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B.C. Declares Provincial Day of Remembrance and Mourning for Victims of Tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival

The Province of British Columbia has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Eleven people were killed and dozens more injured while celebrating Filipino culture and history in a senseless attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. As people learn more about the victims, they are also learning that the victims’ loss is felt deeply across the province. This tragedy has had profound impact on the Filipino community in B.C. and many others in Vancouver and throughout the province. The day of remembrance and mourning is an opportunity for people in British Columbia to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province. It is also a time to offer comfort to all of those impacted, including those who have lost loved ones, those recovering and those who witn…
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Transition Salt Spring’s Repair Café Returns: A Celebration of Community and Sustainability

Transition Salt Spring is gearing up for another impactful event as the Spring Repair Café makes its triumphant return on Sunday, May 4th. Held at Meaden Hall (120 Blain Rd., downstairs at the Legion) from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, this event promises to be the largest Repair Café yet, embodying the essence of community, sustainability, and skill-sharing. Over 40 local volunteer experts will converge to breathe new life into broken belongings, spanning from general household repairs and small electrical appliances to intricate tasks like micro-electronics, knitwear darning, and knife sharpening. The event will also feature a dedicated team from Island Pathways providing tune-ups and repairs for both conventional and e-bikes, reflecting the island’s commitment to pedal-powered mobility. In a nod to innovation, volunteers from the Salt Spring Island Public Library’s Fab Lab will showcase creative solutions, including 3D printing for fabricating replacement parts—a blend of mod…
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Elizabeth May Re-elected and Mark Carney's Liberals Secure Minority Government

Canada's 2025 federal election concluded with Mark Carney's Liberal Party securing a minority government, marking their fourth consecutive term. Simultaneously, Elizabeth May, co-leader of the Green Party, was re-elected in the Saanich–Gulf Islands riding. May, a long-standing advocate for environmental issues and democratic reform, secured her seat once again, reinforcing her commitment to the constituents of Saanich–Gulf Islands. Her victory ensures that the Green Party maintains representation in Parliament, albeit limited.​ Nationally, the Liberals, under Carney's leadership, won 168 seats, falling short of the 172 needed for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. This outcome necessitates collaboration with other parties to pass legislation and maintain confidence in the House. ​ Carney's campaign emphasized economic stability and a firm stance on national sovereignty, resonating with voters amid escalating tensions with the United States. U.S. President Don…
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Getting to Know our New MLA Rob Botterell

Before welcoming MLA Rob Botterell to ASK Salt Spring this Friday, May 2, 11-1, SIMS classroom, we thought it would be fun to learn more about what “excites and delights” him personally as well as professionally.    Rob grew up in Oak Bay, playing the alto saxophone in the high-school band and spending much of his free time sailing. When he graduated from high school in 1973, he headed off to UBC to study Economics and Political Science, eventually also receiving his MBA there. Idyllic as his childhood may sound, he recalls with a chuckle telling his lawyer mother when he left for college that he would never return to Victoria and never become a lawyer, both predictions which turned out to be untrue.  With his MBA and a keen interest in economics, Rob spent the early decades of his career working for TD Bank and was quickly promoted to Comptroller. During those years, he worked in Vancouver and lived on Bowen Island with his wife, now celebrating 45 years together.…
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More, Better Home-Care Supports Coming for B.C. Seniors

Seniors in B.C. will have better supports to age at home in their community with expanded and improved services as part of a five-year agreement with United Way BC for popular programs, such as Better at Home. “We are deeply committed to helping seniors remain in their own homes and in the communities they are a part of,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Through the programs and services delivered by United Way BC, older adults are able to stay healthier, be more active and better connected to their communities. By expanding these services, we’re helping more seniors throughout our province live more independent lives.” The Province is investing $304 million over five years in United Way BC to deliver and expand community-based seniors’ services. These services will be delivered by non-profit agencies throughout the province to help seniors live more independently. Community-based seniors’ services include non-medical home supports and programming that help older …
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Seasonal Transit Changes on Salt Spring Island

SALT SPRING ISLAND – BC Transit and the Capital Regional District are announcing seasonal changes to the transit system, effective May 3, 2025. This spring service change includes an increase in Saturday service on route 2 Fulford Harbour to meet the first ferry of the day and re-introduce seasonal southbound service along Cusheon Lake Road and Stewart Road on select trips. Changes are being made to Route 3 Vesuvius and Route 4 Long Harbour to better align with ferry schedules. Check with the most recent Rider’s Guide for updated schedules. We encourage our customers to use the Transit App, Google Transit or any other app of their choice for real-time bus tracking and planning your next transit journey. For more information on trip planning, fares and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/salt-spring-island.
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Liberal Candidate - David Beckham Offers Full Support for the $6Mil Federal Grant Submission for the Lake Maxwell - Water Treatment Plant

April 20, 2025 Seeking Referendum Support on May 8th to Approve Maxwell Lake WTP Loan The District is seeking ratepayer support to fund the proposed Maxwell Lake water treatment plant (WTP). The WTP cost preliminary estimate is $12.7M plus contingency costs and an $11.7M loan authorization is required from ratepayers. District staff have developed a financial strategy to minimize the costs to ratepayers and have pursued a federal grant that would reduce the cost by $6M. "Disclaimer - These opinions are that of the Author and do not represent those of the Board of Trustees or Employees of the NSSWD - North Salt Spring Water District." Liberal Candidate - David Beckham has offered his full support for the $6Mil Grant from the Federal Government. (See letter below) David Courtney, Trustee Salt Spring Island Water and Fire Improvement Districts Dear David, Thank you for reaching out to me and providing me with background information on the recent…
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Linda's List for April 20: Planting Onions, Buying Seedlings, Free Webinars

With the recent warm up, the cool tolerant vegetables can be seeded or set out any time: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, salad greens, radishes, peas, potatoes. But if you haven’t planted those yet, not to worry—there is plenty of time for them to produce in our growing season so planting in April or May works fine. For warmth loving plants (tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, corn, beans), however, don’t be in a rush. Their cells simply do not function in cool temperatures so wait until May to plant these. Gardeners in the rest of Canada will be planting tomatoes on the May long weekend and that date works well for coastal gardeners too. In more protected or warmer gardens, tomatoes and zucchini, which are the most robust of the heat lovers, may go out earlier, especially if covered with cloches, temporary tunnels or floating row cover. The more delicate plants (cucumbers, melons and sweet basil) need consistently warm weather. I often can’t set…
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Updates to Electoral Area Water Conservation Bylaw 4492

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has approved an amendment to CRD Electoral Area Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4492, which regulates water use for local services providing drinking water in the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island, and Juan de Fuca Electoral Areas. The changes to Bylaw No. 4492 will come into effect May 1, 2025. Over the past several years, seasonal droughts have increasingly stressed source water supplies in our smaller local services, making water conservation measures for local services more critical. Bylaw No. 4492, adopted in 2023, has been amended to include a fourth water conservation stage intended to restrict outdoor and residential indoor water use as much as possible at times of severe water shortage. Water use restrictions in any stage do not apply to nurseries, farms, turf farms or tree farms. Water Restrictions under Stage 4 are as follows: - All outdoor use of Water is prohibited; and - Residential indoor use of Water is re…
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Water Preservation Society hosts SSI Garden Club on Sunday April 6

According to the rain gauge in our garden upwards of 16 mm of rain fell over 24 hours on April 6, which seems fitting for a Rainwater Catchment tour. The rains didn't stop 20 SSI Garden Club members from attending the event that we hosted in our garden, sponsored by the Water Preservation Society. As one tour participant pointed out " there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices." Providing education about Rainwater Catchment systems ties in to the WPS mandate of promoting awareness of the value of water resources and sharing information about ways to conserve water. Gardeners have the opportunity to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change on our limited water resources by storing water collected during the rainy season and using it during the dry growing season. Creating systems for outdoor use doesn't have to be complicated or expensive if you work with gravity, Do It Yourself and use some recycled materials. Time was spent showing and explaini…
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