I think Laura did her best to represent the community and make the draft policy update balanced with environmental protection and community needs. Even though she faced a lot of pushback, I personally think she did a great job and served the community well by trying to make things better for everyone. Laura has thrown her support behind Erik March, whose platform supports continued protection of the environment, affordable housing, and supporting local agriculture. Erik acknowledges that there is a great difference in how the working and low income people in the community are being supported versus those who are wealthy and have resources, and like Laura has presented ideas on how work to make things better for all community members. I’m not surprised she endorsed him since they have a similar vision.

I'm not a politician. So when I drafted my platform to run for Islands Trustee I built my platform on four core things that were valuable to me.

- An Islands Trust that works for us, not against us

- Not just housing but homes for our workers

- Environmental protection of our beautiful islands

- Ensuring our farmers can grow and thrive

I hoped these things would resonate with the community, and I am so thankful for the conversations I've had. From Fall Fair to potlucks with friends, from community Q&As to kitchen table chats, people have responded, and responded positively.

When I talk about the importance of bringing greater accessibility and transparency to the Trust, when I talk about the value of our environment, when I talk about the importance of farms and farmers, people are into it. People want a local government that works for them. They want to live in a well protected rural community. They want local food grown by local farmers.

However, housing is what gets the big reactions. People say things like "finally, more housing", "let's build some friggen housing already", and "more housing is a no brainer". Young workers share stories of being born and raised on Salt Spring, but feeling pushed out by a lack of housing. Relative newcomers to the island wonder why their skills and labour aren't valued by our community. Youth worry they won't be able to live here after school. Seniors worry they won't be able to age in place without local workers. One person shared with me that they feel betrayed by the elders in our community for not working on the housing crisis a decade ago. An elder shared a concern that "none of us will be comfortable on Salt Spring if there are no staff at Country Grocer." And too many more stories to share.

Good governance, environmental protection, and the agriculture that actually brought me to Salt Spring are all vitally important. We need Trustees with balanced platforms who are willing to take on all the jobs of Trustee: rezonings, permits, budgets, policies, and so much more. However a Trustee without a strong housing platform shouldn't be running.

While it is true that the Trust can't build housing, Trustees have plenty they can do to help. They can use their powers of land use planning to make sure housing is built in areas it makes sense, set up affordability covenants and workforce housing zoning. Trustees set our Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaws, both currently well past their best before date, meaning they can emphasize what we want our community to look like. A Trustee who is keen to work with the community, applicants, staff, and other levels of governance collaboratively could do a lot.

Salt Spring Island is not the only community with a tourist economy that values the environment, struggles with workforce housing, an affordability crisis, has a lack of water, and limited room to build. Jasper, Banff, Whistler, Ucluelet, and Tonfino, to name just a few, share some or all of our struggles. What makes Salt Spring unique is our lack of action. Regardless of where you stand on what counts as a "unique amenity" and what doesn't, I think we can all agree that inaction on workforce housing, both rental and ownership, should not be one of the "unique amenities" the Islands Trust preserves and protects.

It's time for change, not more of the same governance we already have, and change starts with Eric G March becoming one of your next two Island Trustees. I'm not a politician. I'm a guy who puts his Carhartts on and gets to work. If I'm elected I'll get to work for you, bringing governance that works, homes for islanders, protection of the environment and our rural community, and a care for agriculture.

So get out and vote for me and one other person for Salt Spring Island Trustee. October 14th from 8am-8pm at the Legion or the Library and October 17th from 8am-8pm at the Legion, the Library, or Fulford Hall.

For more information and my full platform check out my website EricGMarch4Trustee.ca.

As it says, I moved from Edmonton to SSI just over five months ago. My parents have been out here for 16 years and I wanted to be closer as they are getting older and was done with the winters in Edmonton. I love cycling and look forward to doing it outdoors almost year round. I found a local builder on the island who built a tiny home for me designed by my dad and I. I started that process in September of last year, building started in January and I moved into it in May. Sold up and donated all my excess stuff in Edmonton and drove out here with Monte (cat). Everything so far has been great.

It was cheaper to use movers for what I was bringing than drive a U-Haul and tow the car behind, so that was nice. My observations biking all over SSI and Vancouver Island are as follows and of course just my opinion on what I’ve seen.

No one stops at stops signs, I do not think I have seen a car come to a full stop once. I have done under 1000km in the car and over 5500km on the bike since I arrived. Way more big packs of road bikers out here, I’m on a gravel bike and they are way more obnoxious in groups. On their own however, they have been great and I have had some nice chats. Salt Spring has made me a stronger biker because of all the elevation change so biking on Vancouver Island is a breeze. I bike to Sidney, Sannichton and Victoria regularly from Fulford Bay and to Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith and Nanaimo from Vesuvius Bay. The ferries for the most part have been good and quite reasonable as a foot passenger with the experience card. I love supporting the local breweries and there are a lot in the places I’ve mentioned albeit spaced much farther apart with the exception of Victoria whereas in Edmonton had about 17 in a 10 -20 km radius. Craft beer in stores is actually cheaper out here, which was a nice surprise.

Cost of living was not what I expected, as everyone on Reddit always says how much more everything is, but that has not been my experience. Groceries on the island are more, but not overly so and on Vancouver Island it is very comparable to what I was paying in Edmonton. What surprised me is how much cheaper utilities and insurance are. For better car insurance plan here including registration was 1000 less for the year than Alberta (you guys are getting screwed on home & auto), I am renting on a piece of property and have my tiny home parked in it and that has also been reasonable. When I factor in property taxes, insurance and utility costs I was paying, especially in the winter months in Edmonton, I won’t be paying much more in rent.

I decided not to work and take the time to explore everything and enjoy settling in. Again all I heard on Reddit was how hard it is to find a job, but when I got here and got talking to locals they told me the opposite and based on my work history I should have no problem. I have made choices in my life such as never getting married or having kids that allows me at 45 to never have to work full time ever again if I don’t want to. I did just get a job last week at the first place I applied to for 3-4 days a week so that is taken care of.

All in all, I am enjoying being closer to the folks (we are on opposite ends of the island). I miss my friends back home but have no regrets and am looking forward to what comes next.

If you got this far, thank you for taking the time to read.

The Trustees we elect will shape the future of housing on Saltspring.

Currently, there are no affordable housing starts. The most advanced project, Kings Lane, is still working to secure funding and is years from completion. The project was launched in 2016. It represents five per cent of the overall need.

The IT Housing Needs Assessment says Saltspring needs 821 homes by 2030. Four years from now. It’s not adding up.

And at least one candidate, Gary Holman, claims affordable housing with housing agreements (rent geared to income) like Kings Lane, is the only type of housing that should be developed.

While non-market housing is an essential part of the housing continuum, making it the only part excludes those in our community whose incomes make them ineligible. This includes many working professionals or seniors wanting or needing to downsize. This intermediate cohort, often referred to as ‘the missing middle’ are excluded from the housing discussion.

What appears less understood is that regulating housing development to one specific framework does satisfy the vocal minority who oppose housing development in general.

Over regulation of housing is as problematic as under regulated.

We need to elect candidates who understand it’s about finding the right balance, one that responds to the needs of all residents. Housing that allows young people a pathway to secure housing, rented or owned, that doesn’t force them to move when their incomes improve; particularly when there is no housing for them to move to.

We also need housing that allows seniors to stay in their community, where they are not forced to leave because there is no smaller scale, manageable housing for them.

Concerns for these members of our community are currently absent from the conversation.

OK. Discuss.

My partner lost her silver and turquoise hoop earring yesterday. We were mostly in lower Ganges area. Will be retracing our steps today but if anyone happened to find it please let me know. It was bought on a trip to Mexico and likely is not replaceable.

Hello all! I am getting married in 2028 and I have become obsessed with getting married at Hastings House. I have tried to email them many times and tried to DM all of their social media and no one has gotten back to me. Does anyone have any experience working with Hastings House or have any contact information for them that may actually reach someone?

Thank you in advance!

I visited salt spring in May and I came across this person selling wool felt art at the Ganges Farmer’s Market - huge regret not buying something. I recall it was felt landscapes on a wood-worked frame:. The man selling it said he built the frames and his wife made the wool art. Hope someone can link me to the artist, as I’d love to buy a piece of theirs.

Please join MP Elizabeth May at Salt Spring's upcoming community meeting. These are non-partisan events for constituents of the Saanich-Gulf Islands to share comments, concerns, and to ask questions. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

Hi there, is the Bioluminescence visible in the water in September?

No really, why are there four poorly marked speed bumps on Beddis Road? There's nothing here but trees! (The AirB&B at the end of the road is great though.)

We visited salt spring I think two years back during Apple Fest, but we had a late start to things. One of the orchards we visited had some apple slices they were passing around for tasting, and one of the apples (the aforementioned Katja apple) was absolutely delicious and was just this sweet smooth fruit that was basically dessert and almost challenged what i thought an apple was.
Of course they were sold out, so that was a bummer, and the legendary Harry Burton didn't seem to have it at all.

Now here I am two years later wishing I made a point to note which orchard we visited that had that apple. Does anyone have any idea which orchard it could be?

I was in salt spring for a week and I left a little disappointed. For being on an island I felt isolated from the water. For its reputation I was very surprised with the amount of private property and no trespassing signs. It seems like wealthy Vancouverites have really taken over. Saw a lot of markets and you could still see evidence of the free living/independant roots. However there were quite a few impatient/aggressive Mercedes and bmw drivers and not as friendly of a vibe as I expected.

Having grown up in an appling community I make a point of coming out to the Apple Festival every year, I absolutely love it and I love that some of the orchards are open to the public to visit (and purchase), but there are a handful of cultivars that I've never been able to find - I assume this is because the orchards growing them don't open to the public but just in case I thought I'd turn to the community to see if they might be aware of if and where I can find and purchase them during the Apple Festival - I'm looking for:

- Arkansas Black

- Sinta

- Chinook

- Shamrock

- Spencer

- Summerred

- Lemon-Lime

- Hokuto

- Fameuse

- Winter Banana

There's probably more but off the cuff, these ones for sure! For anyone who can point me in any specific directions when I'm out there on the last sunday of September, it would be appreciated!

Aug 30, 2026; Just saw all these buoys off the coast of salt spring island.
Anyone know what is happening?

I don't have a vehicle, but I would like to visit Salt Spring Island. Is it relatively easy to walk around Salt Spring Island on foot? I am thinking of taking a ferry to Fulford Harbour and then walking along Beaver Point Road to my destination, which is near Beaver Point Hall. Is the walk challenging or dangerous? Thank you in advance.

Doable in a fun way? I’ve booked an Airbnb on Salt Spring (still fully refundable so can change my mind!) for a couple nights in a few weeks. Wondering if the island is fun to sightsee on without a car. I’ve read that it can be hilly. I’m a strong cyclist and don’t mind some hills but if it’s all killer I’d consider just going over with a car. But I much prefer biking!

More than anything I’m looking to relax and get outside in a new place for a couple days, rather than feeling like I need to see or do everything/anything in particular.

Considering also doing a day trip to Mayne Island from Salt Spring (again by bike only), so any insight there also appreciated. Thanks!

Update: thank you everyone for your generous insights!! I feel very forewarned and am opting for a car and will scope out the roads on this trip to see if I’d want to bring a bike another time!

Hey all! My partner and I will be visiting at the end of September and bringing our blackberry monster of a toddler.

Are there areas where the blackberries develop later in the year and will still be around by the end of September?

Hey yall! Its my first time on the island. I am, as the kids say, flaaaaaaaaming. Queer az. Im Dorthy's bff and ex.

Any recommendations of queer places i can go or things to do while here for BC day? Freshly broken up and looking for a place i can be my queer self while chatting with cool people.

Happy BC day yall!