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, however in-person meetings are currently not permitted in accordance with the most recent Provincial Health Officer Order regarding gatherings and events. Committee meetings will be held virtually and will also be livestreamed to provide openness and transparency to the public.

Notice of, and agendas for, meetings of committees and commissions 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. The minutes of committee and commission meetings are forwarded to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting for Council's review and consideration of any resulting recommendations.

Advisory Committees

Council establishes select committees to inquire into or consider any matter and then report its findings and opinions to 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 July 15, 2020)
• 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.

• Audit and Finance Committee
• First Nations Relations Committee
• Terms of Reference
• Regulatory Review Committee

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
• 2021 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 Debra Toporowski	Councillor Rosalie Sawrie

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
Mayor Al Siebring	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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