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BC Ferries Decision Reflects Decades of Housing Policy Failures

I recently attended an Ask Salt Spring meeting where Nicholas Jimenez, CEO of BC Ferries, was the guest speaker. During the meeting, he discussed BC Ferries' recent business decision to home port the Crofton/Vesuvius ferry to the Crofton side—a decision that sparked heated debate among local government officials and BC Ferries employees in attendance. The Local Trust Committee and Islands Trust officials demanded that BC Ferries consult with local government before making decisions that impact Salt Spring residents. While I don't wish to undermine the legitimate concerns raised by BC Ferries employees, I believe we need to examine the root causes behind this decision. Mr. Jimenez clearly stated that one of the primary factors was the cost of living on Salt Spring and the lack of affordable housing for BC Ferries employees. He cited that the average home price on Salt Spring was $1.2 million, while homes in the Crofton catchment area cost roughly half that amount—providing…
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Not More Tourists, Just Better Tourism: A Conversation With SGITP

An open conversation with Jamie Sterling, Executive Director of the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership (SGITP)—a community-driven organization working to create regenerative tourism in the Gulf Islands. For those who have ever wondered where SGITP came from, how it's funded, or what the organization actually does for the communities it serves, we have answers! Q: How did the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership (SGITP) get started? SGITP was born from a grassroots need across the Gulf Islands. In the early 2010s, a group of islanders (some with summer-based businesses) began a conversation about how to sustain economic activity year-round. Galiano, Pender, Saturna, Mayne, and Salt Spring are all experiencing the same seasonal pattern: a surge of visitors in the summer followed by a steep drop-off in the colder months. During peak season, communities and businesses are often stretched to their limits. But once summer ends, tourism slows dramatically, le…
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Mindful Miles: How to Travel with Intention and Impact

Presented by: Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Program. At Lighter Living, our mission is to empower individuals with practical actions, ranging from simple, low-effort changes to those requiring more time, money, or planning. Making these small changes can effectively reduce the ecological and carbon footprint of leisure and recreation. These shifts can build momentum towards greater impact quickly, without implying scarcity or sacrifice. One common question I get this time of year is about summer travel plans. While I don’t have any exotic travel plans myself, I understand that many people do. Families, friends, and dream destinations are important to many of us. Living sustainably doesn't mean eliminating travel or air travel entirely—it's about making mindful choices. Sustainable travel isn’t about grand gestures or striving for perfection—it’s about intention. It’s a mindset that influences how we plan our holidays, what we pack, how we get to our destin…
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A Lively Conversation with BC Ferries CEO/President Nicholas Jimenez

June 27: Twenty-nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome BC Ferries’ CEO/President Nicolas Jimenez and Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing, Lindsay Matthews. Salt Springers came to learn and ask questions, including our elected officials as well many current and former ferry employees. Our guests received the full Salt Spring experience as Lindsay was slightly tardy due to the Ganges Hill construction as was Nicolas due to a mechanical issue on the Crofton Ferry. They both arrived with smiles on their faces, glad to be with us for this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After offering our Land Acknowledgement, Nicolas began by telling us that BC Ferries is a huge system and that many decisions address systemwide concerns. While win/win solutions are always sought, there are times when the best solution for the entire network is not the best for one of the components of this network. The first question referenced the recent dissolution of the Ferry Adv…
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Youth Resiliency at The Core Youth Centre Gets a Boost

June 25, 2025 Salt Spring Island youth are getting more supports for mental health and substance abuse prevention with an expanded program area at Island Community Services. A recent awarding of an Island Health Youth Resiliency Grant will allow the agency to bolster the harm reduction component of the Youth Centre at The Core into a key program area. The Youth Centre is a central program within the youth services at Island Community Services, providing a safe and supportive place for youth aged 11-18 after school from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Core Building at 134 McPhillips Avenue in Ganges. The program is available for drop-in with no registration or appointment necessary. It serves free and at-cost food and features planned program activities. “The Child and Youth Mental Health team has included a position focused on substance use counselling for many years,” explains Kyla Duncan, Clinical Director at Island Community Services. “This will strengthen and formaliz…
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Islands Trust Policy Statement - Next Steps

By Laura Patrick, Chair, Islands Trust Council Islands Trust Council has been working on a much-needed update to the Policy Statement for years. This Policy Statement is a requirement of the Islands Trust Act and it contains the policies that guide the Islands Trust’s work to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area. It also guides the development of the regulatory land-use bylaws of local trust committees and Bowen Island Municipality. At our recent Trust Council meeting on Salt Spring Island, Trust Council approved a plan for the next steps to advance the draft document. Under that plan, we will meet as Committee of the Whole on July 9 to review the draft with the aim of making any final changes and then, if we feel it is ready, we will advance it to first reading at a special meeting of Trust Council scheduled for July 29. It is important to understand that when Trust Council votes on first reading, we are not voting on a final approval of the Policy Statement. Fol…
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A Cultural Evening of Inter-dependance

After nearly a decade away from the ArtSpring stage, beloved Salt Spring Island dance artist Naomi Jason is returning with Land & Lineage: An Embodied Ceremony of Reconciliation, marking her first performance at the venue since her legendary Imaginelle productions ended in 2015. Born and raised on Salt Spring, Jason honed her craft studying and working in Montreal's vibrant dance scene before returning home 15 years ago. Shortly after her return, she founded Dance Temple, beginning a journey that would see her evolve from performer to mentor, embodied ceremonialist, and community leader. The Imaginelle shows of 2013-2015 remain legendary in Salt Spring's cultural memory—massive community productions featuring 50-75 local performers of all ages that transformed ArtSpring into a realm of magic and mystery. These productions established Jason as a visionary director capable of weaving together diverse talents into transcendent theatrical experiences. Today, Jason channels…
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Obituary: In Loving Memory of Donald Howard McEachern

November 17, 1950 – June 21, 2025 With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Donald Howard McEachern, who died peacefully on June 21, 2025, with his sons Andrew and Jess by his side, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Carleton, Ontario, Don lived a life marked by curiosity, creativity, and hands-on experience. Raised alongside his five brothers and sister Lynn, he was deeply influenced by his mother’s love of the arts, animals, and hard work. In 1984, the McEachern clan settled on Salt Spring Island — a place that reflected Don’s love for nature, music, and quiet moments by the sea. He spent his years attending shows, riding his bike, and cheering on his kids in local sports. Don was a devoted father to Andrew (Gemma), Jess (Lauren), and David, and a proud grandfather to Jacob, Colin, Annie, and Teddy. Being “Grampa” brought him immense joy, and he cherished every moment shared with his grandchildren. He had many passio…
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Welcoming GIFTS and The Diverse Village

June 20 Fourteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Amanda Myers of GIFTS, Gulf Islands Families Together Society, and Anna Vineyard of The Diverse Village. While different, with GIFTS a charity serving Salt Spring families for over a quarter of a century and The Diverse Village a newly established nonprofit, they have partnered to fill significant gaps, bringing support, inclusion, and belonging to the neurodivergent children, youth, and adults of our community. Amanda offered a moving acknowledgement, sharing some of her Indigenous personal and family history while also reminding us that, in First Nations communities, this acknowledgment is designed be offered at the beginning of a gathering to create the space for the good work about to take place. When asked what “excited and delighted” her, Anna shared her love of the change of seasons we are experiencing, a season of joy, growth, and free time for her and her children to explore and enjoy the freed…
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Measles Exposures Notifications

Public health is advising of several locations where people may have been exposed to measles between June 16 and 21. Seventeen new cases of measles have been reported in Fraser Health, Interior Health and Northern Health regions since June 19. A total of 49 cases have been reported in BC in 2025, with 12 cases currently active. Public health is following up directly with known contacts of measles cases. However, individuals known to have measles spent time in several public locations. People may have been exposed to measles at the following locations, dates and times: Chilliwack, BC on June 16: Mark’s - 45737 Luckakuck Way, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Redwing Shoe Store - 8249 Eagle Landing Pkwy #716, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Walmart - 8249 Eagle Landing Pkwy, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kamloops, BC on June 16: Denny’s Restaurant - 570 Columbia St., from 12 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Aberdeen Mall - 1320 Trans-Canada Hwy, from 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Earls Restaurant - 1210 Sum…
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