Tag Archives: Nanaimo

Politics

Must Quadra Island taxpayers pay for Strathcona Gardens? 

In a 7–6 vote, on March 25th the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board moved to have a bylaw prepared that would add Quadra Island to the catchment area for the Strathcona Gardens Recreational Facility. If the bylaw proceeds, Quadra residents could face an additional $558 in property taxes—slightly more than the $526 Campbell River residents pay for their facility. One SRD director was not present when the vote was taken, which raises the possibility that the proposal could be defeated in a 7–7 tie when all 14 directors are present.

Opposition from Quadra Residents

The board faces fierce opposition from Quadra Island residents. Among the 90 or so Quadra residents who crowded the SRD Boardroom and adjoining lobby for the May 25 board meeting, were some of the 1,226 area C residents who signed a petition opposing inclusion in the Strathcona Gardens catchment. Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C noted that this number represents about 44% of the adult population of her area.

Continue reading Must Quadra Island taxpayers pay for Strathcona Gardens?  →
Food, Gardening

Wildflower Cidery: A Unique Model For A Small Island

In this morning’s interview we hear from Sara Stewart of Wildflower Produce and Cidery, near the southern tip of Cortes Island.

Sara Stewart: “I’m not a religious person, but when you depend on the natural world you become deeply ingrained in it. I used to think I was building connections with the natural world when I lit a fire on Imbolc (the Ancient Celtic beginning of Spring) and celebrated Soma. I now find that rituals or ceremonies can disconnect you from nature. So I try to cultivate the spirituality of a squirrel. I don’t see wildlife celebrating Imbolc—you just notice what’s happening in your body and respond accordingly.” 

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Arts, Indigenous Nations

Tla’amin choreographer brings ‘Wild Man of the Woods’ ballet home to the West Coast

IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When choreographer Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe was asked to create a piece for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, he knew he wanted to tell a story from his home community of Tla’amin Nation.

He chose to feature a traditional oral tale about T’əl, a sinister figure who steals children during the night. In the story, a young woman ventures into the unknown to save her sister from the mythical beast.

Fraser-Monroe’s ballet interpretation of the story — “T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods” — is now making its West Coast debut in locations across “B.C.” from Jan. 27 to Feb. 10. 

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Cost of Climate Change

Saturday, September 20: Drawing the Line in Campbell River

People from 93 nations will be calling upon their governments to Draw the Line – For People, for Peace, for the Planet – on Saturday, September 20. Demonstrations are planned in major cities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the United States  and Canada. More than 200 organizations, including 350 Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Migrant Rights Network are participating. 

On Vancouver Island, there will be demonstrations in Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay and Duncan as well as the neighbouring communities of Denman Island, Salt Spring Island and Powell River. 

Former North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney will be among the Speakers for the event starting at 2 PM in Campbell River’s Spirit Square.

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Politics

Visiting the Liberal Campaign Headquarters & poll #3 for our riding

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I volunteered for the NDP Party during the 1968 election. Aside from that, the only campaign headquarters I’ve stepped inside was Elizabeth May’s Salt Spring Island office in 2019. So when in the midst of doing errands in Campbell River, I found myself with more than an hour to spare, it seemed like a fun idea to visit a campaign headquarters. Somebody told me the ‘red guys’ are behind Save On Foods, which is how I ended up at Jennifer Lash’s headquarters.

I did not find out about that yet another poll has been conducted in our riding until I returned home. Like poll #2, it shows the Liberals having taken over the second place slot. After contacting 318 voters in North Island Powell River between April 20 and 21, Spadina Strategies reported that 37% intended to vote for the Conservatives, 30% Liberal, 25% NDP, 5% Green and 2% were undecided. 

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