Hello All, 

Peter Prince has lost 80% of his income over the past five months. This loss occurred because his music was unjustly suppressed by the “No Amplified Music” (NAM) policy, imposed by the Salt Spring Island Saturday Market Society (SSISMS). Most of his sales happen at the Saturday Market, but without amplification, his finger-picking guitar and voice go unheard amidst the noisy market. 

Since 1987, Peter has enriched the Saturday Market experience with his musical resonance. His body of work has stood the test of time, touched people’s hearts and fostered social and economic connections. Those who have listened to him play for many years recognize the injustice of the NAM policy, which has led to widespread support for his appeal for an exemption. From the shores of the Salish Sea and beyond, hundreds of people continue to encourage him to stand up for his rights as an artist and citizen.

The evidence is disheartening and undeniable: since the start of 2025 season SSISMS has been gaslighting Peter with exaggerated and fabricated market vendor complaints about his amplified music at the market. This issue has caused dissension among vendors, community mistrust and disaffection for those in authority. 

SSISMS claims that Peter’s music volume affects market vendors near his booth, but these claims have been thoroughly disproven.

In fact, a survey conducted on June 7th of nearby market vendors, which gathered legally verified signatures, revealed that 20 neighbouring vendors endorse Peter’s appeal and enjoy his music amplified. They clearly have no complaints about the volume and respect his grandfather status. They genuinely want to see his business thrive, just as he does theirs.

In response to Peter’s confirmed vendor support, the Market Coordinator, Michael Bean, solicited anonymous vendor complaints. He received only two negative comments, quite possibly from the same vendor.

Nearby vendors recognize that the complainant’s opinions lack credibility and contradict the prevailing view that Peter’s sound is modestly amplified. They suspect that the complainant prioritized their own selfish interests and musical preferences, disregarding the impact or cost to others. Peter’s fellow vendors are also aware that he has always taken responsible steps to communicate with them, ensuring that his volume respects their wishes.

It’s clear that SSISMS, the Coordinator and two vendors have musical preferences that don’t align with the majority. It’s also noteworthy that the vendor complainants and the Market Board’s Chair, Alvaro Sanchez, are musicians. This raises concerns about conflicts of interest and their apparent lack of moral support for a fellow musician.

While all SSISMS’s claims against Peter’s music have been proven false, reaching an agreement with the market operators has been a frustrating experience. 

At a June 23 meeting with SSISMS, Peter and his supporters proposed clear and reliable terms based on mutual respect. SSISMS agreed in principle to the fair and straightforward solution: 

1) Peter will perform modestly amplified each hour, tracks from his eight albums or live music for 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of silence.  2) If a market vendor has an issue with the volume of Peter’s music, and they find it exceeds 70 decibels at their table, they can advise him and he’ll adjust his audio level accordingly.

In British Columbia, the legal audio decibel levels for amplified music in public spaces like markets or parks are typically limited to a maximum of 70 decibels. This limit is measured from the place occupied by the person making the complaint, not the source of the sound. According to Health Canada, being around sounds at 70 dB is generally considered safe. It’s recommended to avoid sounds above 85 dB, especially if you are close to the source.

Unfortunately, SSISMS failed to give proper consideration to this proposal.

In the July 23 Driftwood publication, Alvaro Sanchez, the Market Board’s Chair, continued to promote the NAM policy and made disrespectful remarks about Peter and his music. This further confirmed the public’s perception of SSISMS’s discriminatory attitude, heightening community opposition to NAM. Community pressure ultimately prompted the organization to reconsider its position.

On July 31, SSISMS sent Peter a proposal that incorporated ideas from the June 23 solution. However, SSISMS introduced several unfriendly and restrictive conditions. Peter has always performed live and amplified at his market booth, but the SSISMS’s proposal banned live performances and compelled him to agree to enforced audio surveillance and other terms that infringed on his rights and freedoms.

Some of you may have recently received an email from SSISMS’s Chair, Alvaro Sanchez, claiming that the Market Board expected Peter’s “endorsement” of their July 31 “Agreement.” In fact, this proposal was declined and returned to the Chair and ViceChair on August 8, exposing its failures of dignity and liberty. Sending Peter’s supporters misinformation and other indiscretions undermine community confidence in SSISMS’s decision-making.

The community and vendors believe that micro-management and a signed contract are unnecessary, and that SSISMS overreaches its authority. The community consensus upholds Peter’s right to a complete exemption from the NAM policy and grandfather status for the amplification of his live and recorded music.

Canadians have the right to be free from discrimination and to claim compensation for financial losses and injury to dignity under human rights legislation. They also have the right to a fair and transparent process for resolving minor workplace misunderstandings, which SSISMS and their Market Coordinator have admitted to neglecting. Furthermore, SSISMS admitted that the NAM policy was intentionally designed to target Peter and muzzle his music.

More letters to the SSISMS in support of Peter’s amplified music could help resolve this matter. If more of us write, we can’t be ignored. You can write all members of the Board and Coordinator directly by copying and pasting these emails.

chair@saltspringmarket.com

vicechair@saltspringmarket.com

manager@saltspringmarket.com

treasurer@saltspringmarket.com

farmer@saltspringmarket.com

secretary@saltspringmarket.com

accounts@saltspringmarket.com

boardmember1@saltspringmarket.com

coordinator@saltspringmarket.com

rob@saltspringmarket.com

We now have 620 signatures for our appeal. More signatures would help turn the tide in Peter’s favour. Please share this petition with ten other people on social media.

If any of you have suggestions or legal expertise and wish to offer support, please contact: saltspringmusic@gmail.com

Enjoy the gift of Peter’s eight albums of music, now streaming at: https://peterprince.ca/

Thanks again for supporting this cause.

Kind regards,

Salt Spring Music on behalf of Peter Prince