Tag Archives: Jim Abram

Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 3: The key to addressing rural housing needs 

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.

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Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 2: Directors first responses

The Strathcona Regional District’s rural directors responded to the Housing Needs Report at the Electoral Areas Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 15. 

Sandy Mackay, of M’akola Development Services, gave the Directors a presentation.

“We began earlier this year and continued throughout winter and spring of 2022. The study was extensive. It included a selection of key informant interviews, which I believe almost all of you participated in, as well as a community survey that garnered responses from 437 households. Which is, to be frank, quite remarkable given the size and geographic spread of your regional district,” he began.  

See: Rural Housing Survey: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs

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Development

Gowland Harbour Views project ‘dead’ – for now anyway

The fate of a proposal to develop 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks on Quadra Island may finally have been decided. 

The public meeting for Rick Schellinck ’s proposed Gowland Harbour Views development was originally scheduled for July 28, 2011 and, after eleven years of delays, finally occured on April 20, 2022. 

The controversial project may have finally been voted down at the SRD Board’s June 15 meeting. 

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Indigenous Nations

Klahoose Treaty Negotiations: Finalizing the offer

The Klahoose First Nation may be close to signing a treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. 

In an email to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) dated April 26, Jessica Jamieson, from BC’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, stated the Klahoose were to be provided with an offer of treaty land and cash this Spring.  This has been put on hold while the provincial government works with the Klahoose to secure one or more private parcels for the benefit of the Klahoose community.

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Politics

What to discuss with the Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be holding its 2022 convention in Whistler on September 12 -16. Local governments traditionally seek interviews with high level provincial officials. The interviews can be up to 15 minutes long and cover up to 3 topics. The SRD chose their topics at the Wednesday June 15 Board meeting.

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