The new Cowichan District Hospital will carry a dual name to reflect both healing and the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Quw’utsun Peoples.
According to the Government of British Columbia, the hospital will be rebranded as Quw’utsun Valley Hospital/Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw, incorporating a name in Hul’q’umi’num’ alongside the English name.
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma said the naming is “a meaningful step toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities,” adding that the new name will help the facility remain culturally safe and inclusive for future generations.
Cindy Daniels, chief of Cowichan Tribes, said she hopes the dual name will inspire both patients and healthcare professionals. “Our Elders have gifted the new hospital with an important name that offers a new way forward when it comes to our people’s experiences with health-care facilities,” she said.
Debra Toporowski, MLA for the Cowichan Valley, described the announcement as a “beautiful way to honour the land and language of the Quw’utsun Peoples, while working to deliver the services the community needs.”
The new facility is on track for completion in 2026 with 204 beds—56 more than the current hospital.
The project cost is estimated at approximately $1.5 billion and is part of initiatives to expand and improve healthcare services in the Cowichan Valley.
