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What's on This Week on CHIR-FM

Ten years in the making, the dream of a community radio station has become a reality with CHIR-FM broadcasting on 107.9 FM for most of SSI and 102.1 FM in the south end. Volunteer programmers have developed more than 20 local shows, and each week, starting this week, we will highlight upcoming programming in a post on the Exchange. A few special things to tune in for this coming week include interviews with seaweed experts, a rebroadcast of a famed SSI performance by a Juno-winning artist; and an interview with a local e-learning businesswoman: Tuesday (April 14) 10-11 a.m: On TRUpreneur, host David Crouch interviews the most interesting entrepreneurs and small business owners we have on the Gulf Islands. This week on TRUpreneur, David speaks with long-time SSI resident Holly MacDonald about her e-learning business Spark and Co. Tuesday (April 14) 1-2 p.m.: On This Song, That Time, Lesley Grott shares songs that have become the soundtrack to our lives and this week…
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The Real Facts About the Cost of the New Fire Hall

The Fire Board asked Salt Springers in a referendum to approve a plan to build a new Fire Hall. The Board asked S2 Architects, of Calgary, to give a basic floor plan study and an artist rendering for our discussion. They also did a preliminary estimate of the costs. They estimated the cost at 13.7 million. The Board then asked the community for permission to borrow $9.7 million with the total cost of of about $13.7 million. We received a 75% yes vote. Thank you Salt Spring! So where are we now? We went to tender for the design and JDA Architects of Vancouver were selected based on experience and they had the lowest fee plan. They hired engineers and gel tech experts and designed a building slightly larger with at 12,500 sq. Ft. Floor plan and a sheer wall structure to handle a 9.0 Earthquake. The Sheer walls add about 4,000 of exterior space to handle the steel columns and concrete base. The total space is 16,500 sq. Ft, with 12,500 of usable floor space. We went to…
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Let’s Talk Climate: Power, Privilege and the Planet

Let’s Talk Climate: Power, Privilege and the Planet Part 2: Structural Inequity Conversations about climate change often stall, even among people who share a deep concern for the planet. The silence doesn’t come from apathy; it comes from the weight and complexity of the problem itself. At its core, climate change is not just an environmental issue but a structural and systemic one, shaped by politics, economics, and entrenched power. This makes talking about it so hard; we feel frustration, guilt, and a sense of helplessness. The Complexity of Structural Causes Unlike issues with clear culprits and solutions, climate change emerges from the very systems that organize modern life. Energy grids built on fossil fuels, global supply chains that rely on cheap shipping, agricultural practices dependent on deforestation and industrial fertilizers; all of these structures are deeply embedded in how societies function. Most of us benefit from them in some way, even as they co…
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I'm Worried About the Future of the Islands Trust

I'm worried about the future of the Islands Trust. I like the Islands Trust, or rather the idea of it. The idea of a local government duty bound to balance community needs with environmental protection is brilliant and I'd be proud to live in a community like that. Unfortunately I don't. I live on Salt Spring Island, where folks desperate for housing are shamed for wanting urban amenities and growth. Where, if someone has the money, property can be purchased, trees can be cut down, and unaffordable luxury housing can be built with all the water wasting amenities money can buy, but workforce housing requires a herculean effort to come to fruition. I like the Islands Trust, but it isn't working for me. It seems it isn't working for a lot of people I talk to. It definitely isn’t working for the 1/3rd of Salt Spring Island residents living in some sort of housing need. It's time to change that. I have spent most of my life playing, working, and living in protected …
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Voting Begins April 8th & Saturday April 11. You Have Choices - Consider Courtney & The New Guard Candidates

Update April 7, 2026 As Trustee at both the SSIFID and the NSSWD, the term Trustee to me represents the “Trust” Ratepayers place upon you. To respect your Duty of Care and Fiduciary Duty to Ratepayers, among the other various duties. During my last 3 years at the Fire District, I've endeavoured to endorse Fiscal Responsibility, Integrity, Credibility and Respect for Transparency & Accountability. In my 42 year career at the Airline, we operate on SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures), Mitigating Risk and Safety Is Always Paramount. In much the same fashion our Professional Firefighters perform their duties on a daily basis here on island. In the Campaign Material from the current Olde Guard Chair and Trustee, there has been no mention of same. I believe there’s a reason and it stems from the Campaign for the New Fire Hall Referendum, in the lead up to the Vote on June 30, 2022. The New Fire Hall was pitched by the current Chair as a modest, no frills, 2 Bay, 11,500 Sq …
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Welcoming Philip, Royal Roads University President, to Talk About the Bloom Castle

Fifteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Royal Roads University’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Philip Steenkamp. In his Territorial Acknowledgement, he spoke of the natural order of seasons in indigenous cultures with spring a time of reuniting, shellfish and greens gathering, and preparation for the coming season of salmon fishing. Reminding us how we can learn from their practices, he told us that the land-based curriculum of Royal Roads University (RRU) is rooted in these natural imperatives of our land and its seasons. We all had a chance to introduce ourselves, revealing that most had come to learn about RRU’s plans for the recently bequeathed Beddis property. Some came out of simple curiosity while others were fueled by deep concern that the love and careful stewardship for this beautiful property continue under RRU’s ownership. When asked what “excited and delighted” him, Philip shared his love of wild swimming in the ocean and abundant l…
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Reflections From Three Years as Your NSSWD Trustee

It has been an honour to serve as your elected trustee for the North Salt Spring Waterworks District over the past three years. During that time, I’ve come to understand that a big reason you elected me was because I bring over 30 years of experience in the water treatment industry, working for Veolia, one of the largest water and environmental services companies in the world. I was grateful for the trust you placed in that experience. Reflecting on the past three years, I’ve learned that the role of trustee involves reviewing a significant amount of technical and financial information and making decisions based on that data. But beyond the numbers, it’s really about judgment—balancing long-term infrastructure needs, affordability, and fairness for our community. I’ve also learned how important it is to have a board made up of people with different perspectives. A well-functioning board isn’t one where everyone agrees—it’s where trustees listen to each other, consider …
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Now Is Time for Positive Change - Transparency & Accountability! Elect Courtney and the Two New Candidates to the Fire Improvement District - Board of Trustees.

April 3, 2026 SSIFID Trustee David Courtney Incumbent. Candidate for a second 3 year Term as Trustee. Dear Fellow SSIFID Ratepayers, We came to Salt Spring Island in 1999, when we purchased a small cabin. I’m currently coming to the end of my 3 Yr Term as a Trustee at the SSIFID and going into year 3 at the North Salt Spring Water District. My time at both SSIFID and NSSWD has proven insightful as to how we function or don’t at times as Improvement Districts, within our current Governance Model. NSSWD conducted a 3 Party Survey in February of 2025, 84% of the Respondents suggested that Improved Governance would improve the Quality of Life for all Salt Springers. As we are about to Celebrate the New State of The Art Fire Hall No 1, due to the diligent efforts of our Fire Chief, CAO and Owner’s Agent. It will be adorned with an amazing new to us 75’ Ladder Truck. As Community, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Anonymous Donor and the Fire Chief & CAO for putting the …
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Building Our Future Through Community

Ask anyone who lives on this island, and they’ll have a story about “the other side” having unreasonable ideas. Currently, our community is divided on housing, roosters, policy statements, shoreline conservation, to name a few topics. Look back at the past decade, and you’d have dozens of issues where we just can’t seem to agree. Our problem isn't that we see the issues differently. Our real challenge is that we too often devalue the ideas and people that we don’t agree with. I’d argue though, that Salt Spring’s diversity of opinions is actually an important strength for our island’s complex challenges. Holding different ideas can help us innovate, improve decision-making, and prevent groupthink. But, in order to collaborate, we have to be constructive in our approach. It helps to be curious - why do you think the way you do? Then, we need to listen to understand - not to prepare our rebuttal. It also helps to have good democratic practices to support difficult co…
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Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) Meeting Report for March 19, 2026

Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) Meeting Report for March 19, 2026 The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) held its regular March daytime business meeting on Thursday, March 19, at 9:00 am at the SIMS Board Room (streaming online with TEAMS). The full 392 page agenda package, including staff reports and supporting documentation, is available online. (It is recommended to NOT print the full package as much of the material is deep background on bylaw enforcement not directly applicable to Salt Spring). Presentations and Delegations (Slides in Agenda Package) - The LCC received a presentation from Shawn Carby of CRD Protective Services on the new adjudication process for enforcement of CRD bylaws. The new process is intended to provide an alternative to court for most bylaw enforcement actions. - The LCC received a delegation from Seth Wright of BC Transit on the recent fare review for the Salt Spring Island Transit system. LCC Busi…
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