Governance & Politics

Islands Trust – Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee April 2024

This report summarizes the meeting highlights for the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee April 11 th meeting. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meeting. At the April 11 th meeting the following decisions were made related to land use applications and referrals. We: - Amended and then approved a temporary use permit (SS-TUP-2023.2, 805 Vesuvius Bay Road) for a period of two years for the operation of five commercial guest accommodation units in the form of individual yurt structures. - Approved a Development Variance Permit (SS-DVP-2023.16, 131 Northern Way) to vary an interior side lot set back of 3 metres to 1.5 meters for the construction of a single-family dwelling. - Approved a Development Variance Permit (SS-DVP-2024.4, 541 Anna’s Drive) to vary the maximum height for a structure from 7.6 meters to 9.8 meters for the construction of a single-family dwelling. The following permit was approved b…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes Two Local Community Commissioners

April 12- Ten welcomed two of your Local Community Commissioners, Ben Corno and Gayle Baker, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While the numbers were small, the conversation was rich, masterfully facilitated by Ron Cooke. We began with a Territorial Acknowledgement from Ben, introducing himself in the Indigenous way of also recognizing his parents. When asked what excites and delights us, Gayle responded that she was delighted to be happily home after an amazing trip that began in Brazil and ended in Rome. She spoke briefly about her satisfaction with small projects that are moving along toward completion, like the new bus shelter next to the Visitors’ Center, a proposed ICBC study of our Ganges crosswalks, the soon-to-be-released prioritization of our top road safety concerns, and the recent award of a grant to complete the Merchant Mews pathway. She expressed her determination not to focus upon the areas in which she sees herself failing, like moving swiftly toward soluti…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes MLA Adam Olsen

April 5 Fifteen joined us for all or part of our time together as we welcomed MLA Adam Olsen and Constituency Advocate Jerram Gawley to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. Adam began by offering our Territorial Acknowledgement, initiating a conversation about housing that lasted for our entire time together. He began by introducing us to Bill 13 – Land Title and Property Law Amendment Act being debated in the Legislature. This bill proposes to remove discriminatory barriers concerning First Nations land ownership. Currently, First Nations in BC are unable to acquire, hold, and dispose of land in the name of the First Nation.They are required, instead, to set up an alternate arrangement, such as a corporation. While Adam believes that passage of this legislation may have limited impact, its importance is that it will remove one of many discriminatory laws that were designed decades ago to intentionally create barriers for First Nations. These barriers have resulted in th…

Islands Trust: Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee March 2024 Update

This report summarizes the meeting highlights for the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee March 7 Regular meeting. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meeting. At the March 7th meeting the following decisions were made related to land use applications and referrals. We: - Approved development variance permit (SS-DVP-2023.18, 103 Tantramar Drive) to vary: the minimum front line setback of 7.5 m to 0.0 m to permit an existing garage, stairs and rock wall; the natural boundary of the sea setback from 15 m to 4.36 m and to 5.8 m to permit a rock wall extension and an existing deck, stairs and bench; and, the natural boundary of the sea setback of 15 m to 11.8 m to permit an existing septic field replacement. - Approved a partial discharge of a s. 219 Restrictive Covenant and s. 218 Statutory Right Away Agreement for the purposes of land acquisition and road dedication by the Ministry of Transportation and Infr…

Islands Trust Council has Approved the 2024/25 Budget

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council has approved the 2024/25 budget for the Islands Trust. "In navigating development of the 2024/25 budget, trustees faced tough decisions and found compromises,” said Islands Trust Council Chair Peter Luckham. “This budget allows Islands Trust to progress work on strategic initiatives that are important to communities. We are so pleased to have secured more than $830,000 in grant funding for next year.” The approved budget for 2024/25 of $10.98 million assumes that Islands Trust will maintain existing service levels, support a new Accessibility Committee, and undertake land use planning projects including: -Housing Needs Assessments (for all local trust committees) -Housing Strategy Action Plan Implementation Project (includes updating the Housing Options Toolkit) -Denman Island Housing Review Project -Gabriola Island Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Comprehensive Review Project -Mayne Island Housi…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes Andrew Gaetz, Operations Manager of Emcon

March 1, fifteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Andrew Gaetz, Operations Manager for Emcon, our road maintenance contractor. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we asked Andrew what excited and delighted him. He immediately responded that he was very pleased that the recent vacuum sweeping of Ganges had gone so well, with only a few parked cars impeding the much-needed sweeping of our village streets. Also swept was an area of grave concern for cyclists: The barriers along the curves of Lower Ganges Road north of Booth Canal Road. Emcon is contracted to sweep all major Salt Spring streets by May 15 and minor roads by June 15. This February 22 sweeping, requiring a large vacuum sweeper brought over from Vancouver Island, was over and above Emcon’s sweeping requirements. When Andrew was acknowledged for this unexpected gift, he commented that he fully-understood Salt Spring’s commitment to active transportation and was happy to do what he can to free our s…

Advocating for people and communities in Saanich North and the Islands

I have a deep connection to the beautiful place we live. I belong here, and this perspective informs the way I advocate, engage, and relate to the people, to the land, and to all the flora and fauna. Reflecting on the past six years that I have been MLA for Saanich North and the Islands; I am proud of the advocacy work of our community office. From day one we have aspired to be community-centered, advocating for constituents who contact us, while proactively working to bring people together on important issues to build local resilience. My approach has been informed in part by Peter MacLeod’s work (MASS LBP) in the early 2000s on The Constituency Project. Conversations with Peter offered rich insights on how we could effectively engage with the constituency, stay connected, and also be a connector. This constituent-centered approach was inspired by my experience working in local businesses like the Butchart Gardens, where professional, personal, and prompt customer servic…

Islands Trust: Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee 2024 February update

The Local Trust Committee (LTC) did not have a regular meeting scheduled in January 2024, but we did hold a special meeting on January 22. We held our regular LTC meeting on February 15th and this report summarizes the meeting highlights for both of those meetings. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meetings. At the Jan. 22nd special meeting, we gave three readings to Bylaw 537 because it is consistent with the Official Community Plan. The proposed bylaw will amend the Land Use Bylaws by introducing regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within a limited area. Before LTC can consider finally approving a bylaw like this, Trust Council’s Executive Committee must approve it. At the Feb. 15th meeting the following decision was made related to land use applications and referrals. We: Approved a development variance permit (SS-DVP-2023.5 at 250 Collins Road) to vary the maximum area of an ex…

ASK Salt Spring with Local Community Commissioners Ben Corno, Brian Webster, Earl Rook, Gayle Baker and Electoral Director, Gary Holman

Thirty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome our Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Ben Corno (bcorno@crd.bc.ca), Brian Webster (bwebster@crd.bc.ca), Earl Rook (erook@crd.bc.ca), Gayle Baker (gbaker@crd.bc.ca) and Gary Holman, also our Electoral Director, (directorssi@crd.bc.ca). After our Territorial Acknowledgment, facilitator Grant Fredrickson began by asking each of our guests what excited and delighted them about being Salt Spring’s first Local Commissioners. Ben began by expressing his pleasure that the months of discussion about the 2024 budget had concluded, allowing the Local Commissioners to turn their full attention to creative solutions to Salt Spring issues. Earl agreed with Ben’s sentiment, adding that he was looking forward to participating in the continued development of the LCC into its full potential as Salt Spring’s local government. Brian added that he was pleased with the capacity of the LCC to listen to and act on really important local i…

ASK Salt Spring welcomes MLA Adam Olsen and his Constituency Advocate, Jerram Gawley

Twenty came to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and Jerram Gawley, his Constituency Advocate, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. Adam added to our Territorial Acknowledgement by reminding us that his people had a tradition of overlapping spaces, a homeland to different groups sharing linguistic and cultural roots but still very different. He reminded us that these overlapping boundaries accommodating multiple groups were extremely difficult for crown governments far more comfortable with maps identifying discrete ownership. When asked what excited and delighted him, Adam immediately responded that being on Salt Spring did just that. He is glad that he spends a lot of time here and is honoured that he has been accepted as our advocate. He is pleased that we trust him to bring our unique perspective to the legislature. He was also appreciative of his recent day on a panel with Chief John Jack and Eric Nyce of the Nisga’a Nation at the Leaders Governmental Learning Academy. These pane…

Local Community Commission Town Hall meeting report for January 11th, 2024 - SIMS, Noise Control, Snow Removal, Transit and more

The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) held its third evening Town Hall on Thursday, January 11, in the SIMS Board Room. Despite coinciding with the arrival of the first significant winter storm of the season, three hardy residents came out to join the five members of the LCC for an open discussion of the 2024 Budget. Because the three attendees brought an interest in, and knowledge of, transportation and transit issues, those topics tended to dominate the discussion. After a territorial acknowledgement by the Chair, Director Gary Holman presented a summary of the 2024 CRD provisional requisition and the trends putting upward pressure on local government spending. The provisional budget was developed by CRD staff, both locally and in Victoria, over the summer and presented to the LCC for its initial review at the September commission meeting. The full CRD Board gave provisional approval to the budget on October 25 and is slated to approve the final budget…

ASK Salt Spring with MLA Adam Olsen and his Constituency Advocate, Jerram Gawley

Nineteen came to the first 2024 gathering to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and his Constituency Advocate, Jerram Gawley. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam began by reflecting on his break over the holiday season, savouring a time to relax and prepare for a very busy 2024. Concerning pace, he has observed that, while politics move quickly, democracy needs to proceed slowly. Reflecting on the quick passage of time since he first ran as MLA in 2013 and was elected in 2017, he noted the difference in the pace of politics and governance; a functioning democracy requires a much more thoughtful, intentional, and deliberate pace. The first question for Adam was about the electric bike rebate program which was fully subscribed within a few days of it being announced last spring. While a waiting list has been created, this participant asked why she had not heard anything about reinstating and expanding this popular program since it was first announced. Adam did not have specific de…

Islands Trust: Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee 2023 December update

Wishing you a Happy New Year! We held our regular LTC meeting on December 14th and this report summarizes the meeting highlights. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meetings. At the Dec. 14th meeting the following decision was made related to land use applications and referrals. We: Requested staff to forward application SS-ALR-2023.2 (710 Cranberry Road) to create a two-lot bare land strata subdivision to the Agriculture Land Commission (ALC) for further consideration noting that the Salt Spring Agricultural Advisory Planning Commission had identified concerns with future exclusion and further subdivision of Proposed Lot A. In other actions taken at the regular Dec. 14th meeting we: Received two delegations on the Temporary Use Permit (SS-TUP-2023.1 at 130 Blackburn Road) for a dog kennel and campground that the Local Trust Committee denied at its November 16, 2023 meeting. The applicant …

Opinion: BC NDP doubles down on magical thinking to address housing affordability crisis

During this Fall session the BC NDP government introduced dramatic changes to housing policy in British Columbia. At one point we had four active bills (35, 44, 46, 47) all related to the housing affordability crisis. My response to Bill 44: Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023, was a 12 000-word, 1.5-hour speech, a culmination of my 15-year journey in local and provincial governance. The speech broadly reflects my concerns and critiques with the current trajectory of housing policy in British Columbia and I dig into the complexities of the housing affordability crisis. However, I also call for collective action that goes well beyond housing, urging genuine dialogue and comprehensive solutions. The following offers a summary of my comments. For millennia, we worked together to deliver basic human needs—food and shelter—creating societal bonds and fostering creativity and innovation. Today, the real estate market impedes universal housing se…

ASK Salt Spring with Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Chair Earl Rook, Brian Webster, Gayle Baker and Electoral Director, Gary Holman

Ten gathered to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Chair Earl Rook, Brian Webster, Gayle Baker, and Commissioner, as well as Electoral Director, Gary Holman. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Darryl Martin, doing the honours as our facilitator, began by asking all what they hoped to gain from this CRD/LCC-focused gathering. While responses varied, the clear message was that participants wanted Commissioners to tell them about the major issues before the LCC and what they thought the LCC had accomplished in its first six months. Much our time together focused upon some key LCC issues of discussion, including the 2024 budget, Portlock Park, the possible transition of the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance (SSWIPA) to CRD, roads, and the proposed encampment. We only spoke briefly of the major issue confronting Commissioners: the 2024 budget. With final decisions to be made at the January 18, 2024 LCC meeting, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the SIMS (fo…

ASK Salt Spring with MLA Adam Olsen and Constituent Advocate Jerram Gawley

Twenty-nine joined us for this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming MLA Adam Olsen and Constituent Advocate Jerram Gawley. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began a lively, philosophical, complicated, and quite wonderful conversation about housing in the context of just-passed Bill 44. After acknowledging ASK Salt Spring, beginning its fifth year of convening rich weekly conversations, Adam began by speaking briefly of the fascinating, frustrating just-finished legislative session, calling it one of the most challenging in his 15 years of government service. While happy to have a break, he is also saddened that he must wait until the Legislature reconvenes in the middle of February 2024 to re engage in his opposition responsibility of keeping our government accountable. He mused that these Legislative sessions could be more effective if they were scheduled so MLAs met more regularly throughout the year with a break every few weeks rather than their current blocks o…

Islands Trust: Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee 2023 November update

The Local Trust Committee (LTC) held an evening “Town Hall and Questions” session at Salt Spring Golf Club November 15th (5:00-7:00 PM). We were grateful for those who came out to ask questions and engage with the trustees. We held our regular LTC meeting on November 16th and this report summarizes the meeting highlights. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meetings. At the Nov. 16th meeting the following decisions were made related to land use applications and referrals. We: Referred an Agriculture Land Reserve application SS-ALR-2023.2 (710 Cranberry Road) to create a two-lot bare land strata subdivision to the Agriculture Advisory Planning Commission for their comments. Approved a development variance permit (SS-DVP-2023.15 at 351 Mountain Park Dr.) to: increase the maximum accessory building floor area from 70 square metres to 178 square metres; reduce the minimum sideline setback from 3 me…

Opinion: Democracy, health, housing, and transportation

In this column I will address a number of issues that continue to impact people in Saanich North and the Islands, and across British Columbia. I’ll start with our democracy. Since my election I have been advocating for improved legislative processes, and better access for private members (all members not in Cabinet) to introduce, debate, and vote on private members bills and motions. Throughout the summer, I sat on an all-Party legislative committee looking at the issue. Over decades, majority governments have wrestled control of the legislative agenda away from the Assembly and now can dictate what is debated and voted on. However, if the committee’s recommendations are enacted by the government, all elected representatives will have more tools to propose legislative changes. Primary, urgent, and acute healthcare continues to be a major issue across BC and Saanich North and the Islands is not immune. With the Saanich Peninsula Hospital emergency room closed in the eve…

Islands Trust: Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee 2023 October update

We held a regular LTC meeting on October 12th and this report summarizes the meeting highlights. For the official record and for more details, please refer to the minutes and/or view recordings of the meetings. At the October 12th meeting the following decisions were made related to a land use applications and referrals. We: Supported an application (SS-ALR-2023.1, 271 Beddis Road) to facilitate a boundary adjustment subdivision within the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) and requested staff to forward the application to the Agriculture Land Commission for their consideration. Directed staff to respond to a crown lease referral (No. 160881170-004, 6736 Mark Lane, Saanich Peninsula) that our interests are unaffected regarding amending an existing crown lease to construct a 49 m2 concrete boat launch ramp. Approved issuance of a Development Variance Permit (SS-DVP-2021.23, 150 Margoline Drive) to vary the 15.0 m minimum setback for a structure from the natural bound…

Local Community Commission Town Hall meeting report for October 12th, 2023 - Budget, service cuts, street lighting, livestock compensation and more

Eleven joined Local Community Commissioners Gary Holman (also our Electoral Director), Brian Webster, Earl Rook, and Gayle Baker for the second Local Community Commission (LCC) Town Hall on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Commissioner Ben Corno was unable to attend due to a previous off-Island commitment.) After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Chair Earl Rook welcomed us to this discussion focused upon the CRD 2024 Provisional Budget. As this budget will not be finalized until March 2024, participants learned that their suggestions about possible changes to this draft budget were welcome. They also learned that this was not the only opportunity they would have to make suggestions as this budget will be on the LCC agenda in November, December, and January, with final changes anticipated to be required by the end of January 2024. In addition to opportunities to speak briefly at LCC meetings to suggest changes to the provisional budget, (please register as a…

Centennial Park plaza construction upgrades set to begin

The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Salt Spring Island (SSI) Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture (PARC) department has received $561,748 in grant funding from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PEDC) to complete additional upgrades to Centennial Park. “My thanks to the Province of BC for this innovative funding program that will help us to continue to revitalize Centennial Park and support increased park use, special events and our community markets. Centennial Park is centrally located in Ganges Village and is a key economic driver and a crucial pillar of island life to promote community wellbeing, active living, as well as park amenities and activities for people of all ages” said Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director. The Centennial Park Plaza has been identified as the next phase of park upgrades as part of the approved 20-year Master Plan. Work on this phase began in 2022 and included detailed designs to replace the park plaza and install lighting…