Hi there,

The nomination period is officially over for candidates in the upcoming North Cowichan by-election and we’re planning some election coverage here at The Discourse. We have a few things that we’re working on behind the scenes but I can’t wait to share more with you in the coming days and weeks!

In the meantime, if you have any questions you’d like to ask the candidates or any issues you want to get their thoughts on, let me know at eric@thediscourse.ca or reply to this email. 

Also, in case you missed it, we have the full recording of our International Women’s Day event — Building a Circle of Care for Vancouver Island — on our YouTube channel. I want to thank all of the panelists and attendees who joined us in person and online (despite some technical issues) for taking part and helping us make space for this critical dialogue.

Local news and updates.

• Lake Cowichan council plans to meet with B.C. Minister of Health Josie Osborne to discuss the looming doctor shortage brought about by departure of the town’s two doctors, The Cowichan Valley Citizen reports. Mayor Tim McGonigle said council is doing everything in their power to entice more family doctors to the area, pointing to the lack of housing and childcare in Lake Cowichan as contributing factors to the shortage. 

• North Cowichan mayor Rob Douglas offered condolences to the friends and family of former mayor Tom Walker following his death on March 7. “Tom left a tremendous legacy in North Cowichan. He worked tirelessly to serve the people of North Cowichan first as councillor, and then as mayor,” Douglas said. Walker played a big part in changing how North Cowichan managed its forests and helped form the Forest Advisory Committee, which still runs today.

• North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP needs more resources and officers to adequately keep the community safe, according to staff sergeant Ken Beard. He said that to properly police the highway corridor, the detachment would need up to 20 more officers. Beard was responding to questions from Duncan City Council regarding efforts to tackle drug trafficking. The Cowichan Valley Citizen has the story. 

• North Cowichan council will not apply for a grant to help fund bike lanes on Sherman Road from Somenos Road to Canada Avenue, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports. The vote to seek funding from the Active Transportation Fund to cover 60 per cent of the $2-million project ended in a tie, which automatically defeats the motion. Councillors against the motion cited concerns regarding congestion and lack of parking in the area. Mayor Rob Douglas said that one reason people don’t bike along Sherman Road is the lack of infrastructure to protect them.

• Land development applications are through the roof in North Cowichan, with more than 370 applications — for 10,100 new units — being tracked by municipal staff as of the end of January 2025. A report to council put that number into perspective, saying that adding just 4,200 units would account for 20 years of projected growth based on historic rates. Anything beyond that would exceed the current capacity of water and sewer systems in the municipality. The report says the municipality could address this backlog by upgrading infrastructure and increasing development fees to pay for it.

Find The Discourse on Bluesky!

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Photo of the week.

Beverly Suderman (left) of Cowichan Women’s Health Collective and Laura Interlandi from Lelum ‘u tu S’tsa’-elh teyt-en (the House of Honourable Mothers) joined us over the weekend for our International Women’s Day event: Building a Circle of Care for Vancouver Island. Visit our YouTube channel to watch video of the full event. Photo By Mick Sweetman/The Discourse.

Community events.

• Wednesday, March 12: 🚜 Come down to the Cowichan Branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library for a special free performance of She Won’t Come in From the Fields, a one woman show tackling the topics of regenerative food growing and climate solutions, written by Dale Colleen Hamilton. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Friday, March 14th: 🎺 Fans of big band music, look no further! Ladysmith Musical Arts presents the Arrowsmith Big Band performing a night of music by Greg Bush at the Ladysmith Little Theatre. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at the Ladysmith Musical Arts website.

• Friday, March 14: 🍕 Head over to the Fuller Lake Arena for a night of fun as North Cowichan hosts a teen only free movie and skate night! Enjoy some pizza while watching School of Rock before hitting the ice.

• Saturday, March 15: 🖌️ Cowichan Valley Arts Council hosts the Just Paint Experience, a dialogue with local artists and their creative process. Artist Sara Robichaud will lead this free collaborative workshop and offer participants a chance to explore new ideas!

• Saturday, March 15: 🖼️ If you have some new or gently used building materials, appliances and home décor, why not donate them to a good cause? Habitat for Humanity and the CVRD will host a pop-up donation event at Bings Creek Recycling Centre from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a full list of accepted items visit Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island.

• Saturday, March 15: ✂️ Find a special gift crafted by local artisans at the Ladysmith Makers Market at the Eagles Hall in Ladysmith. Support local makers selling handcrafted goods, crafts and artwork from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Monday, March 17: 🚣‍♂️ Vancouver Island University and Cowichan Watershed Board hosts Sta'lo' Stories with Jedson Tsusqun August. Jedson is a traditional canoe builder and Quw'utsun Knowledge Keeper who will share stories of the watershed through his eyes.

• Friday, March 21: 🥕 Learn everything you need to know about building your own no-dig vegetable garden at The Hub at Cowichan Station. Beginners or experts are welcome to join this free talk to learn about the benefits and challenges of no-dig gardening.

• Friday, March 21: 🎨 Kids can let their creativity shine and learn to paint their very own butterfly at this spring break art class. Choose your own colours and bring your painting to life on a 9x12 canvas. Registration is $30 and includes all supplies. 

• Saturday, March 22: 📍 Ever wanted learn more about the weir at Cowichan Lake? Now’s your chance to participate in a guided tour provided by the Cowichan Watershed Board and Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society to learn how this vital piece of infrastructure helps control water levels in the river. 

• Sunday, March 23: 🌿 Duncan Seedy Sunday returns featuring local seed farmers, music, kid’s activities, a community seed swap, workshops and food trucks! Admission is by a $2 donation and festivities kick off at 10 a.m. at the Siem Lelum Gym.