CERCA Symposium Climate Change and Economy
syposium poster 9
SYMPOSIUM
on
"Climate Change and the Economy"
Ramada Duncan, Duncan, BC,
08:30-17:30, Friday, March 31st, 2017
Implemented by the
Cowichan Estuary Restoration and Conservation Association (CERCA)
in partnership with Island Savings
For pre-registration (limited seating) contact cerca@shaw.ca
open to the public, admission $15/person
Introduction
In early 2017 the CVRD's Environmental Services Branch elaborated a report on Climate Projections for the Cowichan Valley Regional District with participation and input by local specialists. This will be followed by a report with focus on expected impacts of climate change on the CVRD level and a third document outlining practical adaptation and mitigation strategies. In the preamble of the Climate Projections report it is stated that the purpose of this exercise is:
"Ensuring our region is as prepared as possible is critical to maintaining community well-being, environmental health and a vibrant local economy over the long term. The 2014 to 2018 CVRD Corporate Strategic Plan has set a mandate to understand our region's climate risks and complete adaptation plans to strengthen resilience, reduce risks, and take advantage of potentially emerging opportunities."
Against this background the central theme of the Symposium is a timely and perfect fit reflecting the long term goals of the CVRD and immediate actions to be taken to be prepared for expected impacts of climate change on the local environment and economy.
Purpose
The economy needs to be significantly modernized with a view to climate change, that is, Industry, crafts, agriculture and services need to improve their work and production in such a way that climate change does not become stronger and that its negative consequences can be absorbed. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase energy efficiency, to switch to regenerative energy sources, to reduce the consumption of water and the generation of waste.
Unless timely action is taken, water shortages and other restrictions will render whole industries ineffective and eliminate large numbers of jobs (for example, in agriculture and highly water and energy-dependent production).
Both the early conversion to a consciously better economy as well as the necessary adaptation to climate change with predictable changes in the supply of water and resources and their rising costs have a great potential of stable and high-quality jobs. A modern economy, socially and environmentally oriented, can influence and endure climate change.
We want to present and discuss these risks and opportunities at our symposium.
Agenda
Three sessions of nine invited presentations will be given on Climate Change and the Economy, to be followed by a panel discussion on what this means for the Cowichan Valley. On the panel are representatives from local government, citizen groups, and the general public with vested interests in how climate change may affect the Cowichan Valley economy. This symposium brings together a wide-ranging degree of expertise to address the issues related to the overall theme of this event.
Dr. Goetz Schuerholz
Chair CERCA
AGENDA
08:00 – 8:30 Registration08:30 – 9:00 Opening Remarks by Goetz Schuerholz, CERCA Chair Welcome by Chief Seymour, Cowichan Tribes Welcome Remarks by Island SavingsModerator for morning and afternoon sessions: Bruce Fraser
Morning Session
09:00-12:15 (25 minutes presentations, 5 minutes Q + A)1. Global Warming: Challenges and Opportunities- Andrew Weaver2. Climate Change Impacts: global, national, and provincial – Geoff Strong3. The energy-transition as a core strategy for a green economy – Peter Hennicke
10:30-10:45 – Coffee Break
4. Climate and the Economy: Beauty and the Beast – Guy Dauncey5. Community planning for the future – Rupert Downing11:45-12:15 – Open Discussion on presentations
12:15-13:30 – lunch (each on its own)
Afternoon Session
13:30- 15:00 (15 minutes presentations, 5 minutes Q + A)6. Solutions for local economy – Beate Weber-Schuerholz7. Economic Development Strategies for the CVRD – Rob Douglas8. Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation through Reconciliation – Eli Enns9. Ethical Funds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Services – Robert Walker
15:00 – 15:30 – Coffee Break (book displays)
Panel Discussion
15:30-17:15 Moderator and questions: Susan DownTheme: What does all this mean for the Cowichan Valley?On the Panel (5 minutes each for self-introduction, followed by panel discussion) Kate Miller, CVRD Climate Plan and ICLEI Brandy Gallagher (Eco village) John Lefebure, CVRD Director, Mayor of North Cowichan Sonia Furstenau, CVRD Director Lori Iannidinardo, CVRD Director and CITTASLOW Amy Melmock, Economic Development Cowichan Julie Scurr, Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
17: 15 Closing Remarks by Goetz Schuerholz
Presenters:
Andrew Weaver Dr. Andrew Weaver was elected in 2013 as the first MLA representing the BC Green Party, in the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head. Since November 2015, Dr. Weaver has served as the Leader of the BC Green Party. Prior to his election to the BC Legislature, Dr. Weaver served as Canada Research Chair in climate modelling and analysis in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria. He was a Lead Author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th scientific assessments.Born and raised in Victoria, BC, he has a BSc in Mathematics & Physics from the University of Victoria, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mathematics from Cambridge University, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Weaver is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Meteorological Society. He was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 2008 and awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. His book Keeping our Cool: Canada in a Warming World was published by Viking Canada in September 2008. His second book Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming was published by Raven books in 2011.Title and Abstract of PresentationGlobal Warming: Challenges and OpportunitiesWhat does the present generation owe to future generations regarding the quality of the environment? Many of today’s elected decision-makers are focused on short-term decision-making. What are the political opportunities and challenges associated with efforts to ensure political decision-makers consider the long term consequences of their climate and energy policy while balancing a myriad other immediately-pressing issues.Geoff StrongGeoff holds Ph.D and M.Sc degrees in atmospheric science from the University of Alberta.has been an atmospheric scientist for more than 50 years, which includes weather forecasting, atmospheric research, consulting, and teaching with Environment Canada, Alberta Research Council, and several universities. He He is a Fellow of and a former national President of the Canadian Meteorological & Oceanographic Society (CMOS), from which he has received several awards, and he presently chairs the Vancouver Island Centre for CMOS.Geoff writes research and media articles, and gives public talks and short courses on environmental stewardship and climate justice. He dedicates considerable volunteer time to active environmental organizations, including CMOS and CERCA, and teaches environmental courses at several universities. He also co-chairs an environmental committee of the Anglican Church on Vancouver Island called ‘Creation Matters’.His primary focus in recent years is on the impacts of global warming, especially in Canada’s north and over the sub-tropics, and afflicting some four billion people and leading to ‘climate refugees’. He recently published a novel titled Convenient Mistruths, which draws attention to these concerns, along with the greater threat of our climate reaching some ‘tipping point’ in the near future.Title and Abstract of PresentationClimate Change Impacts: Global, National, and ProvincialClimate scientists frequently tell us that the climate will warm by 2-5 ºC in this century if humans cannot curb carbon emissions. But what is the harm in a few more degrees of climate warming, given that the temperature changes by that amount every day?We respond to that question by focusing on the impacts of climate change that have already occurred and why, especially in sub-tropical regions that have resulted in millions of refugees. We pay particular attention to the Sahel region of Africa, and more recently Syria in the middle east. Can climate change be the root cause, given the civil wars in these areas? Furthermore, how valid is the threat of a tipping point in the climate, and why should this be a concern? Lots of questions, some answers.
Peter Hennicke
From 2000 to 2008 Prof. Dr. Peter Hennicke was President of the Wuppertal Institute (Germany). He taught at four German universities and worked as an energy policy expert for the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Federal State of Hessen . He served as a member of three Inquiry Commissions of the German Parliament on Climate and Energy . In 2014 he was an invited Guest Professor at the IIIEE (Lund University/Sweden). Peter is member of various national and international advisory boards and committees (e.g. Full Member of the Club of Rome; Member of the Management Board of the European Environment Agency). For his engagement and research in the field of energy transition and energy efficiency Peter Hennicke received the German Environment Award (2014) and the Swedish Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development (2015). His work covers more than 200 peer reviewed articles, reports and various books mainly regarding national and international energy economics as well as energy and climate policy. He ranks among the opinion leaders in the field of sustainability oriented energy research in Germany. He has been Head of the Wuppertal Institute/ Germany, a Think Tank on Climate Change and Energy Transition.
Title and Abstract of Presentation
The energy-transition as a core strategy for a green economy
The Wuppertal Institute undertakes research and develops models, strategies and instruments for transitions to a sustainable development at local, national and international level. Sustainability research at the Wuppertal Institute focuses on the resources, climate and energy related challenges and their relation to economy and society. Special emphasis is put on analysing and stimulating innovations that de-couple economic growth and wealth from natural resource use
Guy Dauncey
Guy Dauncey is an ecofuturist who works to develop a positive vision of a sustainable future, and to translate that vision into action. He lives near Ladysmith. He is founder of the BC Sustainable Energy Association, co-founder of the Victoria Car Share Cooperative, and the author or co-author of ten books, including The Climate Challenge: 101 Solutions to Global Warming and most recently his new novel, Journey to the Future: A Better World Is Possible. He is an Honorary Member of the Planning Institute of BC, a Fellow of the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, founded in Britain in 1754. His websites are www.earthfuture.com, and www.journeytothefuture.ca.Title and Abstract of PresentationClimate and the Economy: Beauty and the BeastFor ten thousand years, Earth’s climate gave us a pleasant life where we could grow plenty of food and roses. Then two hundred years ago a new capitalist economy arose that enabled humans to create great miracles —but at a tremendous cost. Today, we must find a way to rid Earth’s economy of its insatiable greed, and restore its hidden abilities to heal the climate and the world.
Rupert Downing
Rupert Downing is the manager and a founding member of the Vancouver Island Community Investment Cooperative which is a vehicle to finance and incubate clean technology, renewable energy, affordable housing, and sustainable community economic development on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. He has over 35 years experience in community economic development in Canada, and other parts of the world, and runs with his wife a Fair Trade social enterprise in Sidney BC. He has directed the community social planning councils for BC and Greater Victoria, the Canadian CED Network and local, regional and provincial government programs in sustainable development.Title and Abstract of PresentationCommunity planning for the futureThere are major opportunities to invest and scale up sustainable community economic development on Vancouver Island in key sectors. What is needed is enabling policy and financing vehicles to help the Islands transition to a green and clean economy that sustains liveable wage jobs for people now and into the future. The Vancouver Island Community Investment Cooperative has researched several market sectors that are on the brink of tipping points. We are intent on helping to make the Islands a centre of excellence and innovation in the green economy, social innovation and impact investing. Some of the initiatives we are looking at include; renewable energy partnerships with First Nations and cooperatives in both hydro and solar; sustainable fisheries and shell fish; affordable rental housing; clean technology solutions to waste recovery and recycling; social enterprises to combine employment, social and environmental impacts for communities; and local agro-food production. We look forward to discussing how to grow this movement.
Beate Weber-Schuerholz
Beate was a Member of the European Parliament from 1979-1990 where she worked as the Vice-Chair and Chair for the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and as a Deputy member on the Committee on Energy and Research From 1990-2006 Beate worked as the elected Mayor and CEO of the city of Heidelberg, Germany. She was a member of the "Global Independent Commission on Population and Quality of Life" (Pintasilgo Commission, UNESCO), has been on the global Board of ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability, Toronto/Freiburg) from 1999-2006 and Chair of the Commission on Economic Development and the Internal Market, German Federal Organisation of Municipalities from 2003-2006. In 2104 she was a member of the Special Task Force: „Good City Models under the Concept of Ecological Civilization“ of CCICED (China Council for International Co-operation on Environment and Development) and in 2016 the Co-Chair on the Jury „Guangzhou Award for Innovative Cities“, China. She has been Key note speaker on numerous international events and written numerous articles on Sustainable Development/ Local Agenda/ Climate Change, Protection of the Environment, Citizen Participation, Administrative Reform, Equal Rights/Gender Equity, and City Planning. Some of her numerous awards include: 2007 "German Federal Environmental Award"; 2013 „Role Model for Women in Public Management“, University of Applied Sciences, Ludwigsburg, Germany; 2015 „The Gothenburg Award of Sustainable Development – The Energy Transition- Solar Energy and Energy Efficiency“ and has received City Awards for Heidelberg for: „European Sustainable City“, EU twice; „Most efficient German Administration“, Germany; „Nature Protection Capital (Bio-diversity)“, Germany. Link: www.beate-weber.deTitle and Abstract of PresentationSolutions for Local EconomyThere are many fields of action fighting climate change which municipalities have to and are able to deal with: spatial planning, local and regional energy supply, energy efficiency in public and private buildings, eco-mobility, water management, local economy, education and awareness raising etc. Her presentation concentrates on activities addressing small and medium enterprises from ten to over one thousand employees located in a medium- sized German city with a poulation of 150 000. She will show that each branch of the economy such as crafts, services, industry, agriculture, forestry, etc. requires a custom-tailored approach due to significant differences in working conditions and personnel. She will discuss how in order to accommodate needs of smaller enterprises which do not have the means and expertise to deal with specific energy or environmental matters, scientific, administrative, technical and environmental expertise have to be synchronized and provided in order to promote their ability to act and adapt. Key to success is a working relationship built on trust leading to productive cooperation.
Robert Douglas
Rob Douglas is a Councillor for the Municipality of North Cowichan and was previously Director for the Cowichan Valley Regional District. His priorities are building affordable housing, protecting the environment and localizing the economy. He currently serves on the committees responsible for forestry, public works and the neighbourhood of Chemainus. Rob previously served on the Boards for a wide range of organizations including the Cowichan Land Trust, Volunteer Cowichan, Cowichan Co-operative Connections, and the Cowichan Elder Care Co-operative, where he promoted co-operatives and other alternative models of economic development, raised public awareness on important local issues, and worked on a range of environmental projects. He was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and currently lives in Cowichan Bay with his wife and two daughters.
Title and Abstract of Presentation
The five big ideas for local economic development
Local Municipal Councillor Rob Douglas will present “Five Big Ideas” to guide local economic development in the Cowichan region. These include supporting co-operatives, leveraging our anchor institutions, providing supports for small business, promoting community investment funds, and encouraging local ownership of the regional economy. Together these ideas can re-tool the local economy in a way that empowers regular citizens, reduces inequality and creates good jobs for working people, and ensures the natural environment is protected and managed sustainably for future generations.
Eli Enns
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in bio-cultural heritage conservation. He is a community developer and Canadian political scientist focused in Constitutional Law, Geopolitics and Ecological Governance. Eli has experience in First Nations program administration, capital project management, fundraising, green & culturally appropriate housing, the deployment of renewable energy solutions in remote communities and small scale liquid/solid waste management systems; all in the context of fostering alternative pathways to economic certainty through International Dispute Resolution.Co-founder of the Ha’uukmin Tribal Park in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Vancouver Island, Eli is a Research Associate at The Polis Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria and volunteers for several organizations including The Canadian Commission for UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, The ICCA Consortium and The Pacific Peoples Partnership.Title and Abstract of PresentationClimate Action and Biodiversity Conservation through Reconciliation.In this talk, insight will be shared into national initiatives that are underway that bundle solutions for climate action, biodiversity conservation and reconciliation with an emphasis on sustainable livelihoods. The presentation will include consideration of the international interface with these national level developments, and a local Vancouver Island grown model of “Indigenous Conservation Areas” will be used as an example. Links:
http://www.sustainablecanadadialogues.ca/en/scd/indigenousinnovations
http://www.conservation2020canada.ca/pathway/
Robert Walker
Robert Walker is the Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Services for NEI Investments. NEI manages Canada’s largest responsible investment mutual fund family. Robert leads an 8-person team responsible for implementing NEI’s Responsible Investing Program, a set of activities designed to contribute to the creation of long term sustainable value for all stakeholders. Robert has 25 years of experience developing responsible investment in Canada. He currently serves on the board of directors of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), a top 10 global environmental think tank, and the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), an investor network created to advance effective corporate governance practices worldwide. Robert is also a Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors.Title and Abstract of PresentationEthical Funds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ServicesSince 2001, NEI Investments has accepted the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): that failure to acknowledge and act to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has put the planet on a path toward severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts that will be felt in the decades to come. Urgent action is required and investment institutions have both an obligation to act and a key role to play. To address this profound challenge, NEI has developed a comprehensive program for taking action to mitigate risks. Our strategy for addressing climate change goes beyond fossil fuel companies. Fundamentally, the global economy faces both a demand and a supply problem. Fossil fuel companies work to meet market demand. Until we change that paradigm by reducing demand and delinking our economy from carbon, efforts to stem the supply of fossil fuels will inevitably fall short. We have spent considerable time engaging with the energy sector because of its material contribution to climate change. We have a long-term vision for energy companies in our portfolio. Namely, we seek to own innovation-focused, sustainable energy companies that respect human rights, have positive relationships with local indigenous communities and are positioned to provide energy for long-term needs. Looking at the landscape of energy companies today, we clearly have a long way to go. However, we have a strategy in place to get us there and we have seen significant progress. This work spans all three of our responsible investment program areas: evaluations, engagement and policy.
Moderators and Session Chairs
Susan Down
Susan Down is publisher of Local News Eye, an online news site for the valley. She was managing director at Newspapers Canada and a feature writer for the Victoria Times Colonist. Her work has appeared in The Toronto Star, the National Post and numerous metro dailies and magazines across Canada. She holds degrees from Carleton University and Royal Roads University. She lives in Cowichan Bay.
Goetz Schuerholz
Goetz holds a Dr. and M.Sc degree in conservation ecology. From 1973 until 1976 he worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a wildlife ecologist, stationed at headquarters in Rome, later in the Regional Headquarters in Santiago, Chile, where he assumed responsibilities for FAO’s wildlife- and conservation related activities in Latin-and Central America. In 1976 he returned to Canada where he founded the environmental consulting firm Transamerica Environmental Science Consultants Ltd. He continued to work internationally for bilateral aid agencies of Canada, Germany, UK, USA, France, and Switzerland, and international aid organizations such as the Organization of American States, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, and The World Bank. He also worked with international NGOs such as WWF, IUCN, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and the Private Sector. He worked in over 55 countries and has been instrumental in protecting 55 million has of conservation areas worldwide. He has been an Adjunct Associate Professor at UVIC and the Director of The Chilcotin Chapter of BC’s Guide Outfitter Association. On his retirement in 2012 he founded the Cowichan Estuary Restoration and Conservation Association (CERCA) which he chaired since. Link: www.goetzschuerholz.com
Panel Members
Kate Miller (M. Sc. RPP, LEED AP+)Kate brings a set of unique perspectives as a “Plangineer” working within local government to address climate adaptation within the region where her role has been in developing policy and programs based on sound planning and science. The focus of work to date has been on the nexus of environmental, land use and people intertwined with the hard and soft engineering challenges related to: watershed management, infrastructure, energy and communities. Kate focuses on the utilization of partnership models and technology to understand and visualize change in order to develop resilience and adaption frameworks relevant to our community. Kate is well respected and has provided input to the Canadian Institute of Planners climate policy framework including developing the climate adaption plan for the City of Iqaluit, as well as a number of Provincial programs and initiatives.Brandy Gallagher (BSW, MA) Brandy is one of the original founders and developers of O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE, Shawnigan Lake (Vancouver Island) BC. Since 1990 she has been working with O.U.R. in a variety of capacities dedicated to education and outreach (locally and internationally) and since 1999 co-creating a O.U.R. 25 acre Sustainable Living Demonstration Site and Education Centre. Born and raised in a cooperative setting dedicated to protecting wild lands and sacred ecological spaces she has made her own life work a major focus on shifting human experience to a lighter way to live on the land - and to live collectively. Her regenerative land management planning and ecological design work has made her the main proponent behind the Canadian precedent setting rezoning which has allowed for the legal/political/community framework containing multi-stakeholder and multi-activity allowances for eco-villages across Canada (and now globally). By creating a series of precedent setting opportunities and Demonstration Projects for 'Climate Change Adaptation Strategies': in land use, waste to resource, food systems, social systems, ecological building systems, and collaborative human settlements....there now exists a premiere showcase for North America. She has published work includes a wide variety of Thesis projects, articles, documentaries and she is featured in the recent code work for 'Waste to Resource' legal/regulatory work for North America towards creating new Climate Change Adaptation opportunities. See:www.ourecovillage.orgJon LefebureJon holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Carleton University, and together with his wife Marlene, operates a successful design and building construction business. Jon and his family have lived in Chemainus for more than 20 years. His son is attending university and his daughter has recently completed a degree in psychology. Always an enthusiastic volunteer and leader in his community, he was elected as a councillor for one term before becoming Mayor of North Cowichan and is now in his fourth term as Mayor. Jon currently sits as Chair on the Regional District Board. During his time as Mayor, Jon has worked to bring in Vancouver Island University Campus, build the premier recreational facility in the region—the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, and has helped to introduce transit to Chemainus and Crofton. Jon’s current focus is leading Council through the implementation of the recently-adopted—and award-winning—University Village Sustainable Local Area Plan, as well as the implementation of the Crofton Local Area Plan, the Climate Action and Energy Plan, and the revitalization of downtown Chemainus.Sonia FurstenauPrior to being elected as CVRD Director for Shawnigan Lake, Sonia taught high school in the Victoria School District and then at Dwight School in Shawnigan. She studied at UVic, where she earned a BA and MA in History, and a degree in Education. Sonia has engaged and empowered the Shawnigan community in their ongoing efforts to defend their watershed after the BC Ministry of Environment issued a permit to a quarry that allows the company to import and landfill five million tonnes of contaminated soil in the Shawnigan watershed. Over the last four years, Sonia has proven herself to be an unstoppable force for community protection. She has channeled her passion and drive for solutions, worked across party lines, and emerged as a champion for water protection in BC. Her relentless advocacy and community building have earned her the position of Deputy Leader of the BC Green Party, as well as the role of environment critic.Lori IannidinardoLori Iannidinardo is a life-long community advocate, activist and elected official. She is theCVRD Director for Cowichan Bay and the NDP MLA candidate for the Cowichan Valley in theupcoming provincial election. As a mother of 4 and grandmother to 7, Lori is passionate aboutprotecting our natural environment for the many generations to come. She is a long-timemember of the Cowichan Watershed Board where she has worked closely in partnership withCowichan Tribes and senior levels of government. Lori has also worked closely with former MPJean Crowder and current MP Alistair MacGregor to get derelict vessels out of our waterways.She has fought and will continue to fight against risky LNG developments on our shores. Loribelieves that as long as we listen to each other and learn from our shared experiences, we willcontinue to find effective and sustainable solutions.Amy MelmockAmy Melmock works as the Manager of Economic Development Cowichan for the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). The CVRD is involved in numerous climate change initiatives, including the development of detailed Climate Change Projection Model that will map the projected impact of climate change over the coming decades. Amy has worked across Canada in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors in economic development, agriculture, communications and the cultural industries. In 2008, she organized a Rural Sustainability Forum in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia which brought together municipal, agricultural and alternative energy specialists from across Atlantic Canada to discuss the synergies between rural sustainability and the development of new environmentally progressive, community-owned energy systems.Julie Scurr (CPA, CMA)Julie is a Chartered Professional Accountant and insurance advisor with 25 years of experience. She currently provides financial management and operational expertise to Queen Margaret’s School, an independent school located in the Cowichan Valley. Previously she worked in aboriginal organizations with responsibilities for financial management and economic development ventures. Julie has been on the Board of the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce for the past 5 years and is currently serving her second term as President. During this time, the chamber has doubled its membership, and has constructed & relocated to our award-winning Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre that is reflective of the Cowichan region and its agricultural heritage. Her interests are in entrepreneur, aboriginal and small business development.