Cortes Currents

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Sara Lopez is the NDP candidate for our riding. A lot of people may have heard of her stand against the City of Campbell River when she was Executive Director of the Campbell River Art Gallery in 2023, but few know that she comes from a political background. Her father, Ricardo Lopez, was the MP for Chaudière, Québec, from 1984 to 1993.

Sara Lopez: He was an MP under Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative Party. I will add that while my father did teach me lessons in public service and what it means to be a representative, our values are definitely misaligned. That's where I have found a home with the NDP.

Roy L Hales: Brian Mulroney had a very different Conservative Party than the one you're running against.

Sara Lopez: This is true, completely different.

I was actually raised in the halls of Parliament Hill. My father was a federal MP for two terms during my most formative years, and the biggest lesson that I got from that time was his commitment to his constituents and to public service.

He really took that job as a firm commitment to represent his riding and the needs of the folks in his community. That's really what's driven me to do that here for the North Island. I live here. I love this place. I'm raising my kids here, and I think that the North Island deserves a strong voice to represent them at the legislature, to bring back the concerns that we have to Victoria, and to ensure that our community can thrive and that we can all rise together.

Roy L Hales: Growing up in that atmosphere with your father in Parliament, did you find that a lot of the conversation around home was politics?

Sara Lopez: It was always politics. Some folks have Hockey Night in Canada playing. We had leaders debates playing. It was central to everything that we did. I remember having show and tell as an elementary school student, and it would be stuff about my dad. When my class did a field trip to Ottawa, my dad allowed us to go into the house and we got a VIP tour. It seeped into every aspect of my life at that time. As a teenager, I rebelled and I said, "No, politics is dumb. I hate it." But that lasted for about 20 minutes, and then I immediately became involved in student council in university. I took s- poli sci courses. All of my friends were aspiring politicians. I came to terms with the fact that it's just how I was raised.

It's something I believe deeply in. I think that good government and good public servants can improve the lives of everyone, from our most vulnerable to our business owners. That's just the space I'm most comfortable in and the one that I wanna occupy.

Laurel Dault: The Culture of Problem Solving at SVI by Cortes Currents (https://cortescurrents.ca/)

Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The radio version of this story opens with Brenda Hanson and Tiffany Moses leading the singing at one of the sessions of Social Venture Institute Hollyhock. Brenda is a well known singer from the Klahoose village, but Tiffany also has several connections to Cortes Island.

Tiffany Moses: My original connection with Cortes was through Mark Vonesch and Reel Youth. I had studied music and audio engineering, and I’d gotten a job managing a recording studio for Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. The organization I was working with, Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA), brought Mark and Reel Youth in to create music videos. I helped the youth write songs and record them, and then Mark came in to show them how to shoot a music video.

I had music skills and music production skills, but what I didn’t have were facilitation skills. I didn’t know how to lead a group and build a culture of safety where people are willing to take risks and encourage each other. That’s something I experienced with Reel Youth for the first time.

My brother happened to be visiting during that time. I came home very excited and told him about my day. He said, “They sound like an organization that would be good to work for. You should ask them for a job.” So I did.

Then I started working on a contract basis with Reel Youth, and I really value that time. I’m from the Northwest Territories, and it’s very expensive to travel back up there. The food is expensive, and accommodation is expensive too. But with Reel Youth, I had an opportunity to travel to many remote communities and engage with the community—the youth and the elders—and hear stories that, even if I managed to get to those places on my own, I wouldn’t have had the same interactions without the medium of film and the youth programs.

The first time I came to Cortes was for a Reel Youth film camp. They hosted the first one at Channel Rock, and then the second one they hosted here at Hollyhock. It’s also where I met Immanuel. He works with CASE now. He was one of the youth in my family group.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - As the second week of the 2026 local election campaign drew to a close, Mark Vonesch talked about his bid for re-election as Regional Director of Cortes Island. He has put up his first signs, is receiving encouragement from the community and wanted to discuss some of the specific issues.

Mark Vonesch: “We’re now well into the campaign. Since we last talked, a provincial election has been called for the same time, so there’s a lot of politics happening in British Columbia right now. I hope people stay focused on the local government elections as well because they’re really important. They make a big difference to the local services we rely on and to the impact local government can have on our day-to-day lives.”

“You’ve probably seen that we’ve got a bunch of signs up. I toured the island, and a bunch of folks let me put signs outside their properties. It’s exciting to be in the midst of a campaign, engaging with people and doing all the things necessary to connect with folks and remind them that October 17 is election day. That’s just over two weeks away, and I want to get as many people out to vote as possible. I believe deeply in democracy and consulting the people. This election is really about me asking to continue doing my job, so I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.”

Cortes Currents: Are you getting a lot of encouragement from people around Cortes?

Mark Vonesch: “I am. I walked into the store this morning, and a couple of folks were like, ‘Nice signs. I’m voting for you.’ Someone stopped me as I was driving by, so I rolled down my window, and they said they wanted to let me know they support me. So, yes, I do feel a lot of support. I also released all 72 endorsements last week from people from all walks of life on Cortes, and seeing those come in leading up to the release was really touching.”

Cortes Currents: Have people also been talking to you about the issues they want to see addressed in the next term?

Mark Vonesch: “Yes. I think the big issues for people are housing affordability, efficiency in government services, truth and reconciliation, and the grants-in-aid process.”

“People have questions about the referendum and the proposed new services that will also be on the ballot on October 17. People have questions about zoning, bylaws, parks and recreation, garbage pickup—all the things local government does on Cortes.”

“There are lots of questions and lots of engagement. We’ve got three people running in this election. It gets those conversations happening. It gets people talking, asking questions and gaining a better understanding of how local government works. I really love that.”

“I think the campaign I’m running is a reflection of the work I do as a regional director: I take it really seriously, and I try my hardest.”

“My strategy right now is to go as hard as I can in this campaign: talk to and engage with as many people as I can, get out there, be visible and put the work I’ve done in front of people. I’m assuming everyone else is going just as hard as I am.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Shilpa Jain at SVI: The Language of Play

Shilpa Jain was the lead facilitator at Social Venture Institute 2026 at Hollyhock, Sept 23-27. She greeted everyone at the opening ceremony, for the morning grounding before sessions began and at various times during the day. This was often in conjunction with a song or game.  As she usually seems so bubbly and full of joy, I asked what brings her, 'What is your passion for in the  SVI? What is it that really brings you joy?'

Shilpa Jain: “What really brings me joy is love: people loving themselves, loving each other, loving the Earth, and then creating systems and ways of being that emerge from that love.

"What brings me joy is helping to remind us of that love, while also receiving and giving it, because I think that’s what we’re really here for as human beings. It’s our core purpose: love, healing, and connection.

“I recently read in a beautiful book that we’re here as a custodial species. To me is about expanding love. That's what really brings me joy, and the playful, subtle, not so subtle ways that we can do that. I can do that. I can contribute to that love, and then I remind all of us that we all are contributors to that love."

Cortes Currents: "How do you do this?"

Shilpa Jain: “You’ve gotten a taste of it this week."

"For me, the inner work is really important. I start by making sure I’m being kind and loving towards myself, because if that isn’t there, I’m drawing from an empty well. I need to make sure this well is connected to the source below and the source above, and to feel myself as a conduit between them. That’s where the love comes from and flows through. I’m in the flow of it.

“What I practically do with all of that is look at the spaces and conditions we’re in and try to tip them towards love through action, frameworks, voice, body wisdom and heart wisdom. In this context, that looks like facilitation. Sometimes it looks like conflict mediation, and sometimes it looks like coaching. Those are some of the words we use, but what it really means to me is supporting us in expanding and connecting to that love.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Social Venture Institute Hollyhock took place on Cortes Island last week. 115 entrepreneurs, representatives of social-purpose organizations and other interested participants from across North America and as far away as Germany, converged on the remote island retreat centre. The energy was electric. Speaking as someone who has lived on Cortes for 16 years, I had no idea such an incubator for transformative ideas existed in our midst.

Social Venture Institute (SVI)

Participants spent five days listening to recognized experts and participating in business problem solving sessions, a marketplace of Ideas to share their venture, peer coaching circles, skill building workshops and one-on-one coaching. There was also time for swimming, walking through the forest with a local naturalist and visiting the Klahoose village. And, of course, visitors to Hollyhock consistently praise the food.

Mike Rowlands (SVI, Producer): “It’s the biggest program we run at Hollyhock, and it’s been described in a bunch of different ways. Some people call it summer camp for adults—which it is. That description speaks to the collegiality and comfortable tone we try to create.

“For years, Joel Solomon (the founder of SVI) called it a ‘help-each-other festival’ because, ultimately, the idea is to bring this group of people together in something that feels like a community. Over the next few days, we want everyone to become comfortable asking one another for help.

“Every social entrepreneur—every entrepreneur—needs all kinds of help, from the initial idea and startup phase through to however much the business grows. How do they maintain a positive outlook? How do they increase the positive impact they’re delivering? And how do they balance that with the dollars and cents required to remain profitable?

“Fundamentally, however, it is what Joel described for years as an intergenerational, cross-sectoral peer experience. ‘Intergenerational’ means the youngest person here is, I think, 18, and the oldest is around 70. We have people working in food and health, as well as quite a few consultants who advise across a range of sectors. We have people working in technology and all sorts of other fields. They can learn from one another if we create the right conditions.

“It’s an intergenerational, cross-sectoral peer dialogue. When you’re standing in the food line next to a guy in a hoodie, you don’t know whether he’s here for the first time or has been coming for years. You don’t know whether he’s just beginning to develop a new business or runs a global organization—and that’s the point. We’re all very casual and comfortable here.

“It flattens the hierarchies you might expect to encounter because of socioeconomic differences, particularly in business. It makes all the ideas, insights and wisdom in the room more accessible.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In this morning's interview, Mark Vonesch talks about the challenges, challenges and lessons during his first term as Regional Director of Cortes Island. There was only enough time to briefly touch upon his hopes for the future, if reelected on October 17, which means a second interview will soon follow. 

Mark Vonesch: “We’ve got three people running for regional director, two new people running against me, and I think this is going to invigorate the community to think about local government and what it means. I love campaigning. I love talking to people, so I’m really excited.”

Cortes Currents: What was the biggest issue during your first term?

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents: About 200 Campbell River residents turned out to the ‘Rally for Our Community’ outside of city hall at 5 PM on Thursday, September 24, 2026. City council met an hour later. With an election a little more than three weeks away, they suddenly pivoted and announced that staff is looking into the possibility of 'saving' Simms Creek.

The crowd had five concerns:

Stopping WestUrban's plan to build 200 units alongside Simms Creek, the last urban forest between the sea and Campbell River's Beaver Lodge Lands.

Plans to pave over Pinecrest Park to provide 370 additional parking spaces for the new Strathcona Gardens hockey rink.

The expansion of the urban containment boundaries to the north and south of the city.

The  Quinsam Heights Transportation Study's suggestion that the ETR, which is currently a bicycle path, be open to vehicle traffic.

The possibility that Campbell River could host an I data Centre.

Gloria Heisterman, who organized the rally, explained:

"We were very, very happy with the turnout and what really made me happy was the individual signs, that people brought and took the time to make. One of my favorite signs was by some young people, and it said, "Creek, not concrete. Protect Sims Creek wetlands." When I spoke, I talked about how the name special interest group seems to have gotten a bad name lately, and as well as NIMBY, not in my backyard. I said, "You know, if everyone took care of their own backyard, then this world would be a better place."

"Current city councilors were there at the beginning. Sean Smythe actually spoke, and honestly I can't recall what he said. Elle Brovold, the city manager, was there, and they were handing out little brochures. The title is Current Topics and Where to Find More Information. Everything that was on our agenda was spoken to. So obviously we got the city's attention.

"I've spoken to many people who have sent emails of concern about different issues and never heard back, and that was actually part of the reason for the rally. Then lo and behold, when we look at the council meeting highlights for September 24th, 2026, on it, it says, "Mayor and council updates Simms Creek land acquisition proposal."

Andy Speck, who is running for mayor, was among the crowd. He would later write on his facebook page, "The community gathered at City Hall Thursday for a peaceful rally, and it was great to meet so many of you. What stood out most was the incredible range of people, young and old, from all walks of life. The energy was incredible. While green space was the focus, the deeper frustration I heard was clear: people feel Mayor and Council aren’t listening."

He stated that the residents behind the rally to Save Simms Creek, the ERT, and Pinecrest Park are not misinformed. They have done their research and their concerns need to be heard.

"If Council wants to rebuild trust, it needs more than another fact sheet. It needs greater transparency and meaningful public participation."

Inside city hall, council immediately went into a closed session. When it was over, City Manager City Manager Elle Brovold annnounced the possibility of purchasing the controversial building project on Simms Creek:

"This is a rise and report from the in-camera meeting. So it was a motion, moved by Councilor Sinnott and seconded by Councilor Lanyon and voted unanimously, and I'll just read it now. It's just for reference, this has already passed. That staff report back on options and potential funding sources for the city to acquire and protect the environmentally sensitive lands at 1650 Gallarno, Zero Alder Street, including acquisition of all or a portion of the lands, considering partnerships, conservation covenants, or other protection mechanisms."

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A provincial election has been called. Neither the NDP nor the Greens have selected a candidate for this riding yet. In this morning’s interview, we speak with Anna Kindy, the Conservative Party candidate and incumbent MLA.

Anna Kindy: "Eby has a majority government with two years left in his term, and this seems very self-serving and cynical, to be honest. British Columbians are having municipal elections, and this is very disrespectful to the municipalities as well. They asked Eby not to call the election, and he went ahead anyway. What’s the point here? I think people will see through it. It’s not a good move."

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Mansons Hall was going through a difficult time in 2022. All of the experienced staff had left and the board was new. That's when Jade Jordan was the manager. As she relates in a post to the Tideline, she found herself asking, 'What exactly does the Hall Manager do?' So she talked to community members and went through the files 'trying to understand how everything worked and why. It turned out to be an incredible experience.' If elected as Regional Director, she plans to bring a similar approach to the position.

She has deep roots on Cortes Island. Her grandfather, the late Joe Jordan, was the first to move here. Jade was six when her father, John Jordan followed. In this morning's interview, she talks about her connection to Cortes and why she wishes to be the Director.