In the third of a series of interviews leading up to the October 15 election, Area C candidate Robyn Mawhinney describes some of the challenges emergency services face on Quadra Island.
“Every month on Quadra Island, there are multiple days where there are no paramedics available, as well as no after hours emergency ferry,” she explained.
Continue reading Mawhinney: Challenges Emergency Services currently face on Quadra Island
Robyn Mawhinney identified housing as the #1 issue in this upcoming October 15 election.
“There are already two levels of government, federal and provincial, which are working on housing. I’m not sure that we can ever completely solve it, but it’s really important that we tackle it and there’s many small shifts that could happen,” explained the candidate for Regional Director in Area C.
Continue reading Mawhinney identifies housing as the #1 issue in Area CQuadra Island designer, print maker, graphic artist and ‘rural community enthusiast’ Robyn Mawhinney will be running for Regional Director in Electoral Area C (Discovery Islands and Mainland Islets) on October 15, 2022.
The incumbent Jim Abram, who has been a director since 1988, recently announced he will not seek another term.
Mawhinney explained, “I have been speaking with a lot of neighbours and community members, and I have heard that it is time for generational change. I am deeply committed to this area, the community and the land. And I want our community and Area C to continue being led by islanders, with island values.”
Continue reading Mawhinney running for Regional Director in Area C
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Editor’s note: the last ferry from Cortes Island, a 45 minute ferry trip away from Quadra, leaves at 5:50 PM
Residents of Quadra Island are worried about being stranded ashore when medical emergencies occur at night because BC Ferries can’t guarantee a crew for sailings to get ambulances across to the hospital in Campbell River.
A petition with close to 1,000 signatures is circulating in the community of 2,700 full-time residents calling on B.C.’s Transportation Minister Rob Fleming to work with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and BC Ferries to reinstate off-hour ferry service so ambulances can get patients to hospital in a timely manner.
Continue reading Islanders worry they’ll be marooned if medical emergency strikes at night
Sandy MacKay, of M’akola Development Services, presented the Electoral Areas Housing needs Report to the SRD Board on Wednesday.
See: Rural Housing Survey 1: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs
“Collectively working with federal provincial entities and advocating for more non-market housing, will be key to reducing the gap between what people can afford and what is available in your markets. Non-market housing tends to be dedicated, affordable, and appropriate. It usually takes on the form of something called secured affordable housing, which is secured at an affordable rate in perpetuity, typically funded by senior government and operated by a non-profit,” he explained.
Continue reading Rural Housing Survey 3: The key to addressing rural housing needs
