Hi there,

This weekend, dozens of community members gathered around the main bus stop on Canada Avenue to support Cowichan Valley transit workers as the strike continues into a second month. I stopped by Saturday morning and saw workers from Unifor Local 114 and Local 333-BC and Life Labs workers from the BC General Employees Union — who are also on strike — showing their solidarity. There were also some supporters from the Worker Solidarity Network and the Victoria Transit Riders Union who hitched a ride on the Community Action Bus from Victoria to join in on the rally!

We’re still keeping an eye on this strike. At the International Women’s Day event we co-hosted last weekend, panelists and attendees shared concern over the lack of public transit right now and the limited options — especially later in the evening — even when there wasn’t a strike.

On another note, I built a quick survey for you to submit any questions you may have for candidates in the upcoming North Cowichan council by-election. Find a link to that here, or if you'd like to submit the questions to me directly, you can do so at eric@thediscourse.ca.

Local news and updates.

• The search continues for Clyde Johnny Sr. a Cowichan Elder who went missing on Feb. 25, Chek News reports. An emergency response team and search and rescue from Cowichan Tribes have scoured the banks and waters of the Cowichan River but have yet to find any sign of Johnny Sr. who was living in a tent there after being evicted in June of last year. Johnny Sr.’s loved ones and family are still searching and have created a Facebook page to provide updates on the search. If you have any information on Johnny’s whereabouts, please contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP.

• North Cowichan's director of social planning and protective services says he's "optimistic" that social issues in the highway corridor can be dealt with in "a couple of years." John Horn gave a progress update on the Safer Communities Plan to Duncan city council, where he said the scale of issues in Cowichan is small compared to larger centres like Vancouver and Victoria. He says a united community that asks for "one thing from the government with one voice" is often more successful in getting help from the province. The Cowichan Valley Citizen has the story.

• The CVRD is looking into options to build a new facility for the Cowichan Search and Rescue Society at the Bings Creek recycling centre. CSAR told the regional district they have outgrown their current facilities and need more room to run operations and training. The work is part of an existing plan to expand the Bings Creek Recycling & Waste Management Centre to house more CVRD staff in one location. CSAR said in a Facebook post they are planning to launch a fundraising campaign to pay for the new facilities in the coming weeks.

• The province announced that 130 spaces for women and children fleeing violence have opened on Vancouver Island, and 33 of those units are located in Duncan. Kw’i Lelum (Rise House) operated by Cowichan Women Against Violence Society offers secure and community supported housing and resources for women on their path to independence. The funding comes from the Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund.

• A well-used fire engine will find a new home fighting fires with Penelakut First Nation. North Cowichan announced it will donate a 23-year-old engine from the Crofton Fire Department to the First Nation rather than selling it. Penelakut Chief Pamela Jack says the engine will go a long way in building the fire fighting capacity of the nation. Chek News has the story.

Find The Discourse on Bluesky!

🦋 The Discourse has joined the conversation on Bluesky. Keep an eye out for more posts about our reporters' extraordinary work at @thediscourse.ca. You can also follow our journalists and sister publications in the Discourse Community Publishing network by clicking “follow all” in our starter pack.

Photo of the week.

The Community Action Bus shuttled supporters from Victoria to Duncan to take part in a rally to support striking transit workers on Saturday. The rally was filled with speeches and musical performances. Photo by Eric Richards/The Discourse.

Community events.

• Tuesday, March 18: 🍃 Join the Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society for a special reading by author Sheila Harrington from her book, Voices for the Islands. For a link to the Zoom event email cvns@naturecowichan.net.

• Tuesday, March 18: 🗳️ Get to know who’s running in the 2025 North Cowichan by-election at an all-candidates meeting at Maple Bay Fire Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. There are also meetings on March 27 at 7 p.m. at Chemainus Seniors Centre and March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Duncan Curling Club.

• 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.

• Friday, March 21: 🗺️ Honour diversity, build connections and celebrate unity through dance and food at St. John’s Anglican Church. The Friendship Dance and Potluck is hosted by Cowichan Intercultural Society as part of the  International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

• Friday, March 21: 🎀 Dress up as your favorite Barbie or Ken for a night of skating at Fuller Lake Arena! Bring your best outfit, grab a glow stick and add some extra sparkle with glitter stickers before you hit the ice! Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

• Saturday, March 22: 📍 Want to learn more about the weir at Cowichan Lake? Participate in a guided tour by the Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society to learn how this vital piece of infrastructure helps control water levels in the river.

• Sunday, March 23: 🥕 Head out to Earth Craft Farm in Ladysmith to learn about organic, low-till techniques for developing in-ground garden beds for food production. Head to the Eventbrite page to learn more!

• Sunday, March 23: 🌿 Duncan Seedy Sunday returns and will feature 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.

• Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30: 📽️ Check out a selection of thought provoking and groundbreaking films at the 2025 Cowichan Valley Documentary Film Festival. The three-day event featuring documentaries that explore social and environmental topics kicks off with the screening of An Unfinished Journey. Tickets start at $8 for a single film.

• Saturday, March 29: 🎸 Rock band Zenith will make a stop at The Duncan Showroom, bringing their electrifying energy to the Cowichan Valley. Tickets start at $15.

• Saturday, March 29: 🧑‍🎨 Looking for some unique gifts? Head over to the Kaatza Station Museum Art & Craft Sale in the Bell Tower School at Lake Cowichan to meet local makers and artisans. Doors open at 10 a.m.