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A Discussion with CRD Director, Gary Holman, and LCC Chair, Earl Rook

Eight joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to hear from Gary Holman, Capital Regional District (CRD) Director, and Earl Rook, Chair of the CRD Local Community Commission (LCC), on accomplishments and challenges, looking back on 2025 and some of the hopes for 2026. Following Earl’s territorial acknowledgement, Gary and Earl distributed handouts to the participants that outlined the CRD 2026 Provisional Tax Requisition Summary, along with a budget table breaking down the total requisition by service, and their January 14th Driftwood article on the budget (below). Provisional Budget Tax Requisition Summary - SSI 2026 Local Provisional Operating Budget - SSI 2026 Local Provisional Capital Budget - SSI 2026 Local Provisional Budget Tax Requisition - SSI 2026 When asked what “excited and delighted” them, Earl began with how local governance on Salt Spring Island (SSI) is continuing to evolve, becoming increasingly more democratic, transparent, and open to the people. Wh…
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Linda's List for January 20: Pruning Fruit Trees, Gardening Resources, Seedy Saturdays

I was suddenly prodded into action last week to get going on fruit tree pruning after I noticed that buds on my peach tree were swelling. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise given the warm winter we have had so far…..So If you can, take advantage of this spell of dry weather to prune fruit trees. Pruning while it is dry avoids spreading diseases, such as European canker or bacterial canker. Do sanitize pruning tools between trees to avoid inadvertently spreading diseases, even if trees don't look diseased and sanitize tools between every cut if you are working on a trees that shows signs of cankers [for photos]. To sanitize, dip tools for a few minutes a solution of 1 part eco-bleach (hydrogen peroxide) or chlorine bleach to 4 parts water or wipe tools with rubbing alcohol; dry and oil pruners afterward to ensure they don’t rust. Pruning fruit trees: This may seem a daunting task, fraught with rules—but don’t worry: Your trees don’t have to be pruned according to professio…
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Proposed Reform of the Islands Trust

Historian Charles Kahn describes Salt Spring Islanders as ”disputatious”. The current Islands Trust Act reform process provides clear confirmation. After two failed end-runs to the Minister’s office, a small clique of reformers now pushes a controversial agenda to conclusion without an opportunity for a popular vote. And yet, one of our three Salt Spring representatives gets to vote despite failing to qualify for the privilege. As a non-resident, and non-owner of island property he sits in Vancouver (?) dictating terms by Zoom. A second Salt Spring representative publicly endorses routine violation of building bylaws to support failing businesses unable or unwilling to pay a living wage. “There is no other option” (see CBC News report posted November 15th, 2025). Once the ‘preferred’ Land Use Bylaw is imposed, non-compliance is sure to be more appropriately disciplined. Adding insult to injury, a recent independent review of the Islands Trust Council states that the Cou…
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A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Salt Spring Community

The Board of Directors of Greenwoods Eldercare Society expresses our deep gratitude for the overwhelming response to our recent annual appeal. Your generosity has been profoundly touching. We are especially grateful to Country Grocer and to an anonymous donor who together offered to match the first $10,000 in donations received before December 31. Thanks to the remarkable outpouring of support from this community, that matching challenge was fully met - doubling the impact of those early gifts and inspiring others to join in supporting our mission. We are also deeply grateful to our Residents and Family Council for their meaningful support of the campaign and their advocacy for Greenwoods. As we shared in our appeal, the demands on eldercare continue to grow while public resources struggle to keep pace. As a locally-governed nonprofit provider of care, Greenwoods depends on community support to supplement basic operational funding and provide the quality of life our r…
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North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Tender for Maxwell Lake Water Treatment Plant

PRESS RELEASE – January 16, 2026 North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Tender for Maxwell Lake Water Treatment Plant Following the completion of the detailed design and tendering processes, the North Salt SpringWaterworks District (NSSWD) Board has approved Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. to construct the new Maxwell Lake Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) water treatment plant. The final construction cost for the plant is approved for $16.6 million and construction will be initiated this spring with proposed completion of the project by spring 2027. The cost is an increase from the $14.6 million Class A estimate and in response NSSWD developed a funding strategy that delays planned capital projects and maximizes the existing capital reserve funds. No new parcel taxes or toll increases will be used within the funding strategy. The new Maxwell Lake water treatment plant is required by Island Health to meet water quality directives. Transitioning to a DAF filt…
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IWAV Reaches 85% of Goal to Secure Norton Road Property for Affordable Housing

Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) is nearing the finish line in its campaign to purchase the Norton Road property, a key step toward creating more safe, affordable housing on Salt Spring Island. IWAV has now raised almost 85% of its $2.8 million goal, thanks to the support of more than 85 individual donors and over a dozen foundations and organizations. Purchasing this property will allow IWAV to expand affordable housing and support services for Islanders affected by poverty, violence, and abuse. “This shows how strongly our community believes in this project,” says Alicia Herbert, Executive Director of IWAV. “Thanks to our supporters, this vision is close to becoming real.” Foundational supporters include Salt Spring Community Housing & Land Trust Society, Salt Spring Island Foundation, and Country Grocer, along with philanthropic partners, foundations, and 85 individual donors whose contributions have helped propel the campaign forward. With strong mome…
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Building Resilience: A Community Conversation with Youth

On Friday January 09, the Restorative Justice team welcomed young adults to join us in a conversation on how our community can aid in building resilience for our future generations. Extra special thanks to the youth that showed up! Our group started with a land acknowledgement, recognizing how we are lucky to be allowed to learn from each other in flexible and safe spaces. The history of residential schools has taught us how important it is to take care of those who may be in vulnerable positions. At Restorative Justice we do our best to model resilience, strength and compassion so that those around us can feel nurtured in connection with each other. Peter Block, is an author that focuses on empowering others, and his thoughts were shared around the importance of creating empowering spaces where young people can develop self-sufficiency and belonging. Growth is fostered through generative learning and shared responsibility. He calls for adults to reclaim their village ro…
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The Responsibility of Limitation

I began vacationing on Salt Spring Island back in the year 2000, when I was six years old. For twenty five years it has been tradition for my family to return every summer, and upon purchasing several acres mid island, I am overjoyed to count myself among the islanders that call this magical place home. I am a new land owner, but definitely not a newcomer. I intend to settle down here with my RMT practice as well as build up an organic farm. As such, I feel I must weigh in on the proposed gutting of the growth limits in the OCP and TPS. I have lived on the mainland for 32 years. I have witnessed the tranquility of my community uprooted by commotion and expansion. I have witnessed the destruction of well established green spaces and habitats for a seemingly endless onslaught of high density housing. I have witnessed acres upon acres of perfectly arable farmland be razed for, in a twisted irony, food distribution centers owned by conglomerates that push out c…
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Thank You for Nourishing the Community

Because of the enormous generosity of the individuals and organizations on Salt Spring Island, the Food Bank at Island Community Services was able to help keep food on the table for hundreds of local residents throughout 2025. On behalf of those served, Island Community Services would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to every individual, family, business, and organization that donated to our food bank. Your kindness has made an immediate and meaningful difference for neighbors facing food insecurity. Every contribution, whether it be food, funds, or your time, helps ensure that no one has to choose between putting food on the table and meeting other basic needs. In August, Salt Spring Groove organized a musical fundraiser with guests SugarBeat at the Jam Factory in partnership with Island Savings Fill the Cupboard initiative, and Windsor Plywood. Dave Roland with Sugarbeat at the Fill the Cupboard food bank event Other incredible support from the community ca…
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The Undoing of the Islands Trust

Fifty years ago, BC took a bold step to save our islands from "exploitation by real-estate developers and speculators,"* passing the Islands Trust Act, with its famous mandate "to preserve and protect" the Trust Area. Most islanders know that this act is what keeps our natural beauty and rural character largely unspoiled. Yet few are aware that these legal protections are now being dismantled by trustees sworn to uphold them. The immediate threat is a revised Trust Policy Statement (TPS), which could become law within months. Our TPS sets the bar that Official Community Plans (OCPs) and major bylaws must meet. The existing one has stood for decades. So might this new one—but only if the BC government approves it. The proposed Trust Policy Statement has already passed "first reading" by Trust Council (all 26 trustees) and could become law within months. We're being told that consultation with public and First Nations was done during "Phase 1" in 2019, and now it's time t…
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