Author: Gayle Baker

• A Conversation with Your Local Community Commissioners About Air Quality, Sludge, and Worker Housing

  October 13, 2023: Ten gathered for a conversation with our Electoral Director, Gary Holman, and Local Commissioners Brian Webster, Earl Rook, and Gayle Baker. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, a participant began by asking what was actually happening with reconciliation on Salt Spring. We learned from Gary that local governments are legally obligated to consult with First…

• Is the Canadian Dream of Homeownership Dead for Many of Our Youth?

  October 6, 2023: Thirteen gathered to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and Outreach Coordinator Laura Parker to this ASK Salt Spring gathering in our new, quieter classroom location, thanks to the generosity of Transition Salt Spring and Restorative Justice. After his Territorial Acknowledgement, we discussed less willingness – and even tolerance – to let our children into our activities.…

• Worried About our Lack of Worker Housing? Come on, Salt Spring – Become a HomeSharer!

  September 22, 2023: We welcomed Janey Rowland, coordinator of our new Housing NOW HomeShare Registry Program, to this ASK Salt Springgathering. We began by being intrigued and charmed by the scattering of Michif phrases in her Territorial Acknowledgement, soon learning that she is of Metis ancestry and reconnecting to her heritage through language. During our time together, we learned a…

• Salt Spring’s Housing Council Changes Direction to Focus on Business-Built Worker Housing

  September 15, 2023: Nine welcomed Robin Williams, new chair of the Housing Council, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Robin began by telling us what excites and delights him: lovingly-renovating homes that others would demolish. He shared pictures of a home on Long Harbour with extremely-serious foundation issues. After a complete renovation, including an extensive seismic…

• Completing that Food Security Circle with our Abattoir, Composting, and Root Projects

  September 8, 2023: While the information we gained was rich, the turnout to welcome one of our newly-elected Local Community Commissioners (LCC), Brian Webster, was disappointing. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgement, ending with appreciation for the inexplicable forgiveness by First Nations on this journey of reconciliation, we began our time together learning more about three of our most critical agricultural…

• Island Pathways – Committed to Safer Walking and Cycling for Over Three Decades

  September 1, 2023: Only seven came to welcome Island Pathways’ President, Bob MacKie, board member Margaretha Nordine, and Treasurer Luke Campbell of its Cycling Salt Spring committee. While the numbers were small, the conversation was rich, and all had the opportunity to participate. Our Territorial Acknowledgment morphed into a brief exploration of some of the events in our colonial history that set…

• Roads 101: Welcoming MoTI and Emcon

  August 25, 2023: Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Owen Page, our Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) Area Manager, and Andrew Gaetz, Emcon (our roads maintenance contractor) Operations Manager. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, both Andrew and Owen told us that they were thrilled to be with us and, according to Owen, this was the very best…

• That Difficult Balance: Parking Impacts of Creating a Walkable, Cycle-able Ganges

  August 18, 2023: Nine came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to discuss parking in Ganges. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, a participant expressed deep concern that the Ganges Active Transportation Network Plan (https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/crd-document-library/plans-reports/planning-development/salt-spring-island-active-transportation-network-plan.pdf), had been released without specifically reaching out to community members with mobility challenges to get their input. (This plan was presented to the Local Community Commission…

• Ferries, Trains, Cars, Bicycles, and Pedestrians. . . .Transportation Hits the Headlines. . . Again!

  August 11, 2023: Fourteen joined us at this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman, our Electoral Director as well as a member of the Local Community Commission (LCC) 5 member team. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary began by speaking briefly about his pessimism regarding the reinstatement of the train between Victoria and Nanaimo along the…

• MLA Adam Olsen Challenges Status Quo: Do MLAs Still Need to Sit Two Sword Lengths Apart?

  August 4, 2023: Twenty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Adam Olsen, assistant Patricia Pearson, and intern Maya Achuthan. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam shared with us things that excite and delight him. He first told us of how delighted he is with the community office and how updated processes have improved its service and productivity.…