09/25/2026
On Wednesday, we hosted our Building Cowichan Valley Roundtable, and the room did most of the talking.
Builders, developers and trades sat down with our own Joel Thompson and Juanita Thompson, along with North Cowichan mayoral candidate Chris Wilkinson, to talk about what the next wave of growth in the Cowichan Valley is going to require.
Permitting came up early and stayed on the table most of the evening. So did infrastructure, workforce readiness, and the growing gap between the projects the Valley needs and the capacity to approve and service them.
One point came up more than once throughout the discussion: the businesses best positioned to benefit from the growth coming to the Cowichan Valley will be the ones that build capacity before they need it.
Nothing got solved in one evening, and nobody expected it to. What was clear is that people want more of these conversations, and that our industry carries more weight locally when it shows up together.
Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their perspective, and special thanks to Duncan Garage Café & Bakery for the venue and an excellent meal.
We're already planning the next one. If you build, develop, design, supply or support construction projects in the Cowichan Valley and want a seat at the table, send us a message.
Thank you to those who joined us:
Durwest Construction Management Inc.
Timberrock Builders
FT Quality Homes LTD.
Canadian Home Builders' Association - Vancouver Island
Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
Valley Floor & Home
Collaborative Build Contracting
Bopari Brothers Development
Bromar Construction
Milner Group Ventures
First Class Facilities
Affordable Apartments