BC Hydro outage sparks business anger in Cowichan Lake region
In June 2016 BC Hydro scheduled an 11‑hour power outage for the Cowichan Lake district, affecting Lake Cowichan, Mesachie Lake, Youbou and Honeymoon Bay, to upgrade a transmission line. Local merchants, including Country Grocer manager Jenn Pollner, said the timing threatened sales during the first weekend of summer and provoked frustration.
The same period also saw the first regional economic summit involving MLA Graham Bruce, MP Reed Elley and area mayors, aimed at streamlining government services for local businesses. Additional historical notes recalled a 2001 cocaine‑trafficking conviction and a 1986 log‑sale announcement, illustrating the varied headlines that have marked the community over the decades.