Rochelle Baker

Reporter Discovery Islands 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.

Read Rochelle's stories

480 Articles

On Wednesday, BC Ferries indefinitely cancelled all public community sessions and moved ferry advisory meetings online due to a recent rise in staff abuse and threats. Photo of Cortes ferry by Rochelle Baker

Abuse, weapons threats to BC Ferries staff put public meetings on hold

The provincial ferry service is crafting a security plan after a rise in aggression at public events and someone at a recent meeting issuing “a threat to the effect that if BC Ferries didn't make changes, the individual would take a gun to everyone.”

News, Island Insider | September 28th 2023

BC Greens call out Alberta fossil fuel war room’s attack on B.C. community

Every level of government in every jurisdiction needs to seek solutions to the climate crisis, not sabotage those that do, said BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau on Alberta's energy "war room" turning its sights on Nanaimo, B.C., for phasing out gas hookups.

Climate of denial

News, Island Insider | September 26th 2023

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, centre, addresses attendees at a press conference to announce the launch of the Canadian Energy Centre at SAIT in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. Photo by: The Canadian Press/Greg Fulmes

Alberta’s fossil fuels ‘war room’ singles out a local B.C. government for battle

Nanaimo city councillors call the Canadian Energy Centre’s political campaign to reverse their decision to phase out natural gas hookups an "outrageous" attack on the democratic process.

Climate of denial

News, Island Insider | September 22nd 2023

It flies in the face of logic that fossil fuel companies remain top sponsors at the annual UBCM convention given its focus on dealing with climate disasters, says Vancouver Coun. Christine Boyle. Submitted photo

When climate’s on B.C. communities’ agenda, fossil fuels firms turn up the heat

Many municipal leaders are contesting continued sponsorship of their annual UBCM conference by fossil fuel corporations — especially when those same companies direct heat at small communities looking to electrify to meet climate targets.

Climate of denial

News, Island Insider | September 21st 2023

First Nations business leader Carol Anne Hilton spoke on the Indigenous perspective and solutions at the UBC Climate Economy Summit Thursday. Photo by Rochelle Baker / Canada's National Observer

Economy needs Indigenous people and perspectives

Within one generation of reclaiming a seat at the economic table, Indigenous Peoples are driving key outcomes in the national economy and climate action, says a First Nations business leader working to build an inclusive climate economy.

First Nations Forward

News, Island Insider | September 18th 2023

Thousands of protesters took over Cambie Street Bridge and downtown Vancouver to demand the end of fossil fuels during a climate strike Friday. Photo by Rochelle Baker / Canada's National Observer

Youth take charge of climate action

Thousands of young people and activists led a climate strike in Vancouver on Friday, joining a global day of action to put an end to fossil fuels super-heating the planet.

News, Island Insider | September 15th 2023

A massive Mola mola was sighted in Kyuquot Sound in early August and its photo will help inform a citizen science project on sunfish in West Coast waters. Photo by Tashi Townley / Courtesy Marine Education Research Society (MERS)

Holy Mola! That’s a big fish!

A citizen science project documenting sightings of massive sunfish on the B.C. coast is helping puzzle together missing pieces of the marine creatures' mysterious life.

Oceans, Waterways & Coastlines

News, Island Insider | September 12th 2023

Rochelle Baker

Abuse, weapons threats to BC Ferries staff put public meetings on hold

BC Greens call out Alberta fossil fuel war room’s attack on B.C. community

Alberta’s fossil fuels ‘war room’ singles out a local B.C. government for battle

When climate’s on B.C. communities’ agenda, fossil fuels firms turn up the heat

Economy needs Indigenous people and perspectives

Youth take charge of climate action

Holy Mola! That’s a big fish!

On third anniversary of B.C’s promise to protect old-growth, ancient trees still falling

A summer scarred by wildfire and drought puts climate crisis top of mind as university resumes

When it comes to water security, small rural communities in B.C. largely left high and dry