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Historical reporting, original dates, and a place to look back. The Westward Independent was a platform for a variety of community voices, with contributions from dozens of participants. These articles reflect their contributors’ perspectives at the time of publication.
383 articles
COAP / 2025-06-27 / Information · Initiatives · Local
Let Us Keep Our Hens: A Fair Crack at Food Security in North Cowichan
Support the Right to Backyard Hens for All North Cowichan Residents We, the undersigned, urge the North Cowichan Council to amend Section 48.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, which restricts poultry ownership to properties larger than 1675 m² (0.41 ac…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-05-14 / Local
Taxes At The Pump Are A Punishment, Not An Incentive
We need to talk about all the 'incentives' offered to us to change our combustion engine use. What's being done, especially taxation at the fuel pump, is a punishment, not an incentive. Forcing us to pay a tax to change our behaviour withou…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-04-13 / Local
Hogg Stuns NDP Machine in North Cowichan By-Election
The People Spoke Back in October 2023, North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas stood tall at a council meeting, riding high on ideology. “If you don’t like our direction,” he smirked, “vote differently next time.” So they did. On April 12, 2025, v…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-20 / Federal
RCMP’s Botched Trudeau Investigation: The SNC-Lavalin Scandal Cover-Up Continues
RCMP’s Botched Trudeau Investigation: The SNC-Lavalin Scandal Cover-Up Continues Let’s rewind the tape. It’s 2019, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is caught in one of Canada's biggest political scandals; the SNC-Lavalin affair. Trudeau an…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Provincial
Gloria Lemay - The Other Side
In an impassioned Substack written by Yolande Norris-Clark, who had the joy of birthing two healthy children with the help of Gloria Lemay (a local), we move past the sensational, rage-provoking headlines of our local news to a much deeper …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
North Cowichan and Duncan Tax Hikes: When Will Enough Be Enough?
Let’s talk about these relentless tax hikes in North Cowichan and Duncan. Both municipalities are gearing up for 2025 budgets, and the numbers being tossed around are unreal: North Cowichan is debating a potential 15 to 20 percent tax incre…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
2025 North Cowichan By-Election
GET OUT AND VOTE in the North Cowichan by-election Advanced voting is available on April 2 and April 8, from 8 AM to 8 PM at Municipal Hall. If you miss those, the general voting day is Saturday, April 12, from 8 AM to 8 PM, with polling st…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Federal
Ottawa Is Overloading B.C. With Unsustainable Immigration
At a news conference in July, Premier David Eby admitted that B.C.’s “unprecedented population inflows from immigration” are “completely overwhelming.” He painted a dire picture of a province whose systems are buckling: “Our schools are ful…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
Needles in the Dark: Parents Question Secretive School Vaccination Policies
It seems that many parents of students in SD79 who have expressed concerns about being left out of the loop regarding what happens at school continue to have their suspicions confirmed. Last fall, we reported on a large school assembly that…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
Regardless of Religious or Even Civilized Beliefs, the Concept of Reconciliation is a 3-Step Process.
First, the “responsible” party must sincerely be sorry and ask for forgiveness. This may include Reparations, whether they be financial or in kind; However, the second step is as vitally important as the first. The “victim” must truly forgi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
When Does Hubris Become Dangerous?
I am sure we can all think of numerous examples; let me illustrate with one that I experienced personally. In 2020, North Cowichan completed the Chemainus Road Corridor Upgrade project, implemented as part of the MTP (Master Transportation …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
Local Documentary Highlights Young Composer’s COVID Symphony
Camilo Aybar was still in high school when he set out to write his first orchestral symphony, inspired by his experiences in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The incredible story – which crescendoed with a live performance in Hillsbor…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
The Danger of Casually Throwing Around the “Nazi” Label
If you spend any time online, you’ve probably seen it—the “Nazi” accusation. Whether it’s individuals, organizations, or even media outlets, people throw around this label casually, often with no real basis. Some media companies even amplif…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
North Cowichan’s Spending Spree: Because Who Needs Groceries When You Can Have Electric cars?
In North Cowichan, a significant disconnect has emerged between municipal priorities and residents’ concerns. From the last poll we could find (before the last election and with a very poor number of participants), the data indicated that o…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
Garbage Governance: CVRD’s Waste Management Debacle and the Taxpayer Fallout
We at Land Keepers have been closely following the waste disposal mess in the CVRD. Frankly, it’s appalling. Do you genuinely believe the residents of this district are going to sit back and accept this? The way this has been handled scream…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Provincial
B.C. NDP’s Mass Densification Plan Hitting Roadblocks
After narrowly returning to power in October, Premier David Eby’s NDP government is proceeding full steam ahead with increasingly controversial province-wide densification plans. The BC NDP’s Bill 44 is now in effect. This piece of legislat…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
Residents vs. Cell Towers: How Communities Are Pushing Back and Winning
As more and more residents push back against large cell towers in their neighbourhoods up and down the island, some local governments are starting to actually listen to the residents’ concerns about the Health Aspects, even though the Feder…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Provincial · Science & Technology
From Horses to People? The Microchip Mandate of BC Begs Serious Issues
Not only in the equestrian community but also in more general debates on technology, privacy, and control, British Columbia’s new horse microchipping program is generating waves. Advocates of animal welfare and disease control are touting i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
The Smoke and Mirrors of Nominal GDP: What They’re Not Telling You About Inflation
You’ve likely heard the assertion that Canada has the fastest-growing economy among the G7. Liberal supporters cite a rapidly increasing nominal GDP as evidence of Canada’s impressive recovery. On the surface, it sounds great. But peel back…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
The Annual Spraying Debate: What You Need To Know
We are once again entering the season when a government agency—most likely the Ministry of Forests—will be granted a permit to continue its annual aerial spraying of the bacterial-chemical pesticide Foray 48B over British Columbia communiti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
Cowichan’s Leadership is Failing—And Tariffs Just Proved It
For years, we’ve been saying it. We’ve written the articles, we’ve laid out the facts, and we’ve practically drawn these people a roadmap to common sense. And yet, here we are. Feb 1, the United States imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadia…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Politics & Government
DEI Travels Sideways: How “Anti-Oppressive” Stories Might Backfire
North Cowichan’s 2025 Budget Includes DEI Training Corporate America spends approximately $8 billion annually on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, according to research by consulting firm McKinsey. This reflects an ongoing fi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Web-Edition
Edition 017 - February
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07 / Local
The Sherman Road Housing Project: 10 Years of Bureaucratic Backroom Deals and Ignoring the Public
How a Small, Contaminated Lot Became North Cowichan’s Latest High-Density Social Experiment Let’s take a walk down memory lane. It’s 2016. The world is worried about Brexit, Trump is shaking up U.S. politics (how ironic), and in North Cowic…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-01-11 / Politics & Government
The Never-Ending COVID Hype: Why Nobody’s Buying It Anymore
Another round of fearmongering, another wave of headlines telling us how doomed we are. The latest piece on why B.C. kids are “sick all the time” is just a repeat performance. COVID caused this, RSV caused that, and the answer, predictably,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-01-10 / Federal · Politics & Government · World News
So, We Were Right All Along: The Truth About Social Media Bias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k1ehaE0bdU Conservatives and independent thinkers have been warning about Big Tech's bias for years. As gatekeepers, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and similar platforms filtered information, shaped narratives,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-01-10 / Federal · Politics & Government · World News
Silencing Helen Grus: How Media and Government Colluded to Crush Dissent
We get a close-up look at what happens when you dare to challenge the sacred grail of officially sanctioned narratives in Detective Helen Grus's ridiculously twisted story. The outcome is both frustrating and enlightening. The life of this …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-01-06 / Federal
Justin Trudeau’s Farewell Tour… One Last Kick in the Pants for Canada
Ah, Justin Trudeau. The man, the myth, the walking PR campaign with a penchant for drama. After nearly a decade of selfies, scandals, and a legacy that’s half Instagram influencer, half questionable governance, he’s finally stepping down. C…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-16 / Federal
Chrystia Freeland Drops the Mic, Resigns from Trudeau’s Cabinet with a Sharp Letter
Chrystia Freeland Drops the Mic, Resigns from Trudeau’s Cabinet with a Sharp Letter In a move that has stirred up whispers of political implosion in Ottawa, Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, submitted h…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-15 / Local
Small Business Owner Drops $1,000 GST Bill on MP in Epic Tax Holiday Clapback
Ah, the holidays, a time for joy, generosity, and, apparently, government gimmicks. On December 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unwrapped his latest policy “gift” for Canadians: a temporary GST/HST holiday on select goods and services. Fr…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-11 / Local
City of Duncan Approves Major Utility Rate Increases
Rising utility rates and a more general squeeze on Cowichan Valley tax payers have severe effects on Duncan residents. With the city council approving major utility rate increases on November 18, Duncan residents are getting ready for growi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-06 / Local
Controversy Erupts Over CVRD's $345 Garbage Collection Fee
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has long wrestled with challenges surrounding its waste management policies. The separation of garbage collection fees from property taxes, which caused confusion and frustration for many residen…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-06 / Local
What Is The 'Deepstate'?
Prelude: The Shadow Beneath the Surface Most people associate the "deep state" with Bigfoot, UFOs, and moon landing hoaxes. It's the subject that your uncle rants about after a few beers at Thanksgiving, mumbling something about lizard peop…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
Local Outcry and Legal Battles: CVRD’s Controversial Waste Disposal Takeover
This past year, we wrote a story about two gentlemen in the CVRD who, frustrated by the public’s voice being ignored in a strong pushback against the CVRD’s waste disposal takeover, decided to sue the regional district. Earlier in the year,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Provincial
Foreign Workers in Canada: Between Dreams and Employer Constraints
Canada’s work visa policies draw thousands of foreign workers each year, including many highly skilled professionals who may find themselves restricted to roles below their qualifications. One man from India, working under an employer-speci…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
Charles Borg
As the Conservative Party of Canada’s (CPC) candidate vote for Cowichan Malahat Langford approaches, I want to stress just how pivotal this event is for our riding. This vote is more than a routine selection process—it’s an empowering oppor…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
Cultural Battles and Censorship… The Controversial Fallout of Marina Sapozhnikov’s Candid Remarks
Fascism: “A system of government marked by the centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, and violent suppression of opposition,” as well as “oppressive, dictatorial contro…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Questionable Content - Quamichan School's Controversial Assembly Sparks Parental Outage & Calls For Transparency
Over the past few weeks, many parents have reached out to us following an assembly at Quamichan School hosted by Kerri Isham of POWER UP Education. The day after, viral Facebook posts began circulating from parents who stated that their chi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
Nettie Leeflang’s Novels Inspire Community Action in Duncan
Dear friends, You might know about the sad situation with homelessness and addiction in downtown Duncan. I feel deeply for those affected. At the same time, I’m grateful for the help my friends at Life on Wheels provide in supporting the ad…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
An update to our 911 story - RE: Downloading Costs to Residents
“Thank you for reaching out with your concerns regarding the recent announcement about the E-Comm 911 services costs. Mayor and Council have been engaging with the province on this matter and have also discussed it with the Minister at UBCM…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
Electric Dreams or Costly Nightmares? SD79’s New Electric Buses Face Uncertain Road Ahead
SD79 has procured two electric school buses at the cost of $200,000.00. The district will pay out this loan, acquired in June 2023 over ten years. Will the batteries have that long of a life? One can only wonder. Other school districts have…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local · Provincial
North Cowichan’s Controversial 30-Second Rule: Quick Queries or Civic Curtailment?
After writing an article about the insulting 30-second rule North Cowichan was looking into for question period that you can read below and sending an email to council regarding the displeasure of many residents, we received more informatio…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Proactive Enforcement of Short-Term Rentals: A Shift in Strategy - CVRD
The board has announced a new approach to the enforcement of non-permitted short-term rentals in electoral areas. The proposed resolution aims to provide clear guidance to staff, stakeholders, and the public regarding the initiation of inve…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Town Hall Recaps: Key Issues Across Vancouver Island - By Charlaine Lacroix
In recent months, town halls across Vancouver Island have spotlighted a variety of pressing issues facing residents, farmers, healthcare workers, and legal professionals. Here is a summary of notable discussions from town halls in Port Albe…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Cherry Creek Gets New Firetruck - By Charlaine Lacroix
Cherry Creek in Port Alberni, BC, has now possession of its new 2025 Diesel powered Fort Garry Fire Truck. “It has a short wheelbase of 204 inches, hence, can turn around easier on off roads so we can fight more wildfires and help pay for t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Hydrogen Fleet Upgrade Proposal
“ Hello Council. As I asked in today’s council meeting question period, I am wondering if the municipality would be interested in improving fuel economy of gas and diesel vehicles in the municipal fleet through a very simple modification th…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Cancel Culture Sets Eyes On MLA Candidate
I remember a quote by Noam Chomsky that stated “Goebbels was in favour of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re really in favour of free speech, then you’re in favour of freedom of speech for precisely the views you despi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
LtE - How BC's Election Challenged the Status Quo
The recent elections were a revelation for many BC constituents. Many have realized that they are not alone in their values and may now feel more emboldened to speak on topics without the same fear of cancel culture targeting them or their …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
LtE - The Real Crisis Behind BC's Housing Struggle
You know, it’s hard not to laugh... or maybe cry when you hear folks on TV yammering about the so-called “housing crisis.” Sure, the lack of available homes is a real problem, but let’s call a spade a spade here. The bigger issue is the abs…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
LtE - Mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars in the Cowichan Valley
Once again another Emergency Warming Centre has been approved by the Cowichan Valley Regional District at the parking lot behind the Ramada Inn Hotel. The CVRD will pay a rental charge for this location. Once again just proves that the CVRD…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
The Holt Creek Trestle Bridge Replacement Should Honour B.C. History, Not Ignore It
Today, the Kinsol Trestle that spans the Koksilah River is considered to be one of Vancouver Island’s greatest tourist attractions and one of the “most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world”. Fifteen years ago, the former …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
Mornings with the Blue Jay: Musings on Nature, Language, and the Echoes of Change
Copyr. 2024. HYBRID by DESIGN: Indigo. All rights reserved. Early mornings. Or are you a late raiser? You are familiar with that adage ‘the world is your oyster’, aren’t you? That was rhetorical. Of - course it was. LOL! Isn’t it sad how la…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Web-Edition
Edition 016 - December
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26 / Local
LtE - Acclimate
Image credit: HYBRID by DESIGN: Indigo. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Entitled: Acclimate ~ Sky of blue. Fresh air ~ Smelling crisp, cooling air raising . . . One day *He will come! Days and nights: Warm. Cold. Coloured rainbows have…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-21 / Local
What's Next For Cowichan's Municipal Reserve?
North Cowichan’s Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR) hasn’t been in the spotlight much lately, but with 2025 closing in, the harsh reality of its dwindling reserve fund is impossible to ignore. Once a self-sufficient asset, the MFR has turned in…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-20 / Nuts
West Vista Terrace Project Gets Green Light in North Cowichan
WestWard Independent In a Nutshell! Crack open the day's highlights with quick, bite-sized articles that get straight to the point. Perfect for when you need the scoop without the fluff. In a thrilling turn of events at tonight's council me…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-19 / Nuts
The Curious Case of Randy Boissonnault: A Minister's Alleged Double Life
WestWard Independent In a Nutshell! Crack open the day's highlights with quick, bite-sized articles that get straight to the point. Perfect for when you need the scoop without the fluff. In a twist that could rival any political drama, Rand…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-19 / Nuts
Trudeau's Tumble into Scandal: A Top 10 List
WestWard Independent In a Nutshell! Crack open the day's highlights with quick, bite-sized articles that get straight to the point. Perfect for when you need the scoop without the fluff. In a world where political scandals are as common as …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-08 / Local
Wonderous Ponder
Please Welcome Indigo! We are happy to welcome one of our newest editress’, Indigo, to the Westward Independent Newspaper. Indigo comes to us from Threee Thumbs Up! Everyday People servicing Older Adults living in the Cowichan Valley. *Wher…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Web-Edition
Edition 015 - September
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Provincial
South Island Municipalities Hit With 911 Bombshell
The recent announcement that ten South Island municipalities will need to fully fund E-Comm 911 services by next April is deeply concerning. For years, the cost-sharing model split between the provincial and federal governments helped ensur…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
Yet They Slept
Yet they Slept by Leslie Huron Death tolls from the pages lept. Yet they slept. Yet they slept Not the disease - that’s not it, hardly a bit. Higher and higher the injuries crept. Yet they slept. Yet they slept. Not from the infection. From…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
Luxury or Necessity? Cowichan Directors Split Over $240,000 Tech Upgrade
In the September 25th Regular Board Meeting of the CVRD, the board discussed the approval of a $240,000 upgrade to the boardroom’s audiovisual (AV) and web streaming system. The proposed resolution would amend the 2024 budget for general go…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Provincial
Fast, Efficient, and Risky? BC Elections Embrace New Tech for 2024
“This innovation is designed to offer better service to voters across British Columbia,” stated Anton Boegman, the province’s chief electoral officer. After a successful trial during the 2022 by-elections, Elections BC is rolling out digita…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Provincial
Election Update: Candidate Question & Answer
With election day fast approaching, we’ve been eagerly awaiting responses from candidates in our local ridings. Weeks ago, we sent out questions to all the candidates in both the Cowichan-Malahat and Juan de Fuca-Malahat ridings. True to fo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
All Aboard: Vancouver Island’s Rail Revival Promises Prosperity and Progress
Restoring the Vancouver Island Railroad is a topic on the minds of most Island residents. The dormant rail line runs across my backyard and I have waited for this time to come since the last train passed by many years ago. People are curren…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
Is it cool to be an Independent Candidate in 2024?
BC may see a record-setting number of independent candidates registered and running in the fall provincial election, and perhaps historical numbers elected, not necessarily due to the amalgamation of the BC United and BC Conservative Partie…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
Respect the Vote: Why Destroying Election Signs is More Than Just Mischief
David Evans from the Green Party and Marina Sapozhnikov from the Conservative Party find themselves standing side by side—but not in the way either of them likely imagined. Their election signs, vandalized with the faces cut out, now stand …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04 / Local
Caught in the Act: BC Assessment’s Secret Ties to a Lobbyist Group
BC Assessment denied that it is a paying member of a registered organization (the UDI) on the BC Lobbyists Registry. However, the evidence shows otherwise. The UDI represents the interests of its corporate members that profit from developme…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-09-15 / Provincial
From Involuntary Care to Conservative Flair - B.C.'s Political Shuffle Ahead of Elections
As British Columbia gears up for another election, the political focus has suddenly shifted to a controversial new approach: involuntary care for the severely addicted and mentally ill. Premier David Eby recently announced a plan to create …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-09-08 / Local · Opinion
Balancing the Books: Why I’m Choosing the Conservative Path
Ever wonder why so many people get into politics? It’s usually with good intentions, right? Someone sees an issue—homelessness, low wages, crime—and thinks, "I could fix this mess." They know it’s not going to be quick or easy, but they’ve …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-09-04 / Local
Picking Apart North Cowichan's Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy
The recent "Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy" put forth by the Municipality of North Cowichan reads like a manifesto for radical change, with little room for debate or dissent. At a glance, it's clear that the report i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-09-03 / Local · Provincial
North Cowichan's Latest Adventure: Sue Big Oil… or is it "Sue Our Way to Irrelevance"
Once again, the North Cowichan Council is contemplating taking a bold new step—not into a future of innovation or fiscal responsibility, mind you, but right off the cliff into a pit of legal fantasies. Their latest brainwave? Jumping on the…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-09-02 / Local · Provincial
BC Conservatives Rise Amid BC United’s Floundering and NDP Failures
COWICHAN VALLEY, September 2024 — A political wind is sweeping across British Columbia, and it's not the kind that brings more of the same old tired rhetoric from the NDP-Liberal coalition. No, this is a fresh breeze, one that seems to be b…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Web-Edition
Edition 014 - August
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Dr. Martin Barker - The Addicted homeless
Hello Cowichan Malahat Langford. I am Martin Barker and I am planning on being your Conservative candidate in the riding for the next Federal election. I have been personally affected by the growing addicted homeless in our communities. I s…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
BC Nurses Expose Union Conflicts and Government Collusion in Healthcare Crisis
I am Corinne Mori, a registered nurse who has been barred from working in BC for the past 2.5 years due to COVID vaccine mandates. Along with a team of self-organized nurses, I am actively investigating and demanding accountability from the…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Provincial
Premier Eby’s Empty Rhetoric on B.C.’s Population Crisis Offers No Solutions
Premier Eby’s complaints about B.C.’s out of control population growth ring hollow. “Sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Shakespeare’s mournful description of human life in Macbeth can be aptly applied to Premier David Eby’s constant expre…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
North Cowichan’s New Civic Engagement: Speed Dating for Questions
Hold onto your stopwatches, North Cowichan residents, because the latest council bylaw has turned public participation into an Olympic event. With just 30 seconds on the clock to ask a question during council meetings, it’s a mad dash to th…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local · Provincial
Bag Ban Bonanza: How Retailers Are Cashing In On Your Green Guilt
In December of 2018, CTV began an article questioning the charge for plastic bags with: “No one likes to be nickel-and-dimed. That’s why those who speak on behalf of consumers who pay for plastic bags and those who study the environment tho…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Provincial
The Quiet Devastation Of Youth Unemployment and Misusing ‘Refugee’ Status for Simple Immigration
In the intricate world of Canadian immigration policies and labour markets, discussing the impacts of these policies has become almost taboo. Yet, residents of the Cowichan Valley are increasingly feeling the strain of these issues, as they…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local · Provincial
Understanding Agenda 21 Locally: A Call to Awareness and Action
Two years ago, Agenda 2030 was called a conspiracy by many, and even used to shame some citizens running for local government who indicated that local policy was driven by the United Nations Sustainability Goals and Agenda 2030 (previously …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Provincial
The Death of a Dream: British Columbia’s New Rental Policy
Once upon a time, the dream of retiring in British Columbia, Canada, was a cherished aspiration for many Part of this dream often involved purchasing a small condominium or investment property, which could be rented out to generate income. …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local · Provincial
B.C. Tenants at Risk - Massive Rent Hikes Amid Housing Crisis
In a significant and controversial decision, British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) has permitted two landlords to raise their rent by 23.5% over two years, far surpassing the province’s 3.5% annual allowable increase for 2024.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
CVRD Discusses Public Input
In a July meeting, the discussion on public input and its role in decision-making processes brought forth a multitude of perspectives from various directors. As the meeting unfolded, the directors shared their insights, revealing both the c…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Residents Mourn the Departure of the Martin Mars Water Bomber
Port Alberni residents are saddened to see their town’s Icon, The Hawaii Mars Water Bomber Aircraft, presently lounging on the waters of Sproat Lake, Vancouver Island, but tentatively scheduled to take its last flight on Sunday, August 11. …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Hollies Golf Course Gets The OK to Re-establish an RV Campground
A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) application was granted to Hollie’e Golf Course at the March 13, 2024, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) board meeting to establish a 35-site RV campground for temporary accommodations on the Alberni Hi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Suspicious Fire at Old Somas Mill Site
Surrounding district volunteer fire departments helped the Port Alberni fire department squash a suspiciously started blaze just after 8am at the old Somass Mill site on Sunday, August 18. Cherry Creek, Beaver Creek and Sproat Lake together…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Roundabout Pizza
Jackson Mayo and his young family are the epitome of having a dream and working every day to obtain it. In the middle of COVID-19, when many small businesses were struggling, Jackson took a daring leap to open a pizza place in March of 2021…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local
Sticks And Stones….But Words Can Never Hurt Me!
As a child, I was taught the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” as were most children in the Western world. It was a lesson in resilience, helping us navigate through life’s harsh words and insults…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Opinion
LtE: Are We Funding a Shadow Police Force in the Name of 'Bylaw Enforcement'?
Dear WWIND, I was having coffee with friends and watching the world go by when I noticed a brand new Ford pickup truck with full police type lights on it and two brand new, very expensive Mountain Bikes, racked by the tailgate. Two people i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Opinion
LtE: Who Pays for the Push for Higher Density? Local Homeowners, Not the Politicians
Dear WWIND, I have read several articles in mainstream news that the Federal Government and now our BC Provincial Government are making glorious press releases about legislating local governments to create large increases in density in thei…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Opinion
LtE: Electric Vehicle Delusion: Why Councils Should Think Twice Before Going Fully Electric
Dear WWIND, Oh, PLEASE help me understand where these councillors come from! ISLAND MUNICIPALITIES LOOK TO GO ELECTRIC WITH THEIR FLEET, INCLUDING GARBAGE AND DUMP TRUCKS - Times Colonist article by Michael John Lo, July 23/24 Has Esquimalt…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29 / Local · Provincial
The Implications of Tacit Agreements in Local Governance
Residents of North Cowichan and the broader Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) have been unexpectedly subjected to changes in their utility and garbage billing. These changes, including the removal of utility payments from the tax bil…
Read historical article →COAP / 2024-08-18 / FOI_Requests
North Cowichan's Climate Emergency: What's Really Going On?
The results of our Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Municipality of North Cowichan revealed a lot about how our local government is handling the so-called "climate emergency." After asking for documentation and data that would ju…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-14 / Provincial
Spraying and Fires In BC
Earlier this year, mass spraying of chemicals in our regional forests began, licensed to continue until April 2029. This initiative targets invasive plants on Provincial Public Land under the jurisdiction of multiple ministries, including F…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-21 / Federal
The National Holiday No One Wants to Celebrate
Did you know that Canadians celebrate a unique kind of holiday on June 13th every year? It's called Tax Freedom Day, the day when the average Canadian has finally earned enough to pay off their total tax bill for the year to all levels of g…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-16 / Provincial
B.C. Government Rejects Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Absurd Proposal to Distribute Illicit Drugs
Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest proposal to combat the drug crisis by distributing illicit street drugs in government-run stores has been swiftly and decisively rejected by the provincial government. The provincial health officer’s recommendation…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-14 / Local · Provincial
Is A Change Coming? The Rising Conservative Wave in British Columbia
DUNCAN, BC – The annual parade in Duncan not only celebrated the local community but also showcased a significant political shift. The Conservative Party’s “Blue Wave” dominated James Street, overshadowing the NDP and Green Party’s modest p…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Web-Edition
Edition 013 - July
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local · Politics & Government
Introducing Dr. Martin Barker
Hello Cowichan Malahat Langford. I am Martin Barker and I am planning on being your Conservative candidate in the riding for the next Federal election. I have lived here since 1993, been a Duncan City Councillor, have been a long-time conse…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Provincial
The Backward March Toward an Electric Future: BC’s Power Infrastructure Dilemma
British Columbia (BC) is grappling with an outdated energy plan that has experts and former officials ringing alarm bells. Barry Penner, a former BC Minister of Environment, Aboriginal Relations, and Attorney General, now chair of the Energ…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
$47 million dollar master transportation plan for North Cowichan
On June 4th North Cowichan passed its Master Transportation plan. The North Cowichan Master Transportation Plan outlines several priorities and demographic details: Demographic Summary: Population: 31,990 (2021), a 50% increase since 1991. …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Health & Wellness
Men’s Mental Health Month: Silenced Crises Amidst the Noise
With June being Men’s Mental Health Month, we look to highlight the severe crises that do not seem to get much airtime or exposure on mainstream news. ‘US stats: n 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women. White males accounted …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Education & Society
Mid-Level Violence: The Provocateur
What is Mid-Level Violence? It sounds like a strange term. Violence is violence, right? Someone initiates contact without consent. A punch, a shove, some kind of an attack where there is no consent for physical contact. Where is the line th…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Council Watch - July
Duncan: June 3 CAO: “Staff are reviewing the timing of the scramble crosswalk” Canada – Ingram Scramble Crossing Replacement with Protected Southbound Left Turn Signal. That Council direct staff to amend the Financial Plan to re-allocate th…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Education & Society
Bill 44: The NDP’s Authoritarian Densification of British Columbia
At the end of June, B.C. NDP Bill 44 will come into effect, abolishing single-family zoning in all municipalities with more than 5,000 residents. City councils will be mandated to permit three to four housing units - in the form of secondar…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Protest or Harassment? The Revolve Cowichan Controversy
On June 4th, 2023, a local advocacy group called Revolve Cowichan posted an urgent call on their Facebook page, urging supporters to protest an event they labelled as transphobic and homophobic. From Revolve Cowichan's Facebook page, callin…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Community Triumph: Ending Harmful Aerial Spraying
West Kelowna - Cranbrook - June 20, 2024 - The West Kelowna Branch of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association (WKB/KCSA) and Call To Action Cranbrook are pleased to announce that the Gypsy/spongy moth aerial spraying program has concluded. …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Business & Finance
Can Businesses Thrive and Benefit From A Bartering System?
Over the last few challenging years I‘ve been part of many conversations about how to establish a local bartering system in the Cowichan Valley. We’ve been seeking a system that could support our small businesses and individuals too. I am e…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Health & Wellness
Your Subconscious is a Gift!
The unknowns of life can be pleasing, Like selecting a chocolate from an elegant gift box or they can be upsetting and overwhelming causing states like anxiety, depression, addiction and insomnia. Distress is like a negatively charged ion a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local · Politics & Government
San Group Scandal: Migrant Workers Claim Inhumane Treatment Amidst Legal Battle
The San Group, based in Port Alberni, is embroiled in a controversy over the treatment of migrant workers. Reports surfaced that approximately 15 workers, under contract with the San Group, were living in substandard conditions in a trailer…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Density Mandates: A Call for Common Sense and Fiscal Responsibility
Dear WWIND, I have read several articles in mainstream news that the Federal Government and now our BC Provincial Government are making glorious press releases about legislating local governments to create large increases in density in thei…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Who Will Address the Sewage Crisis Threatening Cowichan Bay's Heritage and Sea Life?
Dear WWIND, WHO is best to ask the Challenging question? WHAT about the Cowichan Bay sewage outfall that is destroying Cowichan Bay sea life in the HERITAGE Cowichan River? JUB (Joint Utility Board) Sewage Lagoons are located off Trunk / Tz…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Rising Property Taxes: A Struggle for Seniors in Duncan
Dear WWIND, Today I received my City of Duncan property tax notice. I was nervous about opening it, as last year I faced a $300 increase from the previous year. This year’s bill is $441 MORE than last year! How on earth does an octogenarian…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Neglected Heritage: The Demise of the Cowichan Valley Hockey Stick
Dear WWIND, The hockey stick will disappear shortly. Why? The Cowichan Valley Regional District did not maintain the stick on a regular basis. That is applying high-quality waterproof paints, varnish, and stains regularly. Also regular main…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Gratitude for Capturing Our Family's Journey Through History
Dear WWIND, I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your beautifully written rendition of my family’s time living abroad in the Orient along with their 5 long years in a Shanghai prison camp (Edition 12 wwind.ca). Oddly enough, my …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Intimidation at Safe Spaces Event
Dear WWIND, I was disappointed to not attend the Safe Spaces Educational Event at the Community Centre, on Sat. June 8th. I did not feel safe. When my husband and I drove by the James Street Community Centre an hour before, we saw a rowdy m…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: A Perspective on Climate Change and Natural Factors
Dear WWIND, I’m sure the anti-fossil fuel climate change activists will be out in force due to the current heat wave in eastern Canada. Before you blame CO2 for this heat event, consider the unusually intense solar radiation and the natural…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Opinion
LtE: Boosting Salmon Populations
Dear WWIND, On May 29th, Charles Borg, Marina Sapozhnikov and myself were invited by the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition to come to Sooke and take part in releasing 330,000 baby salmon into the Sooke Harbour. South Vancouver Island…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
SAN Group Packed Immigrants in Deplorable Quarters
News of immigrant workers crammed in an old mobile home and framed building with no running water and a bedroll for sleeping quarters made the headlines over the Canada long weekend. After various sports teams heard about the deplorable con…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Port Alberni Log Train Trail Townhall Sees Community Voices Heard
This is a third townhall organized by ACRD Directors Fred Boyko and Susan Roth with Cherry Creek Director Mike Sparrow joining in on June 18, 2024 at McLeans Mill, in Port Alberni, BC. The 18-km Log Train Trail Regional Park runs through al…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Two Hours Notice to Evacuate And Take No Belongings
Residents of the Port Pub in Port Alberni, BC, were given two hours notice on May 29, 2024, to evacuate their residence as the building was deemed having “hazardous materials.” After parts of a ceiling caved in, and some drywall was hit, te…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
Port Alberni City Council Erects Log Barrier in Chamber Room
Safety issues by City Council members necessitated erecting a new wooden log-type partition in City Council Chambers this May of 2024. The structure limits access from taxpayers to enter into close contact with council members. When asked i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Health & Wellness · Local
Blossoms, Begonias, and Backyard Bliss: Summer Gardening Tips
Dear Gardening Friends, After an unusually cool damp spring the good news is that our aquifers are filled, blossoms are lasting a long time and tomatoes are forming nicely. The potatoes I planted are so tall that I couldn’t hill them any lo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Politics & Government
When MLAs get in on the cancel culture trend
Dear Sonia, Regarding the letter (attached) that was sent to Mayor Alto, I have to say, I’m a little confused at your stance. Having attended both days as a videographer I can say without any reservation not a whisper of what you infer occu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local
CVRD’s Questionable Dealings with Nature’s Trust and Ducks Unlimited
I am the Chair of the Landkeepers Society and am responding to your recent article about the presentation to the CVRD Committee of the Whole by Reed Bailey. Mr. Bailey is a highly respected Land Use Planner from the Ministry of Agriculture …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Business & Finance · Science & Technology
Electrification of all vehicles, is it actually possible?
In December 2022, Justin Trudeau’s government announced that 100% of all new vehicles sold in Canada by 2035 must be zero-emission electric vehicles, and Joe Biden’s government introduced the Inflation Reduction Act, which set the same requ…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Local · Politics & Government
Thin-Skinned Leadership: Why Our Elected Officials Need to Toughen Up
Dear CVRD Elected Officials, It appears that our local elected have taken a page from the manual of “How to Muzzle Citizens 101.” Any time someone dares to raise a concern or voice their frustrations, the conversation is promptly shut down.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Politics & Government
CVRD’s Secret Data Mining for United Nations Revealed
After weeks of waiting for a reply from CVRD (Cowichan Valley Regional District) staff about their membership in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), we finally received a response: “Good morning, Our sincere a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10 / Health & Wellness
Ignored and Overlooked: The Crisis of Youth Mental Health Funding
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. — Frederick Douglass “Healthy emotional and social development in our early years lays the foundation for mental health and resilience throughout the lifespan. Yet, 70 percent…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-06-24 / Local
When Inclusivity Hurts: The Exclusion of Straight White Women from Doula Scholarships
A local woman contacted the Westward Independent to share her disappointment that she was unable to get a scholarship to help her further her dream of becoming a Doula. We looked into her claims and found that she was indeed excluded from a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-06-14 / Local
Safe Spaces or Stifling Freedoms? CVRD's New Bylaw Raises Concerns
Our Rights Are Safe Enough, No Need for 'Thought Police' Duncan, BC – The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is stirring the pot once again. Just when you thought we had enough rules and regulations to ensure everyone is nice and poli…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Federal
Clean up V9L
ASK THEM WHY! For possibly the first time in recorded history, three levels of government in British Columbia have banded together with our court system to systematically destroy social cohesion. The obvious effects of government-sponsored …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Opinion
LtE: Concerns Over RCMP Building and Park Planning
To the Mayor and Council of North Cowichan, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the recent developments surrounding the new RCMP building and parks on Drinkwater/Paddle Rd. Upon inquiry about the park in front of the new RCMP…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Provincial
When Home Feels Unsafe: The Alarming Reality in British Columbia
More than half of British Columbians fear living in their own communities. Let that sink in for a moment. How can that be acceptable? Are B.C. citizens meant to simply hang their heads and wring their hands before carrying on their daily li…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Federal
Trudeau’s ‘Hate Speech’ Law
“Hate speech” law - retroactive punishment and monetary compensation for the ‘snitches’ Soon after, on February 26th, Trudeau’s government introduced the bill. Canada’s stable of retreating, credulous on-air personalities announced its roll…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
Historic Tales, From Locals and Their Families
The book “The Clutch of Circumstances - Reminiscence of Members of the Canadian National Prisoners of War Association”, published in 1985 was shared with staff by a local surviving family member of Gwen Dopson whose story of her family’s ca…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
Citizens Challenge UN Integration in Local Policies
As we see municipalities, cities, and Regional Districts sign on to United Nations declarations, in fact the new Duncan OCP has integrated it right into it as policy, councils start feeling pushback all over the country from regular concern…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / World News
Scottish Report Reveals Low CO2 Emissions of Wood-Burning Stoves
The Scottish government’s own report, published in 2021, sheds light on the environmental impact of wood-burning stoves compared to other heating technologies. Commissioned by the Scottish Forestry quango and conducted by green consultants …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
Council Watch - May
April: - Rails to Trails’ spokesperson David Slade stated that federal and provincial funds were available for active transportation infrastructure, such as converting the railroad track into walking/biking paths, but not for reviving the r…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / World News
Unveiling Green Colonialism: The Exploitative Reality of Carbon Credit Deals in Africa
In a significant development in the global ‘carbon credit scheme’, the Liberian government is reportedly in discussions with Blue Carbon LLC, a Dubai-based entity chaired by a member of Dubai’s ruling royal family. The proposed agreement wo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
The Rooster War: How One Family’s Farm Dream Became a Legal Nightmare
Do you recall a time when neighbours lent a hand to one another, and small communities thrived on mutual reliance? Nowadays, we often hear tales of neighbours reporting each other for minor infractions, like having a trailer in the yard for…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Health & Wellness
The Real Deal: Celebrating Women and Their Journey Through Motherhood
What they don’t tell you. When you become a Mother, your heart breaks. It becomes fragments. These fragments begin to walk around outside your body. These fragments are not careful. Not even a little. They are reckless. Dangerous. They wear…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
Protesting Pays Off: SRKW Measures Remain Unchanged
A win for the residents of Port Renfrew! Congratulations to all who stood up against this NDP-Liberal government. This win is a textbook example of what peaceful and lawful protesting can accomplish. I checked the SRKW website and it looks …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Provincial
Haida Title Act Debate In The Legislature
The Haida Title Act is being debated in the Legislature this week. If passed, it will relinquish British Columbia’s ownership and jurisdiction to over 10,000 square kilometres of land and resources on Haida Gwaii. Haida laws and customs wil…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Local
North Cowichan's Forest Future
North Cowichan (N.C.) stands out among municipalities due to its ownership of 5000 hectares of forest. Over the past 30 years, N.C. has successfully managed this forest, generating approximately $1 million annually while allocating approx $…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Health & Wellness
Bach Flower Remedies: Natural Solutions For Modern Stress
One of the best less-traveled roads I wandered down over the last four years was to learn more about Dr. Edward Bach who was a British doctor, bacteriologist, pathologist, homeopath and a prolific spiritual writer born in 1906. Dr. Bach is …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Opinion
LtE: The Truth About CO2 Emissions
Dear WWIND, Interesting the camouflaged “spin” by the federal “climate change” loonie .Environment Minister Guilbeault. “CANADA EMISSIONS REPORT SHOWS SIGNS OF PROGRESS TOWARD 2030 GOA” Times Colonist - from The Canadian Press by Mia Rabson…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Federal
Losing Energy Independence
As many local citizens increasingly become frustrated with local government’s narrow strategies for governing, by putting all policy through a “Climate lens”. It seems that local bureaucrats just double down, and completely ignore any possi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Provincial
Port Side Reflections: Town Hall Committee
The Port Alberni town hall (PATH) committee 2024 was pleased with the turnout, especially as they had to compete with a Bulldog’s hockey night game against the Canucks. The Bulldog’s are a prominent group in this town, hence, to see 100 peo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Provincial
Poor Attendance for such Important Events at AGM
A mere 26 residents of the almost 800 homes of the Cherry Creek District, attended the April 18, 2024, Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Cherry Creek Hall. The Improvement District is nestled beside the City of Port Alberni on the West si…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Politics & Government
The Slow Creep To Censorship- All levels of Government
At the CVRD meeting May 1st, there was discussion about adding a fine of $50k for undefined “extreme” circumstances where people do not report to the altering of their buildings on their land. They also added more divisions within the CVRD …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Environment & Sustainability
June Gardening Tips!
This is such a wonderful time of the year that I find myself waking earlier and earlier just to go outside and check if any plants have new growth or blossoms. Wandering in your garden serenaded by birdsong is a wonderful thing to do! Dogwo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Web-Edition
Edition 012 - May
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-24 / Environment & Sustainability
Nature’s Silence: The Consequences of Diverted Environmental Efforts
I often find myself contemplating the whereabouts of the Environmentalists of yesteryears, wondering if they’ve moved on, grown apathetic after enduring numerous defeats despite some victories. Have they shifted their focus to the climate n…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-01 / Federal
Conservative Leader’s Ejection Sparks Debate Over Double Standards and Diagolon
"Whacko" vs. "White Supremacy": Dissecting the Discourse in the House of Commons In recent parliamentary sessions, the House of Commons has become a battleground of rhetoric, with words like "white supremacy," "anarchy," "white nationalist,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-05-01 / Local
Cowichan Valley's "Safe Spaces": Censorship Masquerading as Civility?
Cowichan Valley's "Safe Spaces": Censorship Masquerading as Civility? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad6Z0hn4jA In a turn of events that feels ripped from the pages of a dystopian playbook, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-29 / Local
Director Acton's Mockery Reveals the Hypocrisy Behind CVRD's Civility Complaints
In the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), A concerning narrative is unfolding—one where the line between governance and public discord is increasingly blurred. Recent board meetings have highlighted a stark division: directors encasi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-21 / Local
Cowichan Valley's Housing Crisis: A Study in Contradiction and Call to Action
Desperate Voices in a Mounting Crisis Public input is needed to help address bylaw issues with temporary homes, RV's, and tiny homes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiKf_2oaS_c COWICHAN VALLEY, April 17, 2024 — "There's nowhere to go and I…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
Bus Shelters To be Removed Amidst Public Safety Concerns
The CVRD board of directors appeared distressed and frustrated while voting to remove two bus shelters, one on James St. and the other next to London Drugs at the Village Green Mall in Duncan, during the CVRD meeting on March 27th. During t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
Duncan Townhall on Bills Set To Commence April 20th!
Coming to Duncan on April 20th, 2:30 PM, at the Duncan United Church. Attend via ZOOM at: https://tinyurl.com/duncantownhall The Town Hall will cover Provincial Bills 44-47, 31, 36, and touch on street disorder issues. Bills 44-47 could hav…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Web-Edition
Edition 011 - April
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Health & Wellness
April Gardening Tips!
Dear Gardening Friends, what a glorious change in weather! We went from nightly frosts to fabulous sunny days that made you want to stay outside all day revelling in the warmth! This winter with its extreme cold snap in January hurt many of…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
Who Is the Municipality of North Cowichan Working For?
In 2013 North Cowichan passed a motion to join the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) initiative in partnership with ICLEI, a UN creation to monitor and steer local policy. The CVRD also beca…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
Port Side Reflections
Going through my notes to write on City of Port Alberni Council Meetings, it astounded me as to how long I have been following the municipal gatherings and how educational it has been for me. I come from Ottawa and have since for the past d…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local · Politics & Government
MP Gord Johns Displeased with Protestors
Port Alberni protestors face NDP MP Gord Johns at the Friendship Center, Sunday, March 23, 2024, to voice their displeasure over MP Johns signing onto the 23% Carbon Tax that takes effect on April 1st, 2024. MP Johns told the crowd of 15 pr…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Opinion
LtE: BC Fishing Association Petition e-4913
Dear WWIND, As a young man in the 1960’s, I worked in Port Renfrew for BC Forest Products. The town’s main economy was forestry, some commercial fishing and buying, and the Pacheedaht First Nations community. When BC Forest Products shut do…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Opinion
LtE: Jordan River Solar Farm Project
Dear WWIND, Re: Jordan River Solar Farm Project I wish to register my concerns regarding the Jordan River Solar Farm Project, where 581 acres of trees are to be cut. Rather than allow the further desecration of our over-logged forests, espe…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Opinion
LtE: Premier Eby Baloney Factory
Dear WWIND, Reading the Times Colonist article on March 16, 2024, where Premier Eby calls Pierre Poilievre’s letter asking Eby to drop the carbon tax as it is inflationary. Eby response that Pierre’s letter was “a baloney factory” made me t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Health & Wellness
Castor Oil Packs - Regulating The Body Politic
While it is an understandable misconception (especially for Canucks), castor oil does not actually come from beavers, though unlike other, not uncommon, misapprehensions of reality, it is safe and often effective. Similarly, the blood sugar…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
Council Watch - April
Duncan: April 2024 Within the CAO report it was stated that the White Rd. “supportive housing” project which was delayed due to the original builder filing bankruptcy, will now be taken over by Knappett Projects Inc. to be finished late 202…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Opinion
A Nurse's Exodus - Systemic Failures Amid A Pandemic
In 2020, news of an impending pandemic came in from foreign countries. I was a new nurse working on a surgical floor in Duncan. Despite only graduating from nursing school recently, I was frequently the most senior on the floor and took the…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Environment & Sustainability · World News
The Seemingly Global War On Farmers Continues - Oregon's Ominous Precedent
In recent years, stories of small farmers facing regulatory crackdowns have become distressingly common. From stringent environmental regulations to invasive government oversight, the challenges seem insurmountable. The state of Oregon once…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / World News
The Very Many Ways the Climate Scam Narrative Isn't Aligning With the Facts
Much of the U.S. was frosted and frozen by bitter winter weather in December of 2022. But this is just further proof of manmade global warming, the media claim. Because even as America freezes, “most of the rest of the world is feeling unus…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local · Politics & Government
Marina Sapozhnikov - Constituents Going Through Hell
That afternoon my friend sounded tired on the phone. When I asked why, she said, “I am going through hell”. In the last few months, she found out that her sweet, grade A student, athletic teenage son was addicted to drugs. When the shock pa…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Provincial
Safe Care Act - Private Members Bill
Private Members’ Bill to give parents control in times of crises - BILL M 202 – 2024 SAFE CARE ACT There is a growing awareness that the current system of providing free drugs, wet housing, and injection sites is not the solution to addicti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Provincial
DFO Continues To Attack Local Fisheries Pt2
In part two of our series, to come in edition 12, we will focus on the slow crushing of our fishing industry, we will again focus on the vibrant fishing town of Port Renfrew. A village of approximately 500 residents whose businesses and liv…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
CVRD Considers Removing Public Input From Committee Meetings
Absurdity of “Safe Spaces” for Elected Officials in the Cowichan Valley. In the midst of an affordability crisis, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has become a focal point of intense public scrutiny over proposed tax hikes and t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
City Of Duncan Reviews Policies On Greased Pigs?
Duncan will be passing a motion to repeal some old bylaws on April 15th. Duncan Days is gonna be off the hook this year! One bylaw they will be repealing is the “Greased Pig Prohibited Performance Bylaw”. At first read it seems as if this w…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Politics & Government
From Conspiracy to Open Advocacy By Local Governments
As we witness local policies being rammed down the throats of locals, coupled with technological advancements, and global agendas, a disquieting reality unfolds—one meticulously crafted to surveil, control, and confine. What was once dismis…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-18 / Local
North Cowichan Council Confronted By Unexpected Estuary Dilemma
As the story of the Cowichan Bay Estuary and the Dinsdale Farm continues to peel apart like an onion, each layer exposing the deeper story, we will continue to cover this saga until the day there is some sort of ‘ending’. As we have written…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-04-07 / Provincial · Science & Technology
Grant Scandal Exposed: Government Favors Kickbacks Over Innovation
Edison Motors: The Integrity Test in British Columbia’s Troubled Grant Landscape In the politically charged atmosphere of British Columbia's grant administration, a scandal is unfolding that encapsulates the struggle between innovation and …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-26 / Local
New Perspectives Emerge in Cowichan Aquatic Center Incident, Highlighting Concerns for Children's Safety
Following the contentious incident at the Cowichan Aquatic Center, new information has come to light through an interview with the mothers of two young girls affected by the presence of a man in the women's change room, amplifying concerns …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-26 / Local
Safety and Space: The Cowichan Aquatic Center Incident Ignites Concern for Children and Women's Rights
Updated report here: New Perspectives Emerge in Cowichan Aquatic Center Incident, Highlighting Concerns for Children's Safety Local 26 March 2024 A recent incident at the Cowichan Aquatic Center has sparked a heated debate on social media a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-26 / Local
North Cowichan Community Rallies for Safety and Inclusivity in Public Spaces
Community Rally Highlights Urgent Call for Safe Spaces in North Cowichan In a powerful display of community unity and concern, residents of North Cowichan gathered to address recent safety and privacy concerns at the Cowichan Aquatic Center…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-20 / Provincial
Safe-supply drugs are being widely diverted?
In Search of Evidence or a Convenient Oversight? The Curious Case of BC's Safer Supply Program In the picturesque but troubled landscapes of British Columbia, the safer supply program was launched with the noble intention of stemming the ti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-20 / Politics & Government
Carbon Tax Confusion? Your Easy-to-Read Guide to Understanding It
The Carbon Tax: A Sisyphean Task in Canadian Climate Policy As April 1st approaches, bringing with it the latest hike in Canada’s carbon tax, one can't help but wonder if this is just an elaborate April Fool's joke played on taxpayers. For …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-20 / Local
Champions of Diversity Unite: The Quest to Censor Free Speech in Cowichan Valley
In the spirit of The Westward Independent’s commitment to truth, wit, and a dash of irreverence, let’s dive into the curious case of the disappearing newspapers. It appears that a few of our local champions of diversity, equity, and inclusi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-20 / Federal · Politics & Government
Bill C-65: Trudeau's Electoral Maneuver And More Money For His Friends
In the intricate ballet of Canadian politics, where every step and gesture is scrutinized, Bill C-65 pirouettes into the spotlight, promising to redefine the electoral landscape. Yet, beyond its veneer of democratic enrichment, lies a calcu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-19 / Education & Society
Families Urge for STEM Emphasis Amid Ideological Debates
Educational Focus in Flux As educational institutions increasingly become focal points for political and ideological discourse, families and communities across the globe are voicing their concerns. The call is clear: a pivot back to an educ…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-19 / Politics & Government
Exposing Bias: City News Skews Perception with Selective NDP Headlines
Headline Hokey-Pokey: A City News Special "BC NDP remains top choice among voters: poll," blares the headline from City News, a beacon of selective storytelling in a sea of nuanced news. This gem of a title, shared far and wide, paints a ro…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-18 / Local
North Cowichan Offers Moonlighting As A Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Has North Cowichan been taking cues from the Federal playbook, or has George Orwell decided to make a splash in our quaint little town? In an unexpected plot twist that might have the famed dystopian author nodding in grim acknowledgment, i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Opinion
LtE: CVRD Taxes and Burdens
Dear WWIND, Cowichan Valley residents came out en masse, in the middle of a cold, windy, wet afternoon, to make it known that they are at their limits, many even beyond them. Constituents are struggling in ways that I think were not fully g…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Provincial
Overdose Crisis Skyrockets 400% Is Safer Supply Falling Short?
Cowichan’s opioid crisis, has roots deeply entrenched in the fabric of communities across the nation. This has prompted a variety of responses aimed at stemming the tide of overdoses and deaths. Among these initiatives, the “safer supply” p…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local · Politics & Government
Marina Sapozhnikov - Conservative Candidate: NDP's Provincial Debt
THE NDP’S PROVINCIAL DEBT AND A COMMON-SENSE PLAN TO FIX IT In 2023, the NDP government in BC achieved a new record for the highest provincial budget deficit in history. The money spent in 2023 was even greater than in 2021 through the Covi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
Life On Wheels Community Update
As we persist in highlighting extraordinary individuals in our community who take matters into their own hands when governments fail, we turn our attention once again to Cheryl and her remarkable volunteers from Life On Wheels, applauding t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
Drinkwater Road Development Blunder
A builder purchased land between Ford Rd. and Paddle Rd. in 2020 and embarked on the lengthy journey toward approval. The developer initially presented a plan for a 5-story, 108-unit building with some affordable housing. Subsequently, the …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
Land Act Updates
As a follow-up to the article in addition 9 on the amendments to the land act, the government has now paused or decided to not follow through, with these amendments that would put DRIPA into a more legal position. From the BC government’s w…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
Doctors Meet With Campbell River Council
On Feb 29th 2024 Dr. Anna Kindy and Dr. Ingrid Pincott ND (Retired Naturopathic Physician) presented a delegation to the local Campbell River City Council. The City Council is comprised of Councillors Ron Kerr, Susan Sinnott, Sean Smythe, D…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Federal · Politics & Government
The Liberal Government's Tightening Grip On Digital Canada: A Prelude To Dystopia?
In the shadow of well-intentioned endeavors to secure the digital realm for the young and vulnerable, the Canadian federal government’s recent legislative ventures hint at a future that uncomfortably mirrors the dystopian surveillance state…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
Council Watch - March
Duncan: Feb/March 2024 Duncan council met to reconsider their scramble crosswalk. Concerns noted about traffic backing up along Canada Ave. Protected left turns are now being considered as they accomplish the same goal of “protecting pedest…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local · Politics & Government
North Cowichan Rejects New Development Near Hospital, Despite Community Support
West Vista Terrace: A Case Study in North Cowichan’s Development Challenges Nestled just minutes from North Cowichan’s municipal heartbeat, a stone’s throw away from the new hospital, the West Vista Terrace project emerged in 2020, promisin…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Web-Edition
Edition 010 - March
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here.…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Local
The Continuing Saga Of The Cowichan Bay Estuary
As we continue our coverage of the Cowichan Bay Estuary narrative that unfolded in June 2023, new details are emerging. The public was abruptly notified about the intention to remove dykes, a decision that would flood 70 hectares, including…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Science & Technology
Track and Trade World For The Global Inventory Program: Your Garbage Is Next?
Have you noticed the growing intrusion of tracking and tracing in your daily life? Loyalty cards monitor purchases, debit cards track dining habits, Smart Meter technology, and now, even your garbage might be under surveillance. The recent …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-14 / Politics & Government · Provincial
Crisis in the Water: The Battle for Survival Of Fishing on Vancouver Island
Will provincial mandates shut down fishing in BC? Part One: Reason one to shut down recreational and food fishing in B.C. In part one of a three part series we look at a global trend squeezing farmers that has now reached our fishermen, and…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-07 / Local · Politics & Government
From Carbon Scare to Eco Care: Canada's Untold Success Story
Ever pause amidst the relentless "The sky is falling!" alarm raised by local councils, pondering why their evidence often resembles a lone sock lost in the global laundry? When they solemnly declare, "It's time," one wonders, time for what …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-07 / Local · Politics & Government
Socialism vs. Solutions: Councillor Istace's Controversial Vision for North Cowichan
Misguided Governance: A Detriment to North Cowichan's Future In a recent council meeting, Councillor Chris Istace presented an argument that could only be described as a masterclass in bureaucratic double-speak, laced with a generous helpin…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-06 / Provincial
Navigating the Waters of Bill C-63: A Deeper Legal Insight
We covered Bill C-63 in late February, after it was announced, and now we have further insight and analysis on the controversial act. If you haven't read our original article you'll find it here: https://wwind.ca/the-online-harms-act-a-bold…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-06 / Local · Politics & Government
The Checkbox Dilemma: Self-Identification's Unintended Consequences in Equity Initiatives
The Inherent Flaws in Self-Identification In our collective endeavour to forge equitable and just societies, the mechanisms we deploy to achieve these objectives warrant rigorous scrutiny. Initiatives like those of the Cowichan Valley Schoo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-03-03 / Local · Politics & Government
Duncan's Crisis Escalates: A 400% Surge in Overdose Calls Exposes the Flaws of Canada's Safer Supply Strategy
Canada's opioid crisis, with its roots deeply entrenched in the fabric of communities across the nation, has prompted a variety of responses aimed at stemming the tide of overdoses and deaths. Among these initiatives, the "safer supply" pro…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-29 / Local
Cowichan Valley Stands United: The Turning Point Against Incremental Impositions
Our close-knit community faced a watershed moment at the CVRD board meeting on February 28, 2024. A seemingly minor proposal to add a 3.39% tax for parkland acquisition into an overall 19.33% tax increase became the tipping point. This wasn…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-29 / Education & Society · Opinion
Equal but Not Too Equal: The Irony of Affirmative Action
In the complex landscape of modern society, where identity politics frequently claims the spotlight, we find ourselves caught in the noble yet perplexing pursuit of equity. At the heart of this quest lies the ever-venerable Section 15 of th…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-29 / Politics & Government · World News
Costly Apologies: How Trudeau's $3 Billion 'Freedom Fund' Exports Orwellian Oversight
In an era where Canada's favourite catchphrase seems to be "we're sorry,", particularly for the multitude of domestic controversies ranging from free speech clampdowns to economic strains, it appears the Trudeau government is keen on extend…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-27 / Local · Politics & Government
Joint venture between Duncan and North Cowichan - Safer Community Plan details
The Cowichan Valley has made headlines this month, the community's outcry for safety and stability has led to a series of public protests, underlining a deep-seated concern for the future. Amid the clamour for change, the common refrain is …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-27 / Federal · Health & Wellness
Navigating the Controversial Waters of MAID Expansion in Canada
In recent years, Canada's journey with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) legislation has evolved into one of the most contentious debates across the nation, reaching a crucial juncture with the proposed expansion to include cases of mental…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-27 / Local
Rising Tides of Concern: Cowichan Valley Residents Rally for Fiscal Responsibility
On February 28th, as the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) convenes to deliberate on a proposed nearly 20% overall tax increase, the streets outside the CVRD office on Ingram Street, Duncan BC, will witness a testament to community e…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-26 / Local
CVRD's Immigration Discussion Shines Light on Mayor Douglas's Leadership
During a recent Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) meeting, on February 14th, the spotlight was not only on Amanda Vance's compelling presentation from the Cowichan Intercultural Society but also on Mayor Rob Douglas's swift move to s…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-26 / Federal
Millions Spent on 'Affordability' Retreats While Canadians Pinch Pennies
Canadians continue to find themselves grappling with soaring living costs, from unreachable home prices to climbing grocery bills. Amid these trying times, faith in public officials dwindles as their priorities seem misaligned with the popu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-26 / Business & Finance · Federal
Navigating the New Terrain: Canada's Digital Services Tax and Its Implications
In a move that has sparked widespread discussion across the nation, the Canadian government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a Digital Services Tax (DST) starting January 1, 2024. This bold step, aimed at taxing large foreign a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-26 / Federal · Politics & Government
The Online Harms Act: A Bold Move or an Overreach by the Liberal Government?
In a dramatic stride that has tongues wagging from coast to coast, the Liberal government has unveiled its much-anticipated Online Harms Act, Bill C-63, with Justice Minister Arif Virani at the helm. Touted as a crusader for digital safety,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-22 / Provincial
B.C. Ditches Plan for Joint Land Decisions with First Nations
The British Columbia government's recent decision to retract a proposal that would have significantly increased Indigenous input into Crown land management has ignited a complex debate on governance, Indigenous rights, and economic developm…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-22 / Provincial
Canadians Unswayed by Pre-Election BC Housing Band-Aid: Too Little, Too Late
In a recent move to address British Columbia's escalating housing affordability crisis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an additional $2 billion in federal funding to support the BC Builds program. Aimed at creating homes for the so…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Web-Edition
Edition - 009 February
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local · Politics & Government
Good Neighbours thrift store - Call to action
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP is currently investigating a suspicious fire in a commercial area. Just before 1:00 a.m., on February 10, 2024 the North Cowichan Duncan RCMP responded to a report of a structure fire in the 5000 block of York…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Education & Society · Opinion
Parents questioning the system
I am writing anonymously because cancel culture is so prevalent these days. Despite having thick skin, I worry that my child might suffer at the hands of ultra-”progressive” and “inclusive” teachers if I were to identify him. Have you ever …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local · Politics & Government
Chasing trends over tending towns
Are our local elected officials more interested in chasing trends than tending to our community’s needs? If you’ve followed any of the debates in our House of Commons, you’ll know exactly what we’re referencing in this article. The past few…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local · Politics & Government
Conservative candidate - Marina
For the first time in my life, I find myself writing as a candidate for a political party. I have thrown my hat in the ring for the Conservative Party of BC in the newly-created riding of Juan de Fuca-Malahat, which includes Cobble Hill, Sh…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Environment & Sustainability
The new climate proxy
Much of the U.S. was frosted and frozen by bitter winter weather last week. But this is just further proof of manmade global warming, the media claim. Because even as America freezes, “most of the rest of the world is feeling unusually warm…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
Myth of stolen land
As we see drastic changes to legislation provincially and federally, based around a United Nations Declaration, people are left confused, both Natives and non-Natives. Letters have been sent from rowing clubs to their members stating that t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Environment & Sustainability · Local
Parks or Pockets, Green Space and Dwindling Bank Accounts
Parks or Pockets: Cowichan Valley’s Quest to Grow Trees and Shrink Wallets Amidst a whopping 19.33% increase in taxes, residents plan to protest outside the CVRD building on Ingram St, Duncan, February 28th, 1:30PM. The spotlight on the str…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local · Politics & Government
Council Watch - Feb
North Cowichan February 2024: North Cowichan wrapped up their budget debates and got a taste of Bill 44 The 2024 budget was accepted with Cllr. Findlay, and Cllr. Manhas in opposition to the 5.18% increase. Cllr Manhas opposed the budget fr…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Arts & Entertainment
Nut Bar Chronicles: Tax Schemes, and Putin’s Prime-Time Beam
Welcome back to the Nut Bar, where the satire is as thick as Canadian maple syrup and just as sweetly biting. We find ourselves navigating a veritable smorgasbord of political paradoxes, from the local landscapes of Cowichan Valley to the i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
LtE - Secret $61 Million
Dear WWIND, Every news media secretly took part in a $61MILLION Trudeau pre-election pay-off from your tax dollars. When news of this “emergency relief” payout to Canadian media was first leaked out, it was dismissed as “Misinformation”, a …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
LtE - Keep free speech alive
Dear WWIND, In hopes of keeping Free Speech alive, something we hope our democracy will still honour. We have all been living in very strange times these last four years. In 2020 we were all together with the “Pandemic” looming ahead. Being…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
LtE - Concerns over Bill S210
Dear WWIND, “Right now, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) is deliberating on Bill S-210, an age verification proposal that could potentially age-gate most of the Internet. Under the guise of protecting you…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
LtE - Victimhood be gone
Dear WWIND, In the grand theater of modern discourse, where “wokeness” takes center stage, it seems we’ve all been handed scripts for a drama that many of us didn’t audition for. The current production, directed with the best of intentions,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Opinion
LtE - Bonnie Henry's event
Dear WWIND, I was surprised to see that Police Chief Manak of Victoria spoke concerning people protesting at Dr. Bonnie Henry’s documentary and that he was worried about potential violence. This was a shock because we attended a protest at …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Health & Wellness
What is 432?
Seems like an easy question, but it is actually quite a deep study going back millennia, that will only be broached herein. Some describe 432 as the cosmic number. Perhaps most simply, Pythagorean mathematics reduces 432 to the sum of its i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Federal · Science & Technology
Bill S-210: Online Privacy at Risk?
In a move that has sparked widespread concern among privacy advocates and internet users across Canada, a new bill making its way through Parliament threatens to significantly alter the landscape of internet freedom under the banner of prot…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local · Opinion
17 years of north cowichan
In our recent interviews in North Cowichan, the family behind this narrative prefers to remain anonymous—a reflection of a prevailing apprehension among many to share their stories, fearing potential repercussions from North Cowichan. Some …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Environment & Sustainability · Provincial
Controversial Land Amendments in British Columbia
The Province is quietly asking for public feedback on their amendments to the Land Act. They are asking for written submissions, no longer than five pages with no website links, no spam, and no profanity. Write to LandActamendments@gov.bc.c…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Environment & Sustainability · World News
Environmental concerns clash with agricultural realities
Photo: AP (Germany) A few months back Westward Independent featured an article on the Dutch Farmer protests, and they still have not given up; In fact, their voices have been amplified now throughout Europe. In the first weeks of January, i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Business & Finance · Politics & Government · Provincial
Bill 44 overrides local governments
In November, the BC NDP swiftly advanced three pivotal bills: Bill 44, 46, and 47. These legislative measures marked a significant transfer of local powers to the province, superseding established Official Community Plans (OCP). Among the s…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Politics & Government · Provincial
Bill 31 Loss of democracy?
Bill 31, is possibly the scariest bill the NDP put forward in their mad rush to force through bills in winter of 2023. It is oddly reflective of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic treaty that its member states, of which Canada is …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Politics & Government · Provincial
Bill 36 healthcare controversy
More than 10,000 individuals have voiced their concerns by signing a petition urging the British Columbia government to halt its ambitious overhaul of the province’s healthcare colleges. The catalyst for this widespread dissent was the pass…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18 / Local
Tax Hike Outrage: Cowichan Valley Residents Rally Against Soaring Costs for Green Dreams
Locals in our area will notice that they are on the Province’s radar when it comes to speculation after receiving letters demanding that you ‘prove’ to the province, on an annual basis, that you indeed do live in your home. The Province has…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-11 / Politics & Government
"New Greenopolis," where the air is clean, but the cupboards are bare.
Unpacking the Middle-Class Divide and the Silent Struggle The recent considered 15 to 19% tax hike by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), predominantly for parks acquisition, has sparked a debate that cuts to the core of community…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-10 / Education & Society
Politics Meets Gender Care: A Canadian Healthcare Debate
Balancing Act: Navigating the Complexities of Gender Dysphoria Care and Canadian Politics By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In this week's political roundup, an intriguing layer complicates the already convoluted n…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-10 / Local · Opinion
Revolve Cowichan's Comical Missteps on Drug Policy
Revolve Cowichan Takes a Swing and Misses: A Witty Rebuttal to Far-Left Follies in Cowichan's Streets By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In a recent blog post dripping with the kind of self-righteous indignation tha…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-10 / Local · Politics & Government
CVRD squeezes through a 19.33% tax hit to residents
Squeezing Today for Tomorrow's Green: The Cowichan Valley Conundrum In the latest episode of "How to Squeeze a Stone," the CVRD directors took to the stage with a performance that left many of us in the audience scratching our heads. After …
Read historical article →COAP / 2024-02-09 / Information · Initiatives · Local
Farmers' protest reaches Cowichan Valley!
Vancouver Island Farmers standing up! Around 50 farm vehicles showed up in support of farmers regarding the Cowichan Bay Estuary project, which we've written about a number of times over the course of this past year. See Land keepers townha…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-09 / Education & Society · World News
College of Pediatricians urge "don't destroy their healthy bodies"
There is no long-term evidence that mental health concerns are decreased or alleviated after “gender affirming therapy.” Summary (If you're pressed on time): In a comprehensive review, the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) addresse…
Read historical article →COAP / 2024-02-02 / Information · Initiatives · Local
2024 Update!
What's been happening with COAP! Happy New Year everyone, welcome to 2024! We have been incredibly busy on our projects and I recently noticed we haven't posted an update to this page for a few months. I wanted to take a moment to direct yo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-02 / Local · Opinion · Politics & Government
Opinion: Old man yells at cloud
Opinion: Up, down, left, right... By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In the grand, often bewildering landscape of modern politics, where the choices often feel as limited as the menu at a vegan BBQ in Texas, we find…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Politics & Government
The Uncertain Future of Our Public Lands
At the Crossroads of Change In Cowichan Valley, a community that prides itself on its strong connection to the land and its cultural heritage, the recent move by the British Columbia government to amend the Land Act has sparked a complex de…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Politics & Government · Provincial
The Tories' Ascent, Greens' Leap of Faith, and the Unending Liberal Comedy
At the Crossroads of Change By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In what could easily be the most daring move since someone decided pineapple belongs on pizza, Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Green Party, is takin…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Business & Finance · Local
Hollow Promises of Paper Excellence
A Community Betrayed In the heart of our community, the recent indefinite curtailment of operations at the Catalyst Crofton facility by Paper Excellence has left 75 employees without work, shattering lives and dimming the economic future of…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Federal · Politics & Government
The Comical Conundrum of Bill 44 & 47
A Satirical Saga By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In the picturesque expanse of Canada, where the land stretches far beyond the horizon, the notion of cramped living quarters seems almost a comical paradox. Yet, h…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Business & Finance · Federal
CBC's Titanic tale, the sinking ship
A Satirical Saga Today, we're diving into the world of the CBC—Canada's own broadcasting behemoth that seems to be on a mission to redefine the term "sinking ship." Under the "stellar" stewardship of Catherine Tait since 2018, the CBC has e…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-01 / Federal · Politics & Government
Carbon tax failure - Liberals out of touch
Less than 1% of the $22B in federal carbon tax revenues have been returned to small businesses As someone who has witnessed the real struggles of Canadian families, I find the Liberal government's approach to carbon taxation increasingly ou…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-31 / Education & Society · Federal · Politics & Government
The Unseen Side of Science: Unmasking the Pandemic Policy in Canada
Exposing Canada's COVID Charade By: Jack Thompson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In an era where the phrase "trust the science" became a mantra, a recent bombshell revelation on Natali Morris' YouTube channel, Redacted, has left …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-30 / Business & Finance · Education & Society · Federal · Politics & Government
Unchecked Power: A Deep Dive into Trudeau's Emergencies Act Invocation
In an era where the Canadian political landscape has been marred by divisive tactics and questionable decisions, the recent Federal Court ruling against the Trudeau government's invocation of the Emergencies Act is a pivotal moment. The dec…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-30 / Business & Finance · Education & Society · Environment & Sustainability · Politics & Government · Provincial
Conservatives Champion Co-Management of Government Land with Indigenous Nations in B.C.
Introduction In a principled move, British Columbia's New Democratic Party (NDP) government has initiated a public consultation process that could empower local control and reshape the province's land management landscape. Their visionary p…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-30 / Arts & Entertainment · Education & Society · World News
Tucker Carlson and Jordan Peterson: Candid Conversations on Politics, Trust, and Global Issues
In a recent conversation, renowned conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson engaged in a candid and thought-provoking exchange that touched on a wide array of topics. Their discussion provided valuab…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-30 / Business & Finance · Federal · Politics & Government
Rising Tides of Discontent: A Critical Look at Trudeau's Canada from a Western Perspective
Western Canadians Voice Concerns Over Liberal Policies and the Future of the Nation By: Jack Thompson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent Cowichan, BC - In the heart of Western Canada, a growing sense of frustration and disenchantment…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-30 / Business & Finance · Federal · Politics & Government
The 'Foreign Interference Inquiry' Charade: All Talk, No Action
The 'Inquiry' Charade: All Talk, No Action By: Taylor Wilson, Staff Writer at The Westward Independent In the grand tradition of Canadian politics, where the more things change, the more they stay the same, we're witnessing yet another inqu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Web-Edition
Edition 008 - January
View PDF version here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Arti…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Electric battery woes
Dear WWIND, In 2019 I decided to buy a hybrid electric car. My goal was to find an environmentally sensitive vehicle that would last for at least 10 years. My job required a lot of travel since I saw clients in their homes. I researched the…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Sprayed Poisons
Dear WWIND, The government uses Canfor (Jimmy Pattison is the owner, who also owns Save On Foods) to spray poisons all over BC and this has been happening for a very long time. We have just never been notified as citizens. They are killing …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Helicopter Hunters
Dear WWIND, Concerning Parks Canada killing 84 deer on Sidney Island for $834,000.00, I have a question: “Does that cost include all the money that was spent planning this event?” My calculations say that the actual price is $9,928.58 per d…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Snowpack Declines
Dear WWIND, When it comes to “climate change” the Corrupt Canadian Mainstream Media (CCMM) doesn’t seem to want to ever give up on promoting the FRAUD. (“SHARP DECLINE IN SNOWPACK DUE TO HUMAN-CAUSED CLIMATE CHANGE: STUDY”). Times Colonist,…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Drug Pilot Project
There is insanity in the BC Courtroom and lawlessness in BC’s parks and playgrounds. Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson of the BC Supreme Courts has ruled against seniors, disabled people and families with children and come down solidly on t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Opinion
LtE - Pest Management Plan
Applicant: Ministry of Forests, Range Branch, 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T3 invasive.plants@gov.bc.ca, 604-996-4683 RE: DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN (APR 15, 2024 - APR 15, 2029) APPLICATION NUMBER FOR-SBR-PMP-2024-2029…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Federal · Politics & Government · World News
Demonizing single-family homes
After reading all of the local ‘plans’, from the OCP, the whole transportation plan, and the Climate Action and Energy Plan, it is clear what North Cowichan has in store for us until 2050. Many of these plans entail drastic changes to our l…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Education & Society · Environment & Sustainability · World News
Challenging the Net-Zero narrative
To all of those who use their voices to question the suicide note that is ‘Net-Zero’, and do so in the face of ridicule and condemnation, we know that we, the human species, are the carbon to be reduced, I salute you. Last week the front pa…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Pitfalls in North Cowichan's EV Fleet
In recent reports from the Cowichan Valley Citizen and the Chemainus Valley Courier, the decision by the North Cowichan Council to transition its municipal fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) has come under scrutiny. This report aims to provid…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Arts & Entertainment · Local · Politics & Government
Scramble, what scramble?
Scrambling for Sense: How Our Town’s ‘Green’ Intersection Turned Red with Embarrassment In the latest episode of ‘green initiatives gone wild’, our beloved town has transformed a major intersection into a pedestrian scramble, turning what w…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Federal · Politics & Government
Hategate Hoopla
Welcome back to the Nut Bar, where we blend political satire with a sprinkle of surrealism and a dash of daring. This month, we’re slicing through the thick crust of #HateGate, a saga so spicy it makes a ghost pepper look like a bell pepper…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Environment & Sustainability · World News
COP28 - Changing Futures
Report on the UN’s Climate Change Conference held in Dubai, UAE, Nov. 30 to Dec 12, 2023, Was the COP28 conference a success? Judging by the number of delegates it must have been. There were 84,000 delegates from 195 countries, including 74…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Local · Politics & Government
Council Watch - Jan2024
December was filled with more 2024 Budget reviews and cell antenna concerns. The Budget included much more additional staff being hired, additional taxpayer money to be used for the now depleted forest reserve fund since logging stopped in …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Business & Finance · Local
Win against a Telecom Giant
On December 20th, North Cowichan Council faced a pivotal decision prompted by a staff recommendation to accept a lease from Rogers Cellular for the installation of six 5G antennas on a water tower in the densely populated Eagle View Place n…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Environment & Sustainability · Science & Technology · World News
Chinese studies sway local policy?
In the past five months, North Cowichan and the CVRD have been visited by representatives from local climate groups, some with ties to larger, global non-governmental agencies. These individuals were instrumental in urging all local governm…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Shawnigan rail trail violations
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has found itself entangled in a web of controversy surrounding Phase 3 of the Shawnigan Village Rail Trail (SVRT). From potential environmental impacts to alleged regulatory violations, this proj…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Arts & Entertainment · Local
Colourized Memories - Nigel Robertson
1910- An early morning in Duncan’s Crossing- The Train just rolled in, The Tzouhalem Hotel is bustling with patrons, the restaurant busy and the town is waking up....Credit to Royal BC Museum Archives, Item E-00433. Nigel Robertson has gain…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Politics & Government · Provincial
Infants act meets Fentora
The B.C. Infants Act (BCIA), works similarly to others such as some Mature/Minor Acts, however, the BCIA has no minimum age requirement for consent: Part 2 -- Medical Treatment -- “Consent of infant to medical treatment: 17 (1). “health car…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Education & Society · Local · Politics & Government
Cowichan fights against drug sites
Cowichan Valley Community Center - Emergency Warming Site I read that people are very upset about our provincial and local governments’ desires to have free injection sites that are obviously not working. These cause huge problems and dange…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21 / Education & Society · Local
Sabotage turned solidarity
When our humble local newspaper started facing some sly tactics from a competitor, it became a real test of our community’s grit and resilience. It’s a story that’s going to stick with me for a long time, a testament to what real teamwork a…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Web-Edition
Edition 007 - December
Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Articles within this editi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Arts & Entertainment · Local
From our heart to yours
Thank You, Cowichan Valley: A Letter from the Heart of The Westward Independent As 2023 draws to a close and we eagerly anticipate the start of 2024, we at The Westward Independent are taking a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
Cowichan Valley's Council Conundrum
The North Cowichan Council meeting on November 1st resonated with the kind of deliberation that reverberates far beyond the council chambers. It wasn’t just about who gets to sit where or represent whom; it was about the very essence of rep…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Christmas Miracles or Regular Citizens
North Cowichan, Duncan, and the CVRD is full of caring citizens, who have decided to take care of many of the local community needs, while we ask where the other high paid NGOs and Local Governments seem to struggle being able to figure out…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Business & Finance · Federal
Canadians Say They Won't Use Digital Currency
The concept of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), often referred to as GovCoin, has been met with skepticism and reluctance in Canada, as evidenced by the Bank of Canada’s recent report. Despite the claimed ‘potential benefits’ of a di…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
Are Citizens Reaching Their Breaking Point With local Government?
Rising Discontent: Are Citizens Reaching Their Breaking Point with Local Governments? In recent times, an air of discontent has enveloped communities across various regions, fueled by tax hikes, increasing restrictions, and a perceived lack…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Environment & Sustainability · Science & Technology · World News
Rethinking Climate Narrative: Expert Dissent
Have you ever heard the term “Trust The Experts”? This is where we find ourselves, listening to so-called experts that depend on grant money and acceptance into peer-reviewed papers as long as they go along with the narrative mostly based o…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Local · Politics & Government
Council Watch: December 2023
February 2023 Budget debate Cllr. Findlay brought forward an idea for councillors to forego their cost of living raise of ($175 per month) to be a good example to the constituents, especially when they were discussing a 17% increase in muni…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Local · Politics & Government
Saluting North Cowichan’s Boots-on-the-Ground Staff: Unseen Heroes of Our Community
In every community, there are unsung heroes working tirelessly to ensure the well-being of residents. In North Cowichan, we are fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals, the Boots-on-the-Ground staff, who consistently go above and…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Arts & Entertainment · Environment & Sustainability · Local
Nut Bar: Green Dreams, Fiscal Schemes, and Forest Beam
Welcome back to ‘Nut Bar,’ the only place where political antics are served with a side of satire and a garnish of wit. In this month’s episode, we’re exploring the thrilling tightrope walk of fiscal responsibility and environmental enthusi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Arts & Entertainment · Environment & Sustainability
Echoes in the Eco-Chamber: A Day in the Life Of Progressivia
Greetings once more from Progressivia, the city where the future is so bright, you’ve got to wear your recycled-material shades. It’s 2050, and we’ve taken the progressive agenda, put it on a solar-powered rocket, and launched it into a wor…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Environment & Sustainability · Provincial
Concerns Rise As Ministry Of Forests Plans Extensive Herbicide Spraying In Regional Districts
In a recent press release, the Ministry of Forests announced a sweeping spraying campaign across all Regional districts, eliciting concerns over potential threats to water sources, wildlife, and human health. However, the 30-day public inpu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
$507,000 Ghosts: Decade-Old Rejected Housing Project Yields No Progress
Mayor and Council, North Cowichan Municipality: This project requires a NEW PUBLIC MEETING / HEARING before any approvals! A Public Meeting was held at Mount Prevost School back in Feb 2017 with NO residents supporting the project for 64 un…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Opinion
LtE - BC Government's Herbicide Management Plan
Dear WWIND, Regarding the BC Government’s “Development of a Pest Management Plan” in The Bulletin’s Nov. 15 issue (p. A 15), to use 22 different herbicides, including glyphosate and 2-4 D for non-specified invasive species, while we are alr…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Opinion
LtE - Farmers Institute CVRD Town Hall
Dear WWIND, I attended the CVRD Town Hall at the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute that was held in the middle of harvest season and in the middle of the day, which was supposed to be a Town Hall to speak to farmers about the proposed agricultu…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Opinion
LtE - Where's the Elected Representatives For Injection Site?
Dear WWIND, North Cowichan and the Cowichan School Board are offering to help find another location for the injection site on York Street. But where were Rob Douglas, Mayor, and Cathy Schmidt, School Board Chair when 400 plus concerned pare…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Opinion
LtE - Words Where There Once Were No Words
Dear WWIND, I am writing to comment on the deliberate introduction of words slowly being infused into common use. I attended a recent session regarding the Koksilah Watershed. The presenter, Tom Gleason introduced himself as a “Settler”. Af…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14 / Opinion
LtE - Say No To Toxic Spray
Reach out to your local Regional District Director today! Stop the spray of these toxic chemicals into our waterways and on our wildlife! Contact: Ministry of forest invasive.plants@gov.bc.ca. Phone: 604-996-4683 B.C. Forest’s invasive plan…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-11-30 / Information · Local
Night Owl Outreach - Emergency Shelter
The Night Owl Outreach Group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcIHYmdAsY4 If you wish to support the Night Owls and their heartful efforts to warm and feed those in need, please see links below. Sandy: https://www.facebook.com/sandyy.king ni…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Cowichan’s Middle Class at a Crossroads
In the Cowichan Valley, a stark divide shadows the sunlit streets: Climate policy’s burden on the middle class. As the community transitions into a preferred retirement haven, over half of its residents savour retirement’s leisure, many tur…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Web-Edition
Edition 006 - November
Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Articles within this editi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Local · Politics & Government
Community Input Undervalued
North Cowichan steams full-bore ahead on its climate agenda, public input appears to be a point of contention. As another council meeting went underway, Mayor Rob Douglas of North Cowichan decided to go off-script from the Mayor’s report, d…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Arts & Entertainment · Environment & Sustainability · Local
Preservation of Elkington House
Maple Bay, North Cowichan - Elkington House, a historic gem dating back to 1894, holds the distinction of being North Cowichan’s only designated heritage house. Its preservation has become a matter of concern for the Oak Park Heritage Prese…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Federal · Provincial
Unpacking 30x30
The “30x30” biodiversity target is making waves globally, with Canada, like many other nations, pledging to protect 30% of its land and waters by 2030. But is this global conservation goal really the silver bullet it’s portrayed to be, espe…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Federal · Politics & Government · World News
Green Policies Have Homeowners Seeing Red
Following North Cowichan’s decision to expedite the adoption of building step code 6 years earlier than the Province, with a vote of 4-3, we’ve contacted other communities to determine whether they are aligned with these so-called “local” i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Debate - Future of Estuary and Farmland in BC
John Rustad is the current leader of the B.C. Conservatives. Mr. Rustad has visited the Cowichan Valley multiple times to inquire about, and look into, the flooding of the Cowichan Bay estuary that has become such a hot-button topic. Mr. Ru…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Arts & Entertainment · Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Nutbar - Whimsical Look at Political Gymnastics
Welcome to “Nut Bar,” your dive into the deliciously ironic world of political acrobatics where every side of the spectrum bends over backwards so much, they might just win an Olympic medal for flexibility. In today’s installment, we’re tak…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Arts & Entertainment · Politics & Government
Progressivia - City of the Future
Welcome to Progressivia, the city of tomorrow! It’s 2045, and the progressive agenda has not just been followed; it’s been run with—literally, since running is now the city’s official transport (next to e-biking, of course). In Progressivia…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · World News
Dutch Farms and Global Food Security
*Sponsored Content* In the Netherlands, more than 3,000 farms are currently locked in a struggle for their survival. This plight is not unique to the Netherlands, as farming communities worldwide face similar challenges, from the United Sta…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · World News
Climate Action and Global Responsibility
North Cowichan has recently utilized its ‘climate action and energy fund’ reserve to procure a fleet of electric vehicles, including an electric garbage truck. This decision has ignited much debate, prompting residents to question the fund’…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Business & Finance · Local
North Cowichan Developers Forum
Westward Independent recently had the privilege of attending the North Cowichan Developers’ Forum, a pivotal event held at Fuller Lake. This forum casts a spotlight on some pressing issues within the Canadian housing sector, offering insigh…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Business & Finance · Local
York St. Diner to Remain Open - Pending New Location
In our previous edition, we covered the closure of the York St. Diner. We’re happy to report since then, the business has preservered and will remain open, looking for a new location. The community of North Cowichan has been voicing worries…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
CVRD's $100 Million walkway
In times when making ends meet has become a daily challenge for many in our community, the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s decision to earmark approximately $100 million for an active transportation plan strikes a nerve. While the inten…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08 / Health & Wellness · Local
Embracing Herbal Tea - Steeped in Wellness
At this time of year when the weather turns cool and wet, it is an enjoyable daily self-care practice to nourish our body and soul with delicious and nutritional herbal tea. It is a simple pleasure that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere with…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Sept-20-I-was-There
Wednesday, September 20th, I was there. And I had my 10-year-old daughter with me. The peaceful protest, in support of children and parental rights, was a shit show. Let it be known that the VicPD are the ones who demanded the organizers sh…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Sept-20-My-Life-Changed
Last Sunday my family’s life changed dramatically. We were the target of a hate crime. My home was attacked, my property destroyed and my wife and children now live in fear that someone wishes them harm. This is not some faraway place, it h…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Sept-20-I-Felt-it-Necessary
I feel it necessary to write about the protest/counter-protest protest, on Sept. 20th. If you believe other news reports that called the protestors unruly, aggressive or violent, know that the reporter is confused, as this was not the case …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Sept-20-Parent-Rights
I went to the Legislature Buildings on Wednesday, September 20th, to listen to speakers for the 1MillionMarch4Children and Parent’s Rights Rally. As the presentations started, a very aggressive noisy group started to form in the center of t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Sept-20-Question
Question for the No Space for Hate people Where were you in 2020 when BLM, a human rights group, protested and rioted throughout the US and Canada, while everyone else was under travel restrictions and various forms of lockdowns, 10% of the…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-15 / Opinion
LtE-Trailer-Living
My wife and I have been living in a trailer with an addition of my making for over 3 1/2 years. We were set up on someone’s private lands in a rural setting. We were hooked up properly to sepic and had power and water. We had a relationship…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Web-Edition
Edition 005 - October
Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Articles within this editi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Environment & Sustainability · Federal
Local Beauty - Global Beast
Last month, we had the privilege of touring and engaging with several farmers who shared their experiences of government intervention and the challenges posed by provincial and local policies. While exploring these expansive and productive …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Business & Finance · Local
The End of Many Eras
We saw many small businesses shut down after the strain of mandates, it seems that trend is not slowing down. On October 28th the community will see the beloved York St. Diner close its doors. After 12 years of serving satisfied customers, …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · World News
A Country in Distress
Did you know there’s still a Boer War going on? No, I’m not talking about the war that took place more than 120 years ago in South Africa. I’m talking about the global war against the farmers, playing out in countries like the Netherlands. …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
CVRD - Farmers Institute
Westward Independent attended the Agricultural Town Hall hosted by the CVRD at the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute on Sept. 26th. Initially, the hall was sparsely populated, possibly due to its midday timing during a farmer’s workday from 1-4…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Tale of Dinsdale Farm
In the heart of Cowichan Bay, amidst the lush farmland and tranquil landscapes, a storm of controversy was brewing. Whispers and rumours swept through the community like wildfire, all centred on the contentious flooding of 70 hectares of pr…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Environment & Sustainability · Local
Cowichan Updates Step Code for Construction
Step Code changes for construction Recently, North Cowichan voted to bring in Step Code 4 from the B.C. Building Step Code efficiency plan on their own volition even though it clearly states this on their website: “The BC Energy Step Code i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
Tax-Exemptions Held Hostage
North Cowichan Council, led by Councillors Istace, Toporowski, and Justice, with Mayor Douglas as the tie-breaker, rejected the tax exemption for The House of Grace pregnancy center. While generously granting tax breaks to multimillion-doll…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Arts & Entertainment · Local
Hate in Disguise
In our picturesque corner of the country, known for its beauty, harmony and diversity, a disconcerting trend has taken root. A group of far left-wing extremists, who loudly champion inclusion, diversity, and love, have revealed their true c…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Federal
Natural Gas - Local Councils and Energy Choices
Across the island, local councils appear to be adopting a unified stance on the demonization and restriction of natural gas. This trend, observed in policies ranging from tree bylaws to natural gas restrictions, raises questions about wheth…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-09-28 / Information · Initiatives · Local
CVRD Presentation - Adrienne's Overview of the OCP
Adrienne presents for CVRD We are uploading this presentation by request. This is from a townhall which took place over the summer of 2023. Adrienne goes through the CVRD proposed changes from the Official Community Plan. https://www.youtub…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-09-08 / Action · Information · Initiatives · Local
BC Rising - Adrienne's Overview
Adrienne presents for BCRising Adrienne speaks on behalf of COAP with local group Bc Rising. If you wish to learn more about their initiatives visit their website at www.bcrising.ca…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-09-04 / Web-Edition
Edition 004 - September
Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes here. Articles within this editi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Federal
Urban farming under attack - From water rights to carbon hysteria
In recent times, an alarming trend has emerged that could cast a long shadow over the livelihoods of farmers—the guardians of our lands and the backbone of our communities. This unsettling phenomenon revolves around an unsettling declaratio…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Federal
North Cowichan & The climate emergency
Last month a letter was sent asking to clarify the Climate Emergency, this is their response Good morning COAP team, Here are responses to your queries, in bold text: 1: We requested documentation and supporting information from North Cowic…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
What will it take?
North Cowichan has quite the plan for our future mobility. Have you ever heard the phrase “Active Transportation”? This phrase refers to modes such as walking, rolling, and scootering. Words you will see often in many plans, federally, prov…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · World News
Is there a climate consensus trick?
How can a study that claims ‘greater than 99% consensus’ among scientists, simultaneously report that 69% of scientists gave ‘no position’?! This article reports on a recently published study which declares an overwhelming consensus among e…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
The illusion of public consultations
Municipalities often boast about their transparency and commitment to engaging with the public. However, recent events have sparked doubts regarding the efficacy of this process. Residents in the Cowichan Bay area have recently organized se…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Local · Politics & Government · Provincial
Unmasking Greyhound Therapy - Navigating homeless conundrum
The issue of homelessness in North Cowichan has ignited a multifaceted dialogue, intensified by an article propagated by media powerhouse Black Press. While their narrative resonates across various platforms, a deeper exploration into the i…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
Could North Cowichan already celebrate Net-Zero?
The following article is written to promote thought and intrigue surrounding climate policies and related taxes on residents. If you enjoy a bit of math and speculation, this article might be for you! Using statistics available on sciencedi…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Federal · Science & Technology
The history of planned obsolescence - From innovation to consumerism
I was recently in the market for a used vehicle and found the older most vehicles were the longer their lifespans. Why would a 1950 Chevy last hundreds of thousands of km longer than a 1999 Chevy? Shouldn’t we have more innovation and more …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Federal · Politics & Government · World News
Common Sense - 2023 Preface (Paid Article)
Diverse Voices at Play We provide a platform for diverse voices and viewpoints, recognizing that a multitude of ideas contribute to a rich and informed dialogue. It's important to remember that the content of this article reflects the autho…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-21 / Action · Local
Cowichan Bay Estuary - Landkeeperssociety Townhall
If you missed the town hall you can watch the entire event below. The Land Keepers Society hosted a Town Hall at the Cowichan Station Hub, August 14th between 7PM and 9PM. Everyone was encouraged to come with concerns, thoughts, and feedbac…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-21 / Action · Council_Videos · Local
North Cowichan - NGO's, WEF, UN
It's not often we get to hear or see some of these terms hitting our local council. We can't wait to see how the comments are spun online. In the meantime take a listen for yourself as Adrienne speaks on behalf of our concerned community, a…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-21 / Action · Council_Videos · Local
North Cowichan - Will they cancel Meta announcements?
In a very interesting letter sent to council, Black Press (Cowichan Valley Citizen) urges council to cancel all announcements, updates, surveys, etc promoted through Meta (Facebook). Their plan? Divert the funds to media outlets such as the…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-19 / Information · Local
North Cowichan - Master Transportation Plan
It has come to our attention North Cowichan has pulled the latest draft of the Master Transporation Plan off their website. Could this be because it shows the survey results of less than 1% of residents using a bicycle? Could it be the cont…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-08 / Action · Local
Cowichan Bay Estuary - Landkeeperssociety
On June 8th, local Cowichan Bay residents became aware of a project set to flood 100 hectares of fertile farmland by removing the dikes which protect it. We had the opportunity to engage with Jack Mcleod, founder of Land Keepers Society, wh…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government · Provincial
Old Fashioned Values
Earlier this past month I was able to sit in on a presentation to the council by two gentlemen who were pleading their case, once again, asking North Cowichan council to advocate on their behalf to have the Chemainus River dredged to stop t…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Business & Finance · Local
SPCA Plans Hindered
Exciting changes are on the horizon for the Duncan SPCA, with a significant government grant of 1 million dollars for upgrading the 30-year-old building and the establishment of the Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre - the first of it…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Local
What is Dredging?
Dredging rivers, when done carefully and with proper planning, can offer several environmental benefits and help mitigate the risk of flooding. Here are a few of the key reasons why dredging can be beneficial: Improved River Capacity: Over …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Business & Finance · Environment & Sustainability · Local
Land Keepers - Cowichan Bay Estuary
Hear ye, hear ye good people of the Cowichan Valley And any and all with ears to hear and eyes to see. In these unique times we’re living, it is of paramount importance that we come to each other’s aid and raise our voices in unison. Being …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Business & Finance · Local · Politics & Government
Berkey's Corner Part 2
Our July edition featured a short article on Berkey’s Corner, specifically highlighting the amount of growth that has occurred in such a short timeframe. The report concluded with insight into Local Area Plans (LAP), as well as Neighbourhoo…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08 / Environment & Sustainability · Local · Politics & Government
CVRD offers decade-old climate hysteria resources
Stage 3 water restrictions arrive in Cowichan, and it leaves a few residents with questions. While some Cowichan residents are being threatened with fines, and even having their water shut off, the CVRD appear to have no issue with how they…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-04 / Action · Initiatives · Local
Explain Climate Emergency - North Cowichan
We've written North Cowichan a few times to better understand the 'Climate Lens' all policy and decisions filter through. The staff has confirmed the council did not provide a definition for any of these things, nor do they explain what it …
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-08-03 / Council_Videos · Local
17% Tax Hike for North Cowichan Residents
Councillor Findlay expresses concern over the tax rate and suggests anything he can think of to give residents a break. Meanwhile, councillor Istace wants to approve the tax hike but also expresses his financial hardship and shuts down the …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-07-30 / Web-Edition
Edition 003 - August
Download the PDF edition here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.caIf you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.caView available packages and sizes he…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-29 / Action
Open Drug Use
We are presenting this petition on behalf of North Cowichan Residents, as well as visitors to North Cowichan for instances such as regular shopping, commuting through, and citizens who enjoy the beauty of North Cowichan. Overview Support …
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-29 / Action
Facial Recognition
We are presenting this petition on behalf of North Cowichan Residents, as well as visitors to North Cowichan for instances such as regular shopping, commuting through, and citizens who enjoy the beauty of North Cowichan. Overview We rejec…
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-07-25 / Web-Edition
Edition 001 - June
Download the PDF edition here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.ca If you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.ca View available packages and sizes …
Read historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-07-25 / Web-Edition
Edition 002 - July
Download the PDF edition here Looking to advertise with WWIND? For sales and a rate sheet contact us at sales@wwind.ca If you’d like to submit an article for our next edition, contact us at editor@wwind.ca View available packages and sizes …
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / FOI
FOI Resources
FOI Resources Welcome to our comprehensive resource page on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests! If you've ever wondered how to access government information, navigate the FOI process, and craft effective requests, you've come to the righ…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / Local · Project
Life On Wheels
We had the pleasure of speaking with Cheryl for a few hours one sunny afternoon. She let us into her world, over 2 years of helping those on the street. Cheryl, along with a few volunteers, donate their time, effort, and expertise, every si…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / Local
North Cowichan reveals race card under the rug
North Cowichan staff directed the council on a policy regarding gender-neutral language. Oddly enough, however, hidden within that policy were new terminologies related to minorities. Staff directed the council to update the term ‘visible m…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / FOI_Requests
FOI North Cowichan OCP & Climate Caucus
FOI Request - Kate Marsh - Page 63 “Hello Alex, I am attaching a link to our new draft OCP process, including the OCP itself. It is based on Donut Economics a book by Kate Raworth. Nanaimo is the other Canadian City I am aware of that is us…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / FOI_Requests
FOI North Cowichan Climate Emergency
In May of this year, COAP sent an FOI request to North Cowichan asking to provide us with details about their declaration of a “climate emergency” back in 2019. We asked for a definition of which there was none. We asked for the partners th…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-24 / Local
North Cowichan Considers Cancelling Natural Gas
North Cowichan Council pulled an email for review, the email suggests residents of North Cowichan are confused over the term ‘Natural Gas’ and wish for it to be renamed to ‘Fossil Gas’. While we expect to see suggestions like this coming fr…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-07-22 / FOI
How & Why to Write an FOI
FOI Overview A Freedom of Information (FOI) request is a formal way to access information held by the government or public bodies. It's like submitting an official inquiry to obtain specific documents or details that might not be readily av…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-06-11 / Action · Initiatives · Local
June 11 – Climate Forum
Huge thank you to our donors who made this event possible. Also huge thanks to the staff at the Cowichan Community Center who made everything so easy to set up and present. David Hilderman delivered an amazing presentation with lots of char…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-06-01 / Information · Local · Project
Substantiate Climate Lens
** This article is from January, it was moved over for archive purposes. It relates to an active FOI we have with municipalities, see the following articles for updated information: https://coap.ca/foi-north-cowichan-climate-emergency/ http…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-05-27 / Information
Paleoclimatology- Tom Gallagher
Climate change is definitely not a hoax: the climate has always been changing, and it will continue to change in the future. Roger Palmer Paleoclimatology takes a look at the distant geologic past. Below you'll find a 3-part series that dis…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-04-01 / Information · Local
Development thoughts
Applications stuck between the former and new OCP are causing issues. Developers have addressed that their applications are years old and were quoted a 6-12 month approval time. Due to delays with staff, applications were overdue, and now h…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-03-11 / Action · Initiatives · Local
March 11 - Climate forum
Huge thank you to our donors who made this event possible. Also huge thanks to the staff at the Cowichan Community Center who made everything so easy to set up and present. Donal O'Callaghan did such a wonderful job navigating the remote se…
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-03-09 / Local
There was light
A while back I noticed that my street lights had changed, from two warm orange-glow street lights on the whole block, to one cold LED white light every 4-5 houses on the block and beyond….in fact all through the valley! I am sure they were …
Read historical article →COAP / 2023-02-01 / Local
Climate Crisis - Climate Lens
After local governments declared a "climate crisis" in 2019, all policy was altered and revamped to institute a direction that all current and future tax discussions, and Official Community Plans, Transportation Plans, must now meet arbitra…
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