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.

71 Articles

Gardens nourish body and soul during pandemic

Gardening is a powerful and symbolic medicine for what ails us during the pandemic, mental health experts say.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | August 5th 2020

Coastal residents lose right to board before tourists on BC Ferries

Island residents will no longer board BC Ferries before tourists after the B.C. government revised the COVID-19 emergency order Thursday.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 30th 2020

B.C. marine rescue team scrambling to locate three distressed humpback whales on B.C. coast

Three cases of entangled humpback whales have been reported within the past four days, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has confirmed.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 30th 2020

Youth who overdose on drugs need to be helped, not detained, advocates say

Judy Darcy, B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says a controversial bill that would allow youth to be involuntarily hospitalized after they overdose is on hold. But critics want it permanently nixed.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 28th 2020

Food bank use expected to surge with the end of CERB in B.C. island communities

Food insecurity can only be solved by raising incomes and food banks are an ad hoc solution that senior levels of government rely on to avoid repairing a frayed social safety net, says expert Graham Riches.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 27th 2020

Cortes Island director sues Strathcona Regional District

Cortes Island area director Noba Anderson is suing the Strathcona Regional District for legal costs and punitive actions linked to a 2019 lawsuit.

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

B.C. fishermen say their industry needs a lifeline

"Slipper skippers', who have never fished a day in their lives, are leasing quota to commercial fishers who can see 85 per cent of their catch going to quota and licensing fees,” Gord Johns, NDP Fisheries critic on who benefits from B.C's fish and what needs to change.

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

While B.C. wrestled COVID-19, opioid deaths shattered records

In June, 175 people died from illicit drug overdoses across the province, up from the previous record high of 171 fatalities set in May, the BC Coroners Service reported Thursday.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 16th 2020

Health authority sounds alarm as fatal overdoses surge among B.C.First Nations people

B.C. First Nations people continue to be disproportionately impacted by the opioid overdose crisis during the pandemic. Though First Nations people comprise 3.3 per cent of the province's overall population, they represent 16 per cent of all overdose deaths as of May 2020.

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

Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists

Discovery Islanders want BC Ferries to act on an emergency measure allowing residents priority boarding.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | July 11th 2020