Our blog

The 2020 Islands Agriculture show will explore cannabis opportunities, food processing Initiatives and other exciting topics as part of this year’s show, Feb 7 & 8, 2020, at the Cowichan Exhibition Park. The Islands Agriculture Show is the only agricultural trade show serving the farm and food community on Vancouver Island, the Coast and Gulf Islands.  It is a venue for farmers, rural landowners, farm organizations, equipment dealers, service providers and the general public to learn,...

The Cowichan Valley Regional District has approved two new policies that establish criteria for considering cannabis-related business applications.  The Cannabis Retail Store Policy and Cannabis Production Land Use Application Policy were adopted by the CVRD Board of Directors, to guide local entrepreneurs wishing to advance applications for this burgeoning industry in the nine electoral areas in the region. In the coming months, the CVRD Board will consider zoning bylaw amendments to permit...

Be sure to visit the BC Forest Discovery Centre for 12 days of holiday magic in December.  This 100 acre property transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, displays, and tons to do for the whole family. The Christmas Express Train leaves the station every 20 minutes from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and daily December 18 through to the 23rd. This 1901 steam locomotive travels through the enchanted woods and makes it’s way across the Somenos Lake...

Young Agrarians, a farmer to farmer resource network, is hosting a Land Linking Workshop to assist farmland owners and land seekers with their vision for their land or future farm dream. On Sunday, December 1, 2019 at The HUB at Cowichan Station you can attend a Land Linking Workshop with Vancouver Island/Cowichan Land Matcher Azja Jones Martin and learn more about land lease arrangements through the B.C. Land Matching Program. Land Linking workshops provide a great opportunity for landowners...

The Cowichan Air Transport Feasibility Study, commissioned by Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) in partnership with the Duncan Flying Club, determined the advantages of expanded air transport balanced with the cost of providing this service for the region. Dillon Consulting Ltd was contracted to undertake the study with coordination by local aviation expert, Robert Stitt. The feasibility study looks at the various levels of government regulations and financial supports, develops goals for...

On Friday, October 18, 2019, A Warm Land Heritage Workshop took place co-hosted by the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives and Economic Development Cowichan in cooperation with Heritage BC, Cowichan Tribes and the BC Museums Association.  Heritage representatives and local government were invited to think differently about the concept of heritage storytelling and how best to support heritage in the Cowichan Region. This dynamic workshop provided examples of how shared history, First Nations...

In partnership with community representatives, the Cowichan Valley Regional District is sponsoring a design and planning exercise for the Village of Shawnigan Lake. The ‘Think Shawnigan’ is considered a village centre vitalization, a collaborative project that enables residents to express and record their vision for what is considered the heart of their community. The design process is expected to tackle a number of challenges including mobility improvements, intensity of desired development,...

Cowichan Tribes is the 89th First Nation in Canada and the 49th First Nation in B.C. to have voted to accept a Land Management! Cowichan Tribe members on and off-reserve participated in the “Quw’utsun Tumuhw”, Cowichan Tribes Land Code vote to replace the land management provisions of the Indian Act of 1867. Cowichan Tribes has developed a community-driven Land Code and will now enter an agreement which will provide for the transfer of their land management from Canada to Cowichan Tribes....

Economic Development Cowichan is proud to support the Shawnigan Village community to envision its future. EDC is working in partnership with Sierra Acton, Director Electoral Area B, community champions, stakeholders, and design consultants on Think Shawnigan, an intense design and planning process generating creative ideas for the future look and feel of Shawnigan Village. There are many opportunities for community input and participation in the process.  The outcome will be a highly visual,...