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Obituary: Jason Matthew Bruce

January 31, 1974 - January 18, 2021 - Jason Matthew Bruce passed unexpectedly, but peacefully, in Ottawa, ON on January 18th, 2021 of natural causes. Our beloved Jason left us far too soon. We are all heartbroken. Jason is mourned by his mother, Deborah Hanscom, his stepmother Amrita Bruce, fathers, Allan Bruce of Salt Spring Island and Allan Rock, his extended family of a sister and brothers; Julian Bruce (Serena), Lauren Rock, Andrew Rock (Jane) and Steven Rock (Jenna) and by Wenke Schliemann whom he loved deeply. Jason was a kind, and caring person with a big heart and a friendly smile for everyone. He confronted his challenges with courage and character. What deepens our sadness at his loss, was the joy he gave to others through his playful nature, his loyal friendship and his trusting way. Jason’s gentle soul was not equipped to confront the harsher challenges of life and he struggled to find a place for himself in this tumultuous world. His death leaves an empty space in…
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Tiny Homes – The Solution to Homelessness on Salt Spring Island?

I've been researching and writing about homelessness for many years, and have looked at the issue while traveling throughout Europe and Canada, as well as here on Salt Spring. In my post, written two years ago, I ask a number of important questions, including: Why can't we use innovative and creative ideas to create alternative housing here on Salt Spring? Why not look at what other communities have done to assist their formerly homeless residents to create community and innovative solutions to homelessness? Are tiny homes a solution to homelessness on Salt Spring Island? Both of our local trustees mentioned tiny homes in the report from the January 19, 2021 Islands Trust Zoom meeting. Peter Grove would like it to be easier for tiny homes to be built on Salt Spring, but he also noted that there are examples of tiny home communities that are not working out as expected. Surprising to some, we also learned that there are almost no successful tiny home communities in British…
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COVID-19: B.C.'s Four Phase Immunization Plan

British Columbians are a step closer to receiving their COVID-19 immunizations, with additional details and timelines released for the largest and most complex immunization plan to ever roll out in B.C. Premier John Horgan; Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer; and Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead for B.C.’s immunization efforts; announced details of the next phases in B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan. The plan will see approximately 7.4 million doses of vaccine administered to every British Columbian who is eligible to receive it between April and the end of September. “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all in extremely difficult ways,” Premier Horgan said. “Together, we have faced this pandemic with strength, courage and compassion, and we are starting to feel optimistic that, one day, COVID-19 will be in our rear view. At every step, our plan puts the health and safety of our most vulnerable people at the centre, and when i…
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Obituary: Willem Adriaan Blom (Wim Blom)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest friend Wim Blom (Willem Adriaan Blom). Wim passed peacefully on the 18th of January 2021 at the age of 93. His work is represented in public collections, such as the National Gallery of Canada and the South African National Gallery, in numerous corporate collections and in private collections in Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the U.S.A. In Duvah Park, Witbank, South Africa, a street was named in honor of Wim. (Wim Blom straat) EDUCATION: B.A. Hons., M.A., University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; University of Perugia, Italy; Studied painting, Florence, Italy; Studied graphic techniques, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, Canada; Studied lithography, Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. APPOINTMENTS: …
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COVID-19: Vaccination Availability on Salt Spring Island

As you will have heard on the news, vaccinations against COVID-19 are now underway in BC, and that includes Salt Spring Island. Residents of our care facilities have received vaccinations and front line health care workers are currently being vaccinated. This offers us a ray of hope that we are starting to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The provincial government has laid out a strategy and timeline for vaccinations based on priority populations and risk groups with the dual aim of reducing the risk of community spread of the virus and ultimately providing immunity to all individuals who want to be vaccinated. Information on the provincial strategy for vaccine rollout, of which Island Health is a participant, can be found online. Please be advised that the COVID-19 vaccine is not available for everyone at this time. The first doses are being provided to those most at risk, starting with elderly residents in long-term care facilities and staff who care for them, as well…
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Salt Spring RCMP Contact Explosive Disposal Unit for Suspicious Device Found in Local Park

UPDATE: January 20, 2021 at 5:28PM - Salt Spring RCMP have confirmed that the device has been destroyed. It was determined not to be explosive. The area is now clear. On January 20, 2021 the Salt Spring RCMP were contacted by a concerned citizen about an item left in Drummond Park. The cylindrical shaped device raised the suspicion of the passerby, and they immediately reported it to the police. Salt Spring RCMP frontline members arrived on scene and could not determine the nature of the device, and contacted the BC RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) for their expertise. Through their consultation and reviewing photos of the item, it was determined that the area be made safe by removing anyone nearby while the EDU members make their way to Salt Spring Island to examine and if necessary make it safe. A local resident saw this suspicious device at the north end of Drummond Park, and did the right thing by calling the RCMP immediately said Salt Spring RCMP Detachment C…
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MLA Adam Olsen Supports Acquisition of Mt. Erskine Connector Trail

Salt Spring's Trail and Nature Club is working with BC Parks to acquire a piece of land on Mt. Erskine to protect a very popular 6 kilometre trail from Collins Road to Toynbee Road. I am pleased to support this acquisition as part of the development and expansion of our province’s beautiful park system. In addition to securing the trail corridor, incorporating this land into the provincial park will provide access to several beautiful viewpoints and potential picnic sites. The trail winds through forest that includes many pine trees, stands of Coastal Douglas Fir, and arbutus. As a trail already exists on this piece of land, no new trail construction will be required. BC Parks had the land professionally appraised, contracted with the landowner to buy it, and will cover most of the related survey and legal costs. Although the BC Parks Foundation is collecting donations and issuing tax receipts, the Salt Spring Island community is responsible for raising the funds to pu…
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ASK Salt Spring: Francis Bread Trying To Remain Operational During Rezoning Application

We were lucky enough to have both Islands Trustees as special guests at this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering, with Peter Grove joining fifteen of us for the entire time, and Laura Patrick joining us at about 12:30. While Francis Bread took the spotlight for much of the gathering, we also learned about Islands Trust challenges, logging, and housing restrictions and opportunities. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgement, Peter began by sharing some of his thoughts and concerns. He expressed his horror with the events rocking our neighbor to the south and his deep, on-going concerns about COVID. These terrible dramas have forced us to recognize what is really important in our lives. He had read the ASK Salt Spring report from Gary Holman’s visit last week and asked us to recognize how hard Gary is working on so many fronts to address our local needs. And, to recognize how much he is accomplishing. Peter then briefly addressed some Local Trust Committee issues, primar…
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