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LUSH Valley and Origins Environmental are restoring farms in the Comox Valley to support local food security and the environment.
“We take a food systems approach,” explains LUSH executive director Maurita Prato. “From how it’s grown to how it gets to our plates.”
Learn more in our latest story:
To boost local food production, this Comox Valley nonprofit restores salmon habitat
LUSH Valley takes ‘a food systems approach’ to nurture a resilient future for farms in the Comox Valley.
thediscourse.ca
December 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Salt Spring Island farmer Abey Scaglione's new book, "Radical Farm: Animals, Food and Our Future," lays out her vision for how communities can support local food, farmers and environmentally restorative agriculture practices. Read our Q&A with her:
thediscourse.ca/cowichan-val...
Salt Spring Island author pens book on sustainable farming – The Discourse.
Author of ‘Radical Farm: Animals, food and Our Future,’ shares how she thinks communities can reconnect with food and the people who grow it.
thediscourse.ca
December 21, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Looking for something to do in the Cowichan Valley this week? 🎄

Check out our curated list of holiday events and live music: thediscourse.ca/cowichan-val...

And if you want these events sent straight to your inbox you can sign up to our weekly newsletters here:
Subscribe to our newsletters – The Discourse.
Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley news, in your inbox.
thediscourse.ca
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
“Enough is enough.”

Family and leaders are demanding answers from Island Health after the death of Lenny Sylvester, a Penelakut man whose care they say reflects systemic racism.

Read more:
‘Enough is enough’: Penelakut family calls on Island Health to address systemic racism after Lenny Sylvester’s death – The Discourse.
Community leaders say Lenny Sylvester’s death shows systemic racism within Island Health and are demanding accountability and transparency.
thediscourse.ca
December 12, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Thinking about building a cob home in the Regional District of Nanaimo? We have put together this FAQ after talking with both owner / builders on Vancouver Island and district staff.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/thin...
Thinking about building a cob home in the Nanaimo area? – The Discourse.
FAQ about cob homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo.
thediscourse.ca
December 11, 2025 at 4:21 AM
The Cowichan Valley comes alive in December ❄️

Whether you’re into markets, music, or low-key holiday fun, there’s something happening in every corner of the region!

Discover what’s going on this week:
What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from Dec. 12 to Dec. 20 – The Discourse.
Music, arts and events happening in the Cowichan Valley from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15.
thediscourse.ca
December 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
At a recent meeting, North Cowichan staff warned council that amending the Official Community Plan could cost taxpayers and impact future developments and water and sewer capacity.

Council voted to amend the OCP. Read more about what this means:

thediscourse.ca/cowichan-val...
North Cowichan passes OCP amendment — Will staff, infrastructure keep up? – The Discourse.
A council decision to amend the Official Community Plan could set back housing developments and cost future tax payers, municipal staff say.
thediscourse.ca
December 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
“The proposed site layout diagram solves a lot of problems by saving the mature trees, playground and beach areas in a cohesive way that allows for easy public access and maximum use,” Lana Fitzpatrick from the Wellington Action Committee told councillors.
Loudon Park boathouse approved for $10.2 million – The Discourse.
The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.
thediscourse.ca
December 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
“This motion is not about reexamining philosophy, it’s about how many funerals we are prepared to accept.”
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to "the ongoing addiction crisis" was voted down.
thediscourse.ca
December 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
“If you want everything as per staff reports, we wouldn't have councils. You'd have bureaucracy running the councils,” Coun. Tek Manhas told a packed public hearing as North Cowichan voted to amend its official community plan on Nov. 19.
North Cowichan Council amends Official Community Plan – The Discourse.
A council decision to amend the Official Community Plan could set back housing developments and cost future tax payers, municipal staff say.
thediscourse.ca
December 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted
Grateful to have @thediscourse.ca / @micksweetman.bsky.social and the rest of the folks at The Discourse reporting in communities like Nanaimo, Cowichan, and Comox. Their journalism is vital. Support it if you can!
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to "the ongoing addiction crisis" was voted down.
thediscourse.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 AM
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to "the ongoing addiction crisis" was voted down.
thediscourse.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
“I have resented to no end the suggestion that this is somehow a facility for elitists, as if someone who chooses to participate in a particular aspect of a sporting activity is somehow elitist,” Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said. “This is a good project.”
Loudon Park boathouse approved for $10.2 million – The Discourse.
The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.
thediscourse.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
“Politicized arguments like this motion driven by nimbyism and colonial privilege, undermine science, threaten public health and jeopardize the health and safety of our entire community," Sarah Lovegrove, vice-president of the Harm Reduction Nurses association told Nanaimo city council on Monday.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to "the ongoing addiction crisis" was voted down.
thediscourse.ca
December 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Nanaimo city council voted to allocate $10.2 million for a new boathouse and community space at Loudon Park on Long Lake at a special finance and audit committee meeting on Friday.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/coun...
Loudon Park boathouse approved for $10.2 million – The Discourse.
The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.
thediscourse.ca
December 3, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Looking for something to do in the Cowichan Valley this week? 🎄
We’ve rounded up holiday events, local shows and live music happening around the region.
👉 Check out our curated list:
What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15. – The Discourse.
Music, arts and events happening in the Cowichan Valley from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15.
thediscourse.ca
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Looking for something fun to do in Nanaimo this weekend? From holiday markets to live music, arts and sports, reporter @micksweetman.bsky.social has curated a list of what's happening.

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 3 – The Discourse.
These events listings are from The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Subscribe to this newsletter to see
thediscourse.ca
November 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted
In case you didn’t know, I write a newsletter for @thediscourse.ca that goes out every Tuesday and features a roundup of local news and events happening in the #cowichanvalley. Check it out at the link below!
How does logging affect rivers?
Plus,‌ more news and...
thediscourse.indiegraf.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:12 AM
North Cowichan council voted unanimously to restart talks with Quw'utsun Nation, setting aside previous plans to explore logging in the Municipal Forest Reserve.

Full story ⬇️
North Cowichan council axes plans to resume harvesting in forest reserve – The Discourse.
Following public backlash and pushback from First Nations, council moved to scrap plans to explore logging in the Municipal Forest Reserve.
thediscourse.ca
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Everything you want to know about the Nanaimo data centre, and how much water it will use, explained. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/what...
What’s the deal with the proposed data centre in Nanaimo? – The Discourse.
The Discourse found answers to frequently asked questions about a proposed data centre in Nanaimo.
thediscourse.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Check out the Christmas markets happening around the Cowichan Valley, along with other community events for Nov. 25 to Dec. 7. Got an event you think should be included next week? Let us know!
Cowichan Valley Events Nov. 25 to Dec. 7 – The Discourse.
Music, arts and events happening in the Cowichan Valley from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7.
thediscourse.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Check out Nanaimo Artwalk and all of our weekly music, art and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025. Let us know if any events you think we should include for next week!

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025 – The Discourse.
Music, arts and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025.
thediscourse.ca
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
North Cowichan began dismantling the Lewis Street encampment on Nov. 17 moving about 75 residents to new sites. The Cowichan Community Care Network says the move puts people at risk of violence and overdoses as the new sites are further away from the Warmland Shelter and overdose prevention site.
Advocates worry that moving Lewis Street encampment endangers residents who have nowhere else to go – The Discourse.
North Cowichan said it will service and provide ‘temporary’ sheltering sites, while Cowichan Valley sees a spike in overdoses.
thediscourse.ca
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM
A motion by Nanaimo Coun. Ian Thorpe to ask Island Health to close the Overdose Prevention Site on Albert Street was withdrawn at last night's city council meeting. But a new motion to send a letter to the province to reexamine its drug policy is hotly contested.

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn – The Discourse.
New motion will ask province to reexamine its policy on responding to the overdose crisis.
thediscourse.ca
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Re-sharing this reporting because a report on harvesting in the Municipal Forest Reserve is going to North Cowichan Council this Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Find the agenda package and report here:
pub-northcowichan.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
November 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM