Originally published on qathet Living
Ever since Malaspina Coachlines died here, the dream was this: a BC Transit bus that ran regularly from downtown Powell River to downtown Vancouver. Fares would be affordable, service would be predictable, coaches would be accessible for those with mobility challenges, and costs would be shared between the Province, local taxpayers, and fares – same as any other BC Transit bus.
Continue reading Rural community transit woes: You can’t get there from here
Two hundred and sixty-five people (265) filled out responses to the Cortes Island Housing survey which was carried out by the Cortes Community Housing Society and Regional Director Mark Vonesch. While this is only about 30% of the adult population, their answers provide a clear picture of the current housing situation, as well as specific areas where the majority of the population appear to support change.
“Other housing surveys they’ve done in the past have just broken over 100, so people are really engaged around this issue,” explained Vonesch. “40% of the people who responded to the survey have been here for over 20 years, which is significant. The people that have been here for a long time and seen a lot of changes over the years and seen the way that Cortes is going and where it’s at now and where it has been.”
Continue reading What the Cortes Housing Survey Says: Problems And Possibilities
Editor’s note: According to the Jewish Independent, Canada is home to the fourth largest Jewish community in the world, (after Israel, the United States, and France). They do not all adhere to Judaism. 52,000 of the 282,015 of the ‘Jewish’ respondents to the 2021 census also stated they follow another religion. The article did not state the numbers of Jews who were agnostic or atheists, only that ‘more than 40% of Canadian Jews have attended Jewish day schools. ‘
Some religious statistics: 100 Campbell River residents stated their ethnic origin was Jewish in the 2021 census, and 50 people stated their religion was ‘Jewish.’ Christians are now officially a minority. Only 33.2% of the city’s population stated they were ‘Christians,’ which does not necessarily mean they attend church services. 63.7% of the the city’s respondents stated they have ‘no religion’ and ‘secular perspectives.’ The 2021 census listed 35 people of Jewish ethnicity on Cortes Island, but only 15 following Judaism. Of the remaining population: roughly 70% had no religion, 19% were Christians and 9% follow other faiths. The only place where the majority of Jews appear to follow their ancestral faith was Area C, where there were 25 Jews and 25 people following Judaism. Roughly 78% of the population stated their beliefs were secular, 20% were Christians and a little more than 2% followed other faiths.
By Mick Sweetman, CHLY 101.7 FM Nanaimo, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
Nanaimo’s Jewish community marked the first night of Chanukah with the lighting of a giant Menorah at Maffeo Sutton Park.
Organized by Chabad of Nanaimo the event attracted hundreds of people to mark the start of the holiday celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.
Continue reading Nanaimo celebrates first night of ChanukahAbout 100 people came together for Cortes Island’s first Housing Forum on Saturday, December 2, in Mansons Hall.
There were break-out sessions devoted to tiny homes, rental housing, short term rentals, worker housing, empty homes, landlord-tenant relations, home upgrades and making land and home ownership more affordable. A session devoted to environmental issues was added at the last minute.
The Forum began with opening addresses by Regional Director Mark Vonesch and Sadhu Johnston, Executive Director of the Cortes Community Housing Society.
Continue reading Cortes Island’s First Housing ForumEditor’s note: The city of Campbell River has a goal of growing the equivalent of 10% of its food supply by 2031 and 50% by 2060. Thanks to the 2018 LEAP Report, there is more precise data for Cortes Island – 63% of the respondents stated that 21% of their food was produced locally and close to half of these grew or sourced +51% of their food on Cortes. The percentage of people consuming local foods was highest among people with low incomes. Surprisingly few respondents said they obtain less than 10% of their food locally.
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Expanding Nanaimo’s Duke Point Terminal could strengthen Vancouver Island’s vulnerable supply chain and improve the flow of food, fuel and essential goods when climate disasters or other disruptions strike, according to the Nanaimo Port Authority.
Continue reading Nanaimo port expansion floats potential solutions for Vancouver Island supply chain woes
