Young Adult Mental Health Unit established at Royal Jubilee Hospital

Victoria — A new Young Adult Mental Health Unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital is providing specialized and age-appropriate care for young adults experiencing acute mental health challenges. In response to a growing number of younger people experiencing significant mental health episodes needing hospital-based care, Island Health began to reconfigure an existing general psychiatry unit that served all ages to focus on specialized mental health care for youth. The reconfigured, 16 bed unit opened November 20, 2023, in a phased manner which allowed existing patients to complete their hospital stays. “There’s nothing more important than helping young people recover and rebuild after a mental health challenge or crisis,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This new unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital will help ensure we provide integrated, holistic services that meet the needs of young adults on Vancouver Island. This is one more tool we are using to ens…
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ASK Salt Spring meeting with Gary Holman, CRD Director & Brian Webster, LLC Commissioner

ASK SALT SPRING – MEETING MINUTES 8 MARCH 2024 On March 8 th , twelve joined the ASK Salt Spring gathering at SIMs to meet with Gary Holman,CRD Director and Local Community Commissioner, and Brian Webster, LCC Commissioner. The meeting was facilitated by Grant Fredrickson, the new Events Coordinator for ASK Salt Spring. Grant is a member of the Salt Spring Community Alliance and will be facilitating the gatherings until Gayle Baker returns next month. Brian gave the territorial acknowledgment and expressed on behalf of the group the long-term commitment toward reconciliation to repair past harms to First Nations and ensure these are not repeated in the future. Gary and Brian were then invited to introduce themselves and hopes for the LCC.Brian said that he is a newcomer to politics and that he has a long list of issues that he hopes to address before his time with the Commission is over in two and a half years. Gary clarified that while the terms for Commissioners are…
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BC Ferries: Discount Fares Available

MORE DISCOUNT FARES AVAILABLE VICTORIA – Customers can expect to have more opportunity – and more choice – in booking discounted fares to travel with BC Ferries from April 1 onwards. More than double the amount of people travelling between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island will now benefit from discounts by booking Saver fares. In addition, cancellation fees are being reduced for Prepaid and Saver fares to give passengers more flexibility should their plans change. New savings will be offered to customers or families who carpool and book in advance, or who take alternative modes of transportation, helping make it less busy at the terminals. Specifically, savings will increase for those who book a Saver fare and are travelling together in the same vehicle. Also, a new Foot Passenger Saver Fare of $15 is being introduced for select sailings, when booked and paid for in advance. “By offering more discounts for those who book and pay in advance, we expect less conges…
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Wanted Person: Tyler Pascal - Arrest Warrant for Numerous Charges

Salt Spring RCMP are asking for the public’s help to locate 27-year-old Tyler Jordan Pascal on an arrest warrant for a variety of charges. Tyler Pascal is wanted for a variety of offences including; Impaired Driving Causing Bodily Harm, Dangerous Driving Causing Bodily Harm, Resist Arrest, Mischief Under $5000, and two counts of Assaulting Police Officers. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tyler Pascal is asked to contact the Salt Spring RCMP at 1-250-537-5555. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stopper by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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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…
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Set A Place for Stqeeye’ - Salt Springers step up to support indigenous land acquisition campaign

Spurred by growing community interest in supporting the Mi tse’ t’akw’ (Coming Home) campaign to acquire 10 acres of land as a new home for the Stqeeye’ Learning Society, the Set A Place for Stqeeye’ program for gatherings, dinners and local events has been launched. Community groups, neighbourhoods and friends are invited to gather together to help bring the Quw’utsun (Cowhichan) people back to their ancestral lands near Xwaaqw’um Village (Burgoyne Bay) for the first time in over 150 years. Groups can participate by planning a gathering in whatever way they most enjoy - with friends, a meditation group, yoga class, book club, church group, hiking club or a larger gathering of an organization - and making a donation of whatever size the group feels comfortable with. Planned events can be registered at tinyurl.com/stqeeye, and Stqeeye’ will lend support for the event, including informational materials, stickers with the beautiful campaign logo and a link to videos that can…
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Salt Spring Island celebrates International Women's Day

Salt Spring Island celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s IWD theme is Inspire Inclusion. Leading up to IWD on Friday, March 8th, here are some opportunities to learn about how we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all inspire inclusion. Like every year, women are well represented at The Salt Spring Film Festival (March 1-3 at the Gulf Islands Secondary School). There’s no shortage of films about women, plus more than 50 percent of the films are directed or co-directed by women and twelve of the twenty film guests are female. Opening night stars Aitamaako'Tamisskapi Natosi Before The Sun. An intimate and thrilling profile of Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika woman in the golden plains of Blackfoot Territory, as she prepares for one of the most dangerous horse races in the world: the Indian Relay. On March 7th, The Salt Spring Island Public Library hosts, in collaboration with the Canadian Federation of University Women, the screening of “The Ma…
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Seeds to start now; starting yams; soil acidity

As the warmer than usual weather continues, I can see I am going to have to dig my carrots a month earlier than usual. Carrots and other root crops still in the ground, despite being well covered with mulch, are beginning to get the message that spring is arriving. Unfortunately the warming soil due to warmer than usual temperatures this month is causing them to resume growth and start to produce new leaves. The plants take food stored in the roots to start growing new roots and develop flower stalks. As the sugars in the roots are used up, the flavour deteriorates and eventually the roots get a bit soft with lots of weird little side roots. To prevent this loss of quality, dig root crops soon, wash them, remove any foliage still attached, and store the roots in the refrigerator in closed bags or containers. They will keep for at least a month, often longer. Start seeds of early plants: This week is good timing to start seeds of vegetables that take the longest to grow to tr…
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ASK Salt Spring welcomes RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook

Eighteen joined us for all or part of our time together at this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Clive told us what excites and delights him: Living and working on Salt Spring! Already into his fourth year with us, he continues to love working in our community, feeling the same excitement he felt upon his arrival. He credited the support he gets from Salt Springers as an important part of his continued delight working here. As you may know, Salt Spring is classified as a community requiring officers to be relocated every four years. As many of us believe Salt Spring to be a near-perfect place to live, this required relocation is a surprise to many. Clive explained that small communities bring their owns challenges as well as benefits. One of these challenges is the small number of officers are on call between shifts and are often called into guard prisoners and other duties. While on call, officers mu…
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Man in custody facing several charges

On January 22, 2024, a 40-year-old man was involved in a fight with another man while under the influence of alcohol and while in possession of a knife. He was arrested for a variety of offences including Assault and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, he was released with conditions related to the circumstances of the assault including no alcohol, not to possess knives, and that he could not be on Salt Spring Island. On February 15, 2024, Salt Spring RCMP received a report that the same man was back on Salt Spring Island contrary to his release conditions. Salt Spring RCMP located him and arrested him for failing to comply with the conditions of an Undertaking, specifically not to consume alcohol, not to be intoxicated in a public place, and not to be on Salt Spring Island. A search incidental to his arrest resulted in the seizure of a knife contrary to a Probation Order from a previous Assault conviction. He was held in police custody and transferred to Duncan …
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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…
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Obituary: Tudor Davies

Tudor Davies, 1945 October 23 -- 2024 January Tudor Davies left this world on January 15th 2024 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. Tudor was born in 1945 in Wales, a very proud Welshman. In 1964 he joined the Gloucestershire Constabulary and served until 1995. Tudor was a firearms officer and during the last seven years of his career he was attached to the Royal Household Protection group. He was posted at Highgrove House, then home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. This was an enjoyable time for Tudor as he could carry out his passion for bird and wildlife watching. He loved sharing his knowledge with the future King. After retiring from the police force he moved to Savannah, Georgia, where his family lived. Tudor returned to the UK in 1998 and later met Gwenlais Morgan – a meeting that was to totally change his life. In August 2012 he married Gwen, the love of his life. They moved to Canada and settled on Salt Spring Island where he joined Search and …
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Salt Spring Island Women's Institute donate over $12,000 to local, provincial, national and international groups

February is Women’s Institute Month, and in honour of the birthday of our founder, Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, the Salt Spring Island Women’s Institute (also known as the “Pie Ladies”) is pleased to announce our annual 2023/2024 donations. We are a group of only twenty-four members, but with the enthusiastic help of fourteen community women, we were able to make and sell nearly 750 pies at the 2023 Fall Fair and Apple Festival. The wonderful support we get from the community when we sell our pies plus donations from Salt Spring Island gardeners, farmers and grocery stores help keep our costs down so that we can give more money away. This year, we are donating over $12,000 to local, provincial, national and international groups. We have made nearly 12,000 pies since 2001 and have given away over $10,000 in the past ten years, an outstanding amount for a group that has historically had fewer than twenty members. We make all of our pies by hand and from scratch. The Women’s…
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Salt Spring businesses breathe new life into the Salt Spring Home & Garden Show

This year’s Home & Garden Show is shaping up to be better than years past with more diversity and excitement among participating businesses. Those attending the show can expect to meet greenhouse builders, garden art makers, garden designers, general contractors, irrigation contractors, solar experts, painting crews, garden supplies, pest control specialists, flooring experts, stove suppliers, heat pump installers and the list goes on. “Our goal was to register 30 businesses for the show and we have now surpassed that. We have a lot of new businesses and returning businesses this year, it’s going to be a great event” Sue King "These businesses contribute significantly to our community in many ways, and it’s a great opportunity to support them and find out more about their businesses" - Mike Stefancsik The show takes place at the Salt Spring Farmers’ Institute from March 9-10th, presented by Windsor Plywood who is the leading force behind the show with generous sup…
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ASK Salt Spring explores multi-organization collaborations supporting complex local initiatives

Thirty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Nora Layard, Chair of Transition Salt Spring Enterprise Coop - TSSEC; Shannon Cowan, Executive Director of the Salt Spring Island Foundation; Robert Steinbach, Country Grocer’s Community Relations and Business Development; and Julie Kemble, Chair of the Arts Council. They joined us to discuss their role in funding local initiatives as well as partnering in multi-organization collaborations to support more complex local initiatives. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our guests were asked what excited and delighted them. Julie began, sharing her enthusiasm for our topic of funding local projects, especially support for our arts. She also shared that she is thoroughly enjoying her work with the highly-skilled Arts Council Board which has recently unveiled its five-year strategic plan. Speaking of the Arts Council’s ability to fund arts projects, Julie typified them as little grants but went on to tell u…
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Opinion: More than just ruffled feathers

In the past couple years there has been a lot of crowing on this island about the so-called “rooster wars,” with the majority of this community laughing at the issue and rolling their eyes. Must be nice when the biggest problem you face is a couple roosters, right? While calling something a silly name might make for an attention-grabbing headline, it also minimizes the seriousness of the situation and frames the people involved as insignificant. This isn’t about the benefits of roosters — the pros and cons have been written about far and wide, both on this island as well as by agriculture and food security experts. The issue has evolved into a widespread one about what you can and cannot do with property you bought, according to the zoning laws governing that property. The issue should really be framed as “Should the CRD be allowed to strong-arm you, even though what you’re doing is legal?” Makes for a less catchy headline but it’s also something this community would l…
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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…
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Gulf Islands Secondary School Improv team are heading to Ottawa

Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) Improv has won the regional competition of the Canadian Improv Games. They’re now gearing up for the National tournament in Ottawa March 26-30! This will be the eighth time GISS Improv is representing the Southern Gulf Islands at the National tournament. They earned gold in 2019, silver in 2018, and gold in 2017. This is their post-Covid return to the nation’s capital. While the pandemic put a damper on the Games, GISS Improv is back with a new group of students, ready to hit the stage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. “I’m really looking forward to meeting people from all across the country,” says GISS Improv team member Melody Silva. “And having the chance to compete again and share the stage with some of the best improvisers in the country and learning from them.” In Ottawa, the students will be performing alongside the top 20 teams in Canada. “It's a phenomenal opportunity for these kids,” says coach Jason Donaldson. “Th…
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Obituary: Dennis Marshall

Dennis Marshall 1947–2024 Dennis was a deeply kind man with a big heart that drew people to him. He was one of those old time Saltspring characters who moved to the island to live a life his way, which he did with quiet accomplishment and great joy. Dennis loved Saltspring - the beach walks, the beauty of the land, playing on the water in his armada of boats, driving it’s bumpy roads with a menagerie of cars and motorcycles
.but mostly, Dennis loved visiting — visiting with the people he called friends. Many of you will remember him as ‘the glass man’, who ran and owned S.S.I. Glass for 45 years. We thank you for welcoming us into your homes and trusting us with your glass. In his 40s Dennis bought a beautiful piece of land with its creek, its springs, its pond and its trees. Here he built the house he’d always envisioned. We filled it with things beautiful and odd and made it our home. It was his favourite place to be. Dennis always needed to be making things. He …
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Salt Spring Pride Festival returns this summer to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and love

Salt Spring Island renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant community, is set to host the return of the Salt Spring Pride Festival from July 25 – 28, 2024. The festival aims to bring together residents and visitors alike to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and spread love throughout the picturesque island. This four-day extravaganza, housed at the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute, will feature a rich tapestry of events, including the Pride Dance featuring Queer As Funk, guest musicians, Pop-Up Open Mic, workshops, offering something for everyone to enjoy and engage with. The festival site is extensive and includes a Dance Hall, Family Zone, Festival Stage, Vendor Village, and lots of space for camping in the Pride Camping Village where festival goers can get to know their queer neighbours. Attendees will also be invited to join in the vibrant and colourful Salt Spring Pride Parade through downtown Ganges showcasing the spirit and pride of Salt Spring…
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New Salt Spring Island firehall on schedule, and on budget

Salt Spring's upcoming firehall project is proceeding smoothly, staying on track both in terms of schedule and budget, as reported by CAO Rodney Dieleman and the Salt Spring Fire Improvement District Board of Trustees. The recently received schedule B cost estimates, a crucial construction milestone offering up to 90% cost certainty, validate the meticulous planning and estimation efforts, resulting in a project likely to meet or even surpass the original budget. Board Chair Rollie Cook expressed confidence that the approved $9.7 million borrowing from ratepayers is adequate for project completion. The owner’s representative on the project, Hans Hazenboom, pointed out that “the project is now entering the active tendering and construction phase, including inviting local contractors to get involved.” Hans added that while installing solar panels was beyond the original budget, “provisions are being made to accommodate a future installation”. Building permits are in progress,…
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