Tag Archives: Rachel Blaney

Rivers & Oceans

Will you help save local salmon?

qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the Fraser river flooded valleys in the Lower Mainland, salmon flooded the streets.

In the midst of the atmospheric storms last fall, salmon streams along the Fraser river submerged roads in Vancouver, leaving creeks destroyed with trash, mud, and branches. Both wild and hatchery salmon were seen all over the news, swimming on roads alongside cars, stranded on fields, and trapped in puddles of muddy water.

Almost every salmon stock in the Fraser River has been in an endangered state for years, the impact of the floods and landslides have further damaged the salmon’s habitats.

Continue reading Will you help save local salmon? →
Health

Island Health not exempt from B.C.’s record toxic street drug death toll


National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C. communities large and small are suffering devastating losses as deaths from toxic street drugs reached an all-time high with 2,224 people dying from overdoses in the province last year. 

Every health authority saw a record loss of lives in 2021 as an average of six people died each day from toxic drugs, said B.C.’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe on Wednesday, and communities across Vancouver Island were no exception. 

Continue reading Island Health not exempt from B.C.’s record toxic street drug death toll →
Politics, Poverty

2021 as seen by Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River

Rachel Blaney, Member of Parliament for North Island – Powell River, gave Cortes Currents an overview of the important political issues and her family life during this past year. 

Continue reading 2021 as seen by Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River →
Seniors

88,000 Seniors cut off from GIS

According to North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney more than 88,000 seniors are being cut off from the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) they received prior to the pandemic. She said this statistic originated with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Hundreds of people have called Blaney’s office about this, including “people from Campbell River, Comox Valley, Powell River, Quadra Island, Port McNeill.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s every community. This is a widespread issue,” explained Blaney.

Continue reading 88,000 Seniors cut off from GIS →
Housing, Indigenous Nations

NDP MPs push Liberals for action on housing crisis

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Just days after tabling a private members bill that would make decent affordable housing a right for all Canadians, NDP MPs continued to pressure the federal government to address the national housing crisis. They spoke in particular about the horrific state of affairs in Indigenous communities.

Continue reading NDP MPs push Liberals for action on housing crisis →