Category Archives: Politics

Politics

SRD vs Anderson: Zoning Compliance Issue

On January 26th 2021, Currents reported on continuing friction between the SRD Board and our elected representative Noba Anderson. Readers may recall that SRD had filed a petition against Anderson and her land partners after a bylaw compliance complaint against their Cortes Island property. Legal documents pertaining to this case are now publicly available, and Currents is able to report in further detail.

Why should Cortes Islanders care about a private legal dispute? Because this litigation has implications and consequences for all Area B residents. If SRD succeeds in court, it could set a precedent instantly rendering many Cortes properties non-compliant which have previously been legal. SRD has re-interpreted the language of the zoning bylaw in a new way, outside the traditional understanding of the community and of SRD’s own planners.

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

Bringing everyone to the table; the new Liberal Chair for our riding

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The Liberals placed third in North Island- Powell River during the 2015 election. In 2019: they sank to fourth – just behind the Green party. While this is challenging, Michael Ballard, the new Chair of this riding’s Liberal Electoral District Association, has a larger vision. He says the keys to moving forward as a society, is bringing everyone to the table. 

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Forests, Politics

Old growth forest initiative checked by aboriginal title issues

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A local government initiative to protect Vancouver Island’s old growth forests may have been checked by aboriginal title issues. 

(Subsequent addition: The Capital Regional District will consider a revised motion on May 26th.)

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Development, Politics

Postponing all public zoning meetings on Quadra Island

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Rick Shellinick has been trying to subdivide his property for more than ten years and it now looks like he will not be able to have a public zoning meeting anytime in the immediate future. At their last meeting, the Strathcona Regional District Board passed a motion postponing all public zoning meetings on Quadra Island until the province removes restrictions on public gatherings. 

This is a controversial project, which in its current incarnation calls for developing 51 residential lots, a campground, marina and two waterfront parks in Gowland Harbour.

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Finances, Indigenous Nations, Politics

What works in Canada’s 2021-22 budget?

A week ago, on Monday April 19, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented Canada’s budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 to the House of Commons. Since the Finance Minister delivered that speech, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s minority Liberal Government has survived two non-confidence motions. They pertained to amendments. This morning, Monday April 26, the House will be asked to approve the Budget as a whole. This is expected to prompt yet another non-confidence motion. The NDP party has promised to support the government and in this morning’s interview Rachel Blaney, the MP for North Island – Powell River talks about the aspects of Canada’s 2021-22 budget that she thinks work for her constituents, and those that do not.

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