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Cortes Island referendum questions

On October 17, Cortes Island voters will decide whether to establish new services for wood chipping and climate resiliency, youth, and seniors. Each question is a separate decision on the ballot. This page explains what the services could fund, how much they could cost, and how I would approach the next steps if you approve them.

This is based on the average Cortes property valued by BC Assessment at $699,776. My 2027 proposed budget is below the maximum that the bylaws allow.

What a new service would provide

A regional district service creates the authority to collect and spend public funds for a defined purpose. These proposals would provide dedicated funding for initiatives responding to climate change and for organizations supporting young people and seniors. The bylaws describe the eligible uses and set limits on how much can be raised through property taxes. 

Why this funding matters

Dedicated, ongoing funding for youth and seniors will make Cortes a better place to grow up and grow old. It will allow us as a community to work together, understand the gaps in services, and grow what is already working. The youth and seniors proposals will also ease some of the demand on Grant-in-Aid, leaving more room for other community priorities.
 

These services would also add $100 to property taxes. That is a real cost, especially for households already struggling to make ends meet. I see value in the possibilities they offer, and I want everyone to have enough information to weigh that value against the cost. The decision belongs to voters.

01  Wood Chipping and Climate Resiliency Service

Bylaw 627 · Areas B and C

This proposal would establish a shared service between Cortes and Quadra. It would fund the collection, chipping, transportation, and reuse of wood waste, and projects that prepare our communities for climate impacts or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Wood chipping would help residents fire smart their properties and keep the wood chips. The broader climate funding could support projects that address both emissions and the cost of daily life. For example - electric transit, e-bikes, green energy, helping people access heat pumps, local food production, or keeping compostable material out of the landfill.

Climate mitigation means reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate resiliency means preparing for the impacts of climate change. This bylaw allows funding for both.

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The bylaw establishes the scope of the service. Chipping schedules, access arrangements, project choices, and the division of the budget would follow through service planning at the SRD and community consultation.
 

Read Bylaw 627 · Official question and voting information · SRD service page and FAQs

02  Youth Service

Bylaw 652 · Cortes residents under 24

This service would provide financial support to organizations offering programs and services for Cortes residents under 24 years old.

All Eligible Uses:
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  • After-school and educational programming

  • Recreation, arts, and cultural activities

  • Leadership and mentorship opportunities

  • Food security initiatives

  • Transportation and accessibility supports

  • Wellness, social connection, and mental health supports

  • Childcare and family supports

  • Environmental and outdoor education

  • Volunteer and community engagement initiatives for youth

  • Youth outreach and inclusion initiatives

  • Intergenerational programming

  • Indigenous cultural programming and learning opportunities

  • Staffing, coordination, administration, training, and operational capacity related to youth wellbeing

  • Capacity building within organizations that support, engage, or provide services benefiting youth and families

  • Collaborative community initiatives, pilot projects, and emerging community needs related to youth well-being

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Read Bylaw 652  ·  Official question and voting information  ·  SRD service page and FAQs

03  Seniors Service

Bylaw 651 · Cortes residents aged 65 and older

This service would provide financial support to organizations offering programs and services for Cortes residents aged 65 and older. It could help people remain connected, access everyday supports, and continue living on the island as their needs change.
 

The bylaw also allows support for caregivers and organizations, emergency preparedness, and compassionate care around death, grief, and the end of life.


All Eligible Uses
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  • Recreation, arts, cultural, and social connection activities

  • Wellness and healthy aging initiatives

  • Food security and meal support programs

  • Volunteer and peer support initiatives

  • Accessibility and aging-in-place supports

  • Outreach, navigation, and community connection services

  • Intergenerational and community-building activities

  • Deathcare, end-of-life support, grieving support, and compassionate community initiatives

  • Emergency preparedness and resilience initiatives

  • Staffing, coordination, administration, training, and operational capacity related to senior citizen well-being

  • Capacity building within organizations that support, engage, or provide services benefiting senior citizens, caregivers, families, or the broader community

  • Collaborative community initiatives, pilot projects, and emerging community needs related to senior citizens’ well-being

  • Transportation and accessibility supports

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Read Bylaw 651   ·   Official question and voting information  ·   SRD service page and FAQs

What would these services cost


The referendums set the maximum tax authority for each service. If all three pass, my proposed 2027 - 2030 budgets would be $40 for wood chipping and climate resiliency, $30 for youth, and $30 for seniors for a property assessed at $699,776.

That is $100 a year in additional service taxes for the average property.

Common Questions


Who can vote?

If you are 18+ years old, a Canadian citizen, and have lived on Cortes for at least six months, you can vote. You need two pieces of ID and acceptable forms of ID include Driver’s License, BC Identification Card, BC Care Card, Social Insurance Card/Letter, ICBC Insurance Documents, Credit Card/Debit Card, Utility Bill, or Rent Receipt.

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Can I support one service and oppose another?

Yes. Each referendum question is a separate decision. You can consider each proposal on its own merits.
 

What does a Yes or No mean?

A Yes vote supports establishing that service and its funding authority within the bylaw’s limit. A No vote opposes establishing that service. The results determine whether the proposed service can proceed through this referendum.
 

Does approval mean the maximum will be charged?

No. Annual budgets are set by the Regional Director and, for the next four years, I would cap the climate resiliency service at $40 per year for the average property, the youth service at $30/property, and the seniors service at $30/property for a total of $100 (if all three passed). 
 

Who would receive the youth and seniors funding?

The bylaws authorize financial support to organizations, defined as societies, institutes, foundations, or similar entities incorporated under BC law. The process and funding amounts for organizations would be decided through community consultation.
 

Which communities would participate?

The youth and seniors services would cover Cortes Island, Area B. Wood chipping and climate resiliency would cover both Area B and Area C, with costs shared on the basis of assessments.
 

What happens if the bylaws pass?

If these bylaws pass, I will work with the community to turn the new funding into a clear plan. That will include community consultation and stakeholder surveys, with young people, seniors, families, caregivers, and the organizations already doing this work.

We will look at the services available now, understand the current gaps, and identify where funding could make the greatest difference. That work will guide a strong community plan for making Cortes a better place to be young and to grow old, with clear priorities and ways to assess the results.

Climate Resiliency Service projects would require Cortes Island and Quadra Island working together to set project priorities.

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Your Vote Decides

Whether you support all three proposals, some of them, or none, I hope this information helps you make a decision that reflects your priorities for Cortes.

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General voting day is Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cortes voting locations are Manson’s Community Hall, 983 Beesley Road, and Gorge Hall, 1375 Robertson Road. 

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