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Viewpoint: Primary care progress is happening

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Viewpoint: Primary care progress is happening

By CONSTANCE GIBBS

There were only a handful of Salt Springers to ask questions about primary care at a recent ASK Salt Spring event facilitated skilfully, as always, by Gayle Baker.

The expert panel who showed up were ready and able to answer questions about primary care to a very small audience. Gayle’s notes are at asksaltspring.com if you want to see what you missed.

The panel was made up of people at the heart of the action on primary care: Lady Minto Hospital site director Erin Price Lindstrom; Eric Jacobsen, the executive director of Lady Minto Foundation; Sarah Bulmer, who is the Salt Spring program lead for the Primary Care Network, South Island Division of Family Practice; and Dr. Peter Verheul, a family doctor taking valuable time away from his work at the clinic and hospital, who is also a board member of the new Island Community Clinic Society.

Yes, progress IS happening in getting people attached to a doctor. It is painfully slow and requires recruitment action on many fronts: enticing doctors from other countries, wooing residents and locums, using professional recruiters, using professional networks at university medical schools.

It takes a holistic approach to court a doctor: team-based clinic space, housing, childcare, showing people around the island. All this and more to convince them to come to us and enjoy the natural beauty and warm, safe community of Salt Spring. Why should we be such a hard sell, you might ask?

Answer: supply and demand. There are more communities looking for doctors than there are doctors looking to practise in rural communities. We’re in a desperate competition.

In my mind’s eye, I see a cartoon of a recruiter kneeling in front of a young doctor in a white coat holding out flowers and beseeching them for a commitment.

A few years ago I sat on a recruitment and retention committee led by a local doctor who wanted to retire but didn’t want patients to be abandoned. Our committee just couldn’t crack the primary care puzzle. Hopes were raised, and then dashed. The committee dissolved and the good doctor found another way to get a replacement.

Looking at the panel of primary care professionals at the ASK event, I felt a surge of pride in them. They’re young, as is anyone under age 50 to me. But most of all, they’re smart, skillful and hugely dedicated to primary care access. We’re in good hands.

If you’re one of those people without a doctor, or if you know someone in that unfortunate group, get yourself (and them) registered on healthlinkbc.ca.

It can make a difference.

Opinion: Consider Islands Trust OCP/LUB and planning history

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Opinion: Consider Islands Trust OCP/LUB and planning history

By JOHN MONEY

I thought it might be a good idea to delve into the history of our official community plans (OCPs) and land use bylaws (LUBs) as there are many residents in the islands who were not here when this planning process started.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Gulf Islands property market was to a great extent recreational, and quite a few large small-lot subdivisions appeared, creating what were glorified campsites or a spot for a travel trailer or cabin and an outhouse. As ferry service improved, some of these lot owners were increasing their small cabins into a retirement home with a septic field and makeshift water sources.

The provincial government of that day decided to put a 10-acre freeze on the Gulf Islands until each and every island produced an OCP and LUB, and no lots smaller than 10 acres would be created through subdivision until the islands had produced OCPs and LUBs and had them signed off by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The various regional districts in the Gulf Islands were tasked with the job to provide community planners to the island communities to help them produce plans.

The planners went out and held town hall meetings in each community and explained what was required in an OCP and appointed a planning committee in each community made up of a balance of community members. The planner would be there to help when needed.

After their crash course in planning, each community planning committee started with a series of town hall meetings, listening to everyone’s ideas about maximum densities, lot sizes for various zones, setbacks, special and fragile areas, roads, transportation, farms, commercial properties, forests and forest harvesting, to name a few.

Armed with all these thoughts and the help of a planner, these committees created a draft OCP and took them to town hall meetings, changing them after each meeting until finally producing a plan that had the consensus of the community.

The OCP then went to the Minister of Municipal Affairs for its consensus and any required changes, then it went back to the community to look at the changes to finally get the blessings of the community and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and then it was signed off by the minister to become law.

Once that was done, the planner created a LUB and the committee took it back to more town hall meetings to get consensus. When the LUB was completed and signed off by the minister, the 10-acre freeze was lifted on each island and development had to conform to the new bylaws from then on.

As the Gulf Islands were spread over many regional districts and were tied to different towns or municipalities, the residents started lobbying for better local representation that wasn’t tied to a city or a large municipality.

After much lobbying, the government formed the Islands Trust to supply planning services for the 13 different OCPs and LUBs. There would be two elected representatives from each island, creating a planning committee of the two elected people and one appointed by the B.C. government, making a committee of three on each island to implement the OCPs and LUBs with the help of an Islands Trust planner. The government appointee was tasked to watch out for the provincial interest, creating two votes for the community and one for the provincial scenario.

This system worked well and then the government tasked the Trust as a whole to produce and supply the third person on each Trust Committee, instead of the government appointing them.

I cannot emphasize too much how long the proper community process was that went into creating these valuable documents. To see them lost to overreaching bureaucracy is a tragedy. Our OCPs and LUBs that each community made should be allowed to continue serving us. A policy statement that will not allow our local bylaws to continue to develop and grow to meet our communities’ needs and not the needs of the planners cannot be allowed to stand.

I am speaking from experience as I was appointed to the original planning committee for Saturna Island and then later was elected as one of the Saturna trustees, in which capacity I served for 21 years. I also spent six of those years on the Islands Trust Executive and chaired many Trust committees on other Gulf Islands.

In my opinion, the Trust has slowly morphed into an organization that seems to have become completely preoccupied with environmental organizations and First Nations and is attempting to create a policy statement that removes the power from the elected people, giving that power to the planners and First Nations.

If you agree with me that we need land use government that respects the voters, residents and taxpayers in the Gulf Islands and each of their OCPs and LUBs, please speak up and let your voice be heard.

Trust eyes bigger tax bump

Robb Magley
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Trust eyes bigger tax bump

Numbers rose and fell during deliberations — and could do either again in the months ahead, officials cautioned — but islanders hoping Trust Council might shrink a planned tax increase were disappointed last week, as trustees found little to trim from what is approaching a $12-million draft budget.

And between adding in an additional in-person Trust Council meeting, several additions and subtractions related to an operational review report brought by CAO Rueben Bronee, a reluctant reduction in funding for a freshwater sustainability project and an even more reluctant removal of two requests for new full-time staff, property owners may actually face a slightly larger increase: a draft 11.8 per cent increase in the Islands Trust portion of property tax bills within Local Trust Areas, and a 37.8 per cent hike envisioned for those on Bowen Island. 

Those increases, advanced by the Islands Trust Council at its meeting Thursday, Dec. 4, are up from a draft budget report in October that had eyed 11.5 per cent and 33.8 per cent, respectively. 

For several hours the overall budget sat at an even higher level — with tax hikes at 13.8 and 38.2 per cent — as trustees had early in the three-day meeting endorsed a nine-point plan encapsulated within Bronee’s report and were seemingly poised to agree to fund both proposed full-time positions, which would have added a professional registered biologist and a GIS coordinator to staff. 

Trustees decisively voted to fund neither.

“This is not an indictment of the concept,” said Denman Island trustee Sam Borthwick. “I have definitely seen the value, but this is something that we could perhaps wait on and still reap the benefit of in the future.”

Trust Council very nearly shaved $1,500 off the bottom line Thursday morning, as a motion to do away with public budget consultation altogether passed narrowly; several trustees questioned its value, beyond what Gambier local trust area trustee Joe Bernardo characterized as “political cover.” The money was ultimately reallocated instead, at least in the current version, to a communications piece meant to explain the draft budget to the public. 

Pressed by trustees for a dollar estimation,  financial and employee services director Julia Mobbs said that by applying the current draft budget to last year’s property valuations, the tax bill for residents in Local Trust Areas will rise somewhere between $50 and $60, with a likely $65 to $75 increase for Bowen Islanders.

“I will again reiterate that these are estimates, based on data that is not current and not accurate,” said Mobbs. “These ranges are bound to change when we get new BC Assessment data in January.”

Mobbs reminded trustees that there was an inherent starting point of a roughly seven per cent tax increase.

“We are losing substantial revenue sources next year,” said Mobbs, “so five-and-a-half per cent of our tax increase is due to that factor, and an additional almost two per cent is a result of required staff wage increases.”

A broader motion that afternoon, that would have directed the Trust’s Financial Planning Committee to work with staff and return with a budget reflecting a hard increase cap of 11 per cent, failed by a vote of 6-12.

“Some of you that have been here for some time will recall we’ve had high numbers before, although this is probably one of the more significant moments,” said Thetis Island trustee Peter Luckham.

“We all knew the bomb was in the attic; there’s no fat on the bones left over from previous years.”

That said, there may yet be further reductions. Gabriola Island trustee Tobi Elliott said in light of Trust Council’s adoption of the operations report recommendations, the Islands Trust Conservancy Board may want to reconsider its annual funding request — roughly one half million dollars — to further shrink the overall budget. Trustees on Thursday passed a motion officially requesting that reconsideration.

“There is still a fair bit of process,” said Islands Trust chair and Salt Spring trustee Laura Patrick.

“We will be discussing it again at a Committee of the Whole meeting and again at the March [Trust Council] meeting, where there will be final consideration of the budget and approval.”

Policy statement info, opinions shared

Gail Sjuberg
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Policy statement info, opinions shared

As the public engagement part of creating a new Islands Trust Policy Statement (TPS) is well underway, the tension between limiting growth and diversifying housing options on Trust Area islands remains a persistent theme.

At least that was the scenario at a community information meeting held at Fulford Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6, where Trust staff working on the TPS project gave presentations on the timeline and some of the draft document’s specifics, and opened the floor to comments and questions. Thirty members of the public attended.

Clare Frater, director of Trust Area Programs, outlined how the TPS amendment project has been underway since 2019.

“In that time, through a range of opportunities, we’ve heard really thoughtful ideas and constructive suggestions from island residents, and they’ve really been invaluable in helping us shape the document to where it is today,” she said.

The present TPS was created in 1993. Trust Council gave first reading to the new draft on July 29.

Jason Youmans, a senior Trust policy advisor and former Salt Spring Island planner who has been working on the TPS project for the past year, outlined how the document has seven “guiding principles” related to Indigenous rights, environmental and Indigenous cultural heritage protection, development limits, protecting communities, use of the precautionary principle, accounting for cumulative effects, and fostering informed and balanced decision making.

The Islands Trust Area is within the treaty lands and territories of some 31 different First Nations.

“Reconciliation is really front and centre of the document,” said Youmans.

He also explained how the TPS has both “directive” policies — which are things the local trust committees “shall” do when creating bylaws — and “advisory” policies — which they “should” do — for a number of different areas, ranging from managing growth and development, to transportation, housing, recreation, freshwater, forest lands, agriculture and marine shorelands.

Several members of the public said they felt the environmental protection provisions of the draft TPS were weaker than in the existing document.

“There’s a lot of vague, imprecise language,” commented Elissa Poole. “An example is that a directive tells you what to do, and your directives tell you what to ‘consider’ doing. That is not a directive, that is merely a way to avoid having a directive.”

Others praised perceived “balance” in the document.

“I’m happy to see the inclusion of not only housing, but diverse housing, affordable housing, special types of housing,” said Eric March. “This draft, I think, provides a good balance between protecting housing and protecting the environment, and that’s great. Let’s go forward with balance and not focus on one to the exclusion of the other.”

Feedback is being received until February and can be given directly to local trustees or through the Islands 2050 website at islandstrust.bc.ca/programs/islands-2050/, where the document and other information is posted. A survey can be completed through that site, and print copies are also available.

Maxine Leichter, who follows Trust matters closely, thanked Trust personnel for holding the meeting.

“It shows that we could gather together in a room, people could get up and speak; nothing horrible happened.”

Frater said another TPS meeting is scheduled for the Harbour House Hotel on Jan. 13.

Editorial: Trades light the way

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Trades light the way

Who doesn’t love a parade?

Even if the inaugural Trucker n’ Trade Holiday Parade held on Salt Spring Island on Saturday night had turned out to be a low-key kind of affair, it surely would have been appreciated by the community.

But by many accounts, it was instead the best new event seen on Salt Spring in years, with more than 50 vehicles participating, dressed to the nines in lights and decorations of all kinds, with inflatable Santas, critters and presents among them.

How the arguably busiest people on the island managed to find the time to decorate huge vehicles for a parade is mind-boggling, but their heart was clearly in it.

One part of the heart was connected to honouring Rick Andrews, the born-and-raised Salt Spring Islander who died at far too young an age from cancer this past summer. A Rick Andrews Excavating Ltd. truck poignantly led the parade, and his fellow tradespeople and truck drivers, and members of the public attending, donated more than $5,900 to the Canadian Cancer Society in his name.

In promoting the parade, Jess Harkema of Windsor Plywood was quoted as describing the island’s trades as “a quiet backbone of our community,” and it’s true. Where would we be without all the people who build and maintain our houses, driveways, septic fields, gardens, vehicles and everything we need to stay warm, safe and dry? They deserve as much respect and gratitude as can be expressed by islanders who don’t have the skills or perseverance to do the jobs themselves; and the same goes for their families who both provide support and may not see their loved ones as much as they’d like due to the high demands of their positions.

Kudos to parade initiators Graham and Myriam Outerbridge of Fresco Refrigeration, their Chamber of Commerce partner — which has also made the season bright with a Holiday Light Up event in Centennial Park Nov. 28 and the successful Winter Wander on Friday night — and major supporters Windsor Plywood and Mouat’s Trading Co., and everyone else who participated or provided support in some way. It was a truly fun and illuminating gift to the community.

Christmas events continue with the Santa Ship arriving on Saturday afternoon, and many more happenings this weekend and throughout the month.

Carol sing event at All Saints

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Carol sing event at All Saints

By LOLLA DEVINDISCH

for Anglican Parish of Salt Spring Island

Carols for Christmastide, the annual community carol sing held in All Saints by-the-Sea, hosted by the Anglican Parish, this year falls on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.

The popularity of this hour-long afternoon event may be due to both the start time, which allows for daylight driving, and the ambiance of candlelit intimacy, with the traditional sounds of the pipe organ in this acoustically excellent venue. It also offers islanders the opportunity to take a break from the Christmas rush and enjoy time together over delicious Christmas fare, including traditional Christmas cake, mincemeat pies, mulled apple juice and more.

Accompanied by choir director David Storm at the piano and organ, All Saints’ choir will be leading the familiar carols, with soloists performing well-known classics that bring Christmas straight to the heart. Soloists include Anke Smeele and Connie Holmes, singing a duet version of Thad Jones’ A Child is Born; Jennifer Ashley, with Michael Head’s Virgin’s Slumber Song; and Ellen Vesterdal, Deb Smith and Debbi Toole, with more seasonal gems.

Admission is by cash donation with optional refreshments a suggested $5. All proceeds go to the Harvest Food Bank.

Holiday parade thrills islanders

Driftwood Staff
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Holiday parade thrills islanders

Salt Spring Island was treated to a holiday season first on Saturday, Dec. 6 as the inaugural Trucker n’ Trade Holiday Parade made its way through Ganges, beginning and ending at Windsor Plywood on Rainbow Road.

The event raised more than $5,900 for the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of born-and-raised Salt Springer Rick Andrew, who passed away from cancer this past summer. A Rick Andrews Excavating Ltd. Truck led the parade of more than 50 decorated vehicles owned by the island’s truckers and tradespeople, which was initiated by Graham and Myriam Outerbridge of Fresco Refrigeration in partnership with the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce and support from Windsor Plywood, Mouat’s Trading Co. and others.

The following photos of the event were taken for the Driftwood by Rob Lowrie.

Sustainable Gift Giving: Making Memories, Not More Stuff

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Sustainable Gift Giving: Making Memories, Not More Stuff

Presented by Transition Salt Spring as part of the group’s Lighter Living Initiative

Sustainable gift-giving is more important—and easier—than ever! The traditional gift economy is deeply tied to the extraction economy, which depletes natural resources and prioritizes short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This system fuels harmful practices, including overproduction, deforestation, and pollution, and the holiday season amplifies these pressures. From plastic-laden packaging to single-use items that quickly end up in landfills, the environmental cost of conventional gift-giving is immense.

During the holidays, this harm is exacerbated by increased manufacturing, transportation emissions, and the sheer volume of discarded materials—wrapping paper, ribbons, and excess packaging—that contribute to overflowing waste streams.

This holiday season, shift the narrative and make a meaningful impact by choosing thoughtful, eco-friendly gifts that prioritize sustainability and community. Opt for locally made, reusable, or ethically sourced items to reduce waste and support small businesses. To make this shift effortless, we’ve prepared a curated list of sustainable gift ideas that are beautiful, practical, and kind to the planet.

Let’s cut the waste, ditch the plastic, and celebrate the season responsibly—shop sustainably, shop locally, and help protect the earth for future generations!

Sustainable Gift Ideas: Entertainment gifts involve experiences that bring people together. Shared moments are often more cherished and longer-lasting than material items!

  • Theatre – We have an amazing local theatre with a terrific upcoming winter program. Whether it’s dance, music, drama or comedy, ArtSpring has it all! Grab some tickets to a show or a gift certificate and plan for a memorable time together.
  • Movies – For the movie-lovers out there, this is the perfect gift, and the popcorn is to die for at The Fritz Cinema.
  • Jazz, Blues, Country – The Legion Branch 92 has a range of live music events, from jams, open mics and world-class comedians and concerts. Membership has benefits.
  • Karaoke – Send the singers to the Legion Friday nights for Karaoke
  • Digital audiobooks or e-Books – Spread the joy, without the hassle!

Sustainable Gifts: Learn Something NEW! We are fortunate on Salt Spring to have a diverse and talented population. You can find a class for virtually any hobby or passion. There is something for everyone on your list from the creative to practical and wellness to skill building!

  • Painting/Drawing Class – Do you have creative people on your list? Treat them to a gift certificate to one of a plethora of classes offered by the SSI Painters Guild. The only prerequisite to join or take a class is the desire to paint and draw. All levels are welcome.
  • Pottery Classes – There is nothing quite like having your hands in clay. Julie MacKinnon Ceramics offers a range of classes for a variety of skill sets in all types and techniques. All ages and stages are welcome.
  • Martial Arts Classes – This is a fabulous activity to do with kids, friends, or your partner. Salt Spring Karate offers Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and Kobudo.
  • Art/Craft Workshops – Make memories by doing a workshop together! Take a pottery class, sign up for a succulent workshop, make a wreath, or join the Printmakers. With so many talented artisans on Salt Spring Island, it’s easy to connect with experts. Check out the Salt Spring Arts Council or Salt Spring Exchange to see what’s coming up.
  • Cooking Workshop – Foodies on your list could be in for a real treat! You can’t go wrong with gifting a workshop with Haan Palcu-Chang, “one of the Best Top Chefs in Canada!” (CBC, 2024) Or you could treat them to a luxurious, completely custom-designed menu of world-class food catered in your own home.

Sustainable Gift Ideas: Recreation activities promote health and wellness. Give the gift of mental well-being and FUN that have long lasting value!

  • Dancing Lessons – Do you know someone who would love to learn new steps? Give the gift of dance with one of PARC’s many programs!
  • Yoga – Salt Spring is a mecca for yoga with classes for every level. Ask your friends about their favourites or check out one of the local yoga studios and consider giving the gift of a few classes: Ganges Yoga Studio, Salty Soul Yoga at the Salt Spring Wellness Centre, and The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga are just a few great options!
  • Roller Skating – The gym at SIMS has some super fun drop-in roller skating! Open to all levels, bring your own skates or rent some. Fun for the whole family.
  • Sports club membership – Is your loved one looking to join the tennis or golf scene? Start with a lesson or 9 holes at the SSI Golf Club, or if you know they’re already big fans, consider covering the membership fee for next year. A one-year membership for Juniors is only $15 at the Salt Spring Tennis Association.
  • Swim Passes – There is plenty to do at Rainbow Road Pool. Whether someone on your list could use some lessons or is a master swimmer, our local pool offers a wide range of activities. Consider a gift card.
  • Poker, Darts & Crib Nights – Do you have a card shark on your list? Send them down to the Legion for Poker or Crib nights. They can also enjoy a meal while challenging their wits!

Sustainable Gift Ideas: MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTION gifts produce little or no packaging and offer a range of practical, meaningful and sustainable gifts that keep on giving beyond the holiday season!

  • Bus pass – Do you have a commuter on your list? How about a month of unlimited travel? Visit BC Transit to buy monthly passes.
  • Online News or Magazine membership – Sign your friends up for an online subscription to the local Gulf Islands Driftwood, or a favourite magazine like Permaculture Magazine. They’ll love the abundance of information available to them!
  • Museum membership – Victoria’s Royal BC Museum is considered one of the very best in the country and changes exhibitions regularly. Don’t forget about their online learning portal and IMAX Theatre. Any of these would be a great gift to give!

Sustainably Delicious Gift Ideas: Everyone eats! Food gifts are practical and appreciated by almost everyone, whether their tastes are sweet or savoury, gourmet or homemade. Food gifts suit any budget and are perfect for individuals, families or groups!

  • Zero Waste Plastic-Free Groceries – SALT JAR Refillery is loaded with high quality, consciously sourced, plastic-free essentials including home, body, pantry and grocery items. Check out their brick-and-mortar shop or buy a gift card online.
  • Local organic produce delivery service – If you want to go big for your favourite foodie, consider signing your loved one up for a local organic produce delivery service. Different farms on the island have a variety of offerings. Laughing Apple Farm does a ‘farm stand membership’ giving your advance access to their delicious produce and paying in advance means you don’t have to worry about having exact change at their stand. Duck Creek Farm has a traditional Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, offering a delicious weekly box; The Backwoods Farm and Paradise Within also have CSA packages. Alternatively, check in with your local farm or visit our Farm Stands, Farmers and Foodies of Salt Spring Island page on Facebook.
  • Fruit and Vegetable Box Subscription – Similar to a CSA, Earth Candy has a fabulous Fruit & Veg Subscription box – all organic and as local as possible. You can pick up or they’ll deliver anywhere on the island for only $5!
  • DIY Gifts in a Jar or Homemade Goodies: Homemade food gifts like cookies, jam, spice blends or recipes in a jar add a personal touch showing real effort and care.

Sustainable Gift Ideas: Pleasure & Relaxation gifts help relieve stress and boost mental and physical health, providing much-needed downtime in today’s fast-paced world. The holidays can be hectic, so consider a gift that focuses on relaxation.

  • Massage – Getting a massage makes you feel so pampered and loved! It’s hard to go wrong with this gift.
  • Spa – Check out one of the local spas! Time spent in warm baths, steam rooms, and saunas makes a fantastic gift for someone who needs to unwind. Arbutus View Thermal Spa and Solace Organic Spa are just two of many serene escapes.
  • Dinner – Take your loved one out to a delicious dinner or offer them a gift card for dinner at their favourite spot.
  • Babysitting – Offer to babysit so that your parent-friends can go out on a date and enjoy being child-free!
  • Meditation class or app – Sign your friend up to a meditation class or to a meditation app such as Headspace. Or let them know about one of the many free wellness apps, like Insight Timer – which also offers classes like Mindfulness for Mothers.
  • The Gift of Service – For many folks, the most valuable gift doesn’t come from a store. It isn’t a thing but rather, it’s about spending time together or being offered a service they wouldn’t be able to manage on their own. Make up your own Gift Certificate for a few hours of garden weeding or maintenance, or house cleaning.

Sustainable Gift Ideas for GIVING BACK: Do you have someone on your list who doesn’t want anything? Consider donating in their name to a cause they care about.

  • Plant a tree – You can plant one or more trees in their name with OneAction who are currently focusing on reforesting vulnerable areas in Switzerland – or perhaps you’ll be more inspired by any of their other many meaningful projects.
  • Symbolic Animal Adoption – Many organizations invite you to symbolically adopt an animal to protect it. Someone you love might be honoured to adopt a rescued elephant through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or adopt a species through the World Wildlife Fund.
  • Offset their annual carbon emissions – Have your loved one calculate their carbon emissions for the year, and then head to the Carbon Footprint website to choose how to offset the emissions (through tree planting, alternative energy, etc.) This gift is a great one to encourage discussion about how to decrease carbon emissions for the following year.
  • Donate in their name – Consider a cheque to the local food bank in your loved one’s name, or perhaps a donation to one of the fabulous local non-profit organizations working to make our community better. Consider Transition Salt Spring (community climate action and mitigation) the SPCA, Gulf Island Families Together Society, Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV), Salt Spring Literacy or the Salt Spring Island Foundation.
  • Reconciliaction – For those with Reconciliation at the top of their wish list, donate to the Stqeeye’ Learning Society – committed to working in partnership for the restoration and preservation of lands and waters within Xwaaqw’um (Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park).
  • Volunteer together – Get your friends & family in on a volunteering activity together! Join a forest cleanup, cut broom, help out at Gabriel’s Kitchen, lend a hand at the gardening co-op, go through your clothes and toys together and donate them to the local thrift shop or to Transition Salt Spring’s Toy or Clothing Swap.
  • Social Justice – For the social justice activist on your list, consider making a cash donation in their name to The Hearth at Phoenix Landing, The Chuan Society or The Copper Kettle. These local grass roots organizations with boots on the ground addressing access and equity barriers in our community.
  • Support local artisans – Shop at Artcraft and support handcrafted works by local artists. Many artists use found or recycled materials. And proceeds from Artcraft support Salt Spring Arts programs in the community.

We hope these low-waste gift ideas inspire you to get creative, and help make the earth and your community as happy as your loved ones are sure to be!

Transition Salt Spring invites you to sign up for more FREE access to Lighter Living content at https://tinyurl.com/Lighter-Living. Learn how to take low-effort actions that feel good, benefit our community, and help the planet.

Singers celebrate truly Canadian Christmas

Gail Sjuberg
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Singers celebrate truly Canadian Christmas

Canadian pride has been a prominent theme in 2025, and Salt Spring Singers choir members are amplifying it for this year’s holiday concert.

Directed by Deb Smith, audiences can enjoy A Canadian Christmas at All Saints by-the-Sea on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m., featuring music by Canadian composers and arrangers.

Selections range from the poignant “River” by Joni Mitchell to the joyful “Now the Bells Ring” by Rita MacNeil and the rollicking “Down on Christmas” by Stompin’ Tom Connors.

“I love all the songs on the program,” said Smith, “but I think the choir shares my fondness for the beautiful ‘We Are Stars’ by Kenley Kristofferson, and ‘Iesous Ahatonnia,’ a sensitive re-writing of the ‘Huron Carol’ by Sarah Quartel and the Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui.”

The group is also thrilled that Simon Millerd will be joining the choir with his trumpet on “The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter” by Chris Dedrick and “Ding, Dong, Merrily On High,” arranged by Howard Cable. James Yi is the choir’s accompanist.

Like most Singers’ holiday season concerts, some participation is encouraged.

“The audience will be enthusiastically invited to join us on the ‘12 Days of Salt Spring Christmas,’ collectively written by the choir, and to stomp along with ‘Down With Christmas,’” said Smith.

A soprano with the choir with ample directing experience, Smith took on leading the choir for the December concert, following the retirement of longtime director Don Conley in the spring, which gave the search committee more time to find the perfect replacement.

“This allowed the choir to hire Adam Dyjach as our new director starting in January. Adam will be an outstanding director and I am looking forward to the new season.”

Smith is well-known for playing double bass in island ensembles, and played her instrument with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra for 21 years. During her music teaching career, she led award-winning concert choirs, swing choirs, concert bands and jazz bands, and has filled in as substitute director for the Singers in the past.

She said it has been a privilege to direct the group for the upcoming two concerts.

“They are an accomplished, friendly, lovely group of singers who have been an absolute joy to work with. They have been open to all sorts of new ideas and frivolities that will make this concert special. It truly has been a gift to step out of the soprano section and lead this season.”

Tickets for the shows are available in advance through ArtSpring or at the door, if available.

Winter Solstice tour includes Salt Spring show

Contributed Article
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Winter Solstice tour includes Salt Spring show

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The beloved Winter Solstice Music Tour celebrates its 10th anniversary this December with a special series of concerts across Vancouver Island and two online shows on Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice proper.

Led by acclaimed vocalist and artistic director Cari Burdett, the tour offers audiences a heartfelt evening of song, story and harmony — a joyful celebration of community, culture and the return of the light.

A Salt Spring Island concert takes place at All Saints by-the-Sea on Thursday, Dec. 11. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Since its beginnings in 2010, Winter Solstice Music has become a Vancouver Island tradition, weaving together evocative arrangements, rich vocal harmonies and musical storytelling. In addition to Burdett, the 2025 tour features Adrian Dolan, Quin Etheridge-Pedden, Scott White, Adam Dobres and Maeve Iredale.

This year’s musical offerings shine a spotlight on Canadian composers — blending original works by the band members with pieces by Sarah McLachlan, Gordon Lightfoot and The Wailin’ Jennys. The program features winter-themed songs that honour both the quiet beauty of darkness and the hopeful return of light, evoking the deep emotional resonance of the season.

Five percent of proceeds will be donated to Mischa Lelum, the new Cowichan Valley Youth Emergency Shelter supporting youth aged 15–18 who are in crisis or at risk of homelessness.

Tickets can be bought online at cariburdett.com.

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