Tag Archives: Quadra Island

Housing, Poverty

SRD applying for $150,000 poverty reduction planning grant

The high cost of housing is one of the most visible symptoms. Close to a third of the households on Cortes Island and a quarter of those on Quadra pay more than they can afford for rent or mortgages. The most visible segment of Campbell River’s house challenged population are the 130 people who do not own or rent a home, but 2021 census data shows another 3,450 residents are ‘spending 30% or more of income on shelter costs.’

According to Stats Canada, the nation’s median hourly wage was 36 cents lower in 2021 than 2020, but costs are rising. The average family of four is expected to pay $1,000 more for groceries this year.  In a recent nationwide Angus Reid poll, 45% of the respondents said they are worse off this year than at the same time last year. 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is applying for a $150,000 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) grant to develop a plan for reducing poverty throughout the District.

Continue reading SRD applying for $150,000 poverty reduction planning grant →
Health

B.C.’s Toxic Drug Crisis Brings Tragedy and Compassionate Response from Quadra Mom

Originally published on the Bird’s Eye

It’s hard to imagine anything more devastating than the loss of a beloved child. The dreams left unrealized, the promise unfulfilled, the hopes obliterated. Last week B.C.’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe announced there were 2,272 suspected drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2022. At least one of those was a child of Quadra.

Continue reading B.C.’s Toxic Drug Crisis Brings Tragedy and Compassionate Response from Quadra Mom →
Transportation

Changes coming to the BC Ferries for Quadra and Cortes Islands

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The two much anticipated Island Class hybrid e-ferries are now in operation on the Campbell River to Quadra Island route. The new ferries will be sailing between Campbell River and Quadra Island approximately every half hour between 7:30 AM and 5:50 PM. A single vessel will serve this route in the early morning and evenings. 

“This was a long time coming for all of us, but we’re pleased to have the vessels going and seeing the throughput at the both ends of the terminals. There has been some bumps along the road for sure. We’ve had to make some minor adjustments with the way we stage traffic at the terminals. We’re exploring different options, trying to keep the on-time performance and the traffic moving as fast as we can” said Megan Caldwell, the Terminal Manager for BC Ferries.

Mark Vonesh, the Regional Director for Cortes Island had a different perspective, “We live on Cortes because we like to  have that isolation and sense of distance from the urban centers. That’s something that makes Cortes special, but we rely on the ferry. It’s an essential service for us. We require it for groceries, for medical, for appointments. It’s something that we rely on, and it’s a bottleneck for us. The new ferries that are coming on board obviously created some issues for Cortes.” 

Continue reading Changes coming to the BC Ferries for Quadra and Cortes Islands →
Transportation

Cortes Island-bound ferry traffic loses priority loading status, locals concerned

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

BC Ferries’ two-ferry service that began on the Quadra Island-Campbell River route on Jan. 18 was deployed for convenience and speed, but some Cortes Island passengers are concerned with their recent experiences.

The loss of a priority loading lane for Cortes-bound traffic was mentioned in a news release by the company Jan.16. Traditionally, vehicles en route to Cortes were directed into lane 7 at the ferry terminal in Campbell River, and they board and disembark first. This would assist the drivers in arriving at the other ferry terminal on Quadra in time to catch a connecting 45-minute ferry home to Cortes—ferries that only sail every two hours.

Continue reading Cortes Island-bound ferry traffic loses priority loading status, locals concerned →
Justice

RCMP investigating after woman was found dead on Quadra Island, say it was ‘targeted,’ but ‘isolated’

By Louis Belcourt, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

An investigation has begun on Quadra Island after a 39-year-old woman was found dead inside her home.

RCMP were conducting a wellness check on Jan. 16 when they found her inside her home, according to press release Feb. 1.

Police have confirmed that the death is criminal based on evidence forensic investigators have collected and believe it was a targeted killing.

Continue reading RCMP investigating after woman was found dead on Quadra Island, say it was ‘targeted,’ but ‘isolated’ →