Tag Archives: Port Alberni

Housing, Poverty

‘Staggering’ number of first-time users during holidays, says Salvation Army

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver Island, BC – This past holiday season saw what seemed like endless snow filling communities throughout Vancouver Island. As the snow fell, the social services sectors worked hard through the month tending to weather and holiday needs of vulnerable people. 

Among some services that were needed was the Salvation Army’s emergency weather response program, which provides extra mats in shelters to meet the demands of unhoused folks.

Continue reading ‘Staggering’ number of first-time users during holidays, says Salvation Army →
Housing, Indigenous Nations

Citaapi Mahtii signs the deed for affordable housing development

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Alberni, BC – On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Gina Amos, Wally Samuel, George Frank, and Ed Ross met with Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions. They came together for the signing of the deed to the former Cedarwood Elementary School, where they plan to build an affordable housing complex for Ahousaht members living in Port Alberni.

Continue reading Citaapi Mahtii signs the deed for affordable housing development →
Housing, Poverty

A New Approach to Homelessness: Housing First

As Currents recently reported, homelessness is not just “an American thing,” or “a big-city thing,” or even “a Vancouver Island thing.”  Homelessness is also here on Cortes, where a recent survey found that about 50 people rated their housing situation as “unstable,” and 11 were living rough (with no permanent shelter, in tents or other makeshift accommodation).

Although “housing” might sound like a single issue, it has has knock-on effects throughout our community.

Continue reading A New Approach to Homelessness: Housing First →
Cost of Climate Change, Fire, Health

Wildfires affect air quality, impacting schools on Vancouver Island

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the heat of the summer extends into October there has been a prolonged forest fire season. As of Oct. 18, the province has 201 active fires with six having started in the previous two days.

Though two of the four fires in the Port Alberni area are no longer burning, four in Strathcona, and four between Gold River and Zeballos remain.

Continue reading Wildfires affect air quality, impacting schools on Vancouver Island →
Rivers & Oceans

Canada invests more in oceans protection, but measures fail to salvage sinking fishing boat

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan on July 19. It comes with a commitment to add $2 billion over nine years.

This builds on the $1.5 billion that’s been directed towards the program, which was launched in 2016.

Established to strengthen the protection of Canada’s coasts and wildlife, the Oceans Protection Plan is being labelled as a “Canadian success story” by the prime minister’s office (PMO).

Continue reading Canada invests more in oceans protection, but measures fail to salvage sinking fishing boat →