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Fact or Fiction: Our Official Community Plan

A wave of misinformation and misrepresentation colours the public discussion of changes to our Official Community Plan (OCP). One aggressively promoted argument, detached from reality, claims that our current OCP is outdated, and no longer fit for purpose because it obstructs the development of affordable housing. OCP critics want increases in density for housing without restrictions on rental or purchase costs. We’ve been told that broad based community engagement has, and is, taking place so that all voices will be heard. So far, the evidence does not support this. False, misleading or distorted information, especially regarding the critical issue of affordable housing, is everywhere. Make sure you can tell the difference between true and false. Fact or Fiction? We are told: “Our OCP's policies must be changed to allow for affordable housing.” BUT THE TRUTH IS: Our current OCP already allows for affordable housing. (The main hurdle is funding, not zoning.) We ar…
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Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) Meeting Report of January 29, 2026

The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) held a special meeting on Thursday, January 29, at 9:00 am at the SIMS Board Room (streaming online with TEAMS). The purpose of the special meeting was to review and approve the final budget for 2026. The full agenda package, 247 pages including staff reports and budget details, is available online. Presentations and Delegations There were no delegations or presentations. LCC Business - The LCC received a staff report on the consolidated Parks and Recreation service. What had previously been four separate services, Community Parks, Community Recreation, Park Land, and the Swimming Pool have been reorganized into a single service with three budgets -- Community Parks and Recreation, SIMS and Recreation Programs, and Rainbow Recreation Centre. The new budgets include two facilities based cost centers, SIMS and Rainbow Road, along with a general budget for all other Parks and Recreation operations. The LCC has long…
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Obituary: Eileen Alma Wttewaall van Wickenburgh (neé McGhan)

November 2, 1932 - February 5, 2026 Our Mom passed away peacefully at Berwick House Retirement Home in Victoria, British Columbia at 93 years old. Eileen deeply enjoyed daily walks and writing her memoir. She followed world events closely, dedicated to her lifelong commitment to environmental and social justice activism. She will be greatly missed by the wonderful staff at Berwick House and by the many friends she made there, whose companionship meant so much to her. As a family, we extend our heartfelt thanks to her dedicated healthcare team, who supported her with compassion through heart and knee challenges in recent years. Eileen was predeceased by her beloved husband Gus, her partner of nearly 49 years, as well as her sisters Viola, Reta, and Joyce, and her brother Alfred. She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Alma Goodwin (John), Kevin Wttewaall (Soraya), and Coreen Cherry (David); six grandchildren, Jenaveve Goodwin (Eric), Katelynn Pederson (Ric…
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  • - February 6, 2026

Updates to CRD Building Regulation Bylaw will improve Clarity and Efficiency

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is updating its Building Regulations Bylaw to better reflect current industry standards, improve clarity, and make the building inspection process more responsive. The updated Bylaw applies to the CRD’s three Electoral Areas that include Salt Spring Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, and the Juan de Fuca. The Bylaw will come into effect on March 1, 2026. “These changes are designed to improve responsiveness, support affordable housing, and simplify the permitting process in the electoral areas,” said Paul Brent, Chair of the CRD’s Electoral Areas Committee. “By simplifying processes and aligning with industry standards, we’re making it easier for residents and builders to navigate permitting while ensuring the sustainability of our inspection services.” Under the updated Bylaw, builders will apply for a single building permit covering the entire construction process, replacing the previous requirement for multiple permits at different…
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March 10-12, 2026, Islands Trust Council Meeting Announced

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council invites the public to participate in its next business meeting being held in Duncan at the Khowutzun Heritage Centre, 200 Cowichan Way, March 10-12, 2026. There are multiple options to attend or view the meeting, such as attend in-person, by telephone, or online. Islands Trust Council, which is comprised of the 24 local trustees and two municipal trustees, meets quarterly to make decisions about matters that apply to the entire Islands Trust Area and Islands Trust operations. Islands Trust Council receives, discusses, and makes decisions about policies, finances, and proposed work for the coming quarter. Featured Sessions Islands Trust Draft 2026/27 Budget – Islands Trust Council will review and finalize its 2026/27 budget. Islands Trust Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement Manual – Islands Trust Council will consider adopting an amended Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement policy. Islands Trust Policy Statem…
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Islands Trust: Preserve Versus Conserve

This is a followup to a piece I wrote that the Exchange kindly published last December 3rd. We’re getting hung up on “unique amenities”, but the problem is that they can’t be defined out of context. What’s unique in my home, for example, may be commonplace in another. What we need to focus on, in the Islands Trust mandate, is in the “preserve and protect” part. The magic word is ‘preserve’, which every Trustee is defining wrong. They’re thinking and acting on ‘conserve’, which is means something decidedly different. I’ve known this difference since teaching environmental education, creating a first prize-winning Environmental Ed’ curriculum for the B.C. government in 1975, then getting an M.Sc. in Environmental Ed’ decades ago. It’s kind of surprising that we still don’t know the difference between preserving and conserving. Some quotes from online sources help to make this clear. I’ve rearranged some text for clarity. “While both share the intention of safeguard…
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Learning About our Fabulous FabLab

Many of the ten who joined us to welcome Ryan Shepard of our Library’s FabLab to this ASK Salt Spring gathering were totally unfamiliar with his amazing work. They were glad that they joined us. We learned a lot about FabLabs - digital fabrication laboratories. While they are in many libraries across Canada (not all) as well as other locations, like colleges, and all use 3-D printers, their offerings vary greatly. Our FabLab is unique in many ways. Among those special differences are: - It is totally free, both the staff expertise to help you create as well as the materials used. - It is fully-funded by the generosity of The Wilding Foundation with not a penny of tax dollars needed. - Unlike many other Do It Yourself FabLabs, there is always an expert there to support you in our FabLab. - It is open to help you create six days a week, the same hours as our Library: 10-5 Monday - Friday and 10-3 on Saturday. - Anyone can book an appointment to come in and create. - …
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What are the Islands Trust 'Unique Amenities'?

Dear Trustees and Trust Staff: On the subject of UNIQUE AMENITIES: I suggest the Trust has wrongly included development in its working definition of Unique Amenities. Please list my opposition to the 2023 working definition: will ""include, but not be limited to, housing livelihoods, infrastructure, and tourism". If you have time to read further, I base my opposition on an excellent Trust Discussion paper, cited below, that includes the history of First Nations' curating of the Trust's Unique Amenities. The 2023 Unique Amenities definition has not been agreed to by Trust area citizens, nor has it been legally approved, but is now a foundational concept in the proposed new Trust Policy Statement. Simply put, development activities are not unique amenities. Every community across the country has economic, development, tourism, and housing infrastructure amenities and/or needs for them. Each Trust island has land use bylaws that provide opportunities for meeting…
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If It Ain't Broke ....

In an April 2025 Driftwood article Saanich North and the Islands MLA Rob Botterell opined that the Islands Trust Mandate with respect to ‘unique amenities’ should not be reinterpreted from its original meaning. The Mandate, he said, should not include housing, livelihoods, infrastructure and tourism as aspects of the unique amenities of the Gulf Islands. Agreed. Salt Houses of Bolivia are unique housing worthy of preservation. Rickshaw driving is a livelihood in China that contributes to its unique culture. Roman aqueducts of Italy are unique infrastructure worthy of preservation. None of these have comparables in the Gulf Islands. What comes to mind when we consider the uniqueness of the Gulf Islands? Undoubtedly we think about the natural environment; the sea, the trees, the land mass, the rock, the birds, the mammals. This is what the Trust Mandate directs us to preserve and protect. There are very real human consequences to choosing this unique environment as worth…
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  • - February 2, 2026

2026 Country Grocer Valentine’s Day 'Island of Love' Photo Contest

Join Country Grocer and the Salt Spring Exchange in celebrating Love on Salt Spring Island for Valentine's Day! Enter our ‘Island of Love' photo contest for a chance to win one of three wonderful Valentines prizes to help you celebrate your love. To enter the contest, just upload a photo of you and your sweetheart(s) using the form below. Show us your love! Whether you’re young and ecstatically in love, or in your 90s with a twinkle in your eye whenever you see each other, whether you’ve taken your “flirt” down or up a few notches over the years, share it with your community! Country Grocer is once again donating three ‘Island of Love’ prizes this year, just enter via the Salt Spring Exchange and you’ll have a chance to win: One 'Grand Prize' of a Dinner for Two at FEAST ($400 value! Includes Food and a $150 wine pairing compliments of FEAST) A reservation has already been made for you on Valentine's Day! (Changeable if you can't make it that day) Second Prize i…
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