Author: Gayle Baker

• Pondering the Future of our Bus System with Brian and Gary

  September 5 Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Brian Webster and Gary Holman (also our Electoral Director). Aptly facilitated by Grant Fredrickson, comprehensive notes were taken by Julie Thomson – thanks, team!  While they were open to any LCC questions, the main topic for discussion was to solicit…

• Reconciliation, Electoral Reform, and Advocacy for Salt Spring Issues. . . Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

  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…

• Welcoming Owen and Andrew for Salt Sprong Roads 101

  August 8 Sixteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming Andrew Gaetz, Emcon (our roads maintenance contractor) Operations Manager, and Owen Page, Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) Area Manager.  Owen’s MoTT responsibility includes Salt Spring and Saturna Islands as well as the entire CRD region from Point Renfrew south. Working closely with Emcon, his responsibilities include…

• We Can Do better for Our Seniors!

  Fifteen joined us to welcome BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt and Communications Manager Jocelyne Lahaye to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Acknowledgement and a chance for all to introduce themselves, we learned what “excites and delights” Dan. He recalled with pleasure his first trip to Salt Spring on a cycling/camping trip to Ruckle…

• Lovingly Welcoming MP Elizabeth May

  Thirty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to lovingly welcome MP Elizabeth May. She began our time together with an acknowledgement of her honour and gratitude to be working with First Nations whose sheer grit have given them the strength to survive past and ongoing colonial oppression. After going around the circle with introductions from…

• Navigating Community Divides

  July 11 Although the crowd was small, the welcome was enthusiastic for this week’s ASK Salt Spring guest, RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook. We began with his recognition and appreciation of the land on which we live and love, even though this joy is often tempered with a heavy heart, recognizing past injustices.  With a smile,…

• “This is How Government Should Work!”

  July 4 Eighteen joined us for this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming MLA Rob Botterell and his Constituency Advocate Deborah Bowman. During his Land Acknowledgement, Rob spoke of the honour he felt in collaborating on the good work of restoring, preserving, and protecting the land we so love. Although we may never restore it to…

• A Lively Conversation with BC Ferries CEO/President Nicholas Jimenez

  June 27:  Twenty-ninejoined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcomeBC Ferries’CEO/President Nicolas Jimenez and Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing, Lindsay Matthews. Salt Springers came to learn and ask questions, including our elected officials as well many current and former ferry employees. Our guests received the full Salt Spring experience as Lindsay was slightly tardy…

• Learning About Neurodivergence. Support, and Inclusion

  June 20 Fourteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Amanda Myers of GIFTS, Gulf Islands Families Together Society, and Anna Vineyard of The Diverse Village. While different, with GIFTS (https://www.gulfislandgifts.com/) a charity serving Salt Spring families for over a quarter of a century and The Diverse Village (https://thediversevillage.ca/) a newly established nonprofit, they…

• Navigating Those Difficult Conversations With Family and Loved Ones

  NOTE: This addition to the June 6 ASK Salt Spring Report requested by a participant:  “When asked if he would be willing to seek a meeting with the Minister of Health that would also include Gary Holman to discuss the $50 million taken out of the Island Health budget for a new long term care…