David van Deventer, publisher of the Cowichan Valley Citizen, is the new president of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
Van Deventer, who had served as first-vice president of the chamber, was acclaimed president by the chamber’s board last month and will serve a two-year term.
He grew up in the Cowichan Valley and graduated from Cowichan Secondary School.
After a successful 18-year career in the auto industry, van Deventer joined Black Press Media eight years ago and had served as Black Press’s director of sales for Central Vancouver Island before being named publisher of the Citizen and the Lake Cowichan Gazette in 2021.
In his role with Black Press, he has had the opportunity to work with the chamber and personally understands its core values.
Previously, van Deventer has served on the boards of both the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League and the British Columbia Hockey League, and is still very active in youth sports.
He said he’s excited to be chosen as chamber president.
“I will continue to advocate hard for the businesses in the Cowichan Valley,” van Deventer said.
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The Cowichan Valley Regional District and CUPE Local 358 have reached a four-year collective agreement for the period of Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2025.
In addition to improvements in benefits and premiums, financial terms of the new agreement include a per hour wage increase of 3.24 per cent plus a .25 cent per hour flat increase in the first year, which is retroactive for 2022, four per cent in the second year, 3.5 per cent in the third year, and three per cent in the fourth year.
CUPE Local 358 represents approximately 240 CVRD employees and this agreement allows for the continued high level of service delivery provided by the regional district for the next four years.
“We are very pleased to announce that we have reached this agreement after months of work by the highly dedicated and collaborative bargaining team on both sides of the table,” said Danielle Myles Wilson, CAO of the CVRD.
“We sincerely thank all those involved in reaching this mutually-beneficial agreement to allow us to continue providing important public services to our residents today and in the coming years.”
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Mosaic Forest Management has announced a $50,000 contribution to support First Nations students in the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas Planning Advanced Certificate at Vancouver Island University.
VIU welcomed their first cohort of students into the IPCA program in 2022.
The IPCA program is a comprehensive program relating to protecting and conserving the lands and waters across Canada.
Students who graduate from this program will have advanced knowledge of the meaning and purpose of IPCAs and will be able to distinguish between western-land use planning and regulatory approaches and Indigenous practices and world views.
“This donation aligns with Mosaic’s commitment to Indigenous partnerships through increased participation in the forest economy,” said Domenico Iannidinardo, senior vice president of forest and climate, and chief forester of Mosaic.
“Thank you to VIU and the IPCA Innovation Program for providing this creative way to support Indigenous students in their education and career goals at Vancouver Island University.”
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A mix-and-mingle event hosted by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 11 is for Cowichan’s women in business.
The Scotiabank Women Initiative invites women to join an evening of building connections with other like-minded and inspiring women in business from the community.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Scotiabank’s Naomi and Kareen proudly support Women in Business and community engagement through The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
They are proud champions of The Scotiabank Women Initiative and believe in the value it can bring to women entrepreneurs.
Bring a friend and lots of business cards for a fun evening of networking, refreshments and door prizes.
The mix-and-mingle runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will be held at 435 Trunk Rd.
Admission is free for chamber members and their guests.
To register, call 250-748-1111 or email chamber@duncancc.bc.ca.
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In related chamber news, Habitat for Humanity is also hosting a mix-and-mingle on Jan. 25 at its ReStore at 251 Government St., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.
Once again, admission is free for chamber members and their guests.
To register, call 250-748-1111 or email chamber@duncancc.bc.ca.
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Nominations are now open for Restaurants Canada’s Leadership Award, Culinary Excellence Award and Innovation Award.
Although the restaurant industry has begun to rebuild after a challenging past two years, long-term effects continue to fuel the industry’s need to evolve to continue supporting the communities it serves.
Out of this evolution, Restaurants Canada has seen incredible leaders emerge, lighting the way for the next generation of foodies to thrive; culinary advancements by chefs pushing the limits to tell stories of today’s climate through food; and innovation bringing new ideas to fruition that work to address some of the most difficult barriers in food service today.
Are you or someone you know a member of the food-service sector that has made contributions to impact the industry, your community, province, or country as a whole?
Shine a spotlight on the industry’s extraordinary contributors by submitting a nomination for one of Restaurants Canada’s Awards of Excellence.
Nominations must be in by Feb. 26, 2023.
Visit www.RCShow.com for more details.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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