Walk through Ganges any night, and you’ll find a quiet, largely empty village. The low population in our village core is puzzling, given that compact towns promote efficient public infrastructure and reduce emissions.
The scattered rural development we see in our own community, by comparison, results in fewer trees to lower summer temperatures and soak up carbon, and higher carbon emissions due to the transportation required to move people and goods back and forth from those our scattered dwellings.

Additionally, behind locations like Country Grocer, you’ll see fifth-wheel RVs occupied by island workers unable to find suitable housing nearby. This reflects our community's failure to plan for diverse housing options.
The moratorium imposed by North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) in 2014 was initially justified due to concerns about unsustainable water withdrawals from St. Mary Lake. However, it has hindered the development of compact, environmentally friendly multifamily units in areas close to jobs and services, exacerbating our housing crisis and promoting inefficient rural growth.

We now have a crucial opportunity to rectify these issues by supporting NSSWD’s proposal to lift the moratorium, potentially allowing up to 300 multifamily units in their service area, including Ganges. Transition Salt Spring is happy to support this proposed lifting of the moratorium. This could revitalize our village core, fostering a lively, diverse, and equitable community where people from various backgrounds can live and work in a walkable environment.

Transition Salt Spring’s support is conditional. The Islands Trust is key, as it governs land use and zoning decisions. The Trust must implement policies to ensure the housing our community urgently needs can be developed in the village core.

The current review of the Local Trust Committee’s Official Community Plan offers a chance to prioritize housing affordability and climate action. These goals can coexist if approached thoughtfully.
Our stance on lifting the moratorium may shift based on two factors: the Islands Trust's directives regarding the new connections and NSSWD’s response to incoming applications. We will look for a comprehensive monitoring plan, a multi-year water conservation strategy, and enhanced climate modeling to address extreme weather risks, as detailed in our letter to NSSWD.

We anticipate a public dialogue with NSSWD and the Trust that balances housing equity, ecosystem protection, and climate action.

Transition Salt Spring is opting for a qualified yes, having invested significant volunteer hours in research and discussion. We appreciate the NSSWD board's thoughtful decision-making process. Their approach is cautious and incremental, ensuring there will be opportunities to adapt as circumstances evolve.

NSSWD’s careful monitoring will allow for adjustments as needed. We have outlined reservations and recommendations in a detailed letter, which, with the Islands Trust’s support, could strengthen the NSSWD proposal for well-situated connections.

By following this cautious path, we can achieve important housing and environmental goals. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders, NSSWD, and the Islands Trust in the coming months to ensure the best outcomes.