Boards and Committees

The Mayor and Council establish committees, commissions and other advisory bodies from time-to-time to handle matters that are brought before it for consideration. All input, decisions and recommendations received from its advisory bodies are subject to Council approval or formal ratification.

Board and Committee meetings are open to the public and will continue to be conducted by video conference, using the Cisco Webex platform until December 31, 2022, as the Municipality transitions back to in person meetings. Meetings will continue to be streamed live at www.northcowichan.ca/meetings to provide the public with the ability to hear and/or watch and hear the proceedings.  

Notice of, and agendas for, meetings are posted on the Municipality's website and on the Municipal Hall public notice board a minimum of 72 hours before the time of the meeting. Notices will identify whether the meeting will be conducted in person or virtually. The meeting minutes are provided for information purposes in the next regularly scheduled Council meeting Consent Agenda for Council's review and consideration of any resulting recommendations.

Select Committees

Council establishes select committees to inquire into or consider any matter and then report its findings and opinions to Council. At least one member of a select committee must be a member of Council.

• Environmental Advisory Committee - the Environmental Advisory Committee will advise Council on the Climate Action and Energy Plan (CAEP); other environmental matters, such as natural areas, watershed protection, air quality, climate adaptation; and any emerging issues referred by Council.
• Environmental Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
• Environmental Advisory Committee Membership List
• Environmental Advisory Committee Schedule of Meetings
• Forestry Advisory Committee - the Forestry Advisory Committee will provide Council with advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to the North Cowichan Municipal Forest Reserve.
• Forestry Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (amended August 17, 2022)
• Forestry Advisory Committee Membership List
• Public Engagement Committee - the Public Engagement Committee will help shape the process of creating and implementing a Public Engagement Framework, policy, and staff tool kit, while also helping staff determine how to meet community and Council needs through meaningful engagement.
• Public Engagement Committee Terms of Reference
• Public Engagement Committee Membership List
• Public Engagement Report
• Council Communications Plan

Standing Committees

The Mayor may establish a standing committee for any matter that the mayor believes would be better managed and regulated by means of such a committee. Matters are referred to the committee and then the committee reports back to Council with or without a recommendation. At least half of the members of a standing committee must be members of Council.

• First Nations Relations Committee
• Terms of Reference
• First Nations Relations Committee Membership List
• Regulatory Review Committee

Other Advisory Bodies

An advisory body’s role is to provide recommendations, advice and information to Council and staff on those matters which relate to the mandate of the advisory body and on any matters which may be referred to them by Council or staff. Advisory bodies play an integral role in the Municipality’s public engagement efforts by focusing on a particular topic that has an impact on communities within North Cowichan and its people. They are often asked by staff to provide early feedback on specific projects and initiatives and work within their terms of reference or mandate.

• OCP Advisory Committee - the OCP Advisory Group and Ambassadors provide Council with meaningful input and recommendations on a range of community issues and implementation strategies to support the OCP update.
• OCP Advisory Group
• OCP Community Ambassadors 

Boards and Panels

• Joint Utilities Board (governed by Duncan-North Cowichan Joint Utilities Agreement Bylaw 1977)
• Parcel Tax Review Panel (governed by Community Charter Section 204)
• Board of Variance - All Board of Variance Hearings are being held electronically until further notice.
• Board of Variance General Info & FAQ 
• Board of Variance Membership List
• 2022 BOV Meeting Schedule
• Board of Variance Bylaw
  
• Board of Variance Application
• Development Agent Authorization Form

Cowichan Valley Regional District Board

Mayor Al Siebring
Councillor Debra Toporowski
Councillor Kate Marsh
Alternates in order:
Councillor Christopher Justice
Councillor Tek Manhas
Councillor Rosalie Sawrie

External Liaison Appointments (Voting Members)

Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (City of Duncan)
	Alternate
Councillor Rosalie Sawrie	Councillor Kate Marsh
Island Savings Centre Commission
	Alternate
Mayor Al Siebring	Councillor Rob Douglas
Councillor Kate Marsh	Councillor Rosalie Sawrie
Councillor Tek Manhas	Councillor Debra Toporowski
Tourism Advisory Committee (City of Duncan)
	Alternate
Councillor Tek Manhas	Councillor Debra Toporowski
Vancouver Island Regional Library Board
	Alternate
Councillor Rosalie Sawrie	Councillor Christopher Justice

External Liaison Appointments (Non-Voting Members)

BC Forest Discovery Centre	Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce
Councillor Tek Manhas	Mayor Al Siebring
Chemainus Festival of Murals Society	Cowichan Communities Health Network
Councillor Kate Marsh	Councillor Rosalie Sawrie
Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society	Cowichan Housing Coalition
Councillor Rosalie Sawrie	Councillor Kate Marsh
Cowichan Success-By-Six	Crofton Community Centre Society
Councillor Debra Toporowski	Councillor Rob Douglas
Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce	Maple Bay Community Association
Councillor Tek Manhas	Councillor Christopher Justice
Social Planning Cowichan Board	Somenos Management Committee
Councillor Christopher Justice	Councillor Christopher Justice
Quamichan Watershed Stewardship Society
Councillor Christopher Justice

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