Local Trust Committee March Update, by Trustee Laura Patrick This report relates to the business of the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC), which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The LTC’s responsibilities include regulating the development and use of land within the Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes Salt Spring Island and more than 25 associated islands including Prevost, Secret, and Piers islands. We are looking for community members to join the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUC) Project Advisory Planning Commission. This commission will consist of up to seven people to advise the LTC on community engagement plans, implementing communications strategies, connecting the project team with key interest groups, and promoting diverse community involvement in the OCP/LUB review process. We also have vacancies on the Advisory Planning Commission, the Agricultural Advisory Planning Commission, and the Board of…

Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) Boards approved the 2025 financial plans at the Board meeting on March 12, 2025. The 2025 Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) Financial Plan was approved by the CRHC Board on December 11, 2024. “The 2025 financial plans reflect our commitment to responsible fiscal management and strategic investment in our community. These plans will enable us to continue delivering essential services, support sustainable growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents in the capital region,” said CRD Chair Cliff McNeil-Smith. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts of our staff, partners, and community members in shaping a budget that addresses our current needs and future aspirations.” The 2025 financial plans support the priorities and initiatives from the 2023-2026 Corporate Plan, aligning with the CRD Board’s strategic goals. The CRD, CRHD and CRHC financial plans combi…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council approved a budget of $11.2 million for 2025-26. “Sensing the challenging times, staff and the Financial Planning Committee put a great deal of work into reducing the proposed budget ahead of Trust Council’s meeting. The approved budget supports ongoing work directed to the well-being of the Trust Area while minimizing the impact on taxpayers” said Islands Trust Council Chair Laura Patrick. The approved budget for 2025-26 assumes that Islands Trust will maintain existing land use planning service levels, and support various ongoing major projects and initiatives in the Islands Trust Area: Denman Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review (housing options focus)   Gabriola Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review  Gambier Island Local Trust Area Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review and Implementation (heritage preservation/prote…

March 7 Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and his Constituency Assistant Patricia Pearson. During his Territorial Acknowledgement, he expressed his gratitude that we can live and work on this beautiful land. He acknowledged his pleasure that we can do this work in partnership First Nations, learning from their wisdom, values, and culture. When asked what “excited and delighted" him, he did not hesitate: He is pleased that the Legislature is in session, particularly enjoying his regular opportunity to publicly question our government during the question period. A rookie now, he looks forward to his progression to being our moderately experienced MLA and, eventually, to becoming our “long in the tooth” MLA. Before beginning to answer our questions, he offered us all the opportunity to sign up for his regular newsletter. You, too, can sign up by emailing Newsletter not enough? Want to learn more? See his website. He assured us tha…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – The Islands Trust Council elected Laura Patrick as its new Chair today, during the first day of its March quarterly meeting, being held in Nanaimo. Laura Patrick has served the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Area since 2018 and steps into the leadership role with a commitment to advancing the Islands Trust’s preserve and protect mandate. “It is an honour to be elected as Chair of Islands Trust Council,” said Chair Patrick. “As we navigate the challenges and priorities ahead, I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow trustees to make progress on the issues that matter to islanders. The work of local trust committees, Bowen Island Municipality, and the Islands Trust Conservancy is essential in this, and I look forward to supporting continued cooperative efforts to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area.” The Chair of Islands Trust Council guides discussions at Islands Trust Council, Islands Trust Executive Committe…

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement in response to the latest threats from the United States: “Today, we are ordering the removal of all American beer, wine, spirits and refreshment beverages from the shelves at BCLIQUOR stores. The stores carry hundreds of types of U.S. alcohol that the BC Liquor Distribution Branch will also no longer be purchasing. “We are taking this action in response to escalating threats from south of the border. Most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump made new threats against Canada’s dairy and lumber industries – and there are reports he has been musing about redrawing the border. “Last week, we took ‘red state’ liquor off our shelves in a targeted move. In the face of ongoing threats, including to Canada’s dairy and lumber industries, we are expanding the list of targeted American products. “We have heard the voices of people in British Columbia who are justifiably upset by American threats – and want to see us take …

Premier David Eby has announced new tariff-response measures with the intention of bringing forward legislation that will defend British Columbians, workers and businesses from U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. “The White House started a trade war we didn’t want, and we must answer with strength,” Premier Eby said. “We are responding to this unprecedented attack with several targeted measures and in the coming weeks we will arm ourselves with even more tools as next steps to fend off a sustained economic aggression.” The B.C. government intends to introduce tariff-response legislation in the coming days that will give the Province new tools to defend B.C. jobs and businesses and respond swiftly and nimbly to emerging challenges brought on by Trump's trade war. This would enable a range of responses, including the ability to remove interprovincial trade barriers, mandating that low-carbon fuels added to gasoline and diesel be produced i…

February 28 Thirty-seven came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MP Elizabeth May and her new Constituency Coordinator, Aysha Emmerson. After her Territorial Acknowledgement, Elizabeth shared delight about her new granddaughter, Lily, born October 30, 2024. While already the loving grandmother of step-grandchildren, Elizabeth has been blown away by the love, delight, and adoration she feels for her daughter Cate’s baby. After we all had a chance to introduce ourselves, Elizabeth started our discussion of local, federal, and transnational issues by addressing the local concerns of one participant about derelict boats in Ganges Harbour as well as hazardous garbage, including many batteries, littering the beaches. This individual had recently collected a trunkful of these environmentally-dangerous batteries littering our shores to dispose of off-Island. Thinking he had been doing a good deed by collecting batteries from our seashore, he was surprised by being cat…

This report relates to the business of the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC), which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The LTC’s responsibilities include regulating the development and use of land within the Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes Salt Spring Island and more than 25 associated islands including Prevost, Secret, and Piers islands. Our next regular meeting will be on March 20th beginning at 9:30 AM at the Salt Spring Legion, Meaden Hall, 120 Blain Road. The agenda will be available on March 14th on the Islands Trust website. Office staff are available to help should you have questions about getting to our meetings or viewing them on-line. Please call 250-538-9144 or email ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca for support. Please note that no in-person office is available on Salt Spring Island currently. Renovations will be commencing on a new office at 121 McPhillips Avenue, with intent to re-open to in-person service in Spring 202…

February 7 Twenty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Rob Botterell for his first time with us as our MLA. He was accompanied by his able and welcoming constituency assistant, Theresa Coles. (Don’t fret if you missed this opportunity: Rob plans to be with us the first Friday of each month, 11-1, SIMS classroom next to the Boardroom.) After his Territorial Acknowledgement, Rob added how grateful he was to be with us today and to have the opportunity to carry on the great work of former MLA Adam Olsen. When asked what “excites and delights” him, he shared his pleasure that 2025 will bring us the opportunity to work on shared issues, commitment to successfully address issues, and joy with the melting snow - allowing him to be with us today without worrying about driving in treacherous snow. The first question from a participant acknowledged appreciation of his first newsletter. (Want to receive this bi-weekly newsletter? ) She asked about the results of the…

PRESS RELEASE – January 30, 2025 North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Partial Lift of Moratorium on Maxwell Lake System. Following the completion of detailed analyses of water supply reliability and water system infrastructure, and several months of community engagement and feedback, the North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) Board has approved a partial lift of its water moratorium policy (Moratorium) that has been in place since 2014. The NSSWD Board and staff have taken great efforts to responsibly manage Salt Spring Island’s largest yet limited water supply by using a science-based approach to assess future water supply reliability and potential improvements. While there is considerable demand for housing on Salt Spring Island, NSSWD is taking a cautious approach with this significant change for our community. It has been determined that the current supply availability for the Maxwell system can assist with the current housing need in the Ganges area…

The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) is holding a public town hall meeting on Thursday, January 9, at 5:00 in the SIMS Board Room. The focus of the town hall is to answer voter questions, and to elicit feedback, on the proposed 2025 CRD/LCC budget. The proposed “provisional” budget, approved by the LCC in September, will be given final approval by the LCC at a special meeting scheduled for January 30. The CRD Board will approve the final budget in its entirety in March. The January 9 town hall will provide one of the last public opportunities for Salt Spring voters to discuss the budget with their elected commissioners before the budget is set to be finalized. The CRD Board approved its provisional budget for 2025, including that of the SSI Local Community Commission (LCC), at its October 30 meeting. The provisional budget is prepared by CRD staff based on a number of factors, including inflation, negotiated wage and salary settlements and contractual obli…

This report relates to the business of the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC), which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The LTC’s responsibilities include regulating the development and use of land within the Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes Salt Spring Island and more than 25 associated islands including Prevost, Secret, and Piers islands. Our next regular meeting will be on February 13th beginning at 9:30 AM at the Salt Spring Legion, Meaden Hall, 120 Blain Road. The agenda will be available on February 7th on the Islands Trust website. Office staff are available to help should you have questions about getting to our meetings or viewing them on-line. Please call 250-538-9144 or email ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca for support. Please note that no in-person office is available on Salt Spring Island currently. Renovations will be commencing on a new office at 121 McPhillips Avenue, with intent to re-open to in-person service in Spring …

Local Trust Committee November Update, by Trustee Laura Patrick This report relates to the business of the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC), which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The LTC’s responsibilities include regulating the development and use of land within the Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes Salt Spring Island and more than 25 associated islands including Prevost, Secret, and Piers islands. Our next regular meeting will be on December 12th beginning at 9:30 AM at the Salt Spring Legion, Meaden Hall, 120 Blain Road. The agenda will be available on December 6th on the Islands Trust website. Office staff are available to help should you have questions about getting to our meetings or viewing them on-line. Please call 250-538-9144 or email ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca for support. Please note that no in-person office is available on Salt Spring Island at this time. Renovations will be commencing on a new office at 121 McP…

Islands Trust, on behalf of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, has filed a petition in the BC Supreme Court in order to preserve the unique environment of Wise Island, an island within the Galiano Island Local Trust Area. The claim seeks remediation of a property on Wise Island where trees were cut without a permit in an area protected by a Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee’s Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area safeguards sensitive shorelines, and outlines regulations and guidelines for development. As required by the Galiano Island Official Community Plan, known as Bylaw 108, physical and ecological characteristics of shorelines in the Galiano Island Local Trust Area must be carefully managed to avoid potential negative impacts of development. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee has been addressing this breach of Bylaw 108 with the property owner since 2022 and has provided several opportunities for…

The following is a statement from the Salt Spring Island's Local Community Commissioners. SIMS Community Space Proposal Recently, Salt Spring's Local Community Commission (LCC) has heard from community members concerned by plans to rent space in Salt Spring Island Multi Space (SIMS) to the Chuan Society. The Society has proposed a short-term pilot project to create a place where community members can gather, work on creative projects, participate in workshops, talking circles, and have a warm place to connect with other members of the community during colder months. The concerned community members may not be aware that space in SIMS was used for a similar purpose just last year, when classroom 2 was rented by the Green Ground Community Design Society as a “maker space," serving the same community members as the Chuan project aims to serve. During the time this was operating, there were no significant conflicts with other users and no incidents raising concerns for the …

Local Trust Committee October Update, by Trustee Laura Patrick This report relates to the business of the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC), which is made up of the two local trustees and an appointed chair. The LTC’s responsibilities include regulating the development and use of land within the Salt Spring Local Trust Area, which includes Salt Spring Island and more than 25 associated islands including Prevost, Secret, and Piers islands. Our next regular meeting will be on November 14th beginning at 12:30 PM at the Salt Spring Legion, Meaden Hall, 120 Blain Road. The agenda will be available on November 8th on the Islands Trust website. Office staff are available to help should you have questions about getting to our meetings or viewing them on-line. Please call 250-538-9144 or email ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca for support. Please note that no in-person office is available on Salt Spring Island at this time. Renovations will be commencing on a new office at 121 McP…

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust Council is pleased to announce the hiring of Rueben Bronee as Islands Trust’s new Chief Administrative Officer. Bronee will replace Russ Hotsenpiller, who retired in June 2024 after more than eight years in the role. Julia Mobbs, Islands Trust’s Director of Administrative Services, has served as the Interim Chief Administrative Officer since July. “After an extensive search process via an executive search firm, I’m delighted to announce that Rueben Bronee will be joining us as our new Chief Administrative Officer,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the Islands Trust Council. “Rueben is a trusted public sector executive. He has extensive experience leading high-profile transformation initiatives and providing strategic advice. We look forward to working with him as we finalize and implement our strategic plan, and as we carry out the preserve and protect mandate of Islands Trust.” “We also wish to provide our sincerest thanks…

October 11 With only a few gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners Ben Corno and Earl Rook, this ASK Salt Spring conversation was casual. This informal format allowed participants to get to know these two Local Commissioners, better understanding their perspectives on a wide range of issues. Chair Earl Rook offered us our Territorial Acknowledgment. He began by telling us about a recent play he attended at ArtSpring, “Much Ado About Nothing,” that explored the too-frequent hollowness of our Territorial Acknowledgements. Earl acknowledged Islands Trust Local Chair Tim Peterson for his recent heartfelt Acknowledgement, committing himself to avoid rote and rehearsed acknowledgements. Noting that the new Penelakut Chief Pam Jack had also attended this recent Local Islands Trust meeting, Earl asked us to think about this stolen land on which we live. He lamented that settlers buying land are seldom told about the First Nations that were here first. When he and his…

We just had the second worst wildfire season on record (and only second to a memorable 2023). The city of Jasper burned down. A friend of mine had to evacuate from her thru-hike through the rockies as she heard that fires were eclipsing the trail a day’s walk away. BC sits on what is now known as a “carbon bomb”. If the methane gas (marketed as natural gas) from fracking wells in the Montney Formation in Northern BC is shipped around the world and burned, it will create over a gigatonne of climate pollution, thickening the blanket of gases that create the hot dry conditions that make each summer’s fires more frightening than the last. Additionally, when methane gas leaks, it is 86x stronger as a greenhouse gas than when it is burned. Ignoring this inconvenient reality is how proponents greenwash LNG. Even if leakages can be managed domestically, markets abroad receiving this gas will not have the same standards. At the Salt Spring and Saanich fall fairs, myself and a f…