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Welcoming the “A Team” in Affordable Housing to Learn About the Kings Lane Project
September 26 Nineteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome the GISRA (Gulf Islands Senior Residents Association https://www.gisra.ca/) Kings Lane housing project team, Janis Gauthier, Harry Barnes, and Linda Adams. After our Acknowledgment and a chance for participants to introduce themselves, we learned what excited and delighted our guests. While their shared enthusiasm about the potential of their exciting housing project permeated our entire time together, Janis, the moving force behind many of our successful affordable housing projects, also shared her personal joy that a dump truck of compost had just been delivered to her home, quite sure how her weekend…
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Island Connections: Across Border Solidarity
September 19 While the group was small, the enthusiasm was high to welcome Hands Across the Water (https://acrossthewater.org/) organizers Orcas Islander Natalie Zohar and Salt Springer Pam Tarr to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. We began with Pam’s Land Acknowledgement during which she expressed her humility and gratitude to be able to live on this stolen land, hoping that we can learn to sustain it by getting closer and closer to First Nations’ wisdom. After all got to introduce themselves, we learned what “excited and delighted” our special guests. Natalie began by telling us of the events of the night…
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Safety and Belonging in our Community
September 12 Community Circle on Safety and Belonging On September 12, nine community members gathered to explore the theme of community safety and belonging with the Salt Spring Restorative Justice Team. We began our circle with a land acknowledgment and a recognition of the deep harms that have taken place here on Salt Spring and in communities across the world. We reflected on the ongoing impacts of colonization that have disrupted safety and belonging for many, recognizing the importance of committing not only to acknowledgement but also to action, change, and repair. A passage from Chief Robert Joseph’s book Namwayut…
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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 feedback about the proposal to increase the taxation ceiling for our bus system. While this will not necessarily result in higher taxes for our transit system this year, this increase will give the LCC the ability to raise taxes for this service over the years…
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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 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…
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Welcoming Owen and Andrew for Salt Spring 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 overseeing operations and maintenance of the provincial roads in his area. While in the information loop, large projects, like Ganges Hill, are managed by other departments. Emcon’s Andrew has a huge span of responsibility on Vancouver Island from Chemainus south and all the Gulf Islands.…
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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 Park in 1985. He savoured an Embe treat those many years ago – and had just enjoyed that guilty pleasure again before our gathering. If you want to know more about Dan, you may enjoy reading: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/about-the-advocate/). He is also delighted to be in a…
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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 participants, some with many decades of living on Salt Spring to our newest just married guests who have been here only two weeks, we asked Elizabeth what “excites and delights” her. For her, while politics is important, what excites her the most are her rich…
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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, Clive told us that he is “excited and delighted” by. . . everything! He continues to love his work and his ability to make a difference. He is very proud of the work done every day by the police officers and staff at the Salt…
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“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 the richness of past years, he is glad to be one of many working with First Nations to repair and regenerate our lands. Rob is “excited and delighted” with his summer so far, one of travel, meeting constituents, sailing, and attending local summer fairs throughout…