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 3 of 4 · Articles retain their original dates.
WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-18
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-11
"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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-02-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2024-01-21
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-12-14
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-11-08
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-10-10
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 the historical article →COAP / 2023-09-28
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-09-04
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-31
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 the historical article →WESTWARD INDEPENDENT / 2023-08-08
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 the historical article →