It’s delectable June, also known as the meteorological start of Summer, on June 1st. On Salt Spring and the Gulf Islands, the fresh natural world welcomes us. Yes, there may be difficult events surrounding us, but the annual beauty of Spring-into-Summer is a welcome gift.

It’s a short and sweet seasonal month, with lots of beginnings and ends. Just some random reminders:

A few things on the calendar this month.

• Graduations from senior schools and universities, sometimes with starter careers in place, often with a gap year for real life experiences.
• Father’s Day mid-month is often a day to drive from Salt Spring to Qualicum, and take in the annual Seacruisers classic car show, an amazing event and worth the drive.
• The Saturday Market and the Tuesday Farmers Market are underway.
• ArtCraft opens in Mahon Hall, Ganges Galleries are showcasing their artists. Monthly wine dinners at Hastings House are happily in place. Don’t miss!
• The longest day of the year is June 20-21. This year, B.C. chose to remain on Daylight Saving Time.
• Weddings take place, summer holidays start for many, kayaking, sailing, ferry visits between the islands, spa retreats to rejuvenate, studio tours and farmgate stands, specialty shops with one of a kind offerings. An abundance of June spills out to welcome us.

The Real Estate Market?

It has remained relatively stable in number of listings, for some substantial time. Although some owners with 2020 low interest mortgages may have had to sell when remortgaging at higher rates, the Gulf Islands have not been a first time buyer area.

The Islands Trust, in place since 1973, is the form of governance. Its mandate of “preserve and protect” basically capped growth via strict zonings and bylaws. More information? Contact me for details.

The Title Question

What of the months of recent publicity about title? Is it indigenous (based on DRIPA outcomes) or fee simple (private property ownership)? A recent Supreme Court of Canada case in New Brunswick found that private property / fee simple title superseded Indigenous.

There are many appeals underway for B.C.’s court ruling in the Cowichan vs Canada lawsuit (August, 2025), which had found in favour of indigenous title. There is an understanding that the recent New Brunswick case may settle the anxiety on this title question.

Uncertainty of ownership is not good for markets. Real estate remains active, and it may be a preservation of capital decision. The Canadian currency is perhaps perceived as not stable. Owning property in unique areas, with generally low inventory, could be seen as wise hard asset investment. It’s interesting that CMHC is noting that lack of housing remains in place.

A Thought on AI

The true opportunity in AI may not yet be fully understood or realized. Important to consider that one can make a film that is entirely AI, and the viewer would not know it wasn’t filmed per usual. What does that really mean? Should we all be studying philosophy to be able to cope with life altering shifts? IF this is our Gutenberg moment, maybe check in with the 14th Century and remind ourselves what it led to?

In the pleasing summer ease that is ushered in with June, maybe it’s a good idea to consider imaginative outcomes for ongoing change. Anyone, anywhere, can suggest what AI is really going to deliver. While swimming in the ocean, think about ideas. What about this? What about that? Why not? Invent away.