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.
Massive landslide in Bute Inlet wipes out wildlife habitat, poses risks to marine traffic along B.C. coast
The washout has devastated hundreds of acres of forest, severely damaging salmon spawning grounds and sweeping trees, rocks and mud into Bute Inlet.
Remote First Nation's swift action puts halt to COVID-19 outbreak
The next two weeks are critical in protecting the gains the Klahoose Nation on Cortes Island made in getting a COVID-19 cluster under control, says Chief Kevin Peacey.
Aquaculture company pilots new salmon farm containment system on Canada’s West Coast
Cermaq Canada has stocked close to half a million Atlantic salmon smolts into a new semi-closed containment system (SCCS) in Millar Channel on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
A First Nation braves long shifts in wind, rain, cold and dark after COVID-19 cluster
The Klahoose First Nation immediately went into strict lockdown Nov. 26 after getting news an elder had tested positive for COVID-19. Three more cases were confirmed soon after.
Ottawa under pressure from First Nations as fish farm consultations draw to a close
Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan is expected to make a decision this month about whether to renew fish farm licences set to expire on Dec. 18 in the Discovery Islands region.
MP urges Ottawa to suspend rule, $12K fines for passengers remaining in cars on BC Ferries
Rachel Blaney, North Island-Powell River’s NDP MP, has written to Transport Minister Marc Garneau questioning the logic of potentially fining people up to $12,000 when they are heeding public health orders to keep their contact with other people to a minimum.
The water has been bridged: COVID-19 cases on the rise on Vancouver Island
Community spread from social interactions and travel is driving COVID-19 case numbers to a worrying level on Vancouver Island and in other health regions beyond B.C.'s Lower Mainland, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.
Cannabis a potential harm reduction tool for youth at risk of fatal overdose, research shows
Recent research suggests youth struggling with illicit drug use may use cannabis to mitigate the risk of overdose and that establishing housing, work and income supports is their priority before treatment.
Youth need specialized support in B.C. overdose crisis, advocates say
One immediate way to protect youth from fatal drug overdoses is to provide harm reduction and overdose prevention services dedicated strictly to their demographic, says youth outreach worker and harm reduction advocate Kali Sedgemore.
Migratory seabirds find safe haven in new West Coast island reserve
The new Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve is a 12.6-acre island located in the Discovery Islands archipelago that is wedged between the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island.