Cortes Currents
1,486 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 23 hours ago -Cortes Currents is a news platform that asks what's current in Cortes and the Discovery Islands. Web articles & radio podcasts: Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Discovery Islands, Campbell River: news, lifestyle, local politics, affordable housing, economy, food security, health, ferries, tourism, history, culture, environmental issues, sustainable forestry, oyster farming, the arts, First Nations, energy, climate change, overshoot
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Episodes
What can an MLA do about fish farms?
October 08, 2020 15:15 - 10.7 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the reasons that Alexandra Morton is running for the Green Party in this election is that “over the last twenty years, I’ve seen the politics and policies that are killing off the wild salmon of this coast are also destroying our communities.” However fish farms are overseen by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, not the provincial legislature. So I asked Alexandra what can an MLA do about fish farms? How is the province involved? “The licensing for salmo...
Archaeology 101
October 07, 2020 16:17 - 271 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Archaeology: the science of once and future things and I am joined in the studio by our neighbour Dr. Brian Hayden, archeologist extraordinaire. Brian got his doctoral degree from the University of Toronto and taught archaeology at Simon Fraser University for 40 years and is now a Research Associate at the University of British Columbia, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada: and, of course, a professor here at the esteemed Folk University. His archeological...
Towards a more sustainable forestry
October 07, 2020 14:15 - 11.1 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The giant trees that most of us associate with the term old growth now only make up 3% of the forests, but they are still being logged on Vancouver Island. The market is being flooded with young second and third growth timber that possesses a large percentage of sapwood. A Cortes builder (and Vice President of the of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative) explains why you do not want to use this wood on the outside of your home. The BC Liberal candidate, Norm ...
Election 2020: the affordable rental crisis
October 05, 2020 23:36 - 6.52 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A quarter of a million British Columbians pay more than 30% of their income for rent. The statistics are worse on Cortes Island, where it applies to almost half of the tenants, and improves the closer you get to Campbell River. In response to the COVID crisis, the NDP Government provided a rental supplement of between $300 and $500 a month, but that ended on August 31st. The Green party just announced they would earmark $500 million for rental relief, and priorit...
Tent Cities
October 04, 2020 17:09 - 10 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The BC Liberals are calling for an immediate end to the tent cities that have sprung up in Campbell River as well as larger cities like Vancouver and Victoria. BC Liberal press release In a press release, Roxanne Helme, the BC Liberal candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, said, “This is a matter of public safety. Each unsupervised 24/7 tent encampment is an extremely dangerous place to be. We know people are smoking drugs in nylon tents; criminal elements have i...
Election 2020 issues: Affordable Housing
October 03, 2020 16:00 - 4.67 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the key issues in this election is British Columbia’s lack of affordable housing. Earlier this year, the NDP government stated that it built, or is building, 25,000 new affordable homes this year. Some of these projects are in our region. Cortes Currents has posts about three projects, with120 homes, in Campbell River. Kristi Schwanicke, Coordinator of the Campbell River & District Coalition to End Homelessness, says these projects will have a tremendo...
Human rights and housing advocates take the City of Toronto to court
October 03, 2020 01:51 - 7.5 MBSam Dharmasena/ CJRU - Toronto - A coalition of human rights and housing advocates are taking the City of Toronto to the Ontario Superior Court for a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 1. Members of the public and media may observe proceedings via Zoom at 10 a.m. The coalition is comprised of the Sanctuary Ministries of Toronto, Aboriginal Legal Services (ASL), Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC), Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), and HIV & AIDS Leg...
Dr. Valerie Borum on the role of race and anti-Black racism on mental health
October 03, 2020 01:27 - 10.2 MBSam Dharmasena/ CJRU - TORONTO - In September, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced an $11.5 million investment in mental health support for Canadians. From this, $4.9 million will go towards the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. CJRU spoke with Dr. Valerie Borum, director of Ryerson’s School of Social Work, on the intersection of race and mental health. “It’s impossible to separate the two. When we look at mental health, race is always a variable in a nation that is dominated ...
Finding Home: Options and challenges
October 02, 2020 17:04 - 276 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/Cortes Currents/Folk U - The first podcast features Sandra Wood and Ian Scott discussing the options and challenges for creating affordable housing that they have encountered in pursuing the creation of four affordable rental units for seniors and 20 units for all ages on Cortes. That podcast is almost two hours long and includes a number of questions and answers from local community members. Please listen to the podcast for more in-depth explanation of the Seniors Vil...
Alexandra Morton: What Needs to be done
October 02, 2020 13:35 - 10.4 MBRoy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Alexandra Morton is now the official Green candidate for North Island. She described her reasons for entering politics, and what needs to be done, in a quick ZOOM interview. “The reason I’m running is that, over the last twenty years, I’ve seen that the politics and policies that are killing off the wild salmon of this coast are also destroying our communities.” “At this point, I think everyone is very worried as to what we are leaving to our children, the...
The Green candidate is Alexandra Morton
October 01, 2020 11:44 - 4.36 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Current - The word is out. Sue Moen, who ran for the Green party in the last provincial election and had hoped to do it again, informed Cortes Currents on Tuesday. The Green candidate in North Island will be independent biologist Alexandra Morton. Morton proclaimed her intention to run on Facebook four days ago, “I am seeking nomination to run for MLA for North Island as a Green Candidate. I need 175 signatures by 1st ferry on Wednesday. I will be at the Li'l Wild Gift ...
Norm Facey, Liberal candidate for North Island
September 30, 2020 17:42 - 9.73 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - I asked Norm Facey, the BC Liberal candidate for North Island riding, why are you running for office? >>> Why are you running for office? Norm Facey: “I’ve always admired good government and the strength that it takes to do that. There is a strength of personality, integrity and the intelligence to pull it all together. So I’ve always had an interest.” “On top of that, we are in incredibly challenging times and I see a need for strong, calm leadership.” “I ...
How the Cortes Island Museum weathered the pandemic, financially
September 29, 2020 22:51 - 10.1 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Managing Director Jane Newman explains how the Cortes Museum weathered the pandemic, financially “It’s been an interesting and challenging year. We closed in mid March and then were fortunate to reopen for July and August,”she explained. The Cortes Museum is normally open Tuesdays to Sundays for four months during the 'Summer' season. “We would normally open by at least mid June and until mid September. This year … even though the directive is coming from the...
Vancouver councillor speaks about the friction between BC Housing and some unhoused people
September 26, 2020 15:06 - 24.3 MBTan Mei Xi/Vancouver Co-op Radio LJI - After a protracted Council meeting that spanned two days, Council has passed a motion directing City staff to research and report back on five options for providing shelter to unhoused Vancouver residents ... during the council meeting, some unhoused residents had expressed discomfort with BC Housing operation protocols. When asked about issues that could arise given the negative perception of BC Housing of some residents, Bligh noted that Council is ear...
Tla'amin weaving continues during COVID 19
September 25, 2020 22:49 - 59.4 MBOdette Auger/Cortes Currents - Tla’amin weaver. Sosan Blaney is an Indigenous woman, artist, mom, wife. She's also a very talented Tla’amin weaver. Sosan came to Klahoose to teach weaving workshops before COVID-19 interrupted. In this story we'll catch up with Sosan and what she's been doing during COVID-19. photo of women weaving L-R: Gail Blaney, Elsie Paul. Photo Credit: Sosan Blaney.
Court date set for Noba Anderson vs SRD
September 25, 2020 22:13 - 2.4 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A hearing date has been set for Noba Anderson vs the Strathcona Regional District, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia courthouse at #500 – 13th Avenue, Campbell River, B.C., sometime during the assize week starting November 23, 2020. Regional Director Anderson is seeking court costs from a frivolous lawsuit brought against her last year. The SRD refuses to pay and, according to Anderson’s affidavit, censured her for showing confidential SRD documents to he...
The NDP candidate, Michele Babchuk
September 25, 2020 15:51 - 7.36 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A short interview with the NDP candidate for North Island, Michele Babchuk photo credit: pedicab passing in front of BC legislature byJoe Mabel via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
What the Cortes Museum really misses during the Pandemic
September 25, 2020 14:24 - 5.84 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Managing Director Jane Newman talks about one the Cortes Museum's biggest loses really during the pandemic. "We miss our community. We had a lot of visitors this summer, most of them from Vancouver Island or [other parts of] British Columbia and we had some people from Cortes Island - but we really do miss that regular interaction," she said. "The culture of the museum is a gathering place and story telling space." In a normal year, people drop in when they g...
ZOOM meeting with Rachel Blaney
September 23, 2020 18:59 - 141 MBAshley Zabatany and team/Cortes Currents - The September 22nd ZOOM townhall meeting /Cortes Radio broadcast with our MP, Rachel Blaney. Back-up team consisted of Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Ayton Novak and Roy L Hales.
What does going back to school during a pandemic teach us?
September 23, 2020 16:09 - 274 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie - Cortes Currents/Folk U - What can going back to school in a pandemic teach us about the future of education? Five Educators from the live listening area of Cortes Radio chime in to discuss what their districts are doing to get kids safely back to school and how the future of education in our area may change forever from what we learn in this time.
Seniors Village expansion more than 50% Complete
September 23, 2020 13:16 - 2.11 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/Cortes Currents - Cortes Island is about to become home to four new units of BC Housing supported housing in the Cortes Seniors Village. The Seniors Village expansions is “already more than 50% complete,” says Sandra Wood the Housing Coordinator for the Cortes Island Senior Society. This week interior finishing starts, including painting. She says they are “hoping that people will be in their new homes in time to celebrate Christmas.”
EASC lets proposal to extend Quadra's fire protection die
September 22, 2020 13:41 - 7.36 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Three quarters of Quadra Island lies outside of the fire protection zone. BC Wildfires responds to forest fires in this area, but normally do not come on to private property. Last June, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) asked North Island residents if they would to have the same level of coverage as the south. While roughly half of the respondents said they thought all Quadra residents should have the same level of protection, 64% indicated they were happy w...
EASC Rejects Staff Report on Directors input
September 21, 2020 12:18 - 8.99 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The latest version of a Strathcona Regional District staff report on directors input into the reporting process was not received by the Electoral Areas Services committee. Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson said. "I think that’s the first time I’ve ever voted in opposition to receipt of a report in 12 years.” Regional Directors Jim Abram and Brenda Leigh joined her in opposition. The vote against this report was 3 to 1.
Read Island Store revitalization project
September 20, 2020 13:18 - 5.75 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The old Surge Narrows store, on Read Island, closed its doors in 2007. A Strathcona Regional District staff report sates, “since that time the building and its associated boardwalk, floating dock and fuel shed have been left in a state of disrepair.” Last November, the SRD board applied for a $2.2 million grant to revitalize the property and was turned down. Now it looks the Surge Narrows Store Revitalization project is going forward. Starts 1:09:56 BC’s Minis...
Doctor from Downtown Eastside medical clinic talks about COVID
September 19, 2020 15:24 - 18 MBVancouver Coop Radio repost/Cortes Currents -By David P. Ball Although very few cases of COVID-19 appear to have hit the Downtown Eastside (DTES) so far in the pandemic, an infectious disease expert who's worked in the neighbourhood for many years warns that the coast is not yet clear — and he is studying why there have been surprisingly few cases here. That's particularly the case because of the disproportionately vulnerable populations that call the area home, with high levels of extreme ...
Klahoose and Tla'amin Nations challenged by low salmon numbers
September 19, 2020 13:58 - 34.8 MBMax Thaysen/Cortes Currents - The Klahoose First Nation is challenged by low salmon numbers resulting in a lack of traditional food, social and cultural resources. In this episode of Cortes Currents, we hear from Klahoose fishery and resource manager, Tina Wesley, and Tla'amin Nation community educator and language person Koosin Pielle
SRD seeking grant to reduce wildfire risk
September 18, 2020 20:40 - 3.97 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) may be on its way to acquiring a $244,000 to reduce wildfire risk in rural areas. Close to $76,000 of this could go to a variety of projects on Cortes Island, more than $52,000 to Quadra and Read Islands and more than $50,000 each to Electoral Area’s A and D. The Electoral Areas Services Committee passed a recommendation that the SRD send application to 2021 Community Resiliency Investment grant program. This matter will go...
No new cases for at least a week
September 18, 2020 14:48 - 4.32 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - While the number of confirmed COVID cases in Vancouver Island and the rest of the province continues to rise, data from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows there have been no new cases in North Island - which includes Courtenay, Campbell River, and the Discovery Islands, as well as communities further north - for at least a week. There has been only one new case throughout this entire region since September 10th and this would appear to be the only case stil...
The Brain 101 With Hayley Newell
September 17, 2020 12:54 - 97.3 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Your brain - the organ central to your nervous system - is a fascinating and complex machine. There are many MANY fascinating things to learn, far too many for one talk. So, in The Brain 101 we will start with learning the four key threats to the brain; what they are, how this relates to your day-to-day life and why it is useful to understand them. As well learn tips for self regulation to improve the function of your brain, even in when it’s a challenge.
Are You Prepared?
September 16, 2020 17:08 - 280 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Cortes Currents - As smoke fills the air and people told to close the windows after being told to open them to air out viral loads during the pandemic, the question forefront on many minds is “Are we prepared for what’s coming?” On this special two hour live show, first aired on 9/11, a day associated with disaster across North America, Donna MacPherson from BC Coastal Fire Centre and Shaun Koopman from the Strathcona Regional District discuss how Cortes and...
COVID update for September 16, 2020
September 16, 2020 14:26 - 6.27 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Firstly, some news from a village on the Sunshine Coast, about 26 kms south of Cortes Island by water. The number of confirmed COVID cases among the Tla’amin Nation has now reached 28. Another 21 people were tested yesterday and the results flown to Vancouver. The village is in lock down until 5 PM Thursday, when the results of the tests are known. Children and educational support staff are being kept home from school. Groceries are only obtainable by delive...
Cortes Economics 101 With Adam McKenty.mp3
September 15, 2020 21:29 - 75.2 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U - Cortes Economics 101 with Adam McKenty. Understanding the Cortes Economy starts with understanding macro economics influences. Very quickly Adam McKenty takes us from macro economics to the very, very local situation of Cortes. What’s a sustainable economy on Cortes look like? This session will look at global trends and get local with Cortes statistics and results from Cortes Community Economic Development Assocation’s (CCEDA) LEAP report.
From Where I Stand
September 14, 2020 15:52 - 32.1 MBMaria/Listening In - In a special episode of Listening In, Maria reads from former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould's book From Where I Stand. The program is introduced by a song from Cortes Island's own Willow. Photo of Jody Wilson-Raybould by Erich Saide via Wikipedia (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
COVID Impacted Campbell River on three levels
September 14, 2020 13:53 - 7.99 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - In a recent interview, Campbell of River’s general manager of community development, Ron Bowles, described how COVID is impacting the city on three levels: as a city, as businesses and as individuals.
Cermaq's Response to a UBC Study on Global Warming impacts
September 12, 2020 17:03 - 19.1 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A new UBC study suggests that Global warming could significantly reduce the areas where salmon can be farmed off the West Coast. The studies lead author, Muhammed Oyinlola said that up to 84% of the area suitable for fish farming could be lost. We need to act now: either move fish farms on land or further out to sea. I asked Linda Sams, Sustainable Development Director of Cermaq Canada, for Cermaq’s response.
COVID's impact on Local Tourism
September 12, 2020 16:24 - 8.71 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Covid’s impact on local tourism has been devastating. While there was a rush of visitors in August, Kirsten Soder, Executive Director of Destination Campbell River, says it will not be enough to carry some businesses through the winter. However some businesses are faring better than others. Reports from two Cortes Island businesses as well as Destination Campbell River.
COVID cases in North Vancouver Island
September 11, 2020 13:57 - 1.31 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - BC health officials announced 139 new cases of COVID on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at which point there were 42 people in hospitals and 14 of these receiving critical care. The number of confirmed cases among members of the Tla’amin Nation, who attended a funeral and wake in Powell River, has risen to seven. COVID statistics for Northern Vancouver Island are much lower. The BC Centre for Disease Control releases more localized data every Thursday. While th...
Cortes Currents - Increasing the salmon spawning potential of James Creek
September 09, 2020 12:03 - 2.6 MBMax Thaysen/Cortes Currents - Friends of Cortes Island (also known as FOCI) Streamkeepers are increasing the salmon spawning potential of James Creek. Last weekend saw the first of many days of work moving gravel from the bridge over James Creek, down the Grandmother grove trail to five different locations in the creek bed. The spawning locations receiving gravel were chosen by FOCI Streamkeeper Captains Cec and Christine Robinson with guidance from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Co...
COVID in our area
September 07, 2020 15:38 - 1.96 MBAccording to the BC Centre for Disease Control, as of September 3rd there have been 64 confirmed COVID cases in the North Island region this year. Only 4 were still active. None of these were critical. They did not indicate if there are still any active covid cases in our area, which includes Campbell River, the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets, but there have been at least 12 this year.
How Covid shaped a Cortes students summer job experience
September 05, 2020 16:45 - 30.6 MBOdette Auger/Cortes Currents - This story is about how COVID-19 changed summer jobs for one Cortes student, I'm interviewing Natalia Nybida, a Vancouver Island university student, going into her second year. Originally airing on CKTZ 89.5fm, this is an excerpt of the Q+A, with photos.
Explore Next Door
September 05, 2020 01:40 - 2.97 MBRoy L Hales/ Daily News - Local tourism had really taken a big hit when Mary Ruth Snyder, Executive Director of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce and Dianne Hawkins, CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce agreed to visit each other’s cities and film the event. The pair did not stop there. They launched a social media campaign encouraging people to explore neighbouring communities and leave a visual record of their visits on social media using hashtags like #ExploreNextDoor, #MeetYo...
Shaena Lambert comes to Marnie's Bookstore
September 02, 2020 13:53 - 107 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/ Folk U - Folk University’s Folk U Talks returned to Cortes Radio live shows and podcast recordings on Friday August 28th with a virtual book launch featuring sometimes local author Shaena Lambert and a guest appearance by Marnie Andrews of Marnie's Books in celebration of Canada's Independent Book Seller Day.
Whaletown's Black Bear
September 02, 2020 11:42 - 2.75 MBMax Thaysen/Daily News - Whaletown's Black Bear is still on the loose – but its days may be numbered. This summer, a black bear has made the rounds in Whaletown, eating up fruit, stealing honey, breaking in to a chicken coop and even attacking a pig (according to community reports on the Tideline and Facebook). The Conservation Officer Service, COS, received reports from several Cortes Islanders about the bear and responded by bringing a trap over to capture the bear. We spoke with a Co...
Back to School for Cortes Islanders
September 01, 2020 00:23 - 1.56 MBManda Aufochs Gillespie/Daily News - Cortes Island staff and students will return to school for full-time classes on Monday September 14th and orientation will be on September 10th and 11th. There are a lot of questions as to what school will look like this Fall. Cortes Island school is figuring out how to provide required schooling and ensure there are safe options for those with additional health concerns or that have caregivers that are vulnerable or work with vulnerable populations. Cor...
Shaena Lambert comes to Cortes Island
August 31, 2020 22:47Roy L Hales/News Update - The internationally recognized novelist Shaena Lambert recently visited Marnie's Books, on Cortes Island. Four of works have been chosen for Best Canadian stories and the Globe and Mail recognised three of her previous novels as books of the year. Lambert is also a dedicated environmentalist, who was arrested twice during the Burnaby Mountain protests, and continues to actively oppose oil pipelines and logging of old growth. In the most recent Folk U Friday radio pr...
Shaena Lambert launches Petra on Cortes Island (Virtually)
August 31, 2020 22:47 - 2.55 MBRoy L Hales/News Update - The internationally recognized novelist Shaena Lambert recently visited Marnie's Books, on Cortes Island. Four of works have been chosen for Best Canadian stories and the Globe and Mail recognised three of her previous novels as books of the year. Lambert is also a dedicated environmentalist, who was arrested twice during the Burnaby Mountain protests, and continues to actively oppose oil pipelines and logging of old growth. In the most recent Folk U Friday radio pr...
Surge Narrows grocery delivery program
August 31, 2020 14:33 - 2.1 MBRoy L Hales/Daily News -The grocery delivery program’s origins go back to October 2019. A Rendezvous Island resident, Judith Wright, organized a group run for four or five families every two weeks. After COVID hit, close to half of the permanent residents of Rendezvous, Read, Maurelle, and Sonora Islands took advantage of the SRD Delivers program to have their groceries delivered every week for three months. While the funding ended in mid July, the Surge Narrows grocery delivery program prove...
For Norm Harry, Aboriginal Title is personal
August 30, 2020 16:23 - 22 MBSome Canadians of European descent find the fact three Indigenous nations claim Cortes Island as their traditional territory confusing, but a member of the Klahoose Nation explained this in a recent interview. Norm Harry's ("Tal-wa-ska") father was originally xʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco) but became ƛohos (Klahoose). Some of Norm’s uncles and aunts are ɬəʔamɛn (Tla'amin) and his family also has close relatives among the K’omox. As Norm Harry understands it, these nations were all one people before the...
What Matters Most?
August 29, 2020 17:49 - 27.5 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Old Schoolhouse Gallery will only have one show this year. While they cancelled their summer season because of COVID, the artists group has been mulling over some ideas for almost a year now. On September 10th, 2020, they bring the discussion to the public in a show called “What matters most?” >>> A Time of Pause “I think the community, the province and the planet is in a time of pause right now,” said Kristen Schofield Sweet, one of the gallery’s directors...
Daily News - Study Suggests total closure for some fishing stocks
August 29, 2020 14:39 - 1.45 MBRoy L Hales/Cortes News - The Cortes museum lists 28 independent fishing boats based at one of island's docks during the 1970s. Twenty years ago, 5 were still returning to Mansons Landing. By 2016 this number had shrunk to 2 boats and neither of them fished Cortes waters. While this decline may partially reflect the shift towards large corporate fishing fleets, a new UBC study states a quarter of Canada’s fish stocks are in decline and the industry would benefit from a complete closure of fis...