Shalu Mehta, Author at The Discourse.

A forested trail brings locals to a well-loved area of the Nanaimo River known as Red Gate. A surrounding area was recently logged.

Survey: What stories should The Discourse cover in 2026?

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● January 6, 2026

Your feedback will drive our reporting for the year — tell us what matters to you!

Plastic cones protect saplings planted in dense forest in North Cowichan Municipal Forest Reserve

What does adapting to climate change look like for North Cowichan?

By Eric Richards & Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 15, 2024

North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas says there is ‘a significant cost’ to inaction on climate change.

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about health care?

By Lauren Kaljur & Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 18, 2024

Cowichan candidates answer reader questions about health care in the lead-up to B.C. election.

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about homelessness and social supports?

By Lauren Kaljur & Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 17, 2024

Cowichan candidates answer reader questions about homelessness and social supports in the lead-up to B.C. election.

A photo of the Xwulqw'selu Sta'lo' (Koksilah River) taken by drone, slightly above the river. The river is flanked on both sides by lush forest and a small beach is pictured in the bottom left of the photo.

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about the environment?

By Shalu Mehta & Lauren Kaljur ● Cowichan Valley ● October 17, 2024

Cowichan candidates answer reader questions about the environment in the lead-up to B.C. election.

The Cowichan Wellness and Recovery Centre building is pictured.

Involuntary addictions treatment: Here’s what experts want you to know before you vote

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 16, 2024

Discourse Community Publishing reached out to mental health care experts to better understand how involuntary addictions treatment currently works.

Q&A: Cowichan Valley election candidates answer your questions on housing

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 10, 2024

B.C. election 2024 candidates in the three Cowichan Valley ridings address housing issues.

The view of the Cowichan Valley from Swuq’us/Mount Prevost.

What B.C. election issues are top of mind in the Cowichan Valley?

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 4, 2024

The B.C. election is on Oct. 19. Here’s what the Cowichan Valley wants to ask local candidates.

Della Rice Sylvester calls people together at Quw'utsun Sta'lo' Skweyul (Cowichan River Day). She is wearing a cedar hat and has arms in the air as a crowd gathers behind, on the riverbank.

Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ Skweyul honours the river and inspires stewardship

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 4, 2024

Community members gathered along the bank of the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River) to celebrate it and learn how to care for it.

A map of the Cowichan Valley Electoral Area District for the 2024 provincial election.

Cowichan Valley’s guide to the B.C. election

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● September 19, 2024

What electoral district am I in? Who are the candidates? When is it again? All the election basics, covered.

Shalu Mehta

Survey: What stories should The Discourse cover in 2026?

What does adapting to climate change look like for North Cowichan?

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about health care?

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about homelessness and social supports?

What are Cowichan Valley candidates saying about the environment?

Involuntary addictions treatment: Here’s what experts want you to know before you vote

Q&A: Cowichan Valley election candidates answer your questions on housing

What B.C. election issues are top of mind in the Cowichan Valley?

Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ Skweyul honours the river and inspires stewardship

Cowichan Valley’s guide to the B.C. election

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society name change to Ballenas ‘in discussion’ for years,’ says CEO

10 ways to better support tenants with vulnerabilities due to income, age or disabilities

‘I want it to stop’: Tenants and advocates allege bullying by non-profit housing provider

Q and A: What are vulnerable tenants rights in non-profit housing?

Who will protect low-income seniors from dying in extreme heat?

Seniors left in distress — or dead — for days in Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society units

Shalu Mehta

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