Cortes Currents

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the most controversial ideas being considered in the SRD’s Poverty Reduction Plan is advocating for a Universal Basic Income (UBI). There are numerous examples showing this is an effective way to riase people out of poverty. The problem is too much of the financial impact may fall on the diminishing middle class ($50,000-$135,000 per anno in BC) rather than the rich who appear to be increasingly growing richer.

Many Cortes Island residents would benefit from a Universal Basic Income. The recent Housing Needs Report states that our median wage was about $15,000 lower than the District’s norm.(1) According to data from the 2021 census, only 27% of the labour force have full time employment. The remainder work part time.(2)

Quadra Island is only marginally better off than Cortes. The median wage was $14,000 lower than the District’s norm and 36% of the labour force had full time jobs.(3)

Both islands also have residents whose take-home income would most likely shrink if a Universal Basic Income were introduced. (Someone has to pay the taxes needed to support such a system!)

Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - On Friday, June 28, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie was joined by community leaders Sadhu Johnston, Michael Datura, Bryan McKinnon, Kate Maddigan, Forrest Berman-Hatch, and Andrea Fisher, to chat about the Cortes Foundation’s Care for Cortes fundraising campaign and the community projects it will be supporting. Tune in for news and discussion about the CIA, Microgrants, CKTZ, the Cortes Foundation’s climate fund, Cortes Housing Society, and the Social Profit Network.

Folk U Radio is taking old school viral every Friday at 1 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m./Wednesday at 6 a.m. @CKTZ89.5FM or livestreamed at cortesradio.ca. Find repeats anytime at www.folku.ca/podcasts.

LOuis Belcourt/CKTZ News - Sam Tudor, a recording artist based in Vancouver, is currently touring across BC to showcase their newly released EP and recently have included a show on Cortes Island as part of the tour.

Tudor, a self-taught musician and recording artist, has been recording and releasing music since 2014.

This upcoming show at Manson’s Hall on Cortes Island marks Sam’s debut performance on the island, arranged spontaneously following a recommendation from a friend with ties to Cortes.

Titled “Hidden Minute,” Sam’s latest EP was released on June 15. The EP’s release show will take place in Vancouver on Friday, June 28, with the Cortes Island show following on Tuesday, July 2.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is considering what could be an extremely innovative and societal changing plan. As CAO David Letich informed the Board, at their Wednesday June 26 meeting, the draft Poverty Reduction Plan is already more than 100 pages long. It was his intention to have the plam introduced through a presentation and then, hopefully, they will forward it to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.

Madison Stewart, the District’s Community Health Network  Coordinator, made the presentation:

“A large group of folks worked on this plan, so I'm happy to be here to present it to you.”

“In April 2023, the Strathcona Regional District was successful in receiving $147,000 from the UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program, which aims to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level and to support the province's poverty reduction strategy, known as Together BC.”

“The plan is meant to build on and align with similar foundational reports such as the Housing Needs Report and be utilized for the following government functions. One being providing a strategic framework to focus and align poverty reduction efforts, lending to policy and program development, leveraging funding and resources to secure provincial, federal, and private funding, facilitating collaboration to foster a sense of shared responsibility.”

“To monitor and evaluate, measuring success, ensuring accountability, and informing data driven adjustments, raising awareness, and serving as an advocacy tool to educate the public and policy makers. And to build on and leverage existing efforts, creating a more robust strategy.”

Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News - The Gorge Harbour Marina and the Gorge Hall have both booked Roots Round Up this weekend for two shows.

The prolific Vancouver based band haven’t played Cortes since before the COVID-19 pandemic and have never played back-to-back shows on the island.

Originally formed in 1985 in a small apartment in East Vancouver, Roots Roundup became more widely known through the late 80s and early 90s with their constant touring and high energy music. On their website, you can find videos of their first show on Cortes back in 2014.

On Friday, June 28, Roots Round Up will play at the Fireside patio at the Gorge Marina and on Saturday at the Gorge Hall.

They recently reunited to finish their new record titled Up Rooted, and released it earlier this June.

Roy L Hales/ CO\ortes Currents - Iris Steigemann was an artist before she came to Cortes island in 1980, but for the last five or six years her work has taken on a new focus. 

“I've been painting icebergs. What fascinates me is the underneath of the iceberg. You usually see  a quarter to a third of an iceberg above the water.  Under the water, it's kind of a dream landscape.  I  like to play around with that,” she explained.

“There is also the environmental aspect of it. The ice cap there is  melting way faster than  what was expected.  The thickest part of the ice cap in Greenland is about three kilometers deep. They're doing ice cores of this and they can actually see what kind of weather there was, what was happening on earth at those times. Now  this is all melting.  They break off and a lot of them from Ilulissat Icefjord actually float around to the Canadian side.  They drift down the east coast and then they melt." 

An exhibition of her work called ‘Adrift above The Arctic circle’ will be on display at the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery from July 5th to 14th. It opens at 6:00 PM on Friday, July 5th.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The SRD will be carrying out the second step of a feasibility study to determine whether on-island compost treatment of Cortes Island’s septic wastes would be more beneficial than the current pump-out system, and could it be delivered at a cost comparable to setting up a conventional system. 

Cortes Island’s septic systems need to be cleaned out roughly every three years. This is currently done by a septic truck, which takes the wastes off-island. 

The SRD has just completed the first part of the feasibility study.

Sylvis Environmental carried out a study which found that, ”On island composting of septage would produce a valuable soil amendment, slightly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and  keep local organic matter and nutrient resources within the community.” However it could cost twice as much as setting up a conventional treatment system.

Regional Director Mark Vonesch said this is not something that Cortes Island taxpayers are interested in, but still wishes to proceed with a phase two of the feasibility study. This consists of reviewing design specifications of up to three commercially available compost systems and providing capital and operational cost estimates for each system, with recommendations for the SRD Board’s consideration. 

At the SRD Board meeting yesterday, Wed June 26, 2024, Vonesch explained his rationale. 

“The initial report that came through showed,  it's roughly a million dollar investment into making this happen on Cortes with anywhere between $150,000 and $250,000 in operating costs each year. This is not a project that we can just move forward with using tax requisition, not something I'm interested in. I don't think Cortes is.”

Vonesch wanted to proceed with phase two because, “If we can get this study done when the provincial or federal government opens up,  infrastructure funding, it could be something that we can jump on.” 

“I do want to make a note  after talking with the CAO , I think there are some aspects  that weren't necessarily considered  in the first stage that could be considered in the second stage.

“Cortes is such a boating  and sailing center for a lot of people, and the Gorge Harbor has gone through a huge revitalization.  If septic removal from boats could be added to that service, it could be a way to bring down operating costs.”

“I'm really excited about this potential and recognize that it's a long term thing and hope we can have the board support to move forward with the second step.” 

There is no cost to Cortes Island taxpayers. 

Phase One of the study was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program. 

If the Board proceeded with phase two, it would be funded by a $20,000 grant from the Growing Communities Funds and $5,000 from the Liquid Waste Management Service Function 340.

There was a slight hiccup when Director Vonesch moved that the Board proceed with part two for Cortes Island (Area B). The studies were proposed for Areas B and D, but Regional Director John Rice of Area D agreed to have it carried out in his area as well. 

The Board unanimously voted to proceed with the second step of a feasibility study for compost septic treatment systems in  Areas B and D.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been two days since Isabella McKnight sent the word out. The Cortes Island Community Foundation was only a third of the way to collecting the 300 signatures needed for the  Vital Signs community survey! 

“Vital Signs is a program supported by the Community Foundations of Canada. It's  more than just a survey. It's a powerful tool designed to illuminate the areas where our community thrives and also identify the aspects that need our collective attention and effort. So by participating, you're contributing to a richer understanding of Cortes, explained  McKnight, Executive Administrator of the Cortes Island Community Foundation.

Cortes Currents: How important is this for grant applications?

Isabella McKnight: “It will definitely help us streamline where the need in our community is, so it can definitely help us to decide what kind of grants we should apply for. For example: The housing needs on Cortes, or the need to support our elders, etc. It's really important to help us fill it out because we want to hear everyone's voice and understand, from a vast diversity of people, what Cortes needs and wants in the future.”

Cortes Currents: When’s the deadline?  

Isabella McKnight: “The deadline for Vital Signs is July 7th.” 

“We have an option on July 5th at the Friday Market for people to come in and fill out paper copies or on the computer. We also have paper mail and pouches available around the island at Manson's Hall, the Mansons Post Office, Whaletown Post Office, Bertha's, Klahoose, and at the library.”  

Cortes Currents: How far are you towards getting the number of responses you need?  

Isabella McKnight: “So as of yesterday, we are at 155 responses, which is over halfway to our goal of 300. We've been focusing lots of efforts on partnering with the non profits on the island to get them to share the survey out to their networks, as well as just reaching out to friends and family on Cortes to try and get as much representation as we can.”

Isabella McKnight: “With the published data from this Vital Signs survey, the Cortes Foundation will be able to see where the gaps in our community are and where our residents believe we should be focusing our efforts, which is a huge reason to participate.”

“It also helps provide our nonprofits with some information that they can use to help better serve our community. Plus, you can win some really great prizes.”  

Cortes Currents: What are the prizes?  

Isabella McKnight: “The prizes that we have available are:  

a six hour trip with Misty Isle Adventures,

$250 cash,

dinner for two at Hollyhock,

two 50 gift cards, one for the Refuge Cove Dockside restaurant and one for the gallery.

A free Nzuri basket,

a gift card from the Sunflower Food Truck,

a free paddle with Cortes Kayaks,

a gift set from Twigroot Botanicals,

a handwoven tea towel from Beth Napper,

handmade pottery from Jeramie Ellingson,

and a massage from Fawn Baron.”

“I really hope people take the time to participate. It's really great to get your voice heard and  feel free to stop by on July 5th at the Friday market to fill out a copy in person.”

Louis Belcourt/CKTZ News -The Village Commons construction project aims to have its new structures operational by end of October, says General Contractor Richard Andrews.

In January, the Village Commons title was transferred from CCEDA to the Cortes Island Community Foundation. The CICF set out to develop the land for community usage with a variety of grants.

The current project underway is “a combined shared meeting and office space” with an operating title of “the Nook.”

“It’s two small buildings that are going to be covered by one roof, and there’ll be a fairly extensive deck and breezeway between the two buildings through which people can pass,” says Andrews.

Recently finished was the “wild play zone” which is an “interactive playground and sculptural area,” including a large swing, a ship-like deck with seats and a small hut made of driftwood.

The remaining projects include three shipping containers installed for non-profit storage and an outdoor pavilion for outdoor gatherings and performances.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The audio version of this opens with a short clip of Jemma Hicken singiing ‘Skim Milk.’ I was hoping it would be a new version, with her and Robbie Bankes singing together, but it looks like the only place to hear that will be in Mansons Hall at 7:00 on Tuesday July 2, 2024. Jemma and Robbie are just finishing a month long tour of Alberta and BC. They were about to play at Campbell River’s Spirit Square when Cortes Currents reached them yesterday. They will be on Read Island today.

 Cortes Currents: How long have you been playing together? 

Jemma Hicken: “We had one show together last November. Then we've just had our tour, so mostly since May 30th.”

Robbie Banks: “We started in Alberta, at Dinosaur Provincial Park, and then we worked our way back through southern Alberta and then through southern BC. Played in Calgary, Nanton and the small town of Parson.  Then we went down to the Kootenays to the Nelson area for a few days and then back up to the Okanagan.”

Jemma Hicken: “We played at a tree planting camp in Midway.” 

Cortes Currents: How many tree planters did you have in the audience?  

Jemma Hicken: “42.”  

Robbie Banks: “We thought it would be the biggest party show of our tour, but they were all very tired  (laughter) and slept on the floor.” 

Jemma Hicken: “It was really fun.” 

Cortes Currents: Other highlights of the tour?  

Jemma Hicken: “I think one of my highlights was the first show that we played because we were in the Badlands and I'd never seen them before.  It was really picturesque and it was exciting to go there for the first time.”  

Robbie Bankes: “We had some really great turnouts at a few of the house shows, which was really fun. We weren't expecting to play for that many people, but  there were some house shows with 50 or 60 people, which was really nice.” 

“The whole thing was a highlight. We had really planned our driving days well. I was worried about long drives and stress, but it was very relaxing for the most part, which was a big surprise.” 

Jemma Hicken: “It was a big surprise, it felt almost like a vacation.”  

Robbie Bankes: “We got to see a whole bunch of different things and meet a whole bunch of different people and …”

Jemma Hicken: “We got along.”

Robbie Bankes: “Yeah, and we got along, which was also a surprise.” (laughter)

Cortes Currents: So are you playing in Campbell River?  

Jemma Hicken: “Yeah, we're playing in Campbell River in an hour and a half.  Then we are going to Read Island tomorrow, to play a show. Our last show of  the tour is on Cortes next Tuesday. It's going to be at Manson's Hall with our friend Sam Tudor, who’s amazing. I feel just totally excited about this show because  Robby and Sam are two of my favourite local songwriters.  I feel honoured to be sharing a show with them on Cortes.” 

Robbie Bankes: “Sam’s a real up and comer. He's maybe one of the next big things in Canadian music, I would say. So it's really exciting that he wanted to come to Cortes. It'll be really fun, hopefully a good turnout,  Sam puts on a great show every time I've seen him, so it'll be really fun to see that show.”

Jemma Hicken: “There’s going to be lots of storytelling.”