About Positively Forward

Following our local elections in which, happily, the three candidates endorsed by Positively Forward (Holman, Grove and Patrick) were successful in their bids to become elected officials, our coordinating group took a short break. Just time enough to recharge. We remain committed to conducting research  to advance better local governance options, as well as monitoring the work […]

Positively Forward is pleased to announce the release of its report, “Improving Capital Regional District(CRD) Service Delivery on Salt Spring Island: options for positive change” . A team of researchers, writers and their editor prepared the 44- page report, working for more than ten months to complete the study. Their work is based, in large […]

Over 700 islanders — your friends, colleagues, and neighbours — have come out against incorporation. Click on this link to see who has signed on, including: Dan Jason, Andrea Le Borgne, David Miller, Richard Murakami, Andrea Palframan, Sue Newman, Deirdre Roland, Brian Brett, Jade Snow Rosen, Bob Twaites, Sue Earle, Harry Warner, Lea Weir, Tiff […]

Former trustee, David Borrowman speaking at a recent Positively NO public information event.

There are many reasons to oppose incorporation. Click on this Top Ten list. Salt Spring is again facing a referendum on Saturday, September 9 as to whether the island should incorporate. It is the issue that won’t go away. A previous referendum about whether to incorporate, in 2002, failed; 70% of voters opposed it. The […]

Island resident and the author of ” A Short History of Progress”, Ronald Wright speaking at a recent Positively NO event.

Humorist, writer and former broadcaster, Arthur Black giving a speech recently on why he’s a NO supporter.

Tiffany Wightman is an educator, counsellor and a circus director. She has called Salt Spring home for 17 years. She explains the many reasons for voting NO, adding ” I think that what we’ve got is pretty radical…so I’m voting NO with the idea that it is a radical move”.

First Nations consultant, Kathleen Johnnie, talks about the differences between a municipality and the Trust and Regional Districts with regards to requirements for consultations with First Nations. The video was shot at a recent information session for undecided voters organized by Positively NO.

Economist and researcher, Richard Kerr was a member of the incorporation study group 15 years ago. At that time he was a supporter of incorporation. Today he is a NO supporter. In this clip from a recent information session for undecided voters, he explains his reasons for switching.

Who are the many islanders opposed to incorporation? Here are some of us: your friends, neighbours and colleagues.

At a recent Q&A session at one of the undecided events organized by Positively No, Linda Adams explains the relationship of a municipal council to the Islands Trust as it has been experienced on Bowen Island.

The Positively No referendum campaign is calling on our locally-elected Islands Trust Trustees, George Grams and Peter Grove, and our CRD Director, Wayne McIntyre, to correct misleading statements made by the pro-incorporation Yes campaign about a municipality’s legal obligation to the Islands Trust. In a letter sent to them today, the Positively No campaign called […]

Patricia Lockie, former journalist and communications consultant, gives the introductory speech at an event for undecided voters put on by the Positively NO group at Meaden Hall on Aug.22. Patricia outlined the benefits to the individual and to the community of a no vote.

The incorporation debate is generating creative and exciting solution-seeking discussions throughout our island. Conversations about those things we love about Salt Spring – and the reasons we moved here – are being enriched by explorations of creative ways to enhance local governance without incorporating. Most of these conversations are random, taking place while shopping at […]

Young spoken word poet and activist Taryn Muldoon explains why she is voting NO.

Indeed, incorporation will be a disaster for local farms. David Borrowman—a former local trustee for the Islands Trust—wrote: “Once the rhetoric has settled, I expect that incorporation would mean moving from an under-serviced rural area to an impoverished municipality.” If Salt Spring wants to remain a rural area, it makes sense to look at what […]

Arthur Black – former CBC radio host, frequent columnist in many journals that you read, successful and indefatigable writer of popular books (that you should read), and generally witty man about town… elaborates on why “NO” is the new Black.

A scientist and environmentalist, Tara Martin offers her perspective on the reasons to say NO to incorporation.

Former MLA and a past CRD director, Gary Holman talking about his reasons for saying NO. He covers a lot of ground, including the hot topic of grants for Salt Spring.