The number of visitors to Vancouver Island has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels and in some cases, communities are seeing more tourists than ever before.
Unfortunately, the labour market hasn’t recovered to the same degree and some communities are feeling the strain.
The World Leisure Centre of Excellence at Vancouver Island University, in partnership with Tourism Cowichan, is asking residents to give feedback on tourism development in the Cowichan region.
“As international visitors return to the Island and Canadians keep coming, some Island communities are reaching their hosting capacity,” said VIU researcher and former Lake Cowichan resident Dr. Aggie Weighill.
“We need to ensure that tourism development is sustainable and adds to Islanders’ quality of life, rather than making communities unlivable.”
Researchers are inviting anyone aged 15 years or older who lives in the Cowichan region to complete an anonymous online survey, which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRResident.
Data collection will conclude on March 17.
Study results will be shared with the Tourism Cowichan Board and used for tourism planning.
••••
Paper Excellence Canada, which owns the pulp and paper mill in Crofton, has donated $150,000 to Ducks Unlimited Canada.
The largest single donation in Paper Excellence’s history will support wetlands conservation and stewardship in boreal forest regions of Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
The donation will also support wetlands training for residents and employees in industries that operate or work in the boreal forest regions of the two provinces.
“On behalf of Paper Excellence Canada, I am thrilled to present this donation to Ducks Unlimited Canada and begin this exciting investment in supporting wetlands stewardship and education,” said Carlo Dal Monte, Paper Excellence’s vice president.
“Paper Excellence Canada is committed to conservation and sustainability in the regions where we operate, and working with Ducks Unlimited Canada on this initiative is another example of our company’s ongoing work.”
••••
Nominations are open to honour child-care providers who go above and beyond to help children achieve their best, or who have shown innovation, demonstrated leadership or used partnerships to advance child care in their community.
The ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of people, organizations, school districts and local governments who help families and communities thrive by providing or supporting the delivery of quality child care in the province.
Those who know an individual, organization or partnership at the community level that deserves recognition for their contributions and achievements to helping build affordable, accessible, quality, inclusive child care as a core service in B.C. are encouraged to review the award categories and submit a nomination package.
Nominations will be accepted until March 5.
Applications will be reviewed by the awards selection committee, made up of representatives from Indigenous, multicultural and inclusion advocacy organizations dedicated to supporting child development and child care, as well as staff from the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
The 2023 awards ceremony will be held during Child Care Month in May.
Nomination forms and more information about award categories can be found on the ChildCareBC website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/running-daycare-preschool/child-care-awards-of-excellence.
••••
Small business owners across B.C. are invited to compete for $40,000 in prize money as Small Business BC Awards celebrates the 20th anniversary of the province’s largest award contest for entrepreneurs.
More than 6,000 businesses from every industry and every community in B.C. have competed to be named one of the top small businesses.
There are four award categories and businesses can enter a total of two categories – the Premier’s People’s Choice Award and one of three Business Pitch Categories (Business Impact, E-Commerce, and Youth).
Each winner will be awarded with $10,000 in prize money, a top business title, and one-year of free advisory support from SBBC.
Award nominations are open until March 10 and can be submitted at sbbc.co/nominate.
“Over the past 20 years, SBBC has been honoured to shine a spotlight on B.C.’s entrepreneurs, celebrating those who put everything on the line to pursue their dreams,” said SBBC’s CEO, Tom Conway.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter