Local News - Page 2 of 107 - Salt Spring Exchange

B.C. launches proof of vaccination to stop spread of COVID-19

Starting Sept. 13, 2021, proof of vaccination will be required in B.C. for people attending certain social and recreational settings and events. This important step will continue to increase the vaccination rate across the province and provide confidence to fully vaccinated people that those around them are also fully vaccinated. “Vaccines are our ticket to putting this pandemic behind us,” said Premier John Horgan. “So I call on all eligible unvaccinated British Columbians to roll up their sleeves to stop the spread, and help protect themselves, their loved ones and the people in their community. British Columbia has one of the strongest vaccination rates in Canada with 75% of eligible people now fully vaccinated, but there is still more work to do.” A new order from the provincial health officer will require individuals to provide proof of vaccination to access a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province. As …

Serious collision involving a moped occurred on Lower Ganges Road

On August 20, 2021, Salt Spring RCMP received a report of an MVI in the 500 block of Lower Ganges Road. While traveling north on Lower Ganges Road, the rider of a moped crossed the centre line and collided with a pick-up truck traveling south on Lower Ganges Road, in the opposite direction. The rider of the moped was visiting Salt Spring Island with her family from Alberta, she was airlifted to Victoria with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Salt Spring RCMP arrest a man who was involved in an altercation involving handgun

On August 19, 2021, Salt Spring RCMP received a report of two men arguing on the Ganges Centennial Docks located near 127 Fulford Ganges Road. Witnesses reported seeing one of the men retrieve what appeared to be a handgun and point it at the other man. Thanks to a witness who quickly called 911 and provided a detailed description of the suspect, Salt Spring RCMP located the male suspect a short distance from the dock. The suspect was taken into custody without incident; neither of the two males were injured. Incidental to arrest, the suspect was searched and a replica pellet handgun was seized. Charges of Uttering Threats and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose are being recommended. The suspect is due to appear in Salt Spring court on November 19, 2021.

Obituary: Tony (Anthony Ross) Clair

Tony (Anthony Ross) Clair: 15 September 1960 - 13 August 2021 We are all devastated by the loss of our Tony (Anthony), by natural causes, just as he was returning to well-being through a healthier life style riding his cherished bicycle. He is predeceased by his siblings: Mark, Rebecca, and Jeffrey. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Ewert (stepdad Walter Ewert), his father, Vitthale Clair (partner Clare MacKenzie), spouse, Gillian Laird, beloved children Chantel Clair (mom, Claudine De Shane) and Aubrey Borth (mom, Renee Hamish Savage). Also, his siblings Christine Clair-Rein (Bill Rein), Vivian Davies, (Ian Tresidder) (brother-in-law) David Davies, Lisa Clair, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins of every description and an island of friends. Tony struggled, was challenged, excelled and surpassed. He possessed many creative talents, including drawing and music. He devoted time and excellence training his dogs, was a master elect…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Salt Spring Not Exempt from 4th Wave

BC is in the fourth wave of the COVID pandemic and we on Salt Spring are not exempt. We continue to experience cases of new infection with COVID-19 although these have been confined to small clusters since the start of the pandemic. Salt Spring residents have embraced vaccination against COVID in large numbers although there continue to be those who are hesitant about getting vaccinated. Vaccination has allowed us to re-open our extended care unit and residential care facilities to residents and, along with the rest of BC, to remove the mandatory wearing of masks in indoor spaces. The Health Canada approved vaccines have proven to be safe and effective at preventing individuals who are exposed to COVID from developing severe illness. However, evidence has shown that while vaccines reduce the risk of virus infection, even vaccinated individuals can catch the COVID virus. The Delta variant is much more highly contagious and asymptomatic, vaccinated individuals can carry a high…

Island Health prepares to transition mass immunization clinic operations

After eight months of intense work to immunize as many people as possible against COVID-19, Island Health is preparing to scale back mass immunization clinics - but not before making it easier than ever to be fully vaccinated. For maximum convenience, anyone in need of vaccination can simply find a nearby clinic and walk in without an appointment for their first or second dose. Appointments are also readily available for people who prefer that option, and expert immunizers are ready and willing to support anyone who needs extra time or accommodation during their appointment. “The COVID-19 immunization effort in Island Health and across the province has been a monumental undertaking,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “Thanks to the exceptional dedication of Island Health staff and physicians, the unwavering support of community partners and, most importantly, each individual’s commitment to protecting themselves and others from infec…

ASK Salt Spring with CRD’s Gary Holman on the new firehall, improvement districts, waterworks and more...

While some folks wandered in and out, a total of seventeen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming CRD’s Gary Holman. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began by also welcoming the Acting Chief Operating Officer of our Fire Rescue Improvement District, Andrew Peat. Andrew began by telling us about the newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CRD concerning the proposed new firehall. While both Gary and Andrew agree that the details are yet to be negotiated, in principle, this MOU agrees to include the CRD Emergency Program and Emergency Operations Centre in the proposed new firehall. It also proposes that the current firehall will be sold to CRD at market price and re-purposed as a year-round food market, smaller, but along the lines of the Granville Island Market in Vancouver. Of course, this important new public amenity will not be possible unless construction of the new firehall and CRD acquisition of the Ganges Hall (with a current assess…

2021 Federal Election Candidate Profile - Elizabeth May

The 2021 Canadian federal election will take place on September 20, 2021, to elect members of the House of Commons to the 44th Canadian Parliament after Governor General Mary Simon dissolved Parliament on August 15, 2021, at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request. To help our community get to know the candidates who are running in our riding, we're sharing profiles of each candidate. All candidates have been invited to share a profile with the Salt Spring Exchange and we’ll be featuring profiles on each candidate as they become available. This profile is for Elizabeth May, who is running to be the Member of Parliament for our Saanich—Gulf Islands riding with the Green Party. About Elizabeth May I love Salt Spring Island, but have never lived on the island. I am always amazed at how many people assume that because I am Green, I must live on Salt Spring! Since 2009, I have lived in Sidney, although recently, my husband and I have bought a place on Saturna Island. Just as J…

David Busch to represent the Conservative Party of Canada in Saanich–Gulf Islands

David Busch to represent the Conservative Party of Canada in Saanich–Gulf Islands. At a socially distanced Meeting on Friday, the local Conservative team announced their candidate. “The Saanich Gulf Islands Conservative Association is pleased to announce that David Busch will again be our candidate in the next federal election,” remarked Ryan Trelford, President of the association. Speaking to his supporters, David Busch stated, “I think I speak for all of us here, in our beautiful community, that now is not the time for an election. The delta variant is rearing its ugly head and the last thing people want are politicians speaking at their doorstep.” Busch went on to say, “I personally call on Prime Minister Trudeau to take a deep breath, go for a walk, and cancel the plans for this election. The health and security of our country should not be in limbo for the personal ambitions of the country’s leader.” With speculation of an election call for Sunday running rampant,…

Missing person at St. Mary Lake public beach access located deceased

Update: 2021 August 16 - 11:28 AM: The body of the man reported missing on August 13th near St. Mary Lake on Salt Spring Island has been recovered. On August 14th just after 8p.m. the body of the missing 19 year old man was located in St. Mary Lake, not far from where he was last seen. His body was found by members of the RCMP Under Water Recovery Team (URT) who were called in to assist with the investigation. The deceased was confirmed as the missing person. The Salt Spring RCMP wish to thank Salt Spring Search and Rescue, Salt Spring Fire Department, BC Ambulance and the Salt Spring Community for their support for the family of the missing man states Sgt. Clive Seabrook, Salt Spring RCMP Detachment Commander. As the investigation progressed the Salt Spring RCMP advised the public to avoid St. Mary, it has since been reopened. The BC Coroners Service is also conducting a concurrent fact-finding investigation into this unexpected death. Due to the privacy of the deceased, under…

Rural character and self-reliance

The Islands Trust was launched in 1974 to preserve and protect, among other things, the rural character of this beautiful place. The date is very important as it indicates we are not trying to protect the islands as they were prior to white arrival. Nor are we trying to protect the rural character in the latter half of the 19th century when packs of wolves, cougars, elk, and bears were commonplace, and First Nations people outnumbered the white people. The ﬁrst 60 years of the 20th century featured an agrarian local economy, wherein there was broad agreement that self-reliance was important, both for individuals and for SSI as a community. That is what was to be preserved and protected. My earliest memories, from the late ‘50s, is an island with only dirt roads except for the one paved ¼ mil e up from the Fulford dock. Then in 1961, BC Ferries launched and SSI became much more accessible. In the next decade the roads were paved and the water system put in, both of which m…

Obituary: Melanie Dick

Melanie Dick September 24,1953-July 24,2021 Melanie passed away July 24 in Victoria's Royal Jubilee Hospital after a swift and aggressive illness. Melanie grew up primarily in Ottawa and lived in the Yukon and Winnipeg before moving to Salt Spring Island in 1988 with her young family. On Salt Spring she established a home-based business designing and making stained glass windows, lamps, and ornaments. Her windows are incorporated into many homes and businesses on Salt Spring and can be seen most notably in the restaurant of the Salt Spring Inn in Ganges. Melanie was a long time director of Waterfront Gallery in Ganges where she sold her work and also managed the gallery for many years. She was a regular vendor at the Salt Spring Saturday Market for many years. The after market happy hour she participated in was legendary and came to be known as 'Champagne Saturday' after the preferred libation on those days. Melanie was a fun-loving, kind and thoughtful parent…

Salt Spring RCMP Community Report - 2021, 2nd Quarter Statistics

The 2nd quarter of 2021, April 1 – June 30, was a steady period for Salt Spring Island RCMP with 728 calls for police response and investigation. The types of reports included, among others, 123 mental health calls, 112 traffic-related calls, 12 firearms calls, 7 sexual offence investigations and 20 COVID complaints. There were 439 foot patrols conducted and 97 bar walks done over this 91-day period. In total, SSI RCMP have now responded to over 1,400 calls since the beginning of 2021. In the month of April 2021, there was a 200% increase in traffic collisions when compared with April 2020, a 33% increase over April 2019 and a 140% increase over April 2018. In May 2021, motor vehicle collisions increased 50% from 2020 and over 125% from 2019. Single-vehicle collisions, multi-vehicle collisions and collisions involving pedestrians with injuries were all responded to during this quarter. Some of the calls of the last few months included the following: April 2021 SSI…

ASK Salt Spring with MLA Adam Olsen on his new office, 4-day work week, RCMP appreciation and more

After a meaningful Territorial Acknowledgement, our special guest, MLA Adam Olsen, began by speaking briefly of his busy days in the Legislature and his constituency office. In August, though, the pace in the constituency office slows to allow for summer holidays and time to get caught up. Adam spoke of his bright, brand new, street-level office at 9828 Fourth Street in Sidney. It is located mid-block between Tanner’s Books and the Town of Sidney municipal office. He invited us all to an open house the afternoon of September 14, but also welcomed us anytime after September 7 when he hopes the office will be open again for walk-in visitors. The new space has a spacious boardroom available for community groups. It is well-equipped with conferencing technology to allow for in-person and online meetings. He also welcomed us to contact his new constituency advocate, Jake Rees. Jake is taking over from Kate O’Connor who will be missed as she heads off to university. While al…

More winter crop to sow; weird heat effects and summer pruning fruit trees

You might want to take advantage of the next few days of cooler temperatures to sow hardy lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens (leaf mustard, leaf radish, Chinese cabbage) as well as winter radishes and daikon. August 8 is usually “Spinach Day” at my house, which is when I sow a big patch of spinach for harvesting from fall through next May. That timing works because the daylengths are rapidly getting shorter so seedlings rarely bolt (long days are what make spinach go to seed). I might wait for another week to sow this year, however, since the long range forecast shows another heat wave on its way next week (when does is stop being called a “heat wave” and become a “heat ocean”?). As I have mentioned many times, getting seeds started under hot, dry conditions means covering the seedbeds with some sort of shading material until the seeds germinate. Just to clarify, as some people have been confused on this point: you can use opaque materials, such as burlap or white plastic,…

ASK Salt Spring with RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook on speed checks, limited duration Officer terms and more

Nineteen gathered in the shade under the apple trees, welcoming RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook to explore issues with us. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Clive spoke briefly about how thrilled he is to be on Salt Spring, deeply respecting its sense of community, the perfect place for him to watch his family thrive. He spoke briefly about his previous experiences as a police officer, including as a plainclothes commander responsible for homicide and drug trafficking investigations. While many of his calls now deal with folks in crisis, he is committed to reach out to them proactively before they are in crisis. In his opinion, many of Salt Spring’s issues are not criminal but stem from mental health and addiction challenges. Salt Spring is soon to have a Speed Watch program again! This volunteer program uses a mobile ICBC radar speed reading board to monitor speeds. Volunteers with background checks and wearing safety vests will go to selected areas of our island with …

ASK Salt Spring with MLA Adam Olsen on environmental, social, health, and economic challenges

Beginning with a touching and gentle Territorial Acknowledgement, this ASK Salt Spring gathering of nineteen welcomed our Adam Olsen and his new constituency advocate, Jake Rees, to a conversation under the apple trees at the United Church Meadow. There was joy to see Adam in person again after so many months of virtual gatherings, but this joy was tempered by the reality of the serious health/mental health, social, economic, and environmental crises buffeting us. Clear indication of the multiple crises looming over us all is that six British Columbians continue to die of an overdose each and every day. In addition, Adam pointed out that 700 British Columbians died during the recent heat wave while the government was celebrating the re-opening from the lockdowns that were a result of the global pandemic. Adam was clear - our government needs to focus on being better prepared rather than bouncing from one crisis to another. Adam spoke of his nine-year old daughter wh…

COVID Recovery Grants Announced

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Covid Emergency Preparedness and Relief Fund, the Salt Spring Island Foundation announces a grand total $237,548 has been awarded in contribution to the many innovative pandemic relief, recovery and re-start efforts in our community. "The Foundation's Pandemic Impact Survey revealed priority needs among island charities related to re-building volunteer, staffing and fundraising networks in order to thrive during the Public Health phased re-start. In response, the Foundation Board offered Covid Recovery funding as a means for SSI charities, and any non-profits working in partnership with qualified donees, to move through this final phase of the pandemic and to build their community work anew," stated Sandra Heath, the Foundation's Grants Advisory Committee Chair. The Salt Spring Island Foundation made a call for applications for up to fifteen Covid Recovery Grant awards of up to $5,000 per community organization for projects that a…

Local Salt Spring Island business Dos Amores Tortilleria makes Living Wage a priority

As we move towards a post COVID-19 pandemic world, we have been carefully considering what we can contribute to better both our local and global communities. Racial injustice, environmental collapse, basic human needs unmet for so many across the globe - the list goes on and on. It feels overwhelming. We are reminded in these moments that it is more important than ever to use our skills and platforms to affect positive, tangible change. We have chosen to be small business owners first and foremost to do good. It is painfully clear the traditional ways of doing business that prioritize profits over people must become a thing of the past, and that both reparations and climate justice needs to be at the forefront of every decision we make. Being small business owners we feel intimately connected to our community and our suppliers, and we see the direct impact our businesses makes on our community. Everything we do, every dollar we spend, makes such a beautiful, woven i…

Are you considering leaving Salt Spring due to the housing crisis?

Are you considering leaving the island due to the stresses involved with finding or staying in a home? Know someone who is leaving or has already left? Please share your story. After festering for years, our workforce housing crisis has only gotten worse, with so many of us finding it harder and harder to stay on Salt Spring. Our musicians, nurses, teachers, restaurant staff, tradespeople and even the very farmers working to feed us are being forced into the heart-breaking decision of saying goodbye to this community because they can't find housing, leaving us all the poorer as a result. To all the people who are considering leaving, we SEE you, and we need to HEAR you. Salt Spring is at a critical point where decisions are being made that will either start to finally address this crisis in our community, or continue to avoid and ignore it. Without action, the Salt Spring we love – the artists, families, young people, activists, counter-culture hippies and weirdos that…

Lady Minto Hospital Foundation Hires New Executive Director, Roberta Martell

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Roberta Martell as its new Executive Director. Roberta has a master’s degree from Royal Roads University in leadership and training and a 25-year career in community development, social justice, and sustainability. Roberta honed her community building skills working with foundations like the David Suzuki Foundation, and in consulting assignments on affordable housing strategies for Tofino as well as executive director roles for Kluane First Nation in the Yukon and Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group in Victoria. Many will know her as the successful entrepreneur behind the Twig & Buoy. For that project, she built a restaurant to provide housing for her young family. She has a background in running capital campaigns, undertaking board development, organizational analysis, and has built numerous units of affordable housing. “I’m honoured to have been chosen to lead the Lady Minto Hospital Foundat…