News & Events

RCMP Seize Suspected Cocaine in Salt Spring Drug Trafficking Investigation

Local RCMP executed multiple search warrants August 14th in connection with a drug trafficking investigation underway on the island. The operation, conducted with support from Island District RCMP, led to the seizure of what police describe as a “significant quantity” of illicit drugs, suspected cocaine, along with other items consistent with drug trafficking. According to Salt Spring RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Clive Seabrook, the action reflects a broader effort to keep harmful substances out of the community and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. “We want to ensure the community is aware of our proactive steps towards targeting those individuals who prey on the vulnerability of others and by removing drugs off the street,” said Seabrook. No arrests have been announced at this time. RCMP say the case remains active and a formal report has been forwarded to Crown Counsel for review and potential criminal charges. RCMP Encouraging Public Tips …

Root to Bloom Centre Cultivates New Learning Landscape on Salt Spring

Salt Spring Island has long flourished as a hub for regenerative agriculture. Now, the island is about to grow into an immersive education destination with the official launch of the Root to Bloom Centre. Root to Bloom evolves the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust’s popular learning series into a full fledged regenerative foodways education centre. More than just a series of workshops, it’s a seasonally grounded, community-powered learning hub that offers locals and visitors a chance to deepen their understanding of how we grow food, steward Indigenous lands, and build climate resilience: from the ground up. “We’re excited to be working in partnership with Royal Roads University, who are undertaking a community-informed strategic planning and community engagement process to inform program and service design and delivery at the SSI campus, located at the Bloom Castle by the Sea on Beddis Beach,” says Farmland Trust executive director Andrea Palframan. Salt Spring Farm…

People, Businesses Urged to Conserve Water as Drought Risks Increase

The Province is urging people in British Columbia to conserve water over the coming weeks as forecasts suggest much of the province will experience elevated drought conditions. “Saving water and responding to drought is a shared responsibility, and we know that early action can make a big difference, especially when we work together,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The Province is doing our part to ensure communities and farmers are prepared, and we are working with large water users to reduce their water use. This is especially critical in high-risk watersheds that support fish populations or are at risk of long-term harm.” Voluntary reduction and water-conservation measures and changes in weather, including significant rainfall, can play a critical role in maintaining stream flows. In some B.C. communities, residential water use makes up as much as 70% of total use during the summer months, which is why even small changes at home …

Notice: Cycle of Life Tour is coming to Salt Spring Island - July 19-20

The annual Cycle of Life Tour, is happening on July 19-20 and will see 100 riders cycling from Victoria, through the Cowichan Valley, over to Salt Spring Island and back to Victoria. On Saturday, July 19, the cyclists will be on the 2:20 p.m. ferry from Crofton – Vesuvius Bay and will be riding two different routes to their overnight venue on Rainbow Rd., arriving by 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 20, cyclists will leave the venue on Rainbow Rd. at 8:00 a.m. and will ride to the Fulford ferry terminal (two different routes) where they will catch the 11:10 a.m. ferry to Swartz Bay. There will also be a few support vehicles on the road with the riders on both days. This fundraising event supports Vancouver Island hospices and Salt Spring Island Hospice. Riders are from up and down the island and have raised more than $285,000 to date in support of compassionate end-of-life care. We are grateful for the continued support of residents and businesses on Salt Spring Island and we…

Minimum Wage Increases to $17.85 on June 1

Employers and workers are reminded that on Sunday, June 1, 2025, B.C.’s general minimum wage increases from $17.40 to $17.85 an hour. The 2.6% increase on June 1 also applies to minimum-wage rates for resident caretakers, live-in home-support workers, live-in camp leaders and app-based delivery and ride-hail services workers. The minimum agricultural piece rates for hand harvesters will increase by 2.6% on Dec. 31, 2025. The Dec. 31 annual increase to the minimum piece rates ensures crop producers will not need to adjust wages in the middle of the harvesting season. Government has made regular, gradual increases to the minimum wage to provide certainty for workers and predictability for businesses. This is the fourth year of the government's ongoing commitment to tie annual minimum-wage increases to inflation. In February 2024, government amended the Employment Standards Act so annual increases to minimum rates happen automatically, based on the previous year’s aver…

New Water-Monitoring Program Could Save 1.5 billion Litres a Year

Homeowners and businesses in rural British Columbia will soon benefit from new water meters that will help small communities save water and increase resiliency during droughts, while lowering costs for people who use less water. “Drinking water is an incredibly precious resource,” said Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities. “Small and rural communities in B.C. face higher financial and management capacity challenges, and water metering helps communities identify leaks, conserve drinking water, and keep costs down for businesses and residents.” Nineteen small, rural and First Nations communities will benefit from nearly 15,000 new automated water meters that will be installed. Provincial funding will cover up to 100% of eligible costs. By helping communities have a better understanding of the amount of water that is used, this $50-million provincial investment could help save up to 1.5 billion litres of water each year. This is the…

B.C. Declares Provincial Day of Remembrance and Mourning for Victims of Tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival

The Province of British Columbia has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Eleven people were killed and dozens more injured while celebrating Filipino culture and history in a senseless attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. As people learn more about the victims, they are also learning that the victims’ loss is felt deeply across the province. This tragedy has had profound impact on the Filipino community in B.C. and many others in Vancouver and throughout the province. The day of remembrance and mourning is an opportunity for people in British Columbia to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province. It is also a time to offer comfort to all of those impacted, including those who have lost loved ones, those recovering and those who witn…

Updates to Electoral Area Water Conservation Bylaw 4492

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has approved an amendment to CRD Electoral Area Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4492, which regulates water use for local services providing drinking water in the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island, and Juan de Fuca Electoral Areas. The changes to Bylaw No. 4492 will come into effect May 1, 2025. Over the past several years, seasonal droughts have increasingly stressed source water supplies in our smaller local services, making water conservation measures for local services more critical. Bylaw No. 4492, adopted in 2023, has been amended to include a fourth water conservation stage intended to restrict outdoor and residential indoor water use as much as possible at times of severe water shortage. Water use restrictions in any stage do not apply to nurseries, farms, turf farms or tree farms. Water Restrictions under Stage 4 are as follows: - All outdoor use of Water is prohibited; and - Residential indoor use of Water is re…

B.C. Ends Carbon Tax: Mixed Reactions on Salt Spring Island

April 2025 The British Columbia government officially ended the province’s carbon tax on April 1, 2025, aiming to provide immediate relief on fuel prices amidst rising inflation and affordability concerns. Premier David Eby cited economic pressures and political division as reasons behind repealing the policy first introduced in 2008. Salt Spring Island residents, known for their strong environmental ethos, are experiencing mixed feelings about the decision. The repeal cuts gasoline prices by approximately 17 cents per litre and lowers natural gas and heating fuel costs, providing immediate savings for island households and local businesses. This reduction is especially significant for Salt Spring residents who face higher-than-average living expenses and rely heavily on ferry travel and personal vehicles. However, the repeal also ends the Climate Action Tax Credit, which provided quarterly rebates to low- and middle-income families, often exceeding the costs they paid u…

B.C. Eliminates Carbon Tax

The B.C. government is cancelling the carbon tax by introducing legislation to drop the rate to $0, effective Tuesday, April 1, 2025. “British Columbians are doing everything they can to reduce their emissions. But people shouldn’t have to choose between climate action and being able to afford their bills,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why we are eliminating the consumer carbon tax, which has become divisive at a time we need to be united. We will help people with costs and fight climate change by ensuring big polluters continue to pay, encouraging industry to innovate and giving British Columbians affordable options to make sustainable choices.” The reduction of the tax to $0 is an immediate step to align B.C.’s carbon tax rate with the new federal carbon tax rate. The elimination of the carbon tax means people in British Columbia will no longer be required to pay the consumer carbon tax, taking approximately 17 cents per litre off the cost of fuel and approximately 1…

Premier’s Statement on Tariffs Imposed by the U.S. - "Buy B.C., Buy Canadian"

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump: “We didn’t ask for this fight the president has brought to Canada and to British Columbia. I'll tell you this — we're not going to shrink from it. “Effective immediately, BC Liquor Stores will be pulling all red-state liquor products off the shelf and will not order any more. Here at home, the government, including Crown corporations and health authorities, will be buying Canadian first, then non-U.S. products. This is something that we can't do ordinarily because of trade agreements with the United States. Finally, we're going to make sure support is in place so B.C. businesses can pivot to global and domestic markets. “The federal government has committed that the revenues from counter tariffs announced this morning will be redistributed to businesses and individuals to provide support. We’ll make sure that that happens. As a province, we’ll fill in t…

RIEP 2025 Virtual Forum: The Future Is Local – A Must-Attend Event for Changemakers

Salt Spring Island, - The Rural Island Economic Partnership (RIEP) is thrilled to announce the 2025 Virtual Forum, marking the fifth edition of this transformative gathering. Since RIEP’s first virtual Forum in 2019, RIEP has been dedicated to fostering self-reliant, sustainable communities where economic benefits circulate locally, and social well-being is recognized as a key economic indicator. This year’s theme—Adaptation, Innovation, and Resilience—will highlight the groundbreaking work of community leaders championing local solutions for a just and regenerative economy. As we navigate an era of rapid change, this Forum serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of regional collaboration, small business support, and community-driven action. By learning from one another, we can build an economy that provides dignified livelihoods for all. As industries continue to evolve in response to technological advancements such as AI, the 2025 Virtual Forum will bring togeth…

Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee Legal Action

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – The Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) is pursuing legal action against a property owner on Salt Spring Island to address multiple bylaw violations. Violations include operating a non-permitted dog boarding kennel, the storage and accommodation of travel trailers and recreational vehicles, and engaging in non-permitted land uses within a rural watershed and rural zone. The property, located in a Rural Watershed Zone, is not zoned for either kennel operations or the storage and accommodation of travel trailers and recreational vehicles. Complaints from neighbouring residents about noise from the kennel prompted enforcement actions by Islands Trust and the Capital Regional District (CRD). Despite multiple attempts to work with the property owner to achieve voluntary compliance, the LTC has been unable to resolve the issue. “Taking legal action is a last resort for local trust committees," said Trustee Peterson, Chair of the …

December 6 Memorial: “A small thing we can do as a community to show we care”

December 6 Memorial: “A small thing we can do as a community to show we care” December 6, 1989, marks the day an armed man walked into an engineering class at I'École Polytechnique de Montréal and killed 14 women and injured 10 more. This Friday, on the Day of The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, IWAV and The Circle Education are hosting the annual December 6 Memorial in Centennial Park. Not only to remember the victims in Montreal but all the other women who have been victims of gender-based violence since then. It has been 35 years since the Montreal Massacre, but gender-based violence - harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender - is not diminishing. It’s happening in all corners of the world, and Canada and Salt Spring Island are no exception. This year so far, 165* (trans)women and girls have been killed in our country because of their gender. www.femicideincanada.ca At the December 6 memorial, we reaffirm our …

Salt Spring Island Mount Maxwell Community Park Management Plan Update

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has made progress on developing a Park Management Plan (PMP) for the new Mount Maxwell Community Park through ongoing engagement with key partners and community groups, and the completion of a baseline environmental assessment on the park property. A central focus of the new park project has been the continued collaboration with local First Nations. Through the planning process the CRD are gaining insights into how Indigenous values and interests can be supported along with other uses in the park. The CRD remains committed to continuing conversations and fostering respectful, longterm relationships with First Nations as part of this process. Through the spring and early summer, the CRD held meetings with and received input from neighbours and community recreation groups, including the mountain biking and equestrian communities. A well-attended, in-person public open was held May 2024 to provide an opportunity for islanders to learn more…

Second Annual Slow Down Salt Spring Clothing Swap a Huge Success!

This past Saturday, the Salt Spring Island community came together for the second annual Slow Down Salt Spring Clothing Swap, transforming it into a joyful and fun-filled event that exceeded expectations. Despite the rainy weather, over 725 shoppers braved the elements to swap clothes and make sustainable fashion choices, while connecting with neighbours. Generosity was at an all-time high, with 150 donors contributing high-quality items, resulting in an impressive 2,650 pounds (1,202 kilos) of clothing donations. Of that, 2,390 pounds (1,084 kilos) were redistributed back into the community, helping hundreds refresh their wardrobes without the need to buy new. "Folks dug out clothes from closets and basements with so much to share," said Nancy Deas, event co-organizer alongside Andria Scanlan. "It was incredible to see the variety—look what your neighbours brought in! This event is all about community sharing and reducing waste." But this isn’t just about swap…

North Salt Spring Waterworks District Proposes Partial Lift of Moratorium Spring 2025

Following the completion of a detailed analysis of water supply reliability and water system infrastructure, the North Salt Spring Water District (NSSWD) is proposing 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. The NSSWD water system consists of two separate systems supplied from two different lakes, Maxwell Lake and St. Mary Lake. Based on future climate projections, the reliability assessment identified that there is available supply for new connections on the existing Maxwell Lake system, but not for the St. Mary Lake system. This October, NSSWD will initiate engagement with ratepayers/residents, community groups, and Salt Spring governing bodies regarding the results of the studies and a pr…

Salt Springers Bid Farewell to MLA Adam Olsen

Saltspringers will be missing Adam Olsen’s name on the slate for North Saanich and the Islands MLA this election. After two terms, he’s stepping down citing health and family reasons. We’ll miss him in more than ways than just being willing to represent a tough riding. Geographically tough, needing ferries and stay-overs to visit constituents, the riding is also socially and culturally tough. Some of the richest enclaves in Canada push hard up against his own reserve of Tsartlip where elders like his uncle Carl Olsen stand vigil against the continued destruction of salmon habitat in their territory. Few can walk between these disparate worlds and Adam is one of them, actively cultivating a connected community while still retaining a sense of humour. From the perspective of getting things done, Adam is part of the BC Green 2018 track record as kingmakers with the supply and confidence agreement stuck between the NDP and the Greens when they formed a minority government. …

Royal Roads Receives Largest Gift in University’s History to Expand Programming to Salt Spring Island

Royal Roads University is proud to announce we have received a generous and transformative gift valued at $9.93M from the Bloom Canadian Alter Ego Trust 2020 which will yield expansive programming for the Salt Spring Island community and beyond. This gift represents the largest donation in the university’s history. The gift includes two exceptional acreages on Salt Spring Island featuring waterfront gardens, an orchard of heritage fruit trees, an architecturally significant house, outbuildings, and a foreshore lease, located near Beddis Beach. The property will benefit the Salt Spring Island community, RRU students, faculty, and staff and the broader academic community. The gift also includes significant financial resources: $5.268 million in funds ($4.6 million of which will be endowed) for the ongoing maintenance and immediate improvement of the lands, and its activation through programming and events. This contribution was made possible through the generosit…

ASK Salt Spring Bids a Sad Farewell to MLA Adam Olsen

July 5 Twenty-six joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Laura Parker, Outreach Coordinator, and to bid a sad farewell to MLA Adam Olsen who has decided not to run again. The clear message throughout our time together was our support for his decision to focus his attention on family and personal opportunities as well as heartfelt appreciation of the terrific job he has done representing us over the years. We began our conversation with Adam’s Territorial Acknowledgement , reminding us of the uniqueness of our islands and that it should be our privilege to belong to them rather than owning or dominating them. When asked what “excites and delights “ him by facilitator Grant Fredrickson, Adam explained that he was thrilled to be able to speak openly about feelings that had been growing for him. At 48 with 16 years of elected service behind him, he began to think that it was time for him to move into his next phase. Not retiring - he has plenty of work yet to do! -…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes MLA Adam Olsen

The first ASK Salt Spring gathering in May welcomed MLA Adam Olsen and Constituency Advocate Jerram Gawley for a rich and diverse conversation. Adam used his most recent weekly two-minute speech to the Legislature (https://adamolsen.ca/2024/05/my-duty-to-stand-up-for-the-salish-sea-never-diminishes/) as his Territorial Acknowledgement, speaking of disturbing changes to the waters surrounding us. The site of one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, this once-rich region has become noisy and polluted. Local fishing, once our First Nations’ economic foundation, is now only a pastime. This Acknowledgement of a marine environment that was once far richer led us to a discussion of our local harbours. Adam expressed the frustration he and others are experiencing with multiple agencies, each having responsibility but doing nothing, layers and layers of bureaucratic inertia. Local governments are left with water-based issues that need to be addressed but with neither the authority…