On June 20th, 2008, The Vancouver Island Health Authority (V.I.H.A.) dropped a bombshell on our community with their surprise announcement of the closure  of beds at eight public long-term health facilities in Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Victoria.  Cowichan Lodge, in Duncan, was one of the targeted facilities. It was to be totally shut-down.

The announcement was made to the media without consultation or forewarning to the residents, their families, doctors and the dedicated care workers who would lose their jobs. Many family members were shocked when they first learned of the pending closure on the newscasts that evening. The shock was exacerbated because of previous assurances from V.I.H.A. and Ministry of Health officials that the Lodge would remain open after the  planned opening of a new privately owned (and publicly funded) care facility in Duncan.

At the time of the closure announcement, Cowichan Lodge was home to 94 residents, many long-term, who had wished to live out their remaining years within the warm, caring and people-friendly facility. The Lodge itself, a bright attractive building constructed of natural wood, is set  in a rural, quiet area with gardens and walking/wheelchair pathways under a canopy of mature trees. For many years, these gardens have been maintained by dedicated volunteers form the community.

The lodge also employed 200 well-trained and dedicated employees. Their job loss would have an impact on their families and the entire community.

Although provincial health regulations require a 12-month notice of closure, Howard Waldner, president and CEO of V.I.H.A. , requested that the Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, grant a 2-month closure notice. Stanwick, an employee of V.I.H.A., (Waldner is his boss) almost immediately granted the exemption requested.

The news of the closure caused an uproar within the community. Hundreds attended public meetings. Editorials and letters to editors attacked V.I.H.A. and the Health Minister. Two thousand "Save Cowichan Lodge" lawn signs sprouted up throughout the Valley, and beyond. Concerned residents contacted MLA Doug Routley and MP Jean Crowder expressing outrage. Opposition Leader Carole James and Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton held discussions with the community. A petition to save the Lodge was launched - when presented to the Opposition leader and MLA Routley at the Legislature on Aug. 18th, it contained almost 11,000 names!

V.I.H.A. and the Provincial Government went on the defensive. The V.I.H.A. claim that the lodge, only 27 years old, was outdated was met with skepticism. They claimed the roof leaked - people said "repair it". They claimed the hallways were too narrow, but it was pointed out that two wheelchairs could pass in the halls with room to spare. Several local builders scoffed at the price tag ($25 million) V.I.H.A. claimed was needed to repair the so-called "structural problems".

Meanwhile, Cowichan Valley Regional District Directors were becoming upset after their written request for Waldner to appear before them was ignored. One day after local newspapers reported that V.I.H.A. did not respond, Mike Conroy, Vice-President of V.I.H.A., wrote a letter to the Board suggesting it was caused by a "mix-up in communications".  Editorials pointed out that the V.I.H.A. Communications staff numbers 10 with a $1 million budget. 

The BC Nurses Union and Hospital Employees Union also became involved in the fight to save the Lodge. The Nurses Union hired lawyers Gary Caroline and Joanna Gislason of Caroline and Gislason Lawyers to represent Lodge residents and their families and to fight the treatment of residents by V.I.H.A.. An appeal of the 2-month closure was launched with the Community Care and Assisted Living Board. A hearing was scheduled for Aug. 25th. Just days before the hearing date, V.I.H.A. reversed their decision and announced they would give 12 months notice of closure. The CCAL Board cancelled the appeal hearing. Although good news, this meant that many families would not get a chance to tell their story in a public forum.

Meanwhile, V.I.H.A. had continued to pressure residents and families to relocate to the new private facility, telling them that if they did not leave by the end of Sept., they would not be guaranteed a bed in the area. Many residents and families had toured the new facility and had expressed concerns that it was not suitable for their needs and not up to the standard of care provided at Cowichan Lodge. However, the pressure tactic on people who were most vulnerable caused many residents to reluctantly leave the Lodge before the 12-month notice was served.

In August 2009, Cowichan Lodge was closed.  The building remains vacant.