curbside recyclable pick-up subsidy

One of the hot topics for Cortes residents, at the April 12 Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting, was garbage pick-up. We may soon be asked to pay another $43 per household for a service many of us do not use. This is the amount Recycle BC is currently subsidizing our garbage collection program. They are threatening to withdraw that subsidy, but Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island, believes the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will come up with a plan that will satisfy Recycle BC.

On January 25, SRD staff met with Recycle BC representatives to discuss the fact that the curbside pickup on Cortes Island is not delivering the amount of recyclables they expect. They want Cortesians to put out a minimum of 67 kg per household, which means that virtually 100% of the recyclables currently taken to the Cortes Recycling Depot would have to be left at the curb. The SRD was given until April 15 to come up with a draft plan to increase the volume.

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Waste

If recycling negotiations fail, Cortesians could pay another $43 per household

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Depending on the outcome of negotiations, many Cortes Island residents could end up paying another $43 for the garbage pick-up that they do not use. The problem is too many of us are taking our recyclables directly to the Cortes Island Waste Management Centre.

According to Wolfang Parada, Senior Manager of Engineering Services for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), Cortes Island currently receives about $29,000 a year in incentives from Recycle BC. Unfortunately, a large number of Cortes residents do not use the curbside pick-up program. We may have the lowest volume per resident in the province.  Consequently, Cortes may lose its cash incentives.

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Fire

Challenges: The 2023 Cortes Island Firefighting Association AGM

An overwhelming majority of the 50 or so people that turned out (in person or via ZOOM) to the Cortes Island Firefighting Association (CIFFA) AGM on Thursday, Mar 30, were supportive of the fire department. 

CIFFA has a contract to provide fire fighting services, with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).

A number of attendees questioned the Strathcona Regional District’s current idea of setting up of a regional system, with a Fire Chief in Campbell River.  

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