The Freedom of the Municipality is an honour bestowed upon distinguished persons in recognition and appreciation of their long and faithful public service. The following people have been conferred Freedom of the Municipality for their notable achievements and contributions to North Cowichan.
Charles Alexander Phipps Murison was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1952, serving as a councillor for 2 years and as Reeve from 1954 to 1959. His accomplishments include both the Chemainus and Crofton sewer and water systems, and the implementation of the first comprehensive zoning, subdivision, and building by law package. In addition to his time spent with North Cowichan Council, he served as the president of the Union of BC Municipalities for two years and was a life member of the organization. In 1973, as part of the municipality's centennial year he was one of three persons conferred Freedom of the Municipality.
Reginald Clegg served as councillor from 1960 until 1967.
The Methodist Minister's son from Birmingham, England lived in Manitoba before moving to B.C. in 1936. Shortly thereafter, Donald Christopher Morton accepted a job managing the Ayrhsire dairy cattle at Cowichan's Fairbridge Farm. He eventually owned his own dairy farm in the Somenos area until 1966. He was the Cowichan Leader's agricultural editor for many years. Mr. Morton served overseas with the reinforcements of the Canadian Scottish Regiment during World War II. He began his career as a local government politician in 1954 when he was elected councillor. He was elected reeve in 1960 and in subsequent years until 1970. He served another three years as councillor after that, retired from municipal politics in 1973. Mr. Morton was then appointed to the B.C. Assessment Authority Board and served for 14 years as a director. During his terms as reeve, the municipal forest reserve was established, and the Cowichan District Hospital and municipal hall on Trans Canada Highway were built.
Adolphe VandeCasteyen began his municipal career at the age of 17 when he started with the City of Ladysmith where he worked for nine years. Following a year as the Clerk- Treasurer in Kaslo, he began his 32 year career with North Cowichan. Retiring as Clerk-Administrator he had also spent four years as the Secretary-Treasurer of School District #65. He was the first president of the Vancouver Island Municipal Officer's Association and had served as a president of the Municipal Officer's Association of British Columbia. Active within the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities he acted as Secretary-Treasurer. Continuing his education in 1960 he achieved his CGA degree.
Margaret, with her husband Stan, moved to Duncan in December of 1947. Her three children were all born here in Duncan in the old King's Daughters' Hospital. Active in the community, she became involved in Scouts, Guides, the music festival, and parent teachers association. In 1966 she ran in a by-election for North Cowichan Council and won. During her 24 years in office, Mrs. Robertson was Deputy Mayor, and she served as chair of every committee except public works. In addition, she served on the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board and the Cowichan Valley Hospital board.
Henry Rex Hollett established his successful tire business in Chemainus in 1956. He and his wife, Georgina, raised four children, and Rex spent many busy hours coaching youth softball, baseball and soccer. He was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1977, serving for eleven years as an Aldermen before being elected Mayor in 1987. He remained on council as Mayor until 1996. He reclaimed the Mayor's chair in the 1999 municipal election and served another term until 2002. In addition to his time spent with North Cowichan Council, Mr. Hollett served on the Cowichan District Hospital Board, the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board, and was the president and an active member of the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce and the Chemainus Rotary Club.
Glen Ridgway has an impressive history of public service: 23 years as a Municipal Councillor, 18 years as a Regional Director of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, 17 years as a Board Member of the Justice Institute of BC, 8 years as a Cowichan Valley School Trustee including 3 years as Chair of the Board, 3 years as a Board Member of former Malaspina College, and is the past President of The Law Society of British Columbia (2010-2011). Glen was actively involved in the development of community recreation in the Cowichan Valley including minor hockey and minor baseball. Since 1975 Glen has operated a private law practice and still practices today.
Anne Murray was North Cowichan’s first female Mayor (1996-1999), served six years as a Councillor, and 12 years as a School Trustee for School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley). A former nurse, Anne is passionate about universal child care and affordable housing. A long list of accomplishments includes the transfer of federal ports management to North Cowichan and expansion of the Municipal forest in Chemainus. Anne continues to carry out volunteer work in our community and currently serves on the BC Forest Discovery Museum’s Board of Directors and volunteers at its many events.
Jim Dias retired from North Cowichan in 2010 after 36 years, working his way up to the position of Chief Administrative Officer in 1991, playing a key role in the shaping of North Cowichan. His long list of accomplishments include his personal involvement in Cowichan Place negotiations resulting in securing a site for the new Vancouver Island University campus and a potential site for a new Cowichan High School. These negotiations also facilitated the relocation of the Cowichan Exhibition to the beautiful new site at Mays Road, and the spectacular new Evans Park sports fields on Somenos Road. Additionally, the award-winning Cowichan Aquatic Centre was completed in 2008. Through his numerous accomplishments, his strong personal commitment to the Municipality and its staff is significant, as well as his high regard for North Cowichan’s fire services volunteers. Jim continues to be an active member of the community as a long-time Rotarian and through involvement in Old Timers Hockey and other community service groups. In retirement he now serves as a member of the Providence Farm Board of Directors and as a liaison between North Cowichan and the Island Corridor Foundation.
In 1958, George wrote the exams for the Foreign Service, and held distinguished careers with the Federal Government from 1959 to 1993 living in Vietnam, Holland, Ottawa, Sri Lanka, Washington, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 1994, George retired and moved back to the Valley with his wife, Marie Claire and their 3 daughters.
George was elected to North Cowichan Council in 1996 and served for 15 years on North Cowichan Council and 9 years on the Cowichan Valley Regional District. He was the long-time Chair of the Technical Planning Committee and participant in the Advisory Planning Committee. George was a key player in the first modern Official Community Plan (OCP) 2002 and the current OCP adopted in 2011, as well as being a strong supporter of agriculture in the valley. George was an advocate for the Cowichan Theatre and instrumental in bringing the Cowichan Branch of the Vancouver Regional Library to the Cowichan Community Centre property. George had the foresight to advise the CVRD Board to plan financially for the new Cowichan Hospital.
Involved in many committees at North Cowichan and the CVRD, George’s broad perspective on community issues and thought for decision-making has been an asset to the community.
George passed away in April 2022.
Tom was elected to North Cowichan Council in 1991 and served 17 years as a councillor (1991 - 2004 and 2014-2018) and three years as mayor of North Cowichan (2008 – 2011). During this time Tom was chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board for three terms. Tom was also chair on the Forestry Advisory Committee and one of the 6 founding members of the Forestry Committee in the early 1980’s. In 2018, the Forest Legacy and Bursary Scholarship was renamed the "Tom Walker Forest Legacy Bursary Scholarship."
Tom’s career spanned 35 years working for the BC Forest Service and in 1980 Tom was appointed the District Manager of the Duncan Forest District headquartered in the Cowichan Valley. This district covered southern Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, complete with a complex variety of forestry and environmental issues and challenges. Some years after his retirement as District Manager, he was appointed by the province to protect the public interest as a Lay Councillor on the Association of BC Professional Foresters, the governing body responsible for registering and regulating professional foresters. Tom served two terms in that role from 2013 to 2018.
Tom was active in many civic, community and professional groups over the years. He was involved as a president, a director or a member in many organizations including past president of Cowichan Valley Crimestoppers, BC Forest Discovery Centre and Duncan Rotary Club; former director of Cowichan Valley Basket Society and Clement Center Society, as well as founding member and past president of the Cowichan Valley Probus Club.
Tom passed away in March 2025.
Jon Lefebure was born in Kingston, Ontario and moved to B.C. in 1973 after obtaining a degree in political science from Carleton University. While at university he started his first company – a siding company. Over time his company grew to building additions, and eventually to designing and constructing homes - something he continues to do to this day.
Jon was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1999 and served 4 years as a Councillor (1999-2002) and 12 years as Mayor (2002-2008 and 2011-2018). He served 12 years on the CVRD Board including five years as chair (2006, 2015-2018). During Jon’s time on Council, he chaired the Finance Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Harbours Commission, Mutual Business Committee, and the Roundtable on the Environment. He also sat on the Joint Utilities Board, the Forestry Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Police and Emergency Measures Committee, and the Technical Planning Committee.
Some of Jon’s highlights while on council include the creation of the Environmental Advisory Committee to tackle environmental and energy use challenges facing local government and to implement the newly adopted Climate Action and Energy Plan. He was instrumental in the building of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, helped to bring transit to Chemainus and Crofton, and brought the Vancouver Island University Campus here. He laid the groundwork for Cowichan Place and served as co-chair of the Cowichan Watershed Board working on raising the weir at Cowichan Lake. His passions include community matters, building relationships with First Nations, affordable housing initiatives, and managing our water resources.
David Haywood was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and relocated to Victoria in 1961. Shortly after moving to Victoria, David started working for BC Forest Products Limited (BCFP) in Victoria. He was subsequently transferred to the Crofton Pulp and Paper Mill where he spent most of his career before retiring in 2000 after 39 years of employment.
David was first elected to North Cowichan Council in 1999 and served 11 years as a Councillor (1999-2002 and 2004 – 2011). Before municipal politics, David served 10 years as a school board trustee for School District 65 (1969 to 1978), two of those years he served as Chair.
During David’s time on Council, he sat on the Finance Committee, Administration Committee, Public Works Committee, and three years as chair of the Joint Utilities Board. He also served three years on the CVRD Board (2009-2011), three years as the CVRD Parks and Recreation Commission chair, six years on the Island Savings Centre Commission, and six years on the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board. He was a strong supporter of recreational development and the expansion of recreational activities. During his time on council, he supported the improvements to the Evans Ball Fields, moving the Cowichan Exhibition to north of town, the Cowichan Sportsplex, and the purchase of the Duncan Curling Club.
Graham P. Bruce has dedicated his life to public service, community development, and leadership across British Columbia. His journey began early, serving as President of both Mt. Prevost Junior High and Cowichan Senior Secondary School, setting the stage for a lifetime of civic engagement.
At just 24, Graham was elected Alderman for North Cowichan, and by 27, he became the youngest mayor in Canada (at that time), serving from 1979 to 1986. His tenure was marked by visionary initiatives. He oversaw the development of the first Official Community Plan, led efforts to preserve the Cowichan Estuary, and helped establish ecological reserves at Mt. Tzouhalem and Somenos Flats. He championed industrial development, infrastructure planning, and cultural revitalization through projects like the Chemainus mural program and the Spirit of Chemainus sailing ship. He also initiated the nationally recognized intensive forest management program for North Cowichan’s Municipal Forest Reserve.
Graham’s leadership extended to provincial politics, serving as MLA from 1986 to 1991 and again from 2001 to 2005. He held key cabinet roles including Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Labour, and was House Leader. His dual service as Mayor and MLA exemplified his deep commitment to his community.
Beyond his political career, Graham has remained an advocate for regional development and social change. He served as CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation, chaired the Chemainus Business Improvement Association, and led the Cowichan Journey of a Generation for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. His commitment to reconciliation and healing is evident in his work with the New Story Community Board, supporting addiction recovery programs for Indigenous women. Likewise, his involvement in the Strengthening Democracy initiative underscores a lifelong dedication to building engaged and resilient communities.
Graham’s career also includes journalism, entrepreneurship, and international travel. He co-owned Bruce’s Grocery and Chemainus Foods, worked as a sports editor, and explored North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe in his youth.
A lifelong athlete and coach, Graham has contributed to local sports through coaching and advocacy, including the development of the Cowichan Sportsplex. His efforts have also supported healthcare improvements, education, and environmental stewardship.
Born in Duncan to Madge and Preston Bruce (a recipient of the Freedom of the City of Duncan), Graham is a proud husband to Anneke, whom he married in 1975. Together, they raised four children, Sheri, Shule, Ryan, and Tyler. Graham (and Anneke) are now grandparents and great-grandparents to many. Graham has always led an active life, enjoying skiing, scuba diving, golfing, and playing squash, basketball, soccer, baseball, and pickleball. Today, Graham and Anneke spend summers boating and winters travelling, but it's keeping up with their grandchildren that truly keeps them young.