Cowichan Tribes Marks New 32-Unit Modular Housing Project Completion With Pre-Occupancy Tours

Statement for Release: March 22, 2023

Duncan, B.C. – Today, Cowichan Tribes hosted pre-occupancy tours of the newly completed 32-unit Modular Housing Project for dignitaries, project partners, and staff. The buildings have recently undergone final inspection and received occupancy permits. Tenants are expected to move in at the beginning of April. 

This new affordable rental housing infrastructure is funded by Cowichan Tribes in excess of $4.3 million in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), who provided a grant of $4 million. There are three buildings, with a range of units including studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. Building A has 16 units; Building B has 10 units; and Building C houses six units. The buildings are constructed following Step Four of the BC Building Step Code to ensure energy efficiency and keep heating costs down for residents. 

“This project is the largest build Cowichan Tribes has ever undertaken,” said Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Cindy Daniels. “I lift my hands up to the staff from our Capital Projects, Sustainable Housing, and Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem (Children & Families) Departments for the thoughtfulness and collaboration that went into this project. Their work not only added to the much needed on-reserve housing stock for families, Elders and young people, but they also had the foresight to build in community amenities, including a teaching and multi-purpose space with a kitchen, as well as a playground, sport court, and public washroom facilities with a water fountain.”

Opening nearly one year later than initially planned, the project was delayed by labour shortages and global supply chain issues in several areas including concrete, hand railings, and hydro meters. “We want to thank our community for their continued patience and support in the completion of this project,” said Gina Warburton, Acting Director of Capital Projects and Acting Associate Director of Housing. “Getting to this stage has been a labour of love and we are looking forward Cowichan Tribes to seeing the smiles on our new tenants’ faces when they move in over the next few days and weeks.” 

Sixteen units will be used for housing department rentals and 16 one-bedroom units for Lalum'utul' Smun'eem to support young moms and youth as they age out of care. They will have access to life skills and supports through onsite connections and programming. “Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem is so pleased to see these units and facilities completed. We will have common areas to host workshops and other activities to help build community amongst the youth, young moms, and Elders,” said Addie Price, Acting Director, Lalum’utul’ Smuneem. 

Cowichan Tribes also recognizes Tire Stewardship BC for providing a $14,400 grant towards a rubberized surface for the accessible, nature-themed playground. A separate rubberized surface for the multi-use sport court will be installed once the temperatures are warm enough. Cowichan Tribes will host a community-wide celebration in the late spring, once this surfacing work is complete and tenants have settled in to their new home.

KDC Sub-Contract for Trucking Work on Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project

Statement for Release: February 27, 2023

Duncan, B.C. - Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC) has negotiated a sub-contract with one of the contractors on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project to provide trucking services for a three-month period, with a possible extension.  As required, this sub-contract was submitted to BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB) and the Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council (AIRCC) for approval and a positive response has been received. 

“This is a step in the right direction towards economic reconciliation and acknowledges that systems excluding Indigenous participation are no longer acceptable,” said Chief Lydia Hwitsum. “The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement is one of the largest projects to be undertaken in our territory and Cowichan businesses have the capacity to contribute to its success. We look forward to a more inclusive process going forward.”

“When we suggested this approach in October, it was ignored, and then rejected.  These months of negotiations could have been months where our skilled employees were working on this project had our initial proposal been accepted,” said Jodee Dick, KDC CEO. “Our truck drivers are looking forward to being on the Cowichan District Hospital construction site later this week to start this short-term sub-contract.  We are also working hard to secure some civil and earth works,” added Ms. Dick.

Read the full statement here.

Clarity Needed Regarding KDC Work on Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project

Statement for Release: February 10, 2023

Duncan, B.C. – Initial discussions regarding the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project between Cowichan Tribes’ economic development arm and Island Health began in August 2021. Yet Cowichan Tribes was excluded from the negotiations of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that governs this major infrastructure project located within Cowichan traditional territory. Consequently, the CBA excludes consideration of Cowichan economic interests.

While Island Health and BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB) cite Indigenous participation on the project, the system in place limits participation for First Nations citizen-owned companies looking to sub-contract scope of work for the various phases, such as: trucking, earthworks, and civil, unless they agree to unionize and have their employees join BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB).  At this stage of the project, all scope of work has been contracted out to various contractors, through signed agreements with the primary contractor.   

“We expect that comments made by Health Minister Adrian Dix in the BC Legislature on February 8th are a commitment to ensure greater inclusivity for our businesses on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project,” said Chief Lydia Hwitsum.  “However, we have not yet received formal notification from any parties involved of any changes. In the meantime, our companies and their workers are sitting on the sidelines watching the clock run out on any meaningful participation on this $1.45 billion project,” continued Hwitsum.

"We proposed a solution within the Community Benefits Agreement to get Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC) and our citizen-owned companies working on site in October 2022. That same proposal is still in discussion four months later,” said KDC CEO, Jodee Dick. “The latest correspondence from Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council (AIRCC) requires KDC to try to negotiate sub-contracts at substandard rates far below our current Island rates.  The next step is to forward those contracts for approval by AIRCC.  We have not received a green light,” added Ms. Dick.

The new Cowichan District Hospital is an important project for all residents in the Cowichan Valley. It is also an opportunity for the province to build relationships and advance economic reconciliation with our community, the largest First Nation in B.C. by population. Cowichan Tribes and Khowutzun Development Corporation remain committed to working with partners to secure employment and contract opportunities for both Cowichan citizens and companies on this project.

Read the full statement here. 

Time is Running out for a KDC Work Permit on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project

January 19, 2023

Duncan, B.C. – Cowichan Tribes and Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC) have been advocating for many months to secure economic opportunities for Cowichan citizen-owned companies as part of the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project. This project, located within Cowichan traditional territory, is valued at $1.45 billion and represents one of the largest infrastructure projects in our region.

Cowichan Tribes was excluded from the negotiations of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that governs this project. There was also no mechanism for Cowichan Tribes to negotiate an Interim Benefit Agreement that would have secured a scope of work for our nation's economic development arm (KDC) and our Cowichan citizen-owned civil and construction companies. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples includes the right to economic reconciliation. However, the existing CBA excludes consideration of Cowichan economic interests and Khowutzun Development Corporation’s initial work permit request was rejected.

“It is unacceptable that the traditional peoples of this land should be excluded and deliberately prevented from playing a role in the building of vital community infrastructure,” said Chief Lydia Hwitsum. “This amounts to a rejection of our Rights and Title within our territory. It is hard to believe in today’s environment of Truth and Reconciliation that we would find ourselves in this situation,” added Hwitsum.

Chief Lydia Hwitsum and KDC CEO, Jodee Dick, met this week with BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB) and the Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council (AIRCC) to try to find a solution and remove the barriers preventing KDC and Cowichan companies from participating on this project.  “We have submitted another work permit proposal, which is now under review,” said Jodee Dick, CEO, Khowutzun Development Corporation. “We hope to receive approval in the near future, as the scope of work that can be performed by our citizen-owned companies continues to dwindle each week,” added Ms. Dick.

Read the full statement here.