The Discourse
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NEW: North Cowichan will challenge the court ruling that ordered the municipality to reconsider a development permit for an expansion of the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit.

Facing mounting opposition and a lawsuit threat, the CVRD board chose to delay a decision on the Cowichan estuary campground development. It will instead wait to hear if B.C.'s Ministry of Environment approves of the proposal.

Planning something spooky this weekend? Here are the official tips and recommendations for safe, scary fun.

Safe Halloween tips New public health orders SD62 catchment review Plus more West Shore news and events!

The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment reported this week on its activities from July through September, 2020. Here's what the report says about the tent sites and hotel rooms to help people without housing through the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Community continued with the established campsites and hotel rooms for many of the valley’s less fortunate. This has been realized as a much-needed service, which has had a positive outcome for both clients and community. These sites ...did not generate any notable increase in calls for service and overall Policed itself." The full report begins on on Page 36 of this Municipality of North Cowichan council agenda package: https://pub-northcowichan.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.as

In preliminary results, former councillor Bob Day has edged out former mayor Ross Forrest in the race for mayor of Lake Cowichan by just 19 votes: http://www.town.lakecowichan.bc.ca//Results%20-%20Mayor.pdf

Although all of the votes won't be counted for weeks, CBC News has projected the winner in all five ridings that The Discourse is following. If these projections hold, the seat will go to the incumbent MLA in all five ridings: -BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau holds her seat in the Cowichan Valley... -NDP leader John Horgan holds Langford-Juan de Fuca -Esquimalt-Metchosin, Nanaimo-North Cowichan and Nanaimo also go to NDP incumbents: Mitzi Dean, Doug Routley and Sheila Malcolmson CBC News has projected that the NDP will form a majority government. Image credit to CBC news: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/.../british.../2020/results/

New COVID-19 restrictions coming CVRD delays estuary campground decision Ladysmith care home loses licence Catch up on local news and events

We asked readers what questions they wanted to ask the election candidates and then we asked the candidates for direct answers to make sure your voices were heard. We can’t do what we do without reader contributions.

Polls are open across British Columbia! You have until 8 p.m. to make your vote count, if you haven't already. Check out this map to find your closest voting place: https://wheretovote.elections.bc.ca/ BC Transit buses are free to ride today.... Haven't made up your mind? Check out The Discourse's election coverage at: https://thediscourse.ca/deep-dive/election-2020 Look for the election guides for the ridings of Langford-Juan de Fuca, Esquimalt-Metchosin, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan and Nanaimo. You'll find all our local coverage there, including candidates' responses to questions we heard from you. Happy voting!

How will candidates tackle food security in the Cowichan Valley? Ahead of the election, reporter Shalu Mehta spoke with candidates in the Cowichan Valley riding about their plans to support farming and increase food security. https://thediscourse.ca/c/cowichan-candidates-food-security

The Discourse asked candidates in the Cowichan Valley riding about their plans to tackle the most visible social issues in the Duncan core. Here's our conversation with BC Green Party candidate and incumbent Sonia Furstenau. (You'll find our conversation with BC NDP candidate Rob Douglas in a separate post. BC Liberal candidate Tanya Kaul declined the interview request.)

Upcoming holiday events Fisgard Lighthouse turns 160 Rising COVID-19 cases Plus more West Shore news and events.

How will candidates tackle the rising costs of living in Greater Victoria? Esquimalt-Metchosin candidates share their plans for affordable housing and childcare.

Election day nears Women’s shelter reopens Flu shot info Plus more Cowichan news and great local events.

Burning restrictions Flu shot information Earthquake preparedness Plus more West Shore news and events!

We’re leaving the people who would need the most help, and saying ‘Sorry, good bye, good luck, have fun and please stay safe.’ And that’s just unreasonable. It’s untenable, says psychiatrist Dr. Bill MacEwan. Check out part two of our look into homelessness in downtown Nanaimo.