Hi there,

At last week's special council meeting I heard a presentation about the current state of the Chemainus Watershed from Halalt First Nation Chief James Thomas. One issue that was brought up repeatedly was how frequently the watershed floods, which is a knock-on effect linked to logging up in the mountains where water comes from and drains into the river. 

It reminded me of a film I recently watched, Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again. It documents the Stellat'en and Saik'uz Nations’ fight to restore the flow of the Nechako River after it was dammed in the 1950s and the water was diverted to an aluminum smelter, the effects of which have been devastating to the nations and local ecosystems. While the situation in the Nechako headwaters is not necessarily a result of logging, it’s an example of how resource extraction operations were carried out without the consent or consideration of First Nations. I’d recommend giving the documentary a watch, you can find it streaming for free on the National Film Board of Canada website.

And if you are interested in learning more about how forestry practices impact watersheds closer to home, check out a workshop listed in the events section below by the Shawnigan Basin Society and the Koksilah Watershed Group.

Also last week, I had the opportunity to attend a candlelight vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance which is held every year on Nov. 20 to honour those lost to anti-trans violence. My colleague Mick Sweetman also attended a similar event in Nanaimo. You can see photos and videos from both events in our latest video, which I’ve shared below in the newsletter.

Local news and updates.

• The federal government says it will invest $6.3 million in active transportation projects in B.C., including one in Duncan and North Cowichan. The funding will support construction of accessible sidewalks and a multi-use pathway along Canada Avenue to separate active transportation users from vehicles. The project will also include designated crosswalks and traffic-calming measures. North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said the project represents two key deliverables in the municipality’s Master Transportation Plan: connecting Duncan to the University Village and the Bell McKinnon growth areas. The project is one of three in B.C. to receive funding from the Active Transportation Fund.

• The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has ordered fish habitat in Tzouhalem Creek that had been partially filled in be restored. The section of creek is on Cowichan Tribes reserve lands, near Cowichan Bay. sixmountains.ca reports that DFO issued a legally binding corrective measure order for the site after inspections by fishery officials. Some of the material used to fill the creek came from the Quw'utsun Valley Hospital construction site. Read more in the story here.

• Cowichan recorded as many as 80 drug overdoses in a single night last week following the decampment of Lewis Street. CHEK News spoke with the executive director of Cowichan Valley’s Canadian Mental Health Association who said paramedics were being called “every five minutes” and that the Warmland Shelter ran out of naloxone. Read The Discourse’s in-depth reporting on the decampment and overdoses here.

• A small oil spill in Maple Bay has been fully cleaned up, according to the Canadian Coast Guard. The spill was traced back to a vessel originating in Ladysmith that arrived earlier that week. The Coast Guard said it will continue monitoring the area but did not expect the spill to spread toward the shoreline. My Cowichan Valley Now has the story.

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Check out our latest post

The Discourse was at two Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies, one in Nanaimo and the other in the Cowichan Valley. Check out this video for some clips and photos from the events.

Photo of the week.

On Nov. 20, residents in the Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo gathered to remember those whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence in 2025. In Duncan, a candlelight vigil was held for Transgender Day of Remembrance near City Hall. Photo by Eric Richards/The Discourse.

Do you have a great photo from the community? Share it with us for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. We’d love to see the Cowichan Valley through your lens. 📸

Community events.

• Nov. 21 to Dec. 7: 🎭 The Mercury Players present Burn, a sinister tale that follows three friends unraveling the mystery of their missing companions.

• Tuesday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m.: 🖼️ Wayfinder, an exhibit by Dutch Canadian artist Will Julsing, is on display at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery’s newly renovated ground floor space. 

• Thursday, Nov. 27, 4 p.m.: 🎅 Celebrate the holiday season at Ladysmith Light Up Night with live music, food trucks, a parade and a drone show.

• Friday, Nov. 28, 11 a.m.: 🌲 Help cut Scotch broom with the CVRD Parks and Trails Volunteer Program at Stoney Hill Regional Park. Quw'utsun Knowledge Keeper Tim Kulchyski will be on hand to explain the significance of the area and the importance of removing invasive species. Pre-register online.

• Friday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30): 📽️ The HUB Film Club presents The Roses, a dark comedy starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. On Sunday, catch the acclaimed documentary, Fire of Love, streaming online.

• Nov. 28 to Dec. 1: ❄️ Ride the Christmas Express at the BC Forest Discovery Centre to see a magical display of twinkling lights. 

• Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.: 🎁 Find the perfect gift at the QMS Holiday Market & Fair, featuring a silent auction and tons of local vendors.

• Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.: 🧶 Support local artisans and get your holiday gifts at the Ladysmith Makers Market.

• Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.: 🖌️ Find a special gift at the Youbou Christmas Craft Fair in the Youbou Community Hall.

• Saturday, Nov. 29, 3 p.m.: 🍃 The Shawnigan Basin Society and the Koksilah Watershed Group host a public workshop on how forestry practices impact the hydrology of watersheds. There will also be a screening of the short documentary, Trouble in the Headwaters. 

• Sunday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m.: 🎄The 2025 Christmas Parade returns to Lake Cowichan followed by an outdoor market and a chance to take a photo with Santa. This year’s theme is “Festive and Bright.”

• Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.: 🎤 Cowichan Consort Orchestra and Choir presents Radiant Light, featuring a performance by Soprano Ciara Beaudin. Tickets can be purchased at Volume One Bookstore and at the door for $20.

• Sunday, Dec. 7, 2:30 p.m.: 🎻 Chemainus Classical Concerts presents a performance by pianist Noel McRobbie and violinist Domagoj Ivanovic, featuring music by Spanish composers Manuel de Falla, Joaquín Turina and more. 

• Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.: 🎶 Watch the Cowichan Vocal Collective, Queen Margaret's School Choir and QMS String Orchestra perform at the annual Christmas Carols Concert at Fairbridge Chapel.

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