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Mr. March Goes to Ganges

First, I wish to congratulate Mr. March on his decision to run for office (Salt Spring Exchange, July 8, 2026). It takes courage to do so in such a highly partisan climate. Secondly, I offer a comment on the statistics he cites from the Salt Spring Island Foundation "Vital Signs Report - 2022". Despite its informative and highly readable nature, the report openly admits to a significant shortcoming. The 841 survey respondents account for a mire 7% of Salt Spring Island (SSI) residents. Policy discussions must be informed by a far more rigorous source of data. My comments are based on the most recent federal census data released in 2021. A summary and source are appended. 1. An above average population increase on SSI contributes to the housing shortage, higher prices and greater competition for accommodation. 2. The significantly older average age of the SSI population (51.2 vs 43.1) confirms the obvious; a retired demographic is attracted to the island. Afte…
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Phoenix Landing, Both a Dream Come True and a Work in Progress

Nineteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming the Chuan Society. While much of the conversation centered on Kajin Goh, one of the moving forces of this society, it was clear that Chuan is fueled by the energy, compassion, vision, and plain hard work of a committed team of volunteers. Present at this gathering were Chuan Society council members Christina Chua, Gloria McEachern, and Jenny McClean, as well as valued volunteer and team members Victoria Skinner and Phil Vernon. After Phil gave our Land Acknowledgment, we all got a chance to introduce ourselves. From these introductions, we learned that many in the room were passionate supporters of the work of the Chuan Society. A significant number of participants at this ASK Salt Spring gathering, however, had come because they knew virtually nothing about Chuan and wanted to learn. Kajin began by speaking of his delight watching Chuan evolve. Designed not as a charity with benefits that come from the top down, Chuan…
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Pam Tarr Campaign Announcement

If we aren’t already friends – and I hope we are, or soon will be -- let me introduce myself: I’m Pam Tarr, and I’m running for the LCC, our Local Community Commission, in the upcoming October election. Who I am I fell in love with Salt Spring at first sight just over 5 years ago, and within months I was living here. I know that barely even qualifies me as a newcomer, but with my husband Jon Cooksey I got involved quickly. My background is in communications– I probably produced your favourite ‘90’s music video – but I’ve also done labour negotiations, run companies and done extensive political and fundraising work, with organizations like Rock the Vote, Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project and the Carbon Underground. Jon and I started off by raising money for the Community Park on Hwmet’utsun (Mount Maxwell), then I helped get out the Homes for Islanders report, and that led me to working with Transition Salt Spring, where I’ve been advocating for a more res…
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Notice: Cycle of Life Tour is coming to Salt Spring Island - July 18-19

The annual Cycle of Life Tour, is happening on July 18-19 and will see 100 riders cycle from Victoria, through the Saanich Peninsula, over to Salt Spring Island and back to Victoria. On Saturday, July 18, the cyclists will be on the 1:45 p.m. ferry from Swartz Bay – Fulford which is different from prior years, and will be riding two different routes to their overnight venue on Rainbow Rd., arriving by 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 19, cyclists will leave the venue on Rainbow Rd. at 9:00 a.m. and will ride to the Fulford ferry terminal where they will catch the 11:10 a.m. ferry to Swartz Bay. There will also be a few support vehicles on the road with the riders on both days. This fundraising event supports Vancouver Island hospices and Salt Spring Island Hospice. Riders are from up and down the island and are currently at a fundraising total of more than $338,000 in support of compassionate end-of-life care. We are grateful for the continued support of residents and busines…
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My Islands Trust Campaign Website Is Live - Now I Want to Hear from You

Since I announced my intention to stand as a candidate for the Islands Trust, I’ve been hearing from so many Salt Springers full of excitement, big ideas, and thoughtful questions. So rather than relying on chance meetings, emails, and social media, I built a proper place for us to connect and share ideas. My campaign website is now live (ethanwildingssi.com), and I would love you to see what I’m putting on the table and, more importantly, tell me what I’m missing. You will find where I stand on the things a trustee can change. That means getting serious about housing that makes sense: homes in the village core, on already-cleared land, and on farms where workers need to live close to their work. It means water decisions rooted in what our watersheds can truly carry; ecology first. It means protecting our forests, shorelines, and streams by measuring what really matters, their actual health. It means a Trust that’s nimble enough to face wildfire and a changing climate. It …
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What's On This Week on CHIR-FM

Interviews with Pitchfork Social performers Mary Gauthier and the Wailin’ Jennys, a new show called Headline Hunters, a discussion with author Laurel Corona, and a show on the music of Scotland are among the exciting offerings this week on CHIR-FM, the Voice of the Gulf Islands. Tune in to 107.9 FM (or 102.1 FM in the South End) or stream the station online to hear more than 20 unique local programs on your community radio station. Highlights for the coming week include: Tuesday (July 14) 1-2 p.m. On This Song, That Time, Lesley Grott plays music from Scotland, where she recently traveled. Scotland and Salt Spring have some things in common such as similar weather and a love of music. Show re-airs Thursdays at 1 pm and Saturdays at 1 pm Tuesday (July 14) 3-4 p.m. On Harmonic Expeditions with Mike Chin, more previews of upcoming Pitchfork Social music concerts. The show will feature interviews and music of Mary Gauthier with Jaimee Harris, and Canada's beloved Wai…
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Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) Meeting Report for June 11, 2026

The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) held its regular June evening meeting on Thursday, June 11, at 5:00 pm at the SIMS Board Room (streaming online with TEAMS). The full 87 page agenda package, including staff reports and presentations, is available online. Presentations and Delegations - The LCC received a presentation from Melody Silva, GISS Earth Club on Exploring Sustainable Waste Management on SSI (included in agenda package). The LCC passed a motion arising from the presentation “that the proposal for Sustainable Waste Management on Salt Spring Island be referred to staff to report back with additional information”. - The LCC received a delegation from Shelia Dobie, SSI Agriculture Alliance addressing Agenda Item 7.2, Economic Development Initiatives Project Funding. LCC Business - The LCC received a staff report on Economic Development Initiatives Project Funding (included in agenda package) and passed a motion “that the Salt Spring Is…
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Curiosity and Attention for Community

I firmly believe that we have to build a relationship with something to effectively protect, steward, and learn from it. Be that a place like the stretch of beach you regularly visit, the tree in your back yard, this archipelago of islands nestled against the continent; or similarly, your community of close friends, the greater island community and the inter-island connections that stretch across the water. I’m starting to understand that living in relationship with these more abstract environments isn’t too different from a friendship, as they are both built on the foundation of curiosity and attention. You wouldn’t expect to know how your friend is doing without checking on them, so why do we forget these basic starting points when it comes to the environment around us or the larger community we live in? Although, yes, a little more abstract than asking a friend how their day was, living in relationship with the environment around you starts with paying attention and being …
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Salt Spring Residents Are Worried About Wildfire And Ready to Do Something About It

A recent community survey has given Transition Salt Spring a clearer picture of how residents feel about wildfire risk on the island, and the results are both sobering and encouraging. The survey received 459 responses from residents across Salt Spring. Nearly 80 percent reported moderate to high concern about wildfire risk, and 81 percent are worried about hotter, drier summers ahead. Two-thirds of respondents expressed concern about the drying and loss of wetlands and how that is connected to wildfire risks. These concerns are motivating people to act. Eighty-five percent of respondents said they had already taken steps to reduce wildfire risk on their property, including clearing combustible materials, trimming vegetation, maintaining space around their homes, and reducing the buildup of dry fuel near structures. That's a meaningful number of neighbours already doing the work. Knowledge makes a real difference. Residents familiar with FireSmart principles, a pract…
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Learning All About the Men's Shed's and Possibilities for a Community Workshop

Ten, and a very well-behaved pup, joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Matthew Quetton, President of the Men’s Shed. After our Acknowledgement, each of us had a chance to introduce ourselves. Participants included several who were already members of our local Men’s Shed, several who were interested in joining and had come to learn more, and two women who were curious about this men-only society. We learned that Men’s Sheds, first established in Australia in 1993, are rapidly growing with over 3,300 organizations all over the world. The mission of all of these Men’s Sheds is to create a communal space for men to work on projects as well as providing a social space for them to create relationships with other men. Initially seeking to address the isolation too often experienced by retired men, Men’s Sheds across the world help men of all ages to forge new relationships as well as enjoy the satisfaction of a completed project. Our Men’s Shed was established by T…
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