Shalu Mehta, Author at The Discourse.

A shelf stocked with canned goods with a sign that says "Dry Goods" on it

Food bank usage doubles while funds for food programs grow scarce

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● January 25, 2024

More people in the Cowichan Valley are struggling to feed themselves and their families. These organizations are doing their best to meet the need.

Modular single-suite housing units are arranged in a square formation, all facing inward. In the centre are picnic benches and a group of people standing near one of the units.

The Village housing site in Duncan funded until 2027

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● January 11, 2024

Future plans for The Village include more permanent structures and expanded capacity.

A drone photo taken above treetops with mountains in the background. Taken of the Koksilah Watershed, one of two watersheds studied in the Twinned Watersheds Project.

Survey: What stories should The Discourse cover in 2024?

By Shalu Mehta ● Comox Valley ● January 4, 2024

Your feedback will help The Discourse’s coverage for the year.

Sara Kishawi holds an attachment, connected to a megaphone that she waves in the air with another hand, as she speaks into it and walks. Behind her are other community members, marching with signs. One of the signs says "End the Israel occupation of Palestine." Sara wears a Keffiyeh scarf on her head.

Cowichan rally demands a ceasefire in Gaza

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 23, 2023

Several elected officials in the region have signed a letter demanding that the federal government support a growing international push to end the bombardment in Gaza.

A map of B.C. showing pins in the 19 communities where the living wage was calculated with the living wages listed. They are as follows:

Cowichan living wage increases again, alongside other Island communities

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 16, 2023

Organizations are calling for employers to pay staff a living wage to support their health and wellbeing.

Paper Excellence Canada move water out of Cowichan Lake and into the Cowichan River

‘The water will just be gone’: Urgent calls to support Cowichan Lake weir

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 10, 2023

If weir construction doesn’t start soon, the Cowichan River could go dry in the summer, local experts say.

A photo of the gallery space where the Period Poverty Cowichan exhibit is. A sign on an easel at the entrance of the exhibit reads "Period Poverty Cowichan" and behind it is the exhibit, with images hung on clothesline draped along the walls. One person in the background crouches to write something on a comment sheet and two others are seen to the left in the background.

Period poverty has wide impacts in Cowichan, research says

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 7, 2023

Cowichan Women’s Health Collective spent six months learning from community members about period poverty.

A photo of Monica Patsy Jones, taken from torso-up. She is wearing sunglasses and a zip-up sweater and is standing outdoors in Duncan.

Cowichan society keeps searching, advocating for missing and murdered people

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● November 3, 2023

The Cowichan Missing and Murdered Women, Men and Children Society is planning a gala and conference — and needs more sponsors and support.

A person holds a handmade sign above their head that has been painted the colours of the trans flag. A heart is drawn on top in black.

Island community centres face backlash for booking controversial events

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 26, 2023

Cowichan Community Centre cancelled the event, citing the BC Human Rights Code.

Totem pole at the HUB stands as a symbol of community

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● October 19, 2023

Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist Rupert Scow and the totem pole have been on a journey before arriving on Quw’utsun lands.

Shalu Mehta

Food bank usage doubles while funds for food programs grow scarce

The Village housing site in Duncan funded until 2027

Survey: What stories should The Discourse cover in 2024?

Cowichan rally demands a ceasefire in Gaza

Cowichan living wage increases again, alongside other Island communities

‘The water will just be gone’: Urgent calls to support Cowichan Lake weir

Period poverty has wide impacts in Cowichan, research says

Cowichan society keeps searching, advocating for missing and murdered people

Island community centres face backlash for booking controversial events

Totem pole at the HUB stands as a symbol of community

Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years

Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter

Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn

‘Like a bomb dropping’: Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability

Drop in 2024 Nanaimo overdose deaths still ‘a fraction’ of overall trend upwards

Sudden changes to safer supply program a ‘huge mistake,’ says Nanaimo patient

Shalu Mehta

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