Cortes Island’s most economically challenged residents appear to be facing another bleak winter this year.
Filipe Figueira, Coordinator of the Cortes Island Food Bank, explained, “We’ve definitely seen a huge rise in general economic distress over the last couple of years. I think that covers two key areas. One is food insecurity, the other one is housing insecurity, which feeds into economic insecurity as well.”
Continue reading Rising Food and Housing Insecurity on Cortes IslandThe Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) long, drawn-out battle with former Regional Director Noba Anderson appears to be over. On January 24 of this year, the BC Court of Appeal ruled the SRD was wrong to not pay Anderson’s defence costs during a litigation brought against her in 2019. The three judge panel also found they were wrong to censure Anderson for showing confidential documents to her lawyer. The SRD filed for leave to appeal this judgement. On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed their request and awarded costs to Anderson.
Continue reading SRD Petition to Appeal Dismissed by Supreme Court of CanadaFrom the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,This report shares news on a WildSafe program application for Areas C & B, the next steps of a potential wood-chipping service, and my visit to Refuge Cove.
Continue reading Area C Directors Report: WildSafe application, wood-chipping, Refuge Cove visit + moreThe Strathcona Regional District is considering a Grant in Aid policy which would funnel all applications through staff. According to Gerald Whalley, who has been a Regional Director since the SRD was formed in 2008, this is the third time the idea of a policy has come up. After an intense debate, the proposal has been forwarded to the Electoral Areas Services Committee and Municipal Services Committee for further discussion.
Continue reading Debate On proposed SRD Grant In Aid Policy continues
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) wants a list of School District 72’s properties on Cortes Island and in Area C. As Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney pointed out, in a letter to the other rural Directors, some of them ‘may be a good fit for a housing project.’ Mawhinney proposed that the SRD ask for a list.
At the Board’s August 21 meeting, Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott made an amendment to Mawhinney’s motion:
“I’m going to say that a letter be sent to School District 72, inquiring whether or not there are lands available for either the school district to develop for housing, or over which they have an interest, that they own or have a license of occupation or right of access that they’d be interested in disposing to the Regional District.”
Continue reading SRD Wants A List Of School District Properties For Potential Housing Development
