Rochelle Baker
Journalist | Quadra Island |
English
About Rochelle Baker
Rochelle Baker is the Quadra and Cortes Islands reporter for Canada's National Observer, thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. Rochelle has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC's Lower Mainland for over 10 years.
Vancouver Island hard hit as B.C. records highest-ever monthly fatal overdoses
In a targeted effort to save people from dying while using alone at home, B.C. launched the Lifeguard app province-wide May 21.The free app, downloadable to any cellphone, prompts users to check in 50 seconds after dosing, Neil Lilley, senior provincial executive director of BC Emergency Health Service, said on Friday.
Are transit gaps on rural B.C. islands enough to drive demand for community bus service?
“Lots of small communities might not fall under the BC Transit umbrella due to a combination of politics and community priorities,” said community planner Ericka Amador. “So, alternative transit options are often born of necessity and by grassroots movements ..."
Cortes Island affordable housing project at risk after rural directors postpone hearings
“I, too, am going to just exercise my right to say how disappointed I am with this (decision). I think we have done our constituents over on Cortes Island a disservice," Strathcona Regional District chair Michele Babchuk, after three rural directors postponed public hearings in their areas until September, putting the funding application for a 20-unit affordable rental housing project at risk.
Black Lives Matter demonstrations reach B.C.’s small communities
Small communities in B.C. turned out over the weekend to protest police violence and racism against Black people, Indigenous people and people of colour locally and nationally.
B.C.'s minimum wage bump won’t alleviate housing or COVID-19 pressures
B.C.'s minimum wage bump is inadequate, especially as low wage workers suffer the greatest impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, says economist Iglika Ivanova, of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
“Grocery store workers, cleaners or people working in the restaurants or food service are at increased risk when they go to work. And when they earn such low wages, it’s profoundly unfair."
Innovative community project drives health services to the underserved
The Mobile Outreach Unit for Health and Support Services (MOUHSS) is a brightly coloured RV bringing much-needed services to the community's most vulnerable. But it only has funding until August.
Discovery Islanders weather West Coast commute
Discovery Island residents navigate the challenges West Coast commutes and ferry service delays with calm.
Discovery Islands’ businesses taking baby steps to reopen
Restaurants, pubs, businesses, resorts and marinas in the Discovery Islands off the west coast of B.C. are tentatively taking the first steps in expanding services in their communities to locals and tourists alike.
B.C. sees spike in deadly overdoses during pandemic
Fatal drug overdoses are on the rise, with more than three people dying every day as the province deals with COVID-19, data from the BC Coroners Service indicates.
Discovery Islands housing projects provide security for seniors
“I feel this is my home because it’s mine…other people have to cart their stuff around place to place.I’ve live here now for six years. I’ve been happy and comfortable here.” says 87-year-old Douglas Butt of his rental unit at Cortes Island Seniors Village, which is expanding its stock of stable, subsidized housing to meet older residents' housing needs.