The prolonged transit strike in Cowichan Valley has evolved from a mere inconvenience into a full-blown humanitarian concern, with vulnerable residents facing mounting barriers to accessing essential services and food. As the labor dispute between BC Transit contractors and workers enters its fourth month, food bank operators report a worrying spike in hunger among those who rely on public transportation.
“We’re seeing people who haven’t been able to get to us in weeks,” says Colleen Fuller, executive director of the Cowichan Valley Food Bank. “When you’re carrying bags of groceries several kilometers in the rain, it becomes nearly impossible for many of our seniors and families with young children.”
The strike, which began in late January, has eliminated bus service across the region, including Duncan, North Cowichan, and Lake Cowichan. With negotiations stalled between First Transit and Unifor Local 333, approximately 2,000 daily transit users have been left without alternatives.
For the region’s low-income residents, the situation has created a perfect storm of hardship. A recent survey conducted by local social service agencies found that nearly 40% of food bank clients primarily relied on public transit to access food distribution centers. With taxi services proving prohibitively expensive—a round trip can cost upwards of $40—many residents are forced to choose between paying for transportation or purchasing other necessities.
“What we’re witnessing is textbook food insecurity,” explains Dr. Marion Patterson, a public health researcher at Vancouver Island University. “When transportation barriers prevent consistent access to nutritious food, the health consequences can be severe and long-lasting.”
The Cowichan Valley Regional District has implemented temporary measures, including a volunteer-run shuttle service operating twice weekly. However, community advocates argue these stopgap solutions fall dramatically short of meeting the need.
“The volunteer drivers are wonderful, but they can only accommodate about 15% of the normal ridership,” notes Fuller. “We’re seeing people rationing food, skipping meals, or walking dangerous distances along highways without proper sidewalks.”
Local businesses have also felt the impact as retail foot traffic has decreased significantly in downtown Duncan. The economic ripple effects extend beyond transit workers, affecting the broader community’s financial health during already challenging economic times.
The provincial government has faced mounting pressure to intervene, but officials maintain that the dispute must be resolved through the established collective bargaining process. Meanwhile, Unifor representatives cite safety concerns and wage disparities as primary sticking points in negotiations.
“Transit is not a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure,” says Michelle Laurie, Unifor’s western regional director. “Our members deserve fair compensation and safe working conditions, and the public deserves reliable service.”
As temperatures drop and spring rainfall increases, the hardship intensifies for those traversing long distances on foot. Food bank volunteers have begun assembling lighter food packages to ease the burden for those walking, prioritizing calorie-dense, lightweight options over heavier staples like potatoes and canned goods.
The situation in Cowichan Valley raises profound questions about transportation equity and food security in rural communities across Canada. When public transit systems fail, who bears the greatest burden, and what responsibility do governments have to ensure basic needs remain accessible during labor disputes? As residents continue to struggle, the answer becomes increasingly urgent with each passing day.
