Rochelle Baker

Reporter Quadra + Cortes, B.C.

Rochelle Baker joins Canada's National Observer as a reporter, 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 7 years.

95 Articles

B.C.'s struggling tourism industry will press recovery agenda during election

B.C.'s struggling tourism industry was hoping for more when the provincial government unveiled its $1.5-billion economic recovery plan just prior to calling a snap election Monday.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 24th 2020

City councillor Michele Babchuk acclaimed as B.C. NDP candidate in North Island riding

Michele Babchuk, a councillor for the city of Campbell River, is running as the B.C. NDP candidate in the North Island riding recently vacated by Transportation Minister Claire Trevena.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 22nd 2020

Horgan says election will create stability, opposition calls it 'politics at its worst'

B.C. NDP leader John Horgan called a snap fall election on Monday, provoking a scathing response from opposition parities accusing him of acting in his self-interest by taking people to the polls during the pandemic.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 22nd 2020

B.C. headed to polls amid pandemic as NDP calls snap election

B.C. Premier John Horgan announced Monday that an election will take place Oct. 24, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 21st 2020

Shell shock: B.C.’s oyster industry hopes to weather climate change

Ocean acidification and new diseases tied to warming ocean waters are significant threats to the viability of B.C.’s shellfish aquaculture sector.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 18th 2020

Drought and climate change endangering salmon and fish habitat on Vancouver Island

The B.C. government is urging residential, agricultural, and industrial water users to try to conserve as a number of salmon streams on the island are reaching critically low levels.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 17th 2020

Wildfire smoke smothering B.C. stark indicator of climate change, researchers say

“You only have to look out the window right now to see the effects of climate change,” Erik Krogh, Vancouver Island University air quality researcher, as smoke from U.S. wildfires smothers southern British Columbia.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 15th 2020

Canada’s rural residents face thousands in medical travel costs and a patchwork subsidy system

Rural residents needing to travel outside their community for healthcare often face steep out-of-pocket costs. The problem is compounded by a provincial assortment of subsidy programs that cause regional disparities and hinder equal access to medical care across the country, say experts.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 14th 2020

B.C. rural residents say travelling for health care can cost thousands

Significant out-of-pocket expenses makes it clear rural residents are facing obstacles getting the medical care they need outside their community, say advocates.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 14th 2020

B.C. fish farming may be in hot water due to climate change

Global warming is likely to significantly reduce the areas suitable for the farming of Atlantic salmon along the West Coast, according to a recent UBC study.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | September 10th 2020