Chris Istace 🇨🇦
@stasherbc.bsky.social
North Cowichan Municipal Councillor, Small Biz Owner & Outdoor Enthusiast. Love taking photos on my runs, rides and hikes to share. Care about people & the environment. Gratefully living on Quw'utsun Territory 🌲All views are my own.
Getting the whole holiday vibes full meal deal in Victoria tonight. Beautiful as always and great to see so many pedestrians & bikes out and about. #yyj #happyholidays #victoriabc
December 28, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Getting the whole holiday vibes full meal deal in Victoria tonight. Beautiful as always and great to see so many pedestrians & bikes out and about. #yyj #happyholidays #victoriabc
Reposted by Chris Istace 🇨🇦
This is a really good Housing Crises 101. Hits (IMO) all the points that have led to our current housing crises, and is clear about where the solutions are. jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
The Housing Crisis Is Solvable
British Columbia’s housing crisis is severe, but its root causes are familiar: exclusionary zoning, under-building, and chronic neglect of nonmarket housing. Economist Alex Hemingway’s proposals show ...
jacobin.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:05 AM
This is a really good Housing Crises 101. Hits (IMO) all the points that have led to our current housing crises, and is clear about where the solutions are. jacobin.com/2025/12/cana...
Another beautiful inner harbour photo from Victoria BC
Christmas-time, Victoria Harbour
The BC Legislature building and the sailboats in the harbour all lit up for Christmas.
#eveningwalk #christmas #night #cityscape #lights #yyj #victoriabc #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #photography #eastcoastkin #scape #canada
The BC Legislature building and the sailboats in the harbour all lit up for Christmas.
#eveningwalk #christmas #night #cityscape #lights #yyj #victoriabc #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #photography #eastcoastkin #scape #canada
December 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Another beautiful inner harbour photo from Victoria BC
@nevint.bsky.social said I needed to get some @northcowichan.bsky.social #Christmas photos here on Bluesky. Well here is one from my archives📸
The Christmas Train at the Forest Discovery Center 🚂🎄
The Christmas Train at the Forest Discovery Center 🚂🎄
December 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
@nevint.bsky.social said I needed to get some @northcowichan.bsky.social #Christmas photos here on Bluesky. Well here is one from my archives📸
The Christmas Train at the Forest Discovery Center 🚂🎄
The Christmas Train at the Forest Discovery Center 🚂🎄
Victoria Bc Inner Harbour during Christmas 🎄
December 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Victoria Bc Inner Harbour during Christmas 🎄
Managed to get 2 hrs of hard riding in on the moto single track trails today between the rain and even some sunshine. ☀️Need to get back with the chainsaw as the strong winds this week created loads of blow down. 🪓Looks like trails might get snow soon scouting the 10 day forecast 🌲🥶
#getoutside
#getoutside
December 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Managed to get 2 hrs of hard riding in on the moto single track trails today between the rain and even some sunshine. ☀️Need to get back with the chainsaw as the strong winds this week created loads of blow down. 🪓Looks like trails might get snow soon scouting the 10 day forecast 🌲🥶
#getoutside
#getoutside
I've been using the app for awhile now but also sign up to local newsletters/alerts via email as well. Do your part to stay informed and prepared.
Stay informed with Alertable — your local emergency notification app. Sign up in minutes and make sure you never miss critical information.
Alertable is free, easy to use, and supports smartphone app, email, SMS, and smart speakers.
Sign up today at cowichanalert.ca
Alertable is free, easy to use, and supports smartphone app, email, SMS, and smart speakers.
Sign up today at cowichanalert.ca
December 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I've been using the app for awhile now but also sign up to local newsletters/alerts via email as well. Do your part to stay informed and prepared.
@northcowichan.bsky.social has awesome value added local companies like Canadian Bavarian, BioFlame and RAS Ltd to just name a few. Grateful that these companies got manufacturing grants in years prior to support their expansions.
The Manufacturing Jobs fund has been giving a boost to forestry companies across BC. From mills to value-added manufacturers.
This is one the tools that we use to help transform the sector. And there is still more progress to come from it.
Stay tuned today.
#ForestryBC #bcpoli
This is one the tools that we use to help transform the sector. And there is still more progress to come from it.
Stay tuned today.
#ForestryBC #bcpoli
December 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
@northcowichan.bsky.social has awesome value added local companies like Canadian Bavarian, BioFlame and RAS Ltd to just name a few. Grateful that these companies got manufacturing grants in years prior to support their expansions.
We are doing everything we can at @northcowichan.bsky.social and are spending more than $10,000/day to do what we can for those most at risk in our small community. We are failing though because we need the province and federal government to invest in shelters, transition & long term housing.
If people are homeless, you house them.
If they're hungry, you feed them.
If they're struggling with addiction, you help them.
It doesn't matter who you are.
Everyone deserves access to food, water and healthcare services ....
EVERYONE.
If they're hungry, you feed them.
If they're struggling with addiction, you help them.
It doesn't matter who you are.
Everyone deserves access to food, water and healthcare services ....
EVERYONE.
December 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM
We are doing everything we can at @northcowichan.bsky.social and are spending more than $10,000/day to do what we can for those most at risk in our small community. We are failing though because we need the province and federal government to invest in shelters, transition & long term housing.
@northcowichan.bsky.social council's support of Mayor Douglas writing the following letter to Premier @davidebybc.bsky.social and Forest Minister @rparmarbc.bsky.social regarding the closure of the Crofton pulp mill which impacts 500 workers here in NorthCowichan & $5mill in taxes #bcpoli #localgovt
December 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
@northcowichan.bsky.social council's support of Mayor Douglas writing the following letter to Premier @davidebybc.bsky.social and Forest Minister @rparmarbc.bsky.social regarding the closure of the Crofton pulp mill which impacts 500 workers here in NorthCowichan & $5mill in taxes #bcpoli #localgovt
Heck, I have made mistakes as a municipal councillor. I admitted it during a council meeting, pivoted and moved on. Be open to listening & learning with a willingness to admit when you are wrong, with an equal willingness to change course. Good advice for all of us, in all aspects of our lives.
Still not sure who did this, but it’s really good advice for cities.
December 18, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Heck, I have made mistakes as a municipal councillor. I admitted it during a council meeting, pivoted and moved on. Be open to listening & learning with a willingness to admit when you are wrong, with an equal willingness to change course. Good advice for all of us, in all aspects of our lives.
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
We navigated through a big agenda last night at @northcowichan.bsky.social and as usual the tricky part of leading in such a geographically large region was the focal point. In our rural areas balancing density and residential with agri/eco-tourism proposals and also families adding 2nd dwellings.
December 18, 2025 at 4:44 PM
We navigated through a big agenda last night at @northcowichan.bsky.social and as usual the tricky part of leading in such a geographically large region was the focal point. In our rural areas balancing density and residential with agri/eco-tourism proposals and also families adding 2nd dwellings.
This is why I moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver Island. Now I send the usual teasing photos out hiking or mountain biking back to my brothers during winter 😀
December 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is why I moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver Island. Now I send the usual teasing photos out hiking or mountain biking back to my brothers during winter 😀
What a difference a day makes. Blue skies and sunshine today in Chemainus.
December 17, 2025 at 7:14 PM
What a difference a day makes. Blue skies and sunshine today in Chemainus.
Our @northcowichan.bsky.social summary from the last council meeting when I chaired the meeting as Deputy Mayor. Mayor Douglas was away in Victoria for an emergency meeting with Premier @davidebybc.bsky.social & minister @rparmarbc.bsky.social about the Crofton Mill closure.
Council Matters for December 3, 2025 | Municipality of North Cowichan
www.northcowichan.ca
December 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Our @northcowichan.bsky.social summary from the last council meeting when I chaired the meeting as Deputy Mayor. Mayor Douglas was away in Victoria for an emergency meeting with Premier @davidebybc.bsky.social & minister @rparmarbc.bsky.social about the Crofton Mill closure.
December 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Great work by @mycvrd.bsky.social on the website refresh. Also huge improvement as they are now using eScribe for the board meeting calendar and agenda packages, easier to navigate and download/read for the public. #bcpoli #localgovt
Our website cvrd.ca has a fresh new look! It’s now easier to navigate, meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, and works smoothly on any device. You may notice a few updated navigation labels or page locations, but all core information and services are still available.
December 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Great work by @mycvrd.bsky.social on the website refresh. Also huge improvement as they are now using eScribe for the board meeting calendar and agenda packages, easier to navigate and download/read for the public. #bcpoli #localgovt
We lost power on Monday in #Chemainus & #BCHydro did an amazing job getting us back online with so many outages across south #VancouverIsland. The wind was rocking hard last night in the #CowichanValley & fortunately didn't loose power again. Hope you all faired ok and can enjoy today's sunshine.
December 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We lost power on Monday in #Chemainus & #BCHydro did an amazing job getting us back online with so many outages across south #VancouverIsland. The wind was rocking hard last night in the #CowichanValley & fortunately didn't loose power again. Hope you all faired ok and can enjoy today's sunshine.
Earlier this month our @northcowichan.bsky.social and City of DUNCAN councils held a joint meeting on the social/humanitarian crisis affecting our shared community borders. This has been the hardest part of this term on council, I honestly feel powerless. Fed & Prov please help build more shelters💔
December 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Earlier this month our @northcowichan.bsky.social and City of DUNCAN councils held a joint meeting on the social/humanitarian crisis affecting our shared community borders. This has been the hardest part of this term on council, I honestly feel powerless. Fed & Prov please help build more shelters💔
Looking for elected officials near you or areas of the province that local government matters in your world. Check out Merlin's starter pack list for #BritishColumbia #bcpoli #localgovt
A reminder that this exists…
If you are a B.C. local elected representative and want to be added, comment below.
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
If you are a B.C. local elected representative and want to be added, comment below.
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Looking for elected officials near you or areas of the province that local government matters in your world. Check out Merlin's starter pack list for #BritishColumbia #bcpoli #localgovt
Reposted by Chris Istace 🇨🇦
Our website cvrd.ca has a fresh new look! It’s now easier to navigate, meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, and works smoothly on any device. You may notice a few updated navigation labels or page locations, but all core information and services are still available.
December 17, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Our website cvrd.ca has a fresh new look! It’s now easier to navigate, meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, and works smoothly on any device. You may notice a few updated navigation labels or page locations, but all core information and services are still available.
Please read this thread (the Sun article is just mainstream context). US Politics is alive & well in BC 😣
"On an August Spaces call with Dominion Society of Canada leadership, as well as other white nationalists, he talks about the need to obfuscate messaging and use deceit in order to seize power"
"On an August Spaces call with Dominion Society of Canada leadership, as well as other white nationalists, he talks about the need to obfuscate messaging and use deceit in order to seize power"
The apparent implosion of OneBC seems to centre largely around one staff member - Othman Mekhloufi, who OneBC staffer Wyatt Claypool said (on X) has "insane race 'blood and soil' politics."
We have audio of Mekhloufi from August talking about political strategy.
🧵 👇
vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
We have audio of Mekhloufi from August talking about political strategy.
🧵 👇
vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
Upstart political party OneBC splits in two after internal fight
On Sunday, MLA Tara Armstrong said the only other elected member of the party, Dallas Brodie had been ousted as leader
vancouversun.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Please read this thread (the Sun article is just mainstream context). US Politics is alive & well in BC 😣
"On an August Spaces call with Dominion Society of Canada leadership, as well as other white nationalists, he talks about the need to obfuscate messaging and use deceit in order to seize power"
"On an August Spaces call with Dominion Society of Canada leadership, as well as other white nationalists, he talks about the need to obfuscate messaging and use deceit in order to seize power"
Reposted by Chris Istace 🇨🇦
⭐Make Your Home Easy to Find⭐
In the event of an emergency, first responders need to be able to easily identify your home so they can provide assistance as quickly as possible! Ensure your house numbers are large, reflective, and visible from the road, day and night.
In the event of an emergency, first responders need to be able to easily identify your home so they can provide assistance as quickly as possible! Ensure your house numbers are large, reflective, and visible from the road, day and night.
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
⭐Make Your Home Easy to Find⭐
In the event of an emergency, first responders need to be able to easily identify your home so they can provide assistance as quickly as possible! Ensure your house numbers are large, reflective, and visible from the road, day and night.
In the event of an emergency, first responders need to be able to easily identify your home so they can provide assistance as quickly as possible! Ensure your house numbers are large, reflective, and visible from the road, day and night.
We can't deny that this in no small part has been from consistent efforts to get people out of cars by sufficiently investing in active transportation and transit.
#gobybike
#gobybike
Overall emissions in Greater Victoria continue to trend downward despite steady population growth across the region, the CRD reports in its latest greenhouse gas inventory.
CRD reports regional greenhouse gas emissions down 11% since 2007
Overall emissions in Greater Victoria continue to trend downward despite steady population growth across the region, the Capital Regional District reports in its latest greenhouse gas inventory.
cheknews.ca
December 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
We can't deny that this in no small part has been from consistent efforts to get people out of cars by sufficiently investing in active transportation and transit.
#gobybike
#gobybike