Riding Candidates Square Off at GISS Event Education and Campaign Spending Key Issues
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Beyond Words Aqua - COMF Final concert for director F ORT GULF ISLANDS LIVING MarciaOO Jansen's D popular column Dawn Hage GULFAqu ISLANDS inside Latest issue! ALIV PAGE 12 ING INSIDE MAY/JUNE 20 17 VOL UME 12, ISS UE 3 GULF ISLANDS Creativity & class in decor, art, food and spirits JO'S PL A culinary love storyACE on Pender Island COLOUR MASTER Diana Dean is newest $ 25 Salt Spring RCA member (incl. GST) Wednesday, May 3, 2017 — YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1960 57TH YEAR ISSUE 18 1 ARTS | FOOD | PEOPLE | PA SSIONS | T H E A TRE | VENTU BC ELECTION RES Riding candidates square off at GISS event Education and campaign spending key issues BY ELIZABETH NOLAN DRIFTWOOD STAFF An all-candidates debate hosted by the Salt Spring Forum in partnership with the Gulf Islands Second- ary School leadership group attracted a wide audi- ence Thursday afternoon, as students and members of the public fi lled the gym to hear what provincial candidates had to say. Jordan Templeman, an independent candidate from Sidney, was not present at the meeting, but BC Liberals hopeful Stephen Roberts, the Greens’ Adam Olsen and incumbent MLA Gary Holman of the NDP were all on hand for a lively debate. “This is by far the largest turnout we’ve had for an all-candidates meeting during this campaign and our roadshow’s been on the road for a few weeks now — this is our 11th or 12th meeting. So thank you all for being here; it’s wonderful to be part of such an engaged community,” said Roberts, who drew fi rst speaking honours for the opening remarks. Following their party leaders, Roberts argued for the continuance of a strong economy under the Liberals, while Holman said the best chance to change the program to focus on better democratic principles, the environment and education is under the NDP. PHOTO BY GAIL SJUBERG Saanich North and the Islands candidates, from left, Stephen Roberts, Adam Olsen and Gary Holman get ready to answer the tough ELECTION continued on 2 questions at a debate sponsored by the Salt Spring Forum and Gulf Islands Secondary School on Thursday. WATER DISTRICT Steinbach and McAllister elected to NSSWD Supply challenges laid out at AGM eligible voters in attendance. A large contingent of Brink- district but haven’t been granted connections. The ongoing worthy Estates residents helped swell the count of non- affordability of the system is also a top issue. BY ELIZABETH NOLAN I already talked ratepayers to 70. According to the audited fi nancial statements, the dis- DRIFTWOOD STAFF Marshall Heinekey, chair of the water district’s board of trict earned $2.87 million in revenue and had expenses of A packed Community Gospel Chapelto Dan Hall aboutsaw 165 thispeo- trustees, outlined some of the salient points from the last nearly $1.94 million, achieving a surplus of $941,936 for ple turn out for the North Salt Springlast Waterworks week...ad District’s to year of service delivery, as well as the challenges ahead. 2016. The accumulated surplus of $8.17 million will be annual general meeting on April 25, a marked change from Chief among these is being able to deliver water to all the needed for an upcoming water treatment plant replace- the 11 people registered at the 2016say AGM. people currently paying taxes to the district, including ment and other infrastructure projects. Registration of the huge crowd pushed back the sched- some 200 homes that have yet to be built, and the increas- uled start time from 7 to 7:42 p.m., withChristmas 95 ratepayers Sales continue and. ing demand from people who want to build within the NSSWD continued on 3 Thanks INSERTS • The Source INDEX Get Noticed ...................................................................... 16 • Country Grocer • Lifestyle Markets 20% off Arts ........................................................................................... 12 Letters ...................................................................................... 7 Please make the following changes to MarDRIFTWOOD • Ganges Pharmasave • The Local Liquor Art Supplies Classifieds ......................................................................... 18 People & Community ........................................... 15 • Thrifty Foods • Buckerfield’s 2 2016 rec ex banner AD PROOF Editorial ...................................................................................6 Sports & Recreation ................................................ 20 TAXI, TOURS • Home Hardware • Natural Retail Market Emergency Preparedness ................................. 10 What’s On.......................................................................... 14 & DELIVERY IMMEDIATE response required Get in the Swim of it! Regular Pools hours Salt Spring Books Please proof this ad carefully [email protected] 250.537.9933 www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com SALTSPRINGTAXI.COM250.537.3030for April and reply ASAP with your approval or changes. Rainbow Road If you have changes, please indoor pool friend us on respond ASAP thus allowing Fitness Made Fun! 250.537.1402 facebook! the production team time to IT’S A GOOD TIME TO WATER SAFE YOUR CHILDREN. and win prizes! make the changes indicated. www.facebook.com/ EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SWIM!! gul slandsdriftwood If we do not receive a response by MONDAY AT 5 PM this ad goes to press in this format. Thanks very much. GULF ISLANDS Driftwood YOUR COMMUNI T Y N EWSPAPER SIN C E 1960 2 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 NEWSBEAT www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com GULF ISLANDS DRIFtwOOD Candidates outline credentials for local support ELectiON tee’s Advisory Planning Com- recycling depots across the Gulf sition funding was asked by a we are not going to tie both hands continued from 1 mission. Island stayed open after funding teacher. behind our backs on the eve of an “In the course of my role formulas changed. Students also raised a ques- election fighting the most monied Olsen meanwhile stated the as a health-care advocate for Olsen is from the Tsartlip First tion about meeting mental health political party in Canada.” Greens should not only be seen hospice and the hospital, I see Nation in WSANEC Territory, needs and asked candidates their “I think it’s important to point as a serious alternative to that some of the needs we have in where he still lives with his fami- thoughts on whether services out here that ‘going to’ and doing view, but as strong enough to the community and I’m look- ly. He is a former Central Saanich should be offered through public it are two different things,” Olsen form government in their own ing forward to getting some of municipal councillor and served or private bodies. responded. He noted the Green right. those needs met as your pro- as interim and deputy leader of Members of the general pub- party had already banned cor- Roberts, who grew up on Salt vincial representative,” Roberts the Green party from 2013-15. lic who addressed the candidates porate and union donations last Spring and returned to the com- said. “We have an invaluable He has been a lead opponent of raised topics of sustainable eco- September. munity six years ago, summed hospital, which is key to the the Malahat LNG project. housing, the repair and main- “We’ve seen considerable up his relevant experience chair- economic future of this island. “We are offering an inspir- tenance of local roadways and growth since then because we ing several community organi- We need to make sure we pro- ing and exciting vision for Brit- democratic ability in a two-party took the principled position,” zations, such as the Lady Minto tect it, expand it, renew it and ish Columbia in the 21st cen- system. Murray Reiss asked Hol- Olsen said. Hospital Foundation, the Salt perhaps rebuild it, and as your tury,” Olsen said in his opening man in particular what an NDP Roberts said the BC Liberals Spring Hospice Society and the MLA that will be a key project address. “The BC Greens are an government would do to end cor- have implemented a transpar- Salt Spring Local Trust Commit- for me.” important voice. We are good ruption and build transparency ency policy, so citizens can see Holman joked he was “re- for democracy — in fact I would and accountability, in light of the donations posted to the Liberals’ applying for his job” as MLA, say we are great for democ- controversy around large political website 10 days after they have and said he was honoured to racy. We’ve seen the impact of donations. been made and decide for them- have served the past four years. just one MLA in the legislature, In answer, Holman outlined a selves whether the party has been He lived on Salt Spring for 25 Andrew Weaver. We’ve also seen platform that includes eliminat- unduly influenced. years until recently moving to the impact of one single MP in ing corporate and union dona- “Also, the premier has said that Brentwood Bay to be with his the House of Commons. We’ve tions, setting a limit on personal we will appoint an independent new wife. seen what one voice can do — donations, stopping political committee to look at financing Before being elected to the imagine what many more could leaders from receiving stipends reform. I will hold her to that,” Cowichan Petroleum Sales 2007 Ltd. legislature, Holman was CRD do in the Legislature.” from their parties and banning Roberts said, adding he did not monthly $150 draw winner is... director on Salt Spring for Students asking questions on government advertising four think it was up to any single party Susan Wood two terms and introduced the behalf of the GISS student body weeks before an election. to make rules around election island’s transportation commis- were understandably concerned Holman said the NDP had spending. Give us a call for Heating Fuel, sion and bus service. An econo- with issues of education, such introduced related bills six times The full debate can be viewed Gasoline or Diesel. mist by trade, he worked on the as parties’ plans for helping since 2008, that were all killed by at saltspringforum.ca under its We also carry lube oils, Nisga’a Treaty, and served on the access to post-secondary edu- the Liberals.