By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
The Seniors Emergency Preparedness Program on Quadra Island started at the end of November 2022 through the non-profit Quadra Circle organization. Program Coordinator Mike Gladish says the goal is to help seniors cope with extreme weather conditions—whether it’s during winter storms or intense heat in summer.
Continue reading New program underway on Quadra Island to help seniors cope with extreme weather
According to data from the 2016 census, 20% of Quadra Island residents and 27% of Cortes Island residents are paying more for their homes in rent or mortgages than they can afford. More recent studies suggest that a significant number of families throughout the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) are so financially stretched that they are at risk of becoming homeless. 75% of the ‘housing insecure’ respondents to the ‘Collecting Stories of Where We Live’ survey on Cortes Island, and 33% on Quadra Island, are working. These are some of the people North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney is referring to, when she talks about the need for a bar of dignity.
Continue reading Rachel Blaney: Canada needs a ‘Bar of Dignity’
By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
The historic Sunny Brae Farm had one of its best growing seasons to date, but the local farm faced challenges with help during the harvest.
Sunny Brae Farm was founded in 1888 by Scotsman John Manson, one of the first Europeans to settle on Cortes Island. The farm has remained in the Manson family through the generations and is now owned and operated by John Manson’s grandson, Mike Manson.
Mike Manson also describes his family and Cortes Island history in: The Manson Family: One of Cortes Island’s First Settler Families and How People’s Attitudes Towards Nature Changed
Continue reading 134 year old Sunny Brae Farm had strong growing season, but struggled to find enough help
United Way British Columbia awarded an Emergency Preparedness and Response grant of $25,000 to Quadra Circle.
“We’re pretty excited about it. We are a group of various social service and community organizations on Quadra,” said Maureen McDowell, President of Quadra Circle.
Quadra Circle’s ‘Better at Home Program,’ the Quadra Island Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP), Quadra Island Seniors Housing, Quadra Legion Branch 154, Quadra ICAN, Old Age Pensioners and the Quadra Island Medical Clinic are all involved.
Continue reading Quadra Circle receives $25,000 Emergency Preparedness GrantEditor’s note: This appears to be another example of high living costs driving away working age families. Gabriola is becoming an island for seniors and tourists.
By Rachelle Stein-Wotten, Gabriola Sounder, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
More people on Gabriola appear to have higher incomes, according Statistics Canada data.
The prevalence of low-income dropped between the 2020 and 2016 censuses. In 2015, 24.9 per cent of people in the Gabriola Local Trust Area were considered low income while in 2020, that was reduced to 17.8 per cent.
Continue reading Low income prevalence dropping on Gabriola
