Category: ASK Salt Spring Report

• An Optimistic Chamber of Commerce Dives into Projects to Enhance Ganges Vitality

  July 28, 2023: Only seven joined us this week to welcome Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce’s (https://www.saltspringchamber.com/) Operations Manager, Alexander Fischer-Jean to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. It was good news that throngs did not come hoping to see MP Elizabeth May and disappointed that she is, very wisely, prioritizing her health. Sometimes the best conversations take place…

• Umbrella Society – Providing Shelter From the Storms of Addiction in Victoria and now Salt Spring!

  July 21, 2023: Only ten gathered to welcome Umbrella Society’s (https://www.umbrellasociety.ca/) Rebecca Wakefield, Evan James, and Corey Burtini. While so many others would have also enjoyed what we learned and the rich conversation, those who came were very glad that they joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After offering our Territorial Acknowledgement, Evan began by speaking about Umbrella’s commitment to…

• Housing, Water, Transportation. . . .CRD’s Gary Offers Some New Twists to On-Going Conversations

  July 14, 2023: Ten joined us to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman at this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After his Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary spoke of the progress made in the first two Local Community Commission meetings, gradually adjusting to being one of five making decisions about the majority of Salt Spring CRD services but also appreciating being part of…

• Welcoming Our Ambassadors!

  June 23, 2023: Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming some of the coordinators of our new Ambassador Program, David Norget, Karen Olsson, Grant Fredrickson, and Chamber Manager, Alexander Fischer-Jean. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began by learning that this exciting new program is designed to transform Ganges into a friendlier space for all, forging those important…

• Lots of CRD Doings. . . and a Full Plate of Decisions Awaiting the Soon-to-Convene LCC

  June 9, 2023: Twelve came to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. In his Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary noted that theland back movement in BC is growing, and there are more examples of publicly-owned land either being given back or being co-managed by First Nations. He noted that First Nations co-management of CRD Regional Park lands…

• A Party in the Meadow to Welcome Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming and Staff

  June 2, 2023: The atmosphere at the ASK Salt Spring gathering in the Mouat’s Meadow (one time location) had a celebratory party atmosphere, markedly-different from our more serious times together each Friday. Energized by enthusiastic cyclists, led by the Island Pathways Cycling Group, there were toddlers and preschoolers on tiny bikes cavorting, smoothies, and a huge carrot cake…

• Are We Actually on the Verge of Crafting a Solution to our Housing Crisis?

  May 26, 2023: Thirty gathered to welcome Salt Spring Solutions board members, Elizabeth FitzZaland and Mairi Welman, for a discussion of their recently-released housing paper, Homes for Islanders — An Integrated Housing Solutions Framework for Salt Spring Island (https://www.saltspringsolutions.com/).  After their Territorial Acknowledgement, we were all asked: How many of you have read our report? A significant number had, in…

• Ten Local Community Commission Candidates: Ten Opinions and a Rich Conversation

  May 19, 2023: Thirty – including 10 Local Community Commission (LCC) candidates – came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to discuss LCC and CRD issues. Candidates who joined us were:  Gayle Baker, Kylie Coates, Ben Corno, David Courtney, Lloyd Cudmore, Nejmah Guermoudi, Eric G. Marsh, Jenny McClean, Earl Rook, and  Brian Webster. *** Ben and Jenny needed…

• Trash, Effluent, and Biosolids. . . Lots to Learn About this Dirty Topic

  May 12, 2023: Eleven welcomed CRD Electoral Director, Gary Holman, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary begin by telling us about three recent decisions by the CRD Board that have implications for Salt Spring. 1) Housing: Some of you may recall that there was a late proposal at the CRD Board to further increase the…

• Adam Speaks With Us About Housing. . .Will Provincial Legislation Impact Salt Spring?

  May 5, 2023: Seventeen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Adam Olsen. We were also pleased to welcome his staff, Laura Parker, Outreach Coordinator, and legislative assembly Interns Kayla Brent and Jacob Schoeber. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam spoke briefly about interns Jacob and Kayla, telling us that they are integral parts of the…