Salt Spring News

Prepare for heavy rain combined with snowmelt

The Province is urging British Columbians to prepare as Environment and Climate Change Canada advises that substantial rain, with snow at higher elevations, is expected for coastal B.C. throughout this week. Heavy rain is expected for coastal areas including east and west Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, inland Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. A wind warning is in effect for the central coast - coastal sections, Haida Gwaii, North Coast – coastal sections, and North Vancouver Island. The River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for: Howe Sound; Sunshine Coast; Sea-to-Sky; North Shore Mountains; Metro Vancouver; Fraser Valley, including the Chilliwack River and surrounding tributaries; and Vancouver Island (North, East, South, West, and Central). The rainfall expected this week, combined with the melting of recent snow, is a concern. Rivers are expected to rise, resulting in possible flooding. Previously flooded ar…

Salt Spring Island's first licensed retail cannabis store 'Harvest Moon' opening soon

The seasoned retail team behind the new Harvest Moon is excited to announce that they are opening the Island’s first licensed retail cannabis store at 366 Lower Ganges Road. Located at the south end of the Country Grocer shopping plaza, Harvest Moon has completed its modern and engaging renovations and is busily stocking the store for business with a wide range of available product offerings. Salt Spring Islander and Store Manager, Mike Burd, says “Harvest Moon’s friendly and enthusiastic team will provide a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable cannabis and related-products shopping experience for all adults.” Mike is an experienced retail manager who was most recently the bulk foods manager for Country Grocer. He has been taking various cannabis training courses during the past two years, and his newly hired team members have all completed their “Selling it Right” training for cannabis. Harvest Moon has common ownership with the Country Grocer, Country Grocer Pharmacy, and …

Property assessments on Salt Spring and the Gulf Islands increase an average of 35% over previous year

In the next few days, owners of about 382,000 properties throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands can expect to receive their 2022 assessment notices, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2021. “Vancouver Island’s real estate market has increased in value across all property types over the past year,” says Vancouver Island Deputy Assessor Jodie MacLennan. “Increases of 15 to 35 percent are generally evident for single family dwellings, strata homes, industrial and commercial properties throughout the island with notably larger percent increases in both central and northern Vancouver Island communities.” As B.C.'s trusted provider of property assessment information, BC Assessment collects, monitors and analyzes property data throughout the year. Overall, Vancouver Island’s total assessments increased from about $269 billion in 2021 to $343 billion this year. Over $4.85 billion of the region’s updated assessments is from new construction, subdivisions and the…

Ganges Creek and Harbour wastewater discharge notice

A spill of wastewater has occurred at the Ganges Wastewater Treatment Plant on Salt Spring Island. A mechanical failure of part of the above ground piping system, likely as a result of the current cold temperatures, was the root cause of the spill. Much of the volume was contained on site, but some sewage ran overland, entered the storm water system leading from the facility to Ganges Creek and out to Ganges Harbour. Crews have completed clean-up efforts, placed warning signs, and cordoned off the affected area including a section of the path located immediately north of the facility adjacent to Ganges Creek. As a result of this discharge, residents are advised to avoid contacting the affected areas where the spill occurred as well as avoid entering the waters along the affected shorelines, as the wastewater may pose a health risk. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health, the affected area will be posted with public health advisory signs until environmental…

News Alert: Magnitude 3.9 earthquake occurs near Ganges on Salt Spring Island

An estimated 3.7 to 3.9 magnitude earthquake that was centered 10 KM East-Northeast of Ganges, BC on Salt Spring Island was experienced this morning at 4:13 AM with a reported depth of 17 km according to Earthquake BC and the Earthquake Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Reports of the mild tremor are being relayed from as far away as Victoria. There are no reports of damage at this time and no reports of service interruptions. Did you feel it?

What to expect during an earthquake

Small or moderate earthquakes These can last only a few seconds and represent no emergency risk. Ceiling lights may move and some minor rattling of objects may occur in your home. You may feel a slight quiver under your feet if you are outside. If you are close to its source, you may hear a loud bang followed by shaking. Large earthquakes These can last up to several minutes and constitute a natural disaster if its epicentre is near a densely…

Transition Salt Spring secures federal grant to protect Maxwell Lake watershed from fire

Climate project to focus on Maxwell Lake watershed -- source of water for 3,000 - Transition Salt Spring has been awarded $100,000 by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the EcoAction Community Funding Program to trial on-the-ground strategies to protect a critical local watershed from the impacts of climate change. A key outcome of the project will be to share watershed resilience and fire prevention strategies with large public and private landowners across the region. By doing so, Transition Salt Spring hopes to build regional capacity to address climate change-fuelled risks from drought and fire in threatened Coastal Douglas-fir and arbutus/Garry oak forests. “Residents of the Gulf Islands consistently identify drought as the top concern,” says Ruth Waldick, Transition Salt Spring director who is the project’s lead. “This project is important because it’ll allow us to understand and develop strategies that can reduce the risk of fire while protecting watersh…

IWAV granted $18,500 from collective fundraising network of 100+ Women Who Care

Eighty-two members of the 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring group gathered via Zoom on a rainy November 17th to hear compelling five-minute presentations from three worthy Island causes. An anonymous vote was cast in real time, revealing the charity of choice who will receive a $18,500 pooled collection is IWAV, or Islanders Working Against Violence. “Our staff are thrilled for this amazing contribution from women in our community to extend our outreach services and support for our second stage residents,” explains IWAV’s Executive Director Kisea Petersen. “These women have left intimate partner violence or other gender-based violence and look to IWAV to help them regain confidence, resiliency, and a healthier future for them and their children.” For almost 30 years IWAV has been providing safety and services for women experiencing violence, abuse, and poverty. With 28 staff and several volunteers, it operates multiple programs and facilities including a 24-hour crisis line…

Prepare for a series of storms to hit B.C.

The Province is urging people to prepare and be diligent as Environment and Climate Change Canada issues weather alerts for a series of storms with heavy rain, strong winds and snow in some areas. The storms are expected to arrive in B.C. later today, Wednesday, Nov. 25, through to next week. Winter storm, rainfall, wind, snowfall and flood warnings have been issued throughout B.C.’s coastal areas, including the north coast, central coast and Vancouver Island. Special weather statements are in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Squamish to Whistler and the Sunshine Coast. Flood conditions may arise in the areas over the period of these storms. The River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for all regions of the coast. People in these areas are asked to avoid all non-essential road travel during the upcoming storms. For up-to-date public weather alerts, visit Environment and Climate Change Canada's website. People living in thes…

Provincial disaster financial assistance available to Salt Spring Island area residents

BC residents impacted by recent flooding may be eligible for provincial Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA), including those in the Capital Regional District’s Electoral Areas: Salt Spring Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, and Juan de Fuca. This financial assistance is a grant program provided by the province and is in place to help replace or restore uninsurable essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged. The provincial DFA is available to qualifying home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farm owners, and charitable organizations who experience property damage due to the rains on November 14 and 15, 2021, where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available. Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, to a maximum claim of $300,000. Applications for the provincial DFA must be submitted by February 12, 2022. Full det…

Fire destroys residential structure on West Eagle Drive

On November 20th 2021, at 15:32 Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue received a call for a residential structure fire at 300 West Eagle Drive. When the first apparatus arrived on scene, an approximate 500 square foot structure was fully involved. Fire crews had some challenges because of the large amount of belongings on the property and inside the structure. SSIFR had 13 members and 7 apparatus on scene to extinguish the fire. It took 10,000 gallons of water and 5 hours from the start of the incident to the end. The cause of the fire is under investigation but believed to be accidental. Ken Akerman Fire Captain

Plan ahead for essential medical appointments on Vancouver Island

Overnight closures of Highway 1 on the Malahat for the next several days have prompted the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to limit the route to essential travel only. Currently, there are no major disruptions to Island Health’s health-care services. If this changes, people with booked appointments for medical care will be contacted to reschedule. More information will be shared if the situation changes. People with essential medical appointments that require a trip over the Malahat should monitor travel advisories and plan for extra travel time in the event there are delays as a result of road repair work. Island Health will work with patients to reschedule non-urgent appointments if that is their preference.

Provincial state of emergency declared as result of widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides

The B.C. government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the provincewide response and recovery from the widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in British Columbia. “Provincial, federal and local governments are working with emergency personnel to make sure people and communities get the help they need as they work through yet another natural disaster. This provincial declaration of emergency will ensure the transport of goods, and essential and emergency services,” said Premier John Horgan. “Thank you to everyone for doing what you can to stay safe and to help one another as we work through this catastrophic time.” Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, made the declaration on Nov. 17, 2021, based on the recommendation from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Emergency Management BC. The declar…

Boil water advisory for Fulford Water Service

Update as of 2021 November 20: The boil water advisory issued on Nov. 16, 2021 for the Fulford Water Service on Salt Spring Island is now DISCONTINUED. Two consecutive sample sets collected from locations at the watermain break site have been analyzed and indicate that the water is now safe to consume. The CRD, in consultation with Island Health, have rescinded the advisory. Update as of 2021 November 16: The Capital Regional District (CRD) in consultation with Island Health have issued a Boil Water Advisory for residents on Morningside Road and Tahouney Road within the Fulford Water Service Area in the Salt Spring Island Electoral Area (refer to map below). Residents in the impacted area should BOIL their drinking water until further notice. Water quality may have been compromised as a result of a watermain break and system depressurization caused by intense rainfall events on November 14 and 15, 2021. As a precaution, the Boil Water Advisory will be in effect until f…

Heavy rain causes partially treated wastewater discharge into Ganges Creek

High intensity rain events on November 14 and 15, 2021 caused combined stormwater and partially treated wastewater flows to exit the Ganges Wastewater Treatment Plant and enter the storm water system and discharge to the ocean at the outlet of Ganges Creek. The shoreline affected is in the vicinity of Gasoline Alley and Beachside Cafe in the Village of Ganges on Salt Spring Island. As a result of these discharges, residents are advised to avoid entering the waters along the affected shoreline, as the wastewater may pose a health risk. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health, beaches within the affected areas will be posted with public health advisory signs until sample results indicate enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit.

Heavy rain causes untreated discharge from Maliview wastewater plant

High intensity rain events caused combined stormwater, treated and untreated wastewater flows entering the marine environment through the discharge outfall pipe from Maliview Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant on November 14 and 15, 2021. The shoreline impacted is in the vicinity of the Treatment Plant outfall pipe at the intersection of Maliview Drive and Walkers Hook Road on the northeast part of Salt Spring Island. As a result of these discharges, residents are advised to avoid entering the waters along the affected shoreline, as the wastewater may pose a health risk. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health and the local municipalities, beaches within the affected areas will be posted with public health advisory signs until sample results indicate enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit.

Salt Spring Coffee Celebrates 25 Years of Roasting Sustainable Coffee

It was in 1996 that Salt Spring Coffee first opened the doors to its roastery café on McPhillips Avenue in Ganges. Now, a quarter century later, the company is still going strong with a recently renovated café and kitchen and a well-deserved reputation for brewing some of the best coffee on the West Coast. To mark its 25th anniversary and, in keeping with its focus on sustainability, the company is launching a limited-edition collection of single-origin coffees grown using regenerative organic agricultural practices. Each coffee in the collection is produced from the same beans, but processed differently allowing coffee drinkers to appreciate how each method influences the coffee’s flavour. “To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we wanted to put together a collection that exemplifies Salt Spring Coffee’s dedication to producing coffee of the highest quality and acting as a force for positive environmental change,” says Mickey McLeod, Co-Founder and CEO of Salt Spring Coffe…

New Provincial acute care visitor policy at Island Health hospitals

Island Health is highlighting an important amendment to the Provincial Acute Visitors Policy that will protect vulnerable patients and care providers by helping to keep COVID-19 and variants out of our facilities. Effective Tuesday, November 9, 2021, visitors to Island Health hospitals will need to be fully vaccinated, and show proof of vaccination, to enter. Visitors who do not demonstrate they are fully vaccinated will not be able to enter a facility, including passing through to access an outdoor space, with a few exclusions: children under age 12; individuals with approved medical exemption documentation; and unvaccinated visitors who meet specific care setting criteria. Care teams will also consider requests for a visit from an unvaccinated visitor based on the following exception guidelines: Visits as a support person to the Emergency Department; Visits to the Intensive Care Unit; Visits for critical illness and end-of-life care; Visits for …

CRD and PARC initiating formal discussions to explore lease agreement to operate the Salt Spring Middle School building

The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) has approved in principle the CRD initiating formal discussions with School District 64 (SD64) to enter into a five year lease agreement to operate the Salt Spring Middle School (SIMS) Building located at 122 Rainbow Road as a community centre beginning in July 2022. “This is an exciting opportunity to work together with our local community groups and volunteers that have not had a permanent indoor public recreation space available to them,” said Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director. “The social bonds that people create at a community centre have strong benefits. They improve lives and help people build strong, safe and inclusive communities, social interactions, volunteerism and community pride.” The SD64 Trustees approved a partial closure of SIMS in September 2021 and a full closure of the school at the end of June 2022. If an operating agreement betwee…

COVID-19: Capacity limits lifting as two-dose vaccine requirements begin

On Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, full vaccination for everyone born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and presentation of your BC Vaccine Card will be required to access certain events, services and businesses. On Monday, Oct. 25, more people will be able to come together at organized gatherings and events in parts of the province where vaccination rates are high. The provincial health officer order restricting capacity limits to 50% for inside organized events and gatherings will be revised to allow 100% capacity in those settings where the BC Vaccine Card is in place and proof of vaccination status is checked. In addition, the requirement to remain seated at a table in restaurants and pubs will be lifted. Indoor mask requirements remain in effect for all indoor gatherings and events. These changes apply to: indoor sporting events (e.g. hockey or basketball games) indoor concerts, theatre, movie theatres, dance and symphony events indoor organized events: examples are wedd…

New funding secured for Bishops Walk to Drake Road trail upgrade project

The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) recently received $90,127 in funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (ICIP-CVRIS). Thanks in part to this funding, PARC is moving ahead with the Drake Road Trail Upgrade Project. The Drake Road (Bishops Walk) Trail is a connector trail starting at Cypress View Road through to Drake Road where users can then access Salt Spring Commons, Mouat Park and the downtown core. The trail is approximately 480 m long by 1.8 m wide and is a multi-use community trail. “This announcement comes on the heels of us completing our final phase of Salt Spring Commons, a new affordable housing project owned by Salt Spring Island Community Services. Upgrades to this established pedestrian trail will provide residents and neighbours year-round walking opportunities.” - Rob Grant, Executive Director of Salt Spring Island Community Servi…

New bus route coming to Salt Spring Island in October

BC Transit and the Capital Regional District are announcing the introduction of year-round service to Beddis and Cusheon Lake roads effective October 1, 2021. Starting on Friday, October 1, the 7 Cusheon Lake will run three trips per day. This route provides increased transit coverage on Salt Spring Island and serves a number of destinations and visitor accommodations. It also provides additional service along Fulford Ganges Road, so that residents have more options for service in that area. Service on all other routes is being adjusted to match demand and align with BC Ferries’ schedules. Earlier Sunday and Holiday service is also being introduced on the following routes: 1 Ganges Local 3 Vesuvius 4 Long Harbour 5 Fernwood 6 SS Connector 9 Ruckle Park – Fulford direct Early service on Saturday is also being added to routes 3, 4 and 5. BC Transit reminds customers that that Free Transit for Children 12 and Under launched on September 1, and more information on …