Author | Lightnews

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Aug 29

Great news for the Cowichan Valley! 🎨🎶📚 Sixteen local arts & culture groups are receiving over $350K in Community Gaming Grants to support music, art & history programs. Proud to see our community’s creativity thrive! 💜 #CowichanValley #BCNDP

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jul 15

Stopped by my Auntie’s place before surgery and left with a heart full of love and a handful of her garden flowers. 🌸

Her quiet care reminded me how much strength we draw from family and community. Grateful for all the kind messages — they mean more than you know. 💜

#HealingInProgress

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jul 15

🌿 New rebates for heat pumps in condos & apartments!
Income-qualified renters & owners in buildings under 6 storeys can get up to $5,000 for a heat pump starting July 15.
Details: betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cond...
#BetterHomesBC #ClimateAction #BCPoli #CowichanValley

Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebates - Better Homes BC

Up to $5,000 for households switching from electrical or wood heating to an electric heat pump.

betterhomesbc.ca

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jun 20

Joined Premier Eby & Mayor Staples for a tour of The Village in Duncan—a tiny home community offering safety, care & connection to 34 residents. A powerful, peer-designed model showing what’s possible when we invest in dignity. 💜🏠 #Cowichan #HousingFirst #bcpoli

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jun 17

Had a great visit to the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre ahead of this weekend’s Wooden Boat Festival! ⚓️⛵️

Come check out the festival June 22–23—and consider becoming a member to keep the legacy strong! 🌊

#CowichanBay #WoodenBoatFestival #MaritimeCentre #VanIsle #CommunityDriven

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jun 10

Windy weather has increased wildfire risk across BC. Some communities are already under evacuation orders. Now’s the time to prep:
✔️ Make a grab-and-go bag
✔️ Review your emergency plan
✔️ Check for fire bans before burning
More info: WildfireReady.gov.bc.ca
#BCWildfire #CowichanReady

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jun 5

Pleased to share that Cowichan Restorative Justice Society in Duncan is receiving $40,000 through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program to support community justice forums and restorative practices in schools.

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Jun 2

Met with Jared Qwustenuxun Williams 🍽️🔥 in Cowichan to celebrate his Indigenous-led smokehouse project—honouring tradition + boosting food sovereignty. Proud to support this work alongside MLA Harwinder Sandhu 🌿🧡

Apply now 👉 newrelationshiptrust.ca/apply-for-fu...

#StrongerBC #FoodSovereignty

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 27

Grateful to join TELUS for their Kits for Kids event at the Legislature on May 26. We filled backpacks with school supplies for families across B.C.—including in Cowichan Valley. Thanks to TELUS for supporting kids in our communities!

#KitsForKids #StrongerBC

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 22

The CVRD is receiving $400K from the BC Disaster Resilience & Innovation Fund to support tsunami mapping—helping us plan for future emergencies. Proud to support local efforts to keep Cowichan safe.
#CowichanValley #EmergencyPreparedness #StrongerBC

Reposted by Debra Toporowski

Christine Boyle @christineboyle.bsky.social · May 22

🧵: For over 25 years, Lyackson First Nation leadership has been trying to find appropriate land for their community members to call home. I am thrilled to see this land transfer finalized. @debratoporowski.bsky.social (1/3) news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...

Lyackson First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, B.C. complete land transfer

Culturally significant land in the Cowichan Valley has been returned to Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes communities, a reconciliation landmark between the Nations and B.C.

news.gov.bc.ca

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 20

The new Cowichan District Hospital will be B.C.’s first fossil fuel-free hospital — and the first in Canada with Zero Carbon Building – Design certification! Proud to see Cowichan leading the way in sustainable health care.
#CowichanValley #GreenHealthcare #BCPoli

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 9

Grateful to visit OUR Ecovillage with Brandy Gallagher — a powerful example of sustainability, reconciliation, and community in action right here in Cowichan.

#OURecovillage #CowichanValley #BCPoli #StrongerBC #LandBasedLiving

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 8

B.C. has a chance to lead in clean energy—and we’re taking action. New legislation will speed up permits for renewable projects, helping meet demand, fight climate change + build energy independence. #BCPoli #CleanEnergy #StrongerBC

Read more news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...

B.C. streamlines permitting for renewable-energy projects

The Province is taking action to speed up permitting for renewable-energy projects to meet growing demand for clean power, address climate change and secure energy independence for British Columbians ...

news.gov.bc.ca

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · May 8

Honoured to join Take a Hike Foundation + fellow MLAs for a powerful convo on youth mental health. Land-based, experiential learning is helping youth build resilience + confidence across B.C. Grateful to learn from students + educators today. #BCPoli #CowichanValley #YouthMentalHealth

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Apr 17

📚 Happy BC Book Day!

On April 15th, we celebrated the power of books to open minds, connect communities, and share local stories.

Let’s keep reading, sharing stories, and lifting up diverse voices across BC! #BCBookDay #CowichanReads #ReadLocalBC 📖✨

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Mar 20

🌸 Happy Nowruz! 🌸

As spring begins, communities in BC and around the world celebrate Nowruz, a time of renewal, hope, and togetherness. Wishing all who mark this occasion a year filled with joy, prosperity, and new beginnings.

Norouzetan Pirouz! #Nowruz #NewDay #SpringEquinox

Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Mar 18

From mentorship and employment programs to holistic supports like access to food, medical care, and mental health resources, CYS continues to be a pillar of resilience and perseverance for young people facing challenges #cowichanyouth #MLAtoporowski

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Mar 13

Happy Journée de la Francophonie!

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Francophone associations to celebrate the rich culture, language, and contributions of Francophones in our community.Merci to everyone working to strengthen French language and culture in British Columbia. #FrancophonieDay

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Mar 13

📸 Proud to share this moment with the 2025 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP)Twinning Program’s Indigenous Youth Interns!

This program empowers young women(17-25)to explore parliament, engage inpolitics, and connect with women leaders. Honoured to support the next generation!#WomenInPolitics

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Reposted by Debra Toporowski

Joan Phillip @joanphillipndp.bsky.social · Mar 10

***CW: Residential Schools

Today I rose to speak about the Residential Schools and the misinformation that is being spread by members of this House.

Racism should never be a partisan issue.

Full Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1lQ...

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Reposted by Debra Toporowski

David Eby @davidebybc.bsky.social · Mar 10

Trump’s threats are escalating. Now there are reports he wants to go after Canadian water.

We’ll happily send back their watery beer.

Effective immediately, we are removing all American products from BC Liquor Store shelves.

(1/2)

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Reposted by Debra Toporowski

Lisa Beare @lisabeare.bsky.social · Mar 7

Great news for B.C. families! With new federal funding, school food programs will be enhanced to help more students get the healthy food they need to learn and grow. Through Feeding Futures and the National School Food Program, we’re investing in kids, families, and communities!

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Debra Toporowski @debratoporowski.bsky.social · Mar 10

On Friday, March 7th I visited Nourish Cowichan. A vital program fighting food insecurity.

Since 2016, they've grown from 4-23+ schools, serving 19,000 hampers this year.

With 70+ volunteers, they provide meals so no child goes hungry. 💙

#NourishCowichan #Food4Students

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Reposted by Debra Toporowski

David Eby @davidebybc.bsky.social · Mar 6

Elbows up, Canada. 🇨🇦

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