August 22

Thirteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterrell. As we prepared to begin, it was noted that a portion of last week’s report citing progress on Soule Creek may be aspirational but is simply incorrect. Apologies for the misinformation. . . bringing home the fact that you cannot believe everything you read.

Rob began by offering his Acknowledgement by reading the last paragraph of the 800-page brief from the BC Supreme Court regarding Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/08/19/Precedent-Setting-Cowichan-Tribes-v-Canada-Case/). On August 7, 2025, after proceedings lasting 513 days, this judgment recognized the title of Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt First Nation, and Lyackson First Nation to nearly 1,900 acres of lands in Richmond, including submerged shoreline. Today, land in the claim area is owned by the Crown, province, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, City of Richmond and private owners.

Rob, having spent much of his legal career as a First Nations lawyer, spoke with passion about this decision, cautioning us not to listen only to the fears that this is the death knell of fee simple land titles. He asked us to see it as an important step that mandates the hard work of reconciliation needed to proceed. The site of a permanent, seasonal First Nation fishing village of up to 1,500, promises were made that it would be a forever reserve for them. Instead, the land was soon sold to settlers.

Rob is concerned about the statements from our government expressing horror and determination to appeal this ruling. Instead, while the reconciliation work ahead to implement this court ruling will be difficult, Rob welcomes the opportunity to right a past wrong, working hard to gradually find land agreements that work for all. As soon as the Legislature is back in session in early September, Rob intends to focus on establishing both the commitment to seek a solution as well as the identification of sufficient resources for the hard work ahead. 

Rob spent a few moments also noting the hard work that needs to be done by the Islands Trust as they proceed with their work on its Policy Statement (https://islandstrust.bc.ca/about-us/policy-statement/). He reminded us that updates to this key document are important as our world is markedly different from the one in the 1970s when this policy was first drafted. He also cautioned the Trust to move slowly, taking as much time needed to get it right, with plenty of time and resources allocated for a fulsome consultation with First Nations. 

Rob spoke with delight about his recent sailing trip from Hornby to Nanaimo during which he was got thoroughly soaked by the welcome rains. He sailed, watching with joy as the fires were doused by the unexpected rain. 

Rob was asked about the Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform (https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees/committee-meetings/dem)on which he serves with two Conservative and two NDP MLAs. After two weeks of presentations and over 950 written submissions, topics were far ranging but tended to focus on: 

• Reducing the voting age, 
• Increasing participation through civic engagement, 
• Civic assemblies, and, of course, 
• Proportional Representation. 

Beginning this week, Rob will read every one of the nearly 1,000 written submissions (and their voluminous appendices) as well as reviewing presentations to make sure that he thoroughly understands all the valuable feedback. By mid-September, this committee will reconvene to discuss and develop its recommendations, expected to be given to the  Legislature in November/December. Their work not yet done, the committee will reconvene in spring 2026 to evaluate concerns expressed about the 2024 election. 

Key questions in Rob’s mind concern what the recommendations of this committee will be and whether the government will implement these recommendations. When asked if he had heard anything to dissuade him from his longtime support of Proportional Representation, he replied that, while he had heard nothing yet to change his mind, he had thousands and thousands of pages of documentation to read before he can answer this question. 

A participant spoke with passion of the recent Island Health-requested removal of $50 million from the CRD Hospital Capital Plan for a Salt Spring long term care facility. She reminded us that we are in a time of multiple crises with inadequate senior care options at the top of her list. With a higher percentage of seniors on Salt Spring than much of BC, projections are that our percentage of residents over 65 will grow even more dramatically in the next few decades. She also spoke of Lady Minto Hospital, built in 1957, that offers 28 longterm care beds with good medical care but inadequate privacy, social opportunities, and independent options. 

She noted her recent letter to the Times Colonist (https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters-aug-14-long-term-care-odours-of-old-morris-11072948), asking us how we could get that $50 million back into the budget. Should she give up or keep trying? “Is there any more we can do,” she asked? Rob replied, as he has in previous ASK Salt Spring gatherings when asked this question, that his current healthcare focus is on getting everyone a doctor, with community health centres and Primary Care Networks as a solution. 

That said, Rob is happy to also take this issue forward. He asked for the information and ammunition needed to convince Health Minister Josie Osborne to put our longterm care facility back in the budget. Electoral Director Gary Holman agreed to write the letter Rob needs to accompany that conversation. Gary will also ask the CRD Board to advocate with Islands Health for the replacement of this funding. Other participants who represent healthcare nonprofits also agreed to work with their organizations to produce a letter. It was agreed that a focus of these letters would be upon equity for rural communities, pleading for decisions to be made fairly rather than based solely upon the most “bang for the buck” available only in larger urban communities. 

A participant, wearing her hat as Executive Director of a local charity, asked for Rob’s help getting information about a mandated union change for transitional housing workers. While she understands that increased work responsibilities justify this shift to another union, she desperately needs more information about funding, especially for the extra administrative work required by this significant change. Rob asked her to give him all the information he needs, promising to do all he can to get an answer as soon as possible.     

Two participants spoke of safety along Lower Ganges, one focused upon pedestrian safety and the other upon the need for an emergency light at the new firehall when emergency vehicles are entering the road. We learned that Ganges crosswalks are being studied and that a workshop is being held September 17, 3-6, in SIMS to gather your crosswalk suggestions. Can’t attend? You can also give your feedback at: https://getinvolved.crd.bc.ca/ganges-crosswalks , using the comment form to share your experiences, concerns, and suggestions about our Ganges crosswalks. 

Concerning the need for a firehall flashing light, it was soon clear that there was some missing information. A participant promised to get this information and monitor progress acquiring this light in time for the grand opening of our new firehall.

During this conversation, we also got clarity about Rob’s role: While he wants to learn all he can about Salt Spring and is eager to advocate for us, it makes sense to first try to locally find solutions, using Rob’s close relationship with our Ministers to advocate when local solutions appear to have stalled. Makes sense, yes? 

As our time together was drawing to a close, a participant brought up a concern/solution discussed at several other ASK Salt Spring gatherings: We have a large and growing number of visitors throughout the year who are essential supporting our local businesses and artisans. This booming tourist industry is different from other industries as these visitors do not pay taxes directly supporting our infrastructure. 

The net result is that local taxpayers are paying the costs for the infrastructure that is also heavily-used by visitors. This fact will be clearly illustrated at ASK Salt Spring this Friday, September 5 (11-1, SIMS) when Electoral Director Gary Holman and Local Community Commissioner Brian Webster join us to discuss a proposed significant increase in the taxation limit of our bus service. 

A simple – and often proposed – solution seems to be to charge all visitors using the ferry a minimal fee (possibly $1?). When allocated directly to Salt Spring, this minor charge could generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to relieve taxpayers of some of these visitor-generated burdens. 

This participant asked what was wrong with this idea, questioning whether she should just give up. Rob’s response was enthusiastic, saying that he would love to spearhead this effort! But, some things must be done first: 

1. Do Salt Springers support this? 
2. What is needed to make this change? Is legislation required? 
3. What bureaucratic details would need to be addressed?
4. What are concerns that could arise, and what are their solutions? 

With work defined, listen for more about this potential option for our visitors to make a minor contribution to their wonderful Salt Spring experience. Comments? Please send them to: ask@asksaltspring.com. 

Our time over for this week, a participant asked a really important question that did not get fully addressed: What environmental/wildlife issues are on your mind, Rob? Promising a fuller discussion next time, we left with a glimpse of his many areas of focus including: 

1. Clean BC Review (https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/cleanbcreview/), 
2. Active preservation of Fairy Creek (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025FOR0002-000059), and 
3. Full implementation of all 14 recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/old-growth-forests), to name a few.      

On that note, Rob jumped up and began one-on-one conversations with participants, saying that he loved coming to Salt Spring to be with us. And, we love welcoming him, appreciating his deep listening to our concerns – always pondering the best way to help us, devising a plan for each issue, and welcoming this daunting array of issues with tenacity, humour, and confidence. (Thank-you, Rob!) 

Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has been reviewed and edited by Rob and his Team.