National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Residents living in isolated communities without public transit and no access to or desire to own cars always face challenges getting to medical appointments, work, essential services and in maintaining social connections.
But the COVID-19 crisis is driving up the risks while simultaneously curbing traditional workarounds that rural residents rely on to navigate the lack of transit.
Continue reading Do Quadra & Cortes Need Public Transit?After twenty years of operation, Quadra Island’s only weekly news publication suspended operations on March 25. As publisher/editor Amanda Smith explained, “the COVID emergency and the subsequent cancellation of all social events and shutdown of businesses meant that advertising revenue plummeted and I can no longer cover the bills.” Since then, a number of community members have kept encouraging her to bring it back. This morning there is good news: the Bird’s Eye is back.
Continue reading The Bird’s Eye Is BackNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
B.C. tourism operators being crushed by COVID-19 are hopeful but confused about how the critical summer season will unfold after the province unveiled its plan to reopen the economy on Wednesday.
Continue reading Tourism Operators Wrestling With BC’s Reopening PlanNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As a small island newspaper was dealt a deathblow by COVID-19 on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced financial aid for Canadian media, which the newspaper industry promptly decried as inadequate.
Continue reading Media Aid An Unlikely Cure For Quadra NewspaperNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The B.C. government may be looking for input from coastal communities about priorities for their ferry system in the decades to come, but Discovery Island residents want current problems solved sooner rather than later.
Continue reading Quadra Island Residents Want BC Ferries Problems Solved Sooner Rather Than Later
