Fireworks Not Permitted in CVRD Electoral Areas This Canada Day

Residents planning to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 are reminded that fireworks permits will not be issued by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) for any CVRD Electoral Area.

The decision is based on the current Coastal Fire Centre prohibition on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, along with ongoing drought conditions and the increased risk of wildfires across the region.

The CVRD encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly by choosing safer alternatives such as:

• Laser light shows
• LED or non-flammable light displays
• Glow sticks and lanterns
• Community celebrations that do not involve fireworks

With dry conditions continuing, every effort to reduce wildfire risk helps protect our communities, forests, and emergency resources.

Learn More

For the latest information, visit:

• Coastal Fire Centre Fire Prohibitions
  https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/fire-prohibitions/
• Fire Prohibition Map
  https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map
• Cowichan Valley Regional District
  https://www.cvrd.ca/

Please celebrate safely and help protect our beautiful Cowichan region this Canada Day.

New CVRD Water Conservation Rebates Now Available

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has officially launched four new Water Conservation and Stewardship Rebates to help residents reduce outdoor water use, improve drought resilience, and save money.

With ongoing drought conditions and increasing pressure on local water supplies, these rebates encourage practical improvements that can reduce outdoor water use by up to 50% while helping protect our shared water resources.

Available Rebates

Eligible residential property owners can apply for rebates in four categories:

• 🌿 Soil Improvement – Improve soil health with quality topsoil, compost, or mulch to retain moisture and reduce watering needs.
• 💧 Smart Irrigation Upgrades – Upgrade existing irrigation systems with smart controllers, rain sensors, or drip irrigation to water more efficiently.
• 🌧️ Rain Barrel Rebates – Collect and store rainwater for watering gardens and landscapes.
• 🛢️ Cistern Rebates – Install larger rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store significant amounts of rainwater for outdoor use.

Healthy soils, efficient irrigation, and rainwater harvesting can significantly reduce water consumption while keeping landscapes healthy throughout the summer.

Who Is Eligible?

Rebates are available to all residential property owners located within:

• CVRD Electoral Areas
• Member Municipalities
• First Nations communities

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible residents are encouraged to apply early.

Learn More & Apply

Complete program details, eligibility requirements, rebate amounts, and application forms are available on the CVRD website:

Water Conservation Rebates
https://cvrd.ca/services/environment/rebate-programs/water-conservation-rebates/

For questions, contact the CVRD Environmental Services Division:

Email: environment [at] cvrd [dot] bc [dot] ca
Phone: 250-746-2633

Together, small improvements at home can make a big difference in conserving water and protecting our watersheds for future generations.

Emergency Management Cowichan’s FireSmart Team is ready to provide tried and tested guidance on how to lower your home’s wildfire risk.  we realize that not every FireSmart upgrade is fee, so for a limited time we are offering up to $4,000 rebates to help with the cost of our recommendations.

Have you been concerned over your aging roof, combustible siding, or overgrown hedging?  Now is the time to act.

Book a “free” FireSmart home assessment today to extinguish your worries before the Wildfire Season.

Reach us by email at FireSmart [at] emcowichan [dot] ca, or by phone at: 250-746-2500 ext. 5012.

Looking for an affordable, flexible space to bring people together?
The Saltair Community Centre has rental spaces available for all kinds of gatherings, including

• group meetings

• workshops & classes
• crafting groups
• parties & celebrations
• celebrations of life

We offer short-term, weekly, monthly, and long-term rentals, with rates designed to stay accessible for the community.

If you need a welcoming, practical space that works for your schedule and your budget, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message or reach out for details and availability.

Please share with anyone who might be looking for a space.

Click here to visit Saltair Community Centre Website

If you haven’t stopped by yet, Palas Farm Shoppe is now open and well worth a visit. Gayle Palas welcomes you to drop in Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm at 11025 Finch Place, just off Gait Rd in Saltair.

Inside, you’ll find a cozy spot filled with fresh baked treats like sourdough loaves, scones and cookies, along with homemade jams, soaps and other hand crafted goods. There’s also a small free library to browse, plus seasonal produce fresh from the farm.

It’s a lovely place to slow down, support local and take home something made with care. If you’re in the area, swing by and say hello to Gayle.

Help to  Preserve Saltair’s Rural Charm

The CVRD plans to reduce the minimum lot size in R2 zones from 2 acres to 1 acre, allowing subdivision into smaller suburban-style lots.

Why It Matters

• Loss of rural character and forested areas

• Increased housing density with suites/carriage homes

• Decline in biodiversity and local wildlife

• Strain on water, sewage, and infrastructure

• Potential rise in property taxes

Take Action
This change may be finalized in Fall 2025. If you oppose it, please sign the petition to keep the 2-acre minimum in rural Saltair.

“I oppose the removal of the 2-acre minimum lot size in Saltair’s Official Community Plan and request its reinstatement to preserve our community’s rural character.”

Link to Petition: https://chng.it/gCB8Kxx977