Welcome to Cowichan This Week, your source for the latest local news and events. Sign up to get this in your inbox every Thursday.
If you missed it last week, The Discourse still would love to hear what issues you think should top the B.C. election agenda. Fill out this quick poll to help guide the conversation. We’re covering ridings from the West Shore to Nanaimo, so please help spread the word!
So far, the Cowichan Valley riding is a race between B.C. Green Party incumbent Sonia Furstenau, Rob Douglas with the NDP and Tanya Kaul with the Liberals.
In Nanaimo-North Cowichan, Duck Paterson with the B.C. Liberals and Chris Istace with the Greens will take on NDP incumbent Doug Routley.
Not sure what riding you’re in? Check out Election BC’s map.
It’s not too late to request a vote-by-mail package. Advance polls will open Oct. 15-21, and election day is Oct. 24. Visit Elections BC for more information on how to vote.
News and announcements
- Yesterday was Orange Shirt Day, a day to remember the horrors of residential schools and honour the children taken from their families. Many of the online events marking the day can be viewed retroactively. Also check out this story featuring Cowichan Elder Linda Jack and her fight to reclaim her education and life after the trauma of Indian Day School. Catherine Lafferty reports for IndigiNews.
- Five candidates will vye for the mayor’s seat in a Town of Lake Cowichan by-election on Oct. 24. Bob Day, Ross Forrest, Mike Hallatt, Corrie Helliwell and Jayne Ingram are on the ballot.
- Could communities emerge from this pandemic stronger than before? These disaster experts say yes, if we take the time to learn and plan for the future. Shalu Mehta reports for The Discourse.
- The Cowichan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, in Duncan, is now offering limited walkthrough service. Here’s a link for hours and more details. The South Cowichan branch, in Mill Bay, is also open for limited browsing. Other regional branches are open for takeout service.
- The Cowichan Valley will benefit from a new community mental health team, offering outreach and support to people with severe mental health challenges. Among the team’s main focus is helping people find and maintain housing, Bayleigh Marelj reports for IndigiNews.
- Cowichan Valley farm stands are seeing an uptick in brazen thefts, Global News reports.
- Saanich Police recovered a portable sawmill stolen this week from Wildwood Ecoforest, near Ladysmith. Social media posts about the theft led to the tip that brought police to the sawmill. A Ladysmith man faces multiple charges related to the incident.
- The Cowichan Aquatic Centre will reopen to limited capacity on Oct. 13, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports.
- The Municipality of North Cowichan is advising residents to expect delays on Chemainus Road and River Road through Nov. 13 as work continues on the Chemainus corridor upgrade project.
- The community stepped up in a big way to replace stolen drums from Chemainus United Church, the Chemainus Valley Courier reports. Now, the original drum set has also been recovered.
Community events
- Saturday, Oct. 3: 😂 Get your yuks at the Duncan Showroom’s Island comedy night, featuring Matt Billon and special guests.
- Thursday, Oct. 8: 🍞 Vancouver Island University is hosting Food Security in the Age of Covid-19, an online event, as part of its Engaged Citizens Speaker Series.
- October: 🎃 McNab’s Corn Maze, near Ladysmith, will welcome guests every day through Halloween, with COVID-19 protocols in place.
- October: 🌱 The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society and partners Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Valley Naturalists present the 11th annual WildWings Festival. Due to the pandemic, this year’s festival is limited to three outdoor events, one small workshop and two art shows. Registration is required for some of the events.
What did I miss? Let me know what events are coming up near you by sending me an email.
Photo of the week
A big thanks to Rob Wilson Photography for sharing this photo of a cool day fishing in the Cowichan Valley. Too bad you stuck out on fish, but glad you caught some memories!
Do you have a photo that showcases life in Cowichan? Send me an email, I’d love to see what this place looks like through your lens.
In your words
“Thank you for the well written article giving many sides to the issue,” Deanna wrote in a comment on our coverage of protests over a proposed wellness centre in Duncan. “Hopefully all involved can work together to make this a success.”
Thanks, Deanna. We continue to follow this issue and seek answers to the questions we’ve heard from this community. We know this will be a key issue in the provincial election, and want to get out the best information possible.
Thanks for reading,
Jacqueline [end]
