COAPCOAP + THE WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / TOPIC COLLECTION
CVRD policies, bylaws & local government
Reporting and commentary about the Cowichan Valley Regional District: its bylaws, services, spending and decisions.
74 matching archived articles · Page 1 of 4 · Articles retain their original dates.
WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-04-13
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2025-02-07
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-11
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-12-06
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-11-26
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-10-04
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-08-29
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-21
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-07-10
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 the historical article →