The North Island Employment Foundation Society's, or "NIEFS" out of Campbell River has recently begun is Virtual Webinar Series, Money Matters, for Cortes Island. Last week it delivered the webinar "Managing on an Irregular or unsteady Income," covering tips for those living on seasonal or contract incomes, whose incomes vary from month to month, or season to season.

NIEFS Outreach Coordinator Jenny Evans says they do try to design these webinars to meet the needs of those in remote areas like Cortes where employment is often seasonal, irregular, and casual.

Cortes Island residents face extra challenges with employment compared to neighbours in the district. According the Strathcona Regional District's "Social Determinants of Health" factsheet produced in 2016, Cortes Island’s median household after-tax income is around $34,000 annually – nearly $30,000 less than the provincial average. This annual income is also lower than neighbouring Quadra Island, and less the Strathcona Regional District average of $55,000.

Most income on Cortes Island is generated by employment at around 54%, and most of the workforce is seasonal and/or part time employed.

The next webinars in the Money Matters series includes

March 30 - The Truth about Credit and how to improve your credit score
April 27 - Budgeting 101 - Making Cents of your Money -
To be confirmed - May 25 - Planning finances for Post secondary

Listen to Jenny Evans talk about the Webinar series “Money Matters”: