Author: Gayle Baker

• “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…

• MLA Rob Botterell Speaks Out About Some Concerning Legislation

  Eighteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and his associate Theresa Coles. After he offered our Land Acknowledgement, Rob shared that he was “excited and delighted” to have completed the annual spring work on his boat. She is now ready to take him on his summer of sailing, hopefully bringing him from…

• Neighbours Feeding Neighbours with Locally Produced Food

  Although the group welcoming Heather to learn more about Neighbours Feeding Neighbours was small, the conversation was both multifaceted as well as fascinating. After Heather offered our land acknowledgement and told us of her “excitement and delight” with our long days, needed rain, and her verdant garden, offering her both satisfaction and challenges, we began to learn about…

• Welcoming Local Commissioners Brian and Gary

  Thirteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners Brian Webster and Gary Holman, also our Electoral Area Director. Beautifully facilitated by Grant Fredrickson with notes provided by Julie Thomson (thanks, team!, the conversation focused on healthcare, housing, and transportation.  After Gary offered our Land Acknowledgement, our guests were asked what “excited…

• Listening as a Path to Connection

  This month’s Restorative Justice Dialogue Circle invited community members into a deep exploration of listening as a core skill for navigating conflict and bridging division. Together, we examined how restorative listening practices can strengthen relationships, support accountability, and contribute to more connected and resilient communities. The circle offered a space for reflection on what it…

• Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

  Twenty-three joined for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring discussion with MLA Rob Botterell. Changing things up a bit, Ron Cooke, the facilitator sitting in for Gayle Baker, asked Rob what concerns him.  Rob answered that this week in the Legislature the government introduced legislation to streamline approvals for projects, the environmental assessment…

• Getting to Know MLA Rob Botterell Better

  Before welcoming MLA Rob Botterell to ASK Salt Spring this Friday, May 2, 11-1, SIMS classroom, we thought it would be fun to learn more about what “excites and delights” him personally as well as professionally.    Rob grew up in Oak Bay, playing the alto saxophone in the high-school band and spending much of his…