Tag Archives: Nicholas Simons

Indigenous Nations, Politics

Elected and Former Politicians Calling For Aaron Gunn To Step Down

A growing number of elected and former politicians in the North Island Powell River riding are calling upon the Conservative Party to withdraw their endorsement of Aaron Gunn, and demand he withdraw his candidacy. There were already 19 names in the joint letter when Cortes Currents contacted the two women spearheading this campaign and another 6 were added before this post was finished.

 “This has all happened within the last 48 hours. (Bob Chamberlain) a former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs sent out the first call  for Gunn to be removed. After that many other chiefs supported the call for him to step down,” explained Arzeena Hamir,  a former Regional Director of Area B  in the Comox Valley Regional District.

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Transportation

Rural community transit woes: You can’t get there from here

Editor’s note: Transit worries are not unique to Powell River. On Cortes and Read Islands, the immediate challenge for people without cars is getting to Campbell River. The Klahoose Community Bus travels from Cortes to Campbell River and back twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However there is no direct bus from Campbell River to Vancouver either. Instead, you can take IslandLink from Campbell River to Nanaimo, board a BC Ferry to Horseshoe Bay (as foot passenger), then catch a bus to Vancouver.

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. 

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Business

 tiskʷat Mill closure in Powell River

After a century of operation, British Columbia’s oldest newsprint mill is closing down. Catalyst’s tiskʷat Mill, in Powell River, has been in operation since 1912. There was a time when one in every 25 newspapers worldwide used their paper. The mill closed down, for what was initially thought to be a temporary curtailment, on November 22nd. On December 1st their parent company, Paper Excellence, announced the closure was indefinite. 

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Development, Housing

Another affordable housing project is underway in Powell River

CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Construction has begun on a new housing complex in Powell River to provide affordable homes for families and seniors with low to moderate incomes.

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Community, Humanity

People with disabilities demand an end to below-poverty rates

“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

The provincial government’s partial reversal of cuts to disability assistance top-ups didn’t dampen the turnout at a rally this week demanding an end to rates they said keep people with disabilities far below the poverty line.

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