Salt Spring News

Capital Regional District Approves New Mountain Biking Guidelines

On May 12, 2021, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Regional Parks Mountain Biking Guidelines and short-term actions to support the Mountain Biking Advisory Committee Advice and Guidance Report were passed by the CRD Board. In addition, the Board directed that the CRD Regional Parks Mountain Biking Guidelines be reviewed in the context of the Regional Parks Strategic Plan update. The Mountain Biking Guidelines will play an important role in the enhancement and growth of sustainable quality mountain biking experiences in the regional parks system where deemed appropriate. Implementation of the guidelines is forward-looking. The Mountain Biking Guidelines apply to all mountain biking activities taking place within the CRD regional parks system. This includes mountain biking as an activity as well as the construction and maintenance of mountain biking trails and related facilities and infrastructure. The guidelines are forward-looking and intended to be applied by CRD st…

Salt Spring RCMP End Search for Missing Person Sinikka Gay Elliott

Update as of May 15th, 2021 1:01 PM: The body of a Salt Spring Island woman missing since Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 was found on Saturday, May 15th, 2021. Although a full determination has yet to be made, Salt Spring RCMP do not believe that criminality was involved in the woman’s sudden death. The BC Coroners Service is also investigating to determine how, where, when and by what means she came to her death. The Salt Spring RCMP want to thank the over 100 volunteers who helped in the search. No other information is available at this time. https://youtu.be/LDd4rSRPZ54

Salt Spring RCMP and SAR Teams Staging at Portlock Park

Salt…

Obituary: Graham Paul Foulkes

Graham Paul Foulkes June 8 1965 – April 25 2021 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Graham, known by many as Oz or Ozzy. He was the loving husband of Leanne, father of Tabitha (Tavis), Jenoah (Brandy), Trylan (Aleah), Rosemary, stepfather of Coast, and grandfather of Sayla. As the lynchpin of a large extended family, he was also a “bonus dad” to Kaiya and Maria, and a caring uncle to many nieces and nephews. Graham was born in Watford, UK to Audrey and Michael, and brother to Trevor, Steven, David and Sally. After attending Watford Grammar School and a brief stint in university studying environmental sciences, he started on his great adventure in Canada in 1987. He attended film school in Victoria, incorporating film and photography throughout all aspects of his life. Graham was most comfortable behind the lens, and you would typically see him with a camera slung around his neck. Over the years, in his unique way, he became a vibrant member of th…

Unpaid COVID-19 fines may lead to driver’s, vehicle licence denial

People who leave COVID-19 fines unpaid may be unable to obtain or renew a B.C. driver’s licence or vehicle licence under proposed legislation introduced today. “That small minority of persons who have been fined for violating the rules in place to protect us all are going to be held accountable for the debt they owe,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We’ve already moved up the deadline for sending unpaid COVID-19 fines to collections. Now, we’re going to refuse to issue offenders a driver’s licence or vehicle licence if they still won’t take their tickets seriously and pay up.” If passed, proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act will extend “refuse to issue” (RTI) restrictions to fines issued under the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. RTI will apply to all outstanding fines issued under these acts and will be applied retroactively. People with outstanding fines will receive notice of the RTI from ICBC ahead…

Salt Spring Island Foundation Announces 2021 Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants

The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Neighbourhood Small Grants. These grants (up to $500) support projects that fit the grant priorities: respect and celebrate diversity, connect and engage residents to increase community resilience, foster creativity and wellbeing while sharing skills and knowledge, and tackle social isolation. There are 32 projects taking place on Salt Spring Island this summer as part of the Neighbourhood Small Grants program. All project leaders are required to follow BC public health orders, recommendations and guidelines to ensure physical distancing protocols at the time that the project occurs and are encouraged to deliver their projects online. Anti-Racist Summer Reading A project to support teachers in furthering their education by supplying summer reading materials about anti-racism, social justice, diversity, and inclusion principles. A small lending library will be set up in the Gulf Islan…

Islanders Working Against Violence breaks ground on Phase 3 of Croftonbrook Housing Project

Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) is pleased to announce that they have begun construction of our new housing at Croftonbrook. This will be a 34 unit apartment building that will provide housing for people who have low to moderate incomes. The mix of suites (studio to 3 bedrooms) will allow for different options for individuals, couples and small families. It will be ready for occupancy in Spring 2022. This project has been made possible through the generous support of our funders: CMHC, CRD, BC Housing, SSI Foundation, Victoria Foundation, Aqueduct Foundation and local donors. They celebrated by having a social distanced ground-breaking photoshoot with their amazing team: Project Manager: Janis Gauthier Architect: Robert Schindelka IWAV staff and contractors: Kisae Petersen, Rachel Bevington, Sarah Cordes, Charlie Barteaux, Brent Simpson IWAV Board/Development Team: Alicia Herbert, Sophia Jackson, Susan Dann Island West Coast Developments Ltd (IWCD…

Island Health overdose awareness campaign aims to reach men who use drugs alone

Island Health has launched an awareness campaign for men who use drugs to help prevent overdose deaths and support men to break the silence about their drug use. “People use drugs for many, complex reasons, and often even the people closest to those who’ve overdosed didn’t know they were using,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “That’s why breaking down stigma about who uses drugs is so important. Let’s have open conversations that encourage people to break the silence and reach out for help.” Last year in the Island Health region, 263 people died from illicit drug toxicity. Of those people, 225 were men - and 126 of them were in a private residence when they overdosed. “We know that among those who die from toxic drug poisoning, men who use alone are at greatest risk,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Vice President, Population Health & Chief Medical Health Officer. “We want them to know their lives matter - and there are sup…

Nearly 500 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs in first three months of 2021

As the province’s public health emergency regarding substance related harms enters its sixth year, the BC Coroners Service reports that toxic illicit drugs have claimed the lives of 158 British Columbians in March 2021. This raises the total number of deaths in the province for the year to 498. “Once again, we are reminded of the incredible toll that the toxic drug emergency is having on communities throughout our province,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, BC Coroners Service. “The illicit drug supply in British Columbia is volatile and unpredictable, and anyone using a substance from this unregulated market is vulnerable to serious injury or death.” The 158 deaths represent a 41% increase over the 112 deaths recorded in March 2020 and ties the previous high for March established in 2018. For the third consecutive month, more than five British Columbians lost their lives to illicit drugs every day, and the yearly total to date surpassed the previous high of 401 deat…

B.C. government commits $9.5 million to derelict boat and marine debris clean up

Up to 1,200 kilometres of B.C.’s coastlines and more than 100 derelict vessels are the targets of new marine debris clean-up projects, in partnership with coastal Indigenous Nations. This summer, more than $9.5 million from the Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) Initiative Fund will be used to tackle shoreline cleanups and/or derelict vessel removals from the north coast down to southern Vancouver Island. The funding is being distributed to four agencies: the Songhees Development Corporation, the Small Ship Tour Operators Association – Wilderness Tourism Association, the Coastal Restoration Society and the Ocean Legacy Foundation. “The scale of the problem is massive, and we need to do much more to address ocean debris and its devastating impacts on marine life and food sources,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “The enthusiastic response to our call for project applications shows how deeply British Columbians care about our marine ec…

Salt Spring RCMP investigating mischief to Island Health signs

On April 24th, 2021 the Salt Spring RCMP received a complaint of several signs that had been vandalized during the previous night by unknown persons. Frontline members arrived and found that the signs all belonged to Vancouver Island Health Authority, and had been spray painted with different messages. The signs were all in place for the COVID-19 immunization clinic in the area of Jackson Ave on Salt Spring Island. "Whether this mischief was meant to be a nuisance, a political statement or otherwise is irrelevant says Salt Spring RCMP Detachment Commander Clive Seabrook. We are in the middle of a pandemic and this mischief is 100% unnecessary. I’m proud to stand alongside the health care professionals who are working very hard here for the residents of Salt Spring Island." Salt Spring RCMP members continue to following up on several leads to determine who caused the mischief. If you know anything about this incident please call the Salt Spring RCMP at (250) 537-5555.

Community support makes new Day Surgery Facility possible at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

New and expanded day surgery unit which supports Gulf Island residents opens at Saanich Peninsula Hospital - On Monday April 12th, at 10:00 am, staff at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital celebrated the opening of a new and expanded Day Surgery Unit. As a part of the opening ceremonies, local First Nations elders May Sam, Patti Underwood and Barb Henry conducted a blessing for the new facility. “Without the support of our generous and dedicated donors, this project would not have been possible”, says Shelley Mann, Chair of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. “These friends and neighbours of ours on the Saanich Peninsula contributed the entire cost of the project – $3.5 million dollars. We are so grateful to them for helping our hospital continue to meet the needs of our growing and changing community.” “We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation and the many donors who supported this project and …

COVID-19: BC Ferries passengers will be asked if their travel is essential, and denied passage if it is not essential

Starting immediately, in support of the provincial travel restrictions Order announced today by the Province, BC Ferries will deny travel to customers travelling for non-essential reasons on routes crossing regional zones as defined in the Order. This affects the following routes: Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay Tsawwassen – Duke Point Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay Comox – Powell River Port Hardy – Prince Rupert Customers travelling on these routes will be asked if their travel is essential, and denied passage if it is not essential. Customers travelling on routes that operate within the same regional zone will be reminded they should be avoiding non-essential travel at this time. The Province defines situations that qualify as essential travel here. “BC Ferries supports doing everything we can to discourage non-essential travel, and this Order gives us the legal authority we need to deny travel for non-essential reasons,” sa…

COVID-19: Province introduces travel restrictions to curb spread

To help keep communities safe and protect British Columbia’s health-care system from COVID-19, the Province is introducing travel restrictions that limit non-essential travel in B.C. On the advice of Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has issued a new order using the extraordinary powers of the Emergency Program Act to prohibit non-essential travel between three regional zones in the province, using health authority boundaries. The regional zones are: Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions); Vancouver Island (Island Health region); and Northern/Interior (Interior Health and Northern Health regions). While the order puts legal limits only on travel between regional zones, the PHO’s guidance remains unchanged throughout B.C.: everyone should continue to stay within their local community – essential travel only. This order will be in effec…

COVID-19: New vaccine schedule invites those 18+ to register this week

More than 1.8 million British Columbians will be invited to register for their COVID-19 vaccine in the week ahead as B.C.’s Get Vaccinated program moves forward. A new schedule for age cohorts to register ensures people know when it is their turn. To preserve system capacity, please wait until your age cohort is eligible to register: Monday, April 19 – Registration opens for people aged 40 and up Tuesday, April 20 – Registration opens for people aged 35 and up Wednesday, April 21 – Registration opens for people aged 30 and up Thursday, April 22 – Registration opens for people aged 25 and up Friday, April 23 – Registration opens for people aged 18 and up The fastest way to register is online. To register, people need their personal health number(found on their CareCard or on the back of their driver’s licence or BC Services Card), their postal code, first and last name, date of birth and an email address that gets checked regularly or a phone number tha…

Local Group Seeking Help Mapping Spread of the Invasive, Noxious 'Gorse' Weed

The Native Plant Stewardship Group on Salt Spring Island has launched a new initiative to map the spread of the invasive, highly-flammable plant called Gorse. Gorse is a designated noxious weed that has been spreading on Salt Spring Island for many years. Its high oil content and unusually large amount of dead plant matter make it a serious fire hazard, and the dense growth prevents native plants from flourishing. Mapping the spread of gorse will be a valuable tool in seeking help from both islanders and government in future, and understanding its extent will help prioritize local efforts to deal quickly with small patches before it spreads further. The group is asking for photographs of areas where Grose has been spreading on Salt Spring Island by submitting those photographs to iNaturalist. Participants will also be able to see what has been mapped so far, and they are hoping that with many users they will be able to cover areas not publicly visible, in private propert…

COVID-19: People aged 55+ invited to register for vaccine

A new vaccine registration schedule will provide certainty for more than 1.3 million British Columbians aged 40 and older, as B.C.’s Get Vaccinated program moves forward. A new schedule for age cohorts to register ensures people know when it is their turn: Monday, April 12 – registration opens for people aged 55 and up Wednesday, April 14 – registration opens for people aged 50 and up Friday, April 16 – registration opens for people aged 45 and up Monday, April 19 – registration opens for people aged 40 and up The fastest and most effective way to register is online. Registering online takes approximately two minutes. People need their personal health number (found on their CareCard or on the back of their driver’s licence or BC Services Card), postal code, first and last name, date of birth and an email address that gets checked regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages to register. Registration is the first step. Once registered, peo…

COVID-19: Province shifts to Phase 3: millions to book vaccine appointments online

All eligible adults in B.C. will soon be able to follow an easy, three-step process to register and book their vaccine appointments online, as the Province moves to Phase 3 of B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan ahead of schedule. “British Columbians faced the countless challenges of this past year with incredible courage,” said Premier John Horgan. “Today marks a major milestone in our fight against COVID-19, and we ask everyone to wait their turn and follow three steps to help put this pandemic behind us.” There are three easy steps to register to book your vaccine appointment: Register: First, register when it is your turn and get a confirmation code. Book: Book a vaccine appointment when you get an email, text or phone call telling you you are eligible to book, based on your age. Get vaccinated: Visit a vaccine clinic to get your vaccine dose. Starting at 8 a.m. (Pacific time), on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, people born in 1950 and earlier (71 and older), Indi…

COVID-19: Immunization Clinic Relocates to ArtSpring Centre

Effective Wednesday, April 7, 2021 all scheduled immunization appointments for Salt Spring Island will be held at the ArtSpring Centre (100 Jackson Avenue) on Salt Spring Island. People with appointments at the health unit on or after April 7the, 2021 will be informed of the shift to ArtSpring. Once fully operational, the clinic at ArtSpring will operate Sunday through Thursday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Appointments are required and details will be confirmed with you when your appointment is booked. Please do not contact the ArtSpring Centre for information about registration or eligibility. This information can be found at islandhealth.ca/covid19vaccine

B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation Reprimands Local Salt Spring Island Teacher

A local Salt Spring Island school teacher has been reprimanded by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation for her conduct in the classroom. According to a Consent Resolution Agreement published by the Commissioner on March 30, 2021, Peri Michelle Lavender was a Grade 8 teacher in the SD64 Gulf Island School District during the period of 2016 and 2017. As a result of alleged conduct in the classroom, two parents filed complaints about Lavender under the Teachers' Act based on concerns for how the classroom was being managed. According to the Commissioner's decision, “During the school year, the classroom was loud and chaotic and often out of control, which negatively impacted the students’ learning environment”. There were also concerns that Lavender allowed students to use their iPads and phones in class for non-educational purposes. “This was disruptive to some students who wanted to learn” reads the decision. Also, as a reward, Lavender would allow some students to…

COVID-19: Three-Week Circuit Breaker Begins Now to Bend the Curve, Protect People

To address rising COVID-19 case counts, protect people and communities and help break the chain of COVID-19 transmission, the provincial health officer is amending the provincial public health orders effective midnight tonight, March 30, 2021. “COVID-19 continues to create challenges for people and businesses throughout B.C., and we are grateful for the sacrifices people continue to make to keep one another safe,” said Premier John Horgan. “We know that the idea of more restrictions is not welcome news, but we are asking people to rise to the challenge with the confidence that vaccines mean better days are ahead. We are not out of the woods yet, but the provincial health officer’s orders, combined with our vaccines, give us the tools we need to move out of this pandemic together.” New and amended orders and guidelines are in effect through April 19, 2021, and include: For restaurants, bars and pubs, all food and liquor-serving premises must only provide take-out or d…

COVID-19: Vancouver Island School Districts and Coronavirus Response

The Vancouver Island region has been experiencing a higher number of coronavirus cases in the past few weeks, and many of these cases have reported higher numbers of social contacts and events while infectious. Accordingly, we are now seeing the number of children with coronavirus on the rise. This past few weeks may have been quiet as schools have been heading into or returning from spring break. However, all signs indicate that there will be significant numbers of exposures at schools in the weeks to come. As families prepare for children to return to school, please consider: If your child has even mild symptoms, do not attend school, make an appointment to get your child and any other symptomatic family members tested, especially if you have travelled during spring break. Call 1-844-901-8442 (daily 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) to book an appointment for a COVID test. Remember: Hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing are important measures to continue to…