FRIDAY SEPT 30, 2016 VOL. 42, NO. 84
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Knife skills
Young islanders hone their skills in the growing cub-scouts troops
The relationship column
Housing Jam!
Getting creative to solve the housing crisis
You need more than just clear communication say Jack & Soorya Resels
Councilors talk transportation at UBCM Changing demographics used to argue for re-enstatement of weekend ferry sailings
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Last Thursday, Bowen Islanders Michelle Nelson, Chris Mull, Bruce McTaggart, Andy Hoppenrath (with baby Heidi Kerr), Elle Burke, Alicia Hoppenrath and Colin Kerr (and Susanne Schloegl not pictured) participated in the first annual West-side Earth to Ocean Triathlon, which included a swim in Tunstall Bay, paddle to Cape Roger Curtis Beach, and run around The Cape trail network. Contact Michelle Nelson to find out how to sign yourself or your relay team up for next year: michelle_nelson@sfu.ca Meribeth Deen, photo
We are putting British Columbians first, Premier MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Premier Christy Clarke addressed municipal officials from across the province on Wednesday at the annual Union of BC Municipality’s conference in Victoria. She told the audience that British Columbia is first in Canada in terms of economic growth, has the lowest unemployment rate in all of Canada, and is on track to eliminate the provincial deficit. “We are now in a position to make big investments in our
citizens,” said Premier Clarke. Clarke added that one of the results of a strong economy is a high cost of living, but that the province is committed to making life more affordable and pointed to a recent commitment of half a billion dollars to create affordable housing in every community in British Columbia. “I am personally convinced there is the will both provincially and federally to improve the housing situation, and we will see some of that happen on Bowen as well,” said Bowen Island Councilor Michael Kaile in an interview following Premier Clarke’s speech. “However, that is the story that is yet to unfold.”
Bowen Island’s municipal councilors have spent this past week in Victoria meeting with municipal officials from across British Columbia as well as provincial ministers for the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference. On Tuesday, the majority of our council met with the provincial Minister of Transportation, Todd Stone, to ask for some of the weekend sailings from Horseshoe Bay that were cut in 2014 to be brought back. Councilor Melanie Mason, liaison to the Bowen Island Municipal Transportation Advisory Committee, says she presented Stone with the results of the 2016 Ferry Schedule Survey results. “The survey clearly shows that the loss of the 7:30 am sailing on Saturdays, and the 9:30 am sailing Sundays from Snug Cove have the biggest impact on Bowen Islanders,” says Mason. “These are key ferry sailings for many households, getting people to work, sports activities, as well has helping them make travel connections and do basic errands.” A total of 384 people responded to the ferry survey. According to the briefing on the survey results, 20 percent of the 248 separate comments attached to the survey cite
hardship in maintaining and securing employment due to limited weekend ferry service from Bowen. Mason says that she also explained to Minister Stone that Bowen Island has experienced an influx of young families moving from Vancouver in the past year. “There is new ridership for BC Ferries here on Bowen,” says Mason. “But what we’re seeing with the lack of ferry service on the weekends is that people are not changing their plans around the schedule, they are just not leaving the island. This is having a negative impact on children and young families on Bowen Island.” Mason points to a report put out by North Shore Community Resources that points to barriers to communal activities on Bowen Island as a source of potential vulnerability to young children. “The limited weekend ferry schedule acts as a barrier to swimming lessons, soccer, visiting family and friends and much more,” says Mason. “I think this, combined with statistics on our increasing population really caught the attention of Minister Stone.” Mason says this meeting has opened the door to further meetings between the province and BC Ferries on an economic case for reinstating the lost weekend sailings.
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