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Trust passes emergency motion

Elizabeth Nolan
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Trust passes emergency motion

Islands Trust Council declared a climate emergency by unanimous vote during the quarterly meeting held on Gabriola Island last week.

The March 13 motion was sponsored by trustees Deb Morrison of North Pender Island and Scott Colbourne of Gabriola. Along with the declaration, seven related action points that lay out steps for planning staff and Trust Council chair Peter Luckham to take on in the coming year were approved. They include advocacy work with senior governments and policy amendments.

Introducing the motion, Colbourne described the initiative as being “science based and justice rooted.” He explained the emergency concept followed on actions of other local governments around the world and in the region, including the Capital Regional District and the cities of Vancouver and Victoria.

“They’re calling on senior levels of government to give them the resources to deal with this . . . and they’re also finding ways to use their resources differently to address climate change. So part of passing an emergency declaration is signing on to a movement that’s building around the world, and part of it is asking ourselves with the Trust what that can look like,” Colbourne said.

Responding to a question on how to communicate the issue to people who might not be as convinced of its gravity, Morrison said it was important to move past language about believing in climate change to try to get people to accept the science.

“The data argument is not going to be the one that we use to communicate with our communities. It’s going to be storytelling about the local issues and what we are facing. The erosion on our shores, our sea level rise, our building codes: those local things that matter to us are going to be what gets through,” Morrison said.

Salt Spring resident and former trustee Peter Lamb gave a delegation at the meeting urging the council to pass the declaration. He came armed with a petition signed by 600 people representing every island within the Trust area as well as some other communities.

“There can be no doubt that we are indeed facing a climate emergency, defined as ‘a cascading breakdown of the climate system due to unsustainable extractive economic and social forces, posing an existential risk to humanity and life on Earth,’” Lamb said.

Lamb argued that making the declaration would not be enough, though, and said the Trust needed to recommit its budget in order to designate staffing resources. He suggested a program in which BC Hydro will fund 50 per cent of the cost to hire a community energy manager over two years.

While no new funds were added to the current budget to directly address the priority, Trust administrative services director Julia Mobbs explained the 2019-20 financial plan has enough flexibility to accommodate climate change-related work. As well, amendments can be made to shift money between departments if necessary, she said.

Another suite of motions that was approved at the quarterly session may provide support for climate change mitigation and prevention. Council gave unanimous support to a recommendation from the Local Planning Committee to implement the Coastal Douglas-fir Toolkit across the Trust area. This will give local trust committees the impetus to start developing the tools available to protect intact forest areas.

For more on this story, see the Mar. 20, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Viewpoint: Down that same safety road

Contributed Article
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Viewpoint: Down that same safety road

By Dal Brickenden

Last week, a very well thought out editorial and article about road safety were published.

Both pieces are “bang on” in their review of the subject and both referenced ICBC road safety statistics. That is exactly the kind of process one should go through when one has both authority and an appropriate budget. Oh, but umm, the Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission has no authority and the CRD has no road building budget. 

Nevertheless, when applying that logical process, I believe another few qualifications should be considered. Using layperson’s terms, one should not be looking only at where accidents happen. One should also review the likelihood of fatality. One should also look at the cost of threat mitigation. Lastly, (and this is really the challenge) what is the likely outcome in our community of following “the process.”

In assessing risk of fatality, one considers both the likely cumulative speed and the potential angle of impact of vehicles involved. Some locations combine a very high potential for fatality and very low cost of mitigation. I’ll call that “low hanging fruit.” That is the kind of situation found at Booth Canal Road and Rainbow Road, the location I recommended for what I’ll describe as a request for an informal review by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Three other locations came to the SSITC via delegation.

I couldn’t find any location that, based upon angle of attack and cumulative velocity, offered a greater risk of fatality that could be avoided at a lower cost of mitigation than the example above. It was hoped that an informal look through the professional eyes of MoTI and their selection of two out of the four locations proposed would lead to road safety actually being enhanced promptly in one or two locations. This approach would not incur any cost for any study.

The “full review process” would demand the SSITC call for a preliminary study funded by the CRD, to pay CRD staff to execute. Less than a year ago, the CRD engineering department reported that they had two and a half years of work on their desk for the coming year. They have just suffered a significant resignation. Those facts make me believe that we’d be waiting years to see the outcome of just the first study above. 

This first study would lead sequentially to a further, larger, time-consuming and very costly second study to be funded and executed by MoTI. It would identify, prioritize and quantify work needed at a great many locations. Many more years would then go into identifying and accessing budgets. Typically, years and even decades can pass before work begins anywhere.

Island-wide road safety is an effort several times larger than the two examples immediately above combined. Following the full review process and realizing its recommendations will not occur in our lifetime.

The question becomes “Shall we eat the elephant a few bites at a time or decide not to eat elephants at all?”

A motion was passed at the last SSITC meeting to make a realistic ask of MoTI at a level they might actually be able to grant in the short term: to choose a couple of locations that make as much sense as Booth Canal and Rainbow. Let’s see if we can’t just get something done this year.

The writer is a SSITC member.

Editorial: Drop by Drop

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Drop by Drop

As we head into the warmer months of the year, water is on the minds of many islanders.

That was evident in the past 10 days in a variety of places: at the Home & Garden Show, where rainwater collection technologies were showcased; at Islands Trust Council on Gabriola Island, where financial support was approved for both the Trust’s freshwater specialist position and the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance; and at the North Salt Spring Waterworks District’s open house to present its strategic plan and answer questions from the public.

The NSSWD plan is clear, concise and a solid document for keeping the board and staff on track for the next four years.

As if running a water utility with 1,792 connections and maintaining several other island water systems on a contract basis was not a big enough job, the district’s strategic plan cites a number of items needing “immediate and urgent” attention. Those include completing water demand projections, holding a facilitated workshop to understand the risks of taking more water from St. Mary Lake, and developing and adopting a conservation policy and a conservation plan. Consultants are urgently needed to conduct a water supply options study and to design a new water treatment plant for Maxwell Lake. It’s a long to-do list and those are only some of the most urgent items.

Individuals and island institutions can help the cause by seriously evaluating their water consumption and reducing their demands on St. Mary and Maxwell lakes, especially in the drier months.

Perhaps the NSSWD could lead some kind of water-saving challenge, similar to BC Hydro’s Power Smart program, which rewards customers who sign up and reduce their consumption by 10 per cent in a 12-month period. The Transition Salt Spring Enterprise Co-op is now offering small loans to help islanders install rainwater catchment systems, which would contribute to achieving a specific conservation goal.

Visitor education about the importance of conserving water is another area that could be stepped up by governing bodies and tourism businesses.

As much as people might wish for a return to “normal” Gulf Islands weather that sees rainfall spread more evenly throughout the year, that is not expected to happen, and so we must all do the work required to adapt.

FARROW, Arthur William Charles

Driftwood Obituary
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FARROW, Arthur William Charles

Arthur William Charles Farrow
January 18, 1928 – March 02, 2019

Arthur passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital surrounded by family in his 91st year. He spent many happy years on Saltspring Island and made many friends and acquaintances. He truly loved his island life style and believed it was the best place on earth.

For several years he and his wife Sheila ran the Ships Anchor with another couple and enjoyed serving and meeting with people from all parts of the island. In his early career at the end of the Second World War he served with the British Merchant Navy and was always proud of the time he spent in that service. He often regaled us with tales from that part of his life and adventures all around the world.

Pre deceased by his wife Sheila and his grand son Kevin. He will be greatly missed by his sons and daughter: John (Bev), Paul (Bev), Gaye (Mike) and Mark (Betty), his nine grandchildren and many great grandchildren, family and friends.

A final farewell for Arthur will be planned by his family at a later date.

ASCOTT, Wilfred

Driftwood Obituary
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Wilfred Ascott

Fred, passed away peacefully at 90 years old, On Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Lady Minto Hospital. He spent his last years with the loving caring staff of Greenwoods Eldercare. Arrangements have been made for those wishing to pay their final respects to Fred to join us at a brief visitation held at Haywards Funeral Home (22-315 Upper Ganges Rd) from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Thursday.

March 21, 2019. Immediately following the visitation a Graveside service will be held at Central Cemetery on Upper Ganges Rd all are welcome to attend.

Waterworks feedback meeting hears concerns

Gail Sjuberg
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Waterworks feedback meeting hears concerns

Affordable housing and the moratorium policy were on many people’s minds during Monday’s public meeting on the North Salt Spring Waterworks District’s strategic plan.

The purpose of the meeting was to get feedback on the district’s first ever strategic plan, which will help define the direction of the district for the next four years. Thirty-eight members of the public and ratepayers attended the event to either give feedback to the district or to get clarification on certain policies.

One of the plan’s strategic priorities is communication and public engagement. The meeting itself was one step in this direction, as it was the first time in its 106-year-old history that the district has held such a meeting.

“The mandate of the NSSWD is very narrow . . . to supply water to ratepayers, and ratepayers are defined as landowners within the district,” said environmental manager Meghan McKee during her presentation of the strategic plan. “Every strategic priority in the plan must be within the mandate of NSSWD.”

A major part of the discussion was the ongoing housing crisis on the island. Leading up to Monday’s meeting, the Salt Spring Housing Action Committee held a letter-writing campaign pressing the board to include affordable housing as part of their strategic plan. SHAC asked the district to incorporate creative solutions to the housing crisis, including incentivizing conservation.

McKee explained that while there is funding available through grants for conservation projects, NSSWD is unable to access that funding.

“The community said no to that when they voted no for incorporation. We don’t have access to that funding. I’m not saying that we couldn’t try partnerships, but it is certainly much more difficult for us than it is for all other municipal water suppliers,” she said.

The other main thread in the discussion was the moratorium policy. McKee and the trustees clarified that the district does not prevent the construction of water catchment facilities, nor does it prevent ratepayers from drilling wells or building storage tanks.

“You can do whatever you want on your own property. You’ll still pay for that water, so I would suggest that a better idea would be to use rainwater catchment, but NSSWD’s responsibility ends at the meter,” McKee said during the meeting. “That’s why we allocate a connection rather than a volume.”

Under the moratorium, McKee explained that a water application for a secondary dwelling built within an existing structure would be denied. However, other options exist to provide water for secondary residences.

“You can, however, build a tiny home, a cottage, or whatever you want . . . you could even, with or not within the North Salt Spring Waterworks District, build a single family dwelling on rainwater catchment alone,” McKee said. “If you have a groundwater supply or you have a rainwater catchment system where you catch enough to get a permit, you can do that.”

Other agencies like Island Health, the CRD and Islands Trust would need to approve applications for such dwellings.

Water storage is one of the main issues facing the district. While it will not cause the lifting of the moratorium on new connections, raising the weir in St. Mary Lake would be the easiest and most cost-effective way of increasing storage on the island. When asked what would happen if the district withdrew more than its allotted amount of water from St. Mary Lake, it was explained that the lake would likely enter a cycle where it would no longer be able to naturally refill.

Meeting feedback will go to NSSWD trustees, who will review it before the district’s AGM and trustee election in April.

Castle Finn burns again

Driftwood Staff
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Castle Finn burns again

The Castle Finn vessel, beached in Ganges Harbour for the past few months, endured a second fire on Tuesday night, further destroying the boat’s cabin area.

According to Salt Spring RCMP Sgt. Ryan Netzer, the fire is not considered suspicious.

Salt Spring Fire Rescue personnel attended, said Fire Chief Arjuna George.

“We were called out at about 10 p.m. and we went to size it up, but we couldn’t access it because the tide was up.”

The boat’s owner was on scene on Tuesday night, George said.

“We are sort of monitoring it,” he said on Wednesday.

The Castle Finn was first set on fire under suspicious circumstances on the evening of Jan. 30. The boat’s location, on the beach directly in front of the Beachside outdoor recreation business and next to the Ganges Alley complex, has been a subject of controversy. During high tides in January, attempts were made to have it removed. In November 2018, the boat was towed to that spot by the Coast Guard where it was to have been repaired.

Bystanders watch Castle Finn fire on Tuesday night, March 12. (Trevor Bouchard photo)

Show winner Wilson on musical path

Elizabeth Nolan
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Show winner Wilson on musical path

Salt Spring Island has produced another budding young singer whose combined talent and drive seem bound to propel her to the next level.

The just-turned 18-year-old Natasha Wilson is putting in the work required to make it in a competitive industry, and she has the voice and songwriting skills to get her there. Wilson was selected as a top-20 finalist for the 2019 Victoria’s Got Talent contest and emerged as the winner at the March 2 showcase event. She’s now getting ready for the release of her six-song EP called Woven Heart under her artist name Tasha Belle.

Wilson said that winning the contest was thrilling and has sparked her desire to reach an even greater level.

“It’s like the first milestone. Now that I’ve done that I can’t help but think ‘What’s next?’ and I want to find the next milestone,” she said.

Like other island singers who have gone on to win attention at regional and national levels, Wilson polished her chops at the Gulf Islands School of Performing Arts, getting essential training from teachers Bruce Smith and Michelle Footz. Viva Chorale choir director Deb Toole was another early influence.

After an initial exploration, Wilson decided not to pursue music as part of her post-secondary education, and is studying criminology instead.

“I’ve decided I really want to do music my way and learn from other people in the industry,” Wilson explained. “Everyone can make music but you really have to be honest with yourself and with your instrument, in my opinion.”

This self-directed path is one that Wilson’s album producer Andy Meyers approves of. He’s found the young singer to be focused and open to feedback in his Allowed Sound studio, and able to interpret information back into her performance if she wishes to.

“A lot of people these days want to be a singer-songwriter and think, ‘I know, I’ll go to school,’ which is so different from my day,” said Meyers, who co-founded the legendary art rock band The Scenics. “Being outside the structural idea of how it works can be a good thing. It’s a natural thing for people to do — music is the most natural thing.”

Wilson’s inspiration as a songwriter comes from her direct life experiences and important people in her life. One of the songs on her upcoming EP was co-written with her good friend Grace Pohl. Another song is about her feelings for her younger sisters. Meyers has meanwhile been impressed with Wilson’s willingness to include some darker imagery and uncomfortable experiences, adding a mature edge to her work.

“I think the most important thing about songwriting is if you’re honest when you write the songs, because it allows people to relate to what you’re saying,” Wilson said. “And I think music really is the universal language.”

Wilson acknowledges that she’s been struggling with anxiety recently as the shift from high school in a small community to a much wider world is a bigger one than students sometimes realize.

“That’s why it’s really great to have the support of friends and family. I’m not afraid to write about the things that I’m upset about as well as the things that make me happy,” she said.

Wilson has also attracted support from professionals in the music industry. She met up with Kelowna country music star Ben Klick at the Rock Creek Fair a couple of years ago and he was happy to share advice about everything he knew.

More recently she’s benefitted from an old Salt Spring connection in her dad’s former high school music teacher Wilf Davis. He’s taken Wilson under his wing in Victoria, introducing her to industry people and getting her gigs. His band Southbound and Friends will accompany Wilson at her June album release event.

Despite having a little bit of a leg up, Wilson said that her experience with Victoria’s Got Talent has given her more perspective on just how difficult the music industry is to get into.

“You can’t just walk in and get a job,” she observed. “I’m realizing I really really want my career in music to work, and I’m willing to fight for it.”

Welcome Figure Ceremony Photo Gallery

Gail Sjuberg
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Welcome Figure Ceremony Photo Gallery

Ganges welcome pole unveiling draws crowd

Gail Sjuberg
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Ganges welcome pole unveiling draws crowd

Elders, students, teachers, administrators and community members took part in an unveiling ceremony for the Gulf Islands School District’s first welcome pole on March 6, concluding a three-year carving project that involved people from all around the islands.

“It was a pretty momentous day for the Gulf Islands,” said Shannon Johnston, Indigenous education coordinator for the Gulf Islands School District. “We were really touched and deeply moved to see so many people who just kept coming and coming . . . It marks a significant time for our schools, for education and for what’s generally happening in our province and country.”

Students from kindergarten through Grade 12 attended the afternoon ceremony. The event began with drumming and a song by Salish artist Quentin Harris and his daughter Asia. Cowichan Elder Fred George was invited to speak, welcoming the people to the lands and teaching the kids about the pole’s significance. After George’s talk, Harris was honoured for his contributions to the community by being blanketed, a major honour in Salish culture. Witnesses were also called to recognize the work that had been done on the project.

“The elders from the Cowichan and Tsawout nations helped us go through the plan for the day, to make sure we were following all of the protocols and that we were doing it genuinely and authentically honouring all of the necessary pieces to the ceremony,” Johnston said. “We wanted to make sure that we did it well.”

A welcome figure represents the link between the past and the present. In welcoming people to that place, it honours the traditional land of the Coast Salish people, but also gives students a link to the culture, and a place to learn more about the traditions of the land where they go to school. In 2016, Harris had the idea to carve the figure, after working on a similar project in Maple Ridge.

“I got a call from my real estate agent, who said that she had a cedar log on one of her properties and asked me if I wanted it,” Harris explained during the ceremony. “I looked at the log and I knew right away that it wasn’t for me. I knew that the creator spoke to me and said ‘I want this for my children.’ ”

The log was blessed in a traditional ceremony in March 2016, and the carving project began. Over the course of the past three years, students from all over the islands were given the chance to take part in the carving. Harris held a weekly day where he would be at the school working on the log, and invited classes from each school to come to the project and learn.

“We wanted to make sure that everybody, every hand, every heart had an opportunity to come and participate in the carving,” Johnston said. “[Harris] was very generous in that he was sharing the carving with all of these community members and kids of all ages. He of course added his magic to it and after three years it was time for us to put it up.”

The process of carving was more important than the end product. The pole is intended to be a focal point of the community, centrally located at the Hydro Field so it is visible and accessible to everyone. The location will also allow for classes to come and learn about Coast Salish history and traditions.

“I think it will also keep it in the place of some reverence and respect,” Johnston said. “As the children were working on it, they were taught what it was about. They played a role in it, and they’re proud of it. They’re going to tell their kids about it and so on . . . We wanted to make sure we were putting it into a proud place.”

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