Local Listings

View More Ads

Latest Local News

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

April 4 Twenty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and Julie Luna. He began his time with us this month acknowledging his appreciation for being able to live and work on this beautiful land, the unceded territory of 14 Indigenous groups. He spoke of his dismay with the recent display of prejudice by MLA Dallas Brodie. While he recognizes importance of freedom of speech, he believes so strongly that we should stand up and confront racist rhetoric that he will be bringing a motion to the legislature to censor MLA Brodie. While he understands that it may not pass, he is clear that it is his responsibility to challenge her belittling comments concerning Reconciliation. When asked what “excited and delighted” him, he spoke with awe of the amazing sunrise that morning. While many of us may have enjoyed this sunrise, he had a particularly pleasing perspective: True to his Green commitment, had arrived from his home on Pender Island on his sailboa…
Read more about Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

Brewing Up Community: How Ometepe Coffee Connects Islanders Across Continents

There’s something magical about the moment the blossoms begin to burst open in Ganges Village, signalling not only the beginning of spring but the start of another Saturday Market season. For Ometepe Coffee volunteers, those blooms are a signal: time to spring into action! Thousands of visitors enjoy the delicious, fair trade & fair wage, organic coffee served by Ometepe volunteers every Saturday, but few know the story of what goes into every cup. 34 years ago, Gulf Islanders visiting Ometepe, a little island in Lake Nicaragua in Central America, were struck by the islands’ beauty, but also its deprivations. People formed connections to the tiny island who shared an interest in community development and intercultural exchange banded together with BOSIA in the US (Bainbridge-Ometepe Sister Islands Organization) to found OGIFA:The Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association. In the three decades since, Gulf Islanders have fostered and expanded a remarkable islander…
Read more about Brewing Up Community: How Ometepe Coffee Connects Islanders Across Continents

Obituary: Jeremy Peto Sibley

Jeremy Peto Sibley b. 20 October 1929 Kingston, Jamaica - d. 31December 2024 Salt Spring Island , BC, Canada Jeremy was born and grew up in Jamaica. His family lineage reaches back to the slave abolitionist Baptist minister William Knibb who came to Jamaica from England in 1824. Due to an injury, a great deal of Jeremy’s childhood years were spent on crutches. From an early age Jeremy loved sports and at Munro College, Jamaica, where he went to high school, he was given the important job of scorekeeper for cricket and football games as he couldn’t play himself. Later in his teens he loved spending the hot summer up in the Blue Mountains at his aunt’s small coffee plantation and having competitions with his cousin to see who could eat the most pancakes. Architecture was his calling and after a summer drafting job in Jamaica he was on his way to the University of Manitoba, Canada, one of the leading schools of architecture at the time. He graduated in 1952. Foregoing M…
Read more about Obituary: Jeremy Peto Sibley

Police Investigate After Dogs and Owners Injured in Altercation

Police are investigating after two men and their dogs either suffered bite injuries or cut wounds during an altercation. On April 6, 2025 at 4:32 p.m., the Salt Spring Island RCMP received a report of a weapons complaint at Ruckle Park. A 46-year-old Salt Spring man called to advise that he had allegedly cut another dog owner by accident after he and his own dog were apparently attacked by another dog that had broken away from it’s leash. According to the 46-year-old, he was bitten by the other dog which then latched onto his dog. He apparently drew a small knife to stop the attack. The other dog owner, a 51-year-old Salt Spring man, quickly arrived to assist; however, when both dogs were separated it was discovered that he and his dog had both suffered cuts. The off-leash dog was taken to a veterinary by friends, while the 51-year-old man went to hospital. The 46-year-old man was arrested in relation to weapons offences and the knife seized. He was subsequently released …
Read more about Police Investigate After Dogs and Owners Injured in Altercation

Golden Opportunity - Sunset Community Fire Hall No. 3 - Salt Spring Island, BC

Background: There are various residential locations around our Beautiful Island of Salt Spring that are beyond 8Km from one of our 3 Fire Halls. One area in particular is Sunset Drive, North from West Eagle Drive to Southey Pt and around the North End on North End Rd to just past Epron Rd. In December 2023 a number of Ratepayers from that area came to me as a Fire Board Trustee and asked if I could help mitigate the cost of their current Fire Insurance Premiums. Some Ratepayers are paying upwards of $2000/Yr or more in increased premiums for fire insurance for being beyond the 8Km distance criteria. As we continue to move forward with the effects of Climate Change, the costs of not being Fully Fire Protected will continue to increase, perhaps exponentially. The potential for being denied Fire Insurance altogether from the Insurance Underwriters is definitely a potential threat in the coming years. Once our New Fire Hall No. 1, across from Foxglove Farm on Lower Ganges …
Read more about Golden Opportunity - Sunset Community Fire Hall No. 3 - Salt Spring Island, BC

B.C. Ends Carbon Tax: Mixed Reactions on Salt Spring Island

April 2025 The British Columbia government officially ended the province’s carbon tax on April 1, 2025, aiming to provide immediate relief on fuel prices amidst rising inflation and affordability concerns. Premier David Eby cited economic pressures and political division as reasons behind repealing the policy first introduced in 2008. Salt Spring Island residents, known for their strong environmental ethos, are experiencing mixed feelings about the decision. The repeal cuts gasoline prices by approximately 17 cents per litre and lowers natural gas and heating fuel costs, providing immediate savings for island households and local businesses. This reduction is especially significant for Salt Spring residents who face higher-than-average living expenses and rely heavily on ferry travel and personal vehicles. However, the repeal also ends the Climate Action Tax Credit, which provided quarterly rebates to low- and middle-income families, often exceeding the costs they paid u…
Read more about B.C. Ends Carbon Tax: Mixed Reactions on Salt Spring Island

Enhanced Rental Assistance Programs Support Families and Seniors

More people will now benefit from enhancements to the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, helping low-income families and seniors afford their rent. “With the rising cost of living, we’re enhancing supports through the RAP and SAFER programs to ensure more families and seniors can access essential financial help,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes will help people stay in their homes in the communities they love and allow us to support more people as they manage the challenges of rent and living expenses.” Starting April 1, 2025, and as part of Budget 2025, RAP and SAFER programs have expanded eligibility criteria that will benefit more than 30,000 households in B.C. Existing eligible recipients will also see an automatic increase in their average benefits, providing them with more financial assistance to contribute toward rent. These changes build on the improvements to SAFER a…
Read more about Enhanced Rental Assistance Programs Support Families and Seniors
  • - April 4, 2025

Obituary: Michael Lalonde

Michael Lalonde November 11, 1952 - March 7, 2025 It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I announce the peaceful passing of my wonderful husband Michael Lalonde at Greenwoods on Salt Spring. He was 72 years old. Michael had temporal frontal lobe dementia. Born in Cornwall Ontario, Michael had a real zest for life. Was a very peaceful man, searching for truth and enlightenment, treating everyone with kindness and respect. Everything he did, he did well. He was an avid reader and loved all genres of music, playing the accordion and guitar. George Harrison being one of his favourite singers. He did very creative rope work for boats, making rope mats.  At Expo 1967, he had a special place in the scout pavilion where he gave examples on how to make fishing flies to people visiting. He loved to paint, doing watercolours and  loved his sailboat. Michael worked at Foxglove for many years when it was owned by Tom Gosset. He worked on the sea walk when they first start…
Read more about Obituary: Michael Lalonde

Anchored Together: Volunteers Activating for Collaborative Solutions to Ganges Harbour Challenges (VIDEO)

https://vimeo.com/1071616964 Below article from the Salt Spring Exchange: On March 29, 2025, volunteers gathered at Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island for a much-needed cleanup effort. Over the years, debris, abandoned boats, and pollution have accumulated in the harbour, raising concerns about environmental degradation and water quality. While community-driven initiatives like this are vital in preserving the marine ecosystem, the cleanup also highlighted an ongoing social issue: the challenges faced by liveaboard residents, many of whom live in legal limbo. Ganges Harbour has long been home to a community of individuals who reside on boats, whether by choice or economic necessity. Unlike traditional homeowners or renters, liveaboard residents often do not have access to basic services like waste disposal, water supply, and sanitation support from the Capital Regional District (CRD). Since many of these boats do not have designated mooring permits or proper inf…
Read more about Anchored Together: Volunteers Activating for Collaborative Solutions to Ganges Harbour Challenges (VIDEO)

Obituary: Harry James Bradford

Harry James Bradford passed away peacefully on Friday, 28th March, the date and time of his choosing, following a short battle with cancer. Soul mate and partner Linda, daughter Kelly, son Simon and daughter-in-law Danielle were at his side when he passed. Our two beloved grandchildren Remy and Parker were in his heart, although they could not be with him in person. Harry was born in Maidstone, UK, and served nearly 23 years as a police sergeant in Kent Police, earning several commendations for bravery. He was well respected by those who served with him, many of whom have remained close friends to this day. The family emigrated to Canada in 1990, living in Manotick, Ontario for 22 years, where Harry built houses and the local veterinary clinic before becoming a home inspector. He taught many courses for the professional association of home inspectors, and will be remembered as a home inspector here on the Island where we made our home in 2012. Up until the time of his pas…
Read more about Obituary: Harry James Bradford

View More Articles