In 2020, Campbell River stores reported 275 cases of shoplifting to the RCMP. That is in a city, is the situation similar in more remote settings like Cortes Island?
Continue reading Shoplifting in City and CountryTag Archives: Whaletown
First Nations Seaweed farming
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Larry Johnson takes the responsibility of his traditional name — Anii-tsa-chist, or Keeper of the Sea — bestowed to him three decades ago by a much-respected uncle very seriously.
“I’m very proud of the name,” said Johnson, the president of Nuu-chah-nulth (NCN) Seafood, and a fisherman descended from generations of fishermen.
“It is an honour to hold it and to try to live up to that name, and that’s what I try to do every day,” he said.
It’s why Johnson is so excited by the prospects of seaweed aquaculture, one of the newest ventures NCN Seafood has undertaken in partnership with Cascadia Seaweed.
Continue reading First Nations Seaweed farmingSRD Board undecided about legal action against Anderson
Cortes Island Director Noba Anderson violated an agreement that one of her land partners would communicate with staff regarding the subdivision of her property on Cortes Island, according to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).
Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voell, pointed out that staff made a request, which Anderson acknowledged receipt of – that is not an agreement. He produced a long stream of emails demonstrating that staff repeatedly initiated the direct contacts with Anderson. Voell maintained that Anderson ‘communicated with Regional District staff in her personal capacity and not in her role as a director,’ used her personal email address, and ‘almost always copied her land partner Ms. Lovena Harvey.’
Continue reading SRD Board undecided about legal action against AndersonWho WIll Be Left? Cortes Island Housing crisis
[Editorial by Bill Dougan, reprinted with permission and some editing; this article first appeared in Tideline on Jan 15, 2021]
As long as I have resided on Cortes Island, housing has been an issue. In my earlier days many folks had housing most of the year, but would move out to allow the owners to enjoy their property during the summer months. This was not an ideal situation but it now appears, in hindsight, the Good Ol’ Days.
This year we have 18 families residing on the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort property; most of these people are here because they cannot find a place to live. Some of these people have lived on Cortes Island for years, built a life here, have friends and children here… but now find themselves with no place to stay on a permanent basis .
Continue reading Who WIll Be Left? Cortes Island Housing crisisWhaletown Post Office Update: Fully Functional

This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative.
The relocated Whaletown Post Office has finally got its approved Canada Post internet connection! Twincomm and Canada Post’s technical staff were able to get the PO online in January, so semi-automation is restored for many routine postal functions. Customers can once again use credit cards.
Continue reading Whaletown Post Office Update: Fully Functional