Victoria Unveils Ambitious Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan: Halisat

As spring 2025 unfolds, homeowners across the Cowichan Valley are embracing the season with a variety of projects that enhance their properties and lifestyles. From sustainable upgrades to community engagement, here are five trending initiatives that local residents are undertaking this season. 1. Sustainable Landscaping and Native Plant Gardening With a growing emphasis on environmental stewardship, many…

5 Spring Projects Cowichan Valley Homeowners Are Tackling Right Now

As spring 2025 unfolds, homeowners across the Cowichan Valley are embracing the season with a variety of projects that enhance their properties and lifestyles. From sustainable upgrades to community engagement, here are five trending initiatives that local residents are undertaking this season. 1. Sustainable Landscaping and Native Plant Gardening With a growing emphasis on environmental stewardship, many…

VIU Hosts Island Construction Competition Amid Skilled Labor Shortage

Nanaimo, BC – Vancouver Island University (VIU) is gearing up to host an island-wide construction and trades skills competition that will bring together students from across Vancouver Island. The upcoming event, part of the Skills Canada BC regional competitions, will see hundreds of high school students converging on VIU’s Nanaimo campus on March 6 to showcase their talents in various…

Victoria Unveils Ambitious Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan: Halisat

Victoria, BC – June 16, 2025 – The City of Victoria has launched Halisat, a comprehensive Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan aimed at addressing pressing challenges like housing shortages, mental health crises, and social disorder while fostering a safer, more inclusive community. Named after the Lekwungen word meaning “bringing to life; awakening,” the plan reflects…

Spring 2025 Real Estate and Housing Update: Cowichan Valley at a Crossroads

As spring 2025 unfolds across Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley finds itself navigating a pivotal moment in housing and community planning. With property values stabilizing, development proposals inching forward, and calls for systemic reform in housing policy growing louder, the region is in the midst of defining its next chapter. Resilient Market, Cautious Optimism Despite…

Understanding the Modernized Official Community Plan for Cowichan Valley

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is shaping the future of its nine electoral areas through the Modernized Official Community Plan (MOCP), a forward-thinking framework designed to guide land use and development for the next 20 years. Crafted with input from local residents, this plan tackles pressing issues like climate change, housing, infrastructure, and economic…

What’s New in Cowichan This Week

The Cowichan Valley is buzzing with updates this week, from innovative waste management initiatives to significant economic development projects and community-focused plans. Here’s a roundup of the latest happenings in our region. North Cowichan Gears Up for Automated Curbside Collection Starting June 2, 2025, North Cowichan residents will see a modernized approach to waste management…

Mill Bay & Cobble Hill: A Growing Community – A Look at New Developments

Mill Bay and Cobble Hill, two scenic communities in the Cowichan Valley, are undergoing rapid growth with a variety of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. From large-scale housing projects to new business and community spaces, these changes are set to redefine the region. Stonebridge Development: A New Mixed-Use Hub The Stonebridge Development will introduce a…

Duncan Advocates for Repurposing Old Hospital as New Facility Amid Construction of Modern Replacement

Duncan Advocates for Repurposing Old Hospital as New Facility Amid Construction of Modern Replacement The City of Duncan is calling for the current Cowichan District Hospital (CDH) to be repurposed as a mental health or rehabilitation facility instead of being demolished once the new hospital is completed in 2027. Councillor Tom Duncan emphasized that demolishing…

CVRD Meeting Highlights: Agricultural Zoning, Housing Developments, and Water System Upgrades

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) recently held a meeting addressing pressing community issues, including agricultural zoning concerns, housing developments, and water infrastructure projects. The session saw strong participation from residents and key stakeholders. Farmers Voice Concerns Over Zoning Bylaws One of the most heated discussions revolved around agricultural zoning regulations and their impact on…