ASK Salt Spring

Sixteen gathered for a conversation with Andrew Gaetz, manager of Emcon, our road maintenance contractor, and Jake Roder, our Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) Area Manager. After a moving Territorial Acknowledgment, we learned from Andrew that our maintenance crew is working hard to complete spring duties like moving, sweeping, and brush clearing. Their sights will soon turn to larger projects, such as the smaller paving jobs. (MoTI is responsible for the larger paving projects, but Emcon takes responsibility for some of the smaller projects.) Questions began with a concern about safety issues on the narrow, winding Vesuvius Bay Road. We learned that it is 3.5 km long and has 14 curves, six hills that obscure sight of oncoming traffic, and eight intersections. He recounted six occasions last year alone in which he drove his vehicle on a curve to encounter a car barreling down on him on the wrong side of the road. On each of these occasions, the oncomin…

After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, 16 participants launched into our Islands Trust-focused conversation with one of the Islands Trust’s Local Trustees, Laura Patrick. She began by speaking about Reconciliation and how it makes her aware of language and the ways she makes decisions. She is excited to see various island groups and organizations taking steps toward Reconciliation. She acknowledged Salt Spring Art Council’s ArtCraft, which is undertaking a pilot project to bolster inclusion and build connections with Indigenous artists. The owner of Taco Loco shared his efforts to make his restaurant more attractive as well as safer. She explained that the Local Trust Committee had proactively adopted a policy to permit local restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops to expand outdoor seating during the public health emergency. He currently has an active development permit application with the Islands Trust. Laura encouraged him to continue to work with Islands Trust st…

Sixteen gathered to learn and explore issues with our special guest, MLA Adam Olsen. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, we launched into a discussion of our roads, specifically private ownership and traffic calming. While this conversation was spurred by the petitions supporting and opposing the speed bumps on the privately-owned section of Beddis Road, the conversation ranged far beyond speed bumps to our many complex road issues. First, we learned that private ownership of a section of Beddis Road is - alas - not unusual: Many, many sections of roads on all of the Gulf Islands are privately-owned. Adam reminded us that these roads were originally wagon trails, built on farms and designed to connect farms to one another and to distribution centres. Most often, these roads and adjacent rights of ways were eventually acquired by the province. Throughout the decades, they were improved, transitioning from wagon trails to important island thoroughfares. In some case…

Ten gathered for this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering to welcome BC Transit Planner Ericka Amador. She is the lead for Salt Spring’s year-long analysis of our current system designed to result in recommendations for our bus system’s future. Since August of last year, Ericka has been meeting every month with a team from Salt Spring, including Gary Holman and Gayle (as Chair of the Transportation Commission), to get their feedback about this study. The timing of. Ericka’s visit is especially-relevant as the community engagement portion of this study is currently underway. If you have not already completed the survey, you have until May 6 to add your opinions to this important study. So far, about 300 Salt Springers have responded. While Ericka is pleased, we can do better, Salt Spring! After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, Ericka began by sharing something that “excites and delights” her: While she is so very aware of the tragedies and challenges of our pandemic, s…

Welcoming CRD’s Gary Holman, 10 gathered for this week’s ASK Salt Spring. During the discussion, there were some creative suggestions about enticing larger numbers of Salt Springers to join these weekly gatherings with our elected officials. While it was agreed that the information-rich reports are read by many Salt Springers each week, most agreed that it was a lost opportunity for those who do not participate. While between 20 and 30 gathered each Friday in the Meadow last summer, fewer typically participate in the Zoom gatherings. While averaging about 20 each week during the winter, spring numbers have dropped. It was surmised that Zoom Gloom had impacted many, understandably enticing folks outdoors to savour spring weather. And, that ASK Salt Spring was designed as a face-to-face gathering to share ideas (and cookies.) with Zooming about together only a temporary adaptation. While confident that participation will increase when protocols allow ASK Salt Spring to host…

This week’s ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering welcomed one of the two Salt Spring Local Trustees for the Islands Trust, Laura Patrick. After a traditional Territorial Acknowledgment, we spoke with Laura for two hours on a variety of topics including the Trust Council meetings held virtually March 9-11, and Salt Spring Island long range planning projects. We heard from an islander who listened into all three days of the Trust Council meetings March 9-11. This participant explained that she was impressed by the thoughtful dialogue and commitment shown by all of the trustees to these special islands. She was also impressed with Laura’s respectful discussions in the various debates. A highlight of this past Trust Council meeting was the passing of the 2021/22 budget. This year’s budget contains a considerable increase in grant revenue that is being directed to federation-wide work related to species at risk and freshwater sustainability/watershed protection. Also included in the…

Still struggling with a dose of Zoom Gloom - many likely drawn outdoors on this spring-like Friday - only 10 joined thisASK Salt Spring gathering. Despite our slim numbers, our CRD Director, Gary Holman, was welcomed enthusiastically and the conversation was rich and varied. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, Gary began by speaking briefly about what was on his mind. His was aware of island-wide frustration with the rollout of the COVID vaccination appointment system and the weariness with restrictive gathering protocols. Gary did remind us of the unbelievable feat of getting as many different vaccines developed and fully-tested in such a short time. While Canada’s response to the pandemic has been better than many other countries, most notably the United States, Gary does believe that many lessons have been learned. Among them is concern about Canada’s relinquishment of its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. Among the good news is that Community Service is…

Escaping Zoom Gloom, the spring-like weather enticed many outdoors and away from their computers. As a result, only ten participated in this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While too many missed our rich time of learning and conversation, those who participated were so very appreciative of the wisdom, honesty, and insight our MLA Adam Olsen brought to this conversation. While words cannot hope to replicate this rich discussion, it is hoped that this report will still offer some valuable information to those who missed ASK Salt Spring this week. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, we began by learning a lot about the central governance role of the BC Throne Speech. Its purpose is to outline the agenda of the governing party for the coming year. While it is not always voted upon by members, it is heavily-debated and lays out the action plan for the legislative session. Adam is concerned about the current Throne Speech, delivered December 7, 2020, by our Lieutenant Gove…

After an acknowledgment of the Coast Salish people upon whose occupied land this meeting took place, the 10 individuals joining this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcomed special guests: our Chamber’s new Executive Director, Jesse Brown, and President, Darryl Martin. At 11:00 the twelve of us launched into a varied and rich conversation. Darryl began by thanking ASK Salt Spring for the opportunity to join this gathering along with Jesse Brown, the Chamber’s newly hired Executive Director. He continued by acknowledging the damaging economic and social realities impacting Chamber businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Darryl identified three priorities of the Salt Spring’s Chamber of Commerce: Helping local enterprises address the impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns. Improving the vibe of Ganges and working towards the extension of the Harbourwalk. Revitalizing the Salt Spring Island Visitors’ Centre. We learned that these priorities were only a beginning and…

Twelve participated in this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering welcoming one of our Islands Trust’s Local Trustees, Laura Patrick. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment, Laura began by sharing her optimism for the emerging alignment of planning initiatives designed to address a number of challenges for Salt Spring. The best solutions to any of these challenges are the ones that simultaneously address multiple issues confronting our island -- such as forest health, biodiversity, watersheds/water supply, the climate emergency, land use, housing, small business health, food security, and the spirit and resiliency of our community. Laura was asked a number of questions related to the housing action program. She explained that this program is aimed at solutions that are within the authority of the Islands Trust’s Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC). Identifying solutions will come through open dialogue. This dialogue will not make differences disappear or lead everyone to …

Twenty-three gathered via Zoom to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and his staff to listen and learn about the issues that matter most to them. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgement, we asked Adam to begin by sharing what was on his mind. Seeking to identify those things that excite and delight him, he spoke with enthusiasm of finally being able to be in his legislative office, the lovely old wainscoting making a satisfying background for this Zoom gathering. He also shared his enthusiasm for the new, street-level, Sidney office he will soon occupy. Across from Tanners Books, it is a new building that is estimated to be complete by April. He is looking forward to being back in the Legislature March 1 and to begin debating the budget, postponed from its normal February timeline. He spoke of drafting the long-anticipated Private Members Bill on tree-cutting on the Southern Gulf Islands. The bill will not necessarily prohibit logging but will add default protections and give t…

Seventeen gathered via Zoom, welcoming some of the many authors of our soon-to-be-released Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2.0. We celebrated the completion of this audacious plan, taking thousand of hours of volunteer work researching and writing as well as outreach to over 2,000 members of our community, government officials, and a wide variety of local nonprofits. Darryl Martin (Chair) joined us as well as authors Simon Wheeler, Peter Lamb, and Jim Standen. We learned that it is a long document - over 100 pages - but that segments are downloadable separately. This will allow readers to begin by selecting only, for example, the Executive Summary (a mere five pages) and then proceeding to download chapters of most interest to them. Even this segmenting strategy may not work for all as one participant said, I will not read the entire report: Just give me the 10 things that I need to do! The plan will be available within the next few weeks. The conversation began with transporta…

After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment, 13 ASK Salt Spring participants welcomed Restorative Justice volunteers Darlene Gage and Laura Defoe. Also Zooming about with us was our new RCMP Sargent, Clive Seabrook. We all also welcomed his participation in our conversation. We began by learning about Restorative Justice (RJ) and its exciting potential to help address the oft-discussed issues of safety in our community. Based on indigenous principles, RJ seeks a system of restoration rather than punishment. RJ volunteers work to restore a relationship between the responsible person (often seen in our culture as the “offender") and the affected person (often viewed as the “victim".) We learned that RJ has been a volunteer-driven initiative on Salt Spring for over 20 years and may be the longest running program you have never heard of, according to Darlene. There are over 90 RJ branches throughout British Columbia with a large number of programs on Vancouver Island and ev…