Tag Archives: Tahsis

Fire, Politics

SRD considering a ‘shopping list’ approach for centralized fire service

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) centralized fire administration support service may be a lot less controversial than expected. 

Regional Director Gerald Whalley, of Area A, was originally opposed to the idea of a centralized fire service. At the April 26 Board meeting he said,  “I have come to support this. I think it’s a good idea. I think it’s going to save us all money.”

Chair Mark Baker, who is also the Mayor of Sayward, added, “Just to let y’all know, I support this 100%.  However, I do have to bring this back to my council. I’ve discussed it with the CAO just here. But without having this information prior to our council meeting, that was a week ago. I do have to bring it back, but I do fully support it.”   

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Politics

SRD looking into providing insurance for non-profits

The Strathcona Regional District is looking into the possibility of offering community-focused non-profits access to insurance. Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, brought the idea forward at the April 12 Board meeting. 

“I’ve been asked repeatedly if there would be a way for the Strathcona Regional District to offer access to more reasonably priced insurance for  nonprofit groups. I wonder if there are other areas within the SRD where nonprofits have highlighted this concern, and if we might as a board be interested in inquiring with the Municipal Insurance Service of BC (MIABC)  to consider offering a product accessible to community minded nonprofits in support of the valuable work they do, and I have a proposed motion when it’s the right time,” she said.

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Transportation

SRD Board: Proposed Campbell River to West Vancouver Island Transit Service

Editor’s note added Dec 22, 2025: Director Gerald Whalley recently informed Cortes Currents that the final decision on this project has not been made.

At their February 8th meeting, the SRD Board voted to continue examining the feasibility of a transit service from Campbell River to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. 

It has been a year since staff was first instructed to pursue the matter.

Senior Manager Thomas Yates explained, “We’ve got two alternatives recommended for the board’s consideration. Option A is to look at one or more of the service levels that we’ve identified in the report, and they range from everything from twice a day to once a month in terms of the frequency of service. Option B would be, of course, that we drop this whole matter and not look into it further.”

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Community

Running in the rain is “relaxing” 

Originally published on qathet Living

No matter what the weather is this week, Doug Lanigan has been out running in it at least four of those days. The 63-year-old instrument mechanic usually runs the trails through Lot 450, covering dozens of kilometres a week, usually by himself. “My big problem is my hands get cold,” he said. 

“But once I get going I’m fine. I remember one morning when I got up when the kids were young, it was about 5:30 am, and I opened the door. It was windy, blowy, and rainy, and I thought, ‘Nah, I’ll go back to bed.’ No, I made it out the door, and five minutes in, I was fine.” 

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Housing, Poverty

Who will look after Campbell River’s homeless population when temperatures plummet?

When temperatures plummeted to −20° last year, SRD Emergency Coordinator Shaun Koopman stepped in to make arrangements for Campbell River’s homeless population to be sheltered in the city’s community centre. The SRD intervened again last week, but at their November 9 meeting the Board decided this was a Campbell River problem.

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