2023 in review
Looking back on 2023, it has been a busy year for North Cowichan. We continued to deliver high-quality services to residents, businesses and visitors while also implementing the strategic priorities of Council that focus on the long-term future of North Cowichan. Like so many other towns and cities across BC, we continue to face many increasing challenges that are impacting our community — from escalating infrastructure costs and a lack of affordable housing to more frequent extreme weather events and the worsening opioid crisis.
Reflecting on the past year, we can be proud of our many accomplishments as a community that include:
- We completed or started the replacement of critical infrastructure to support core services, including water mains in Crofton, Chemainus and Maple Bay, floodgates and road settlement repair on Canada Avenue, and the roof at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.
- We made substantial progress on the new RCMP building set to open in spring 2024 and started construction of the new Crofton Fire Hall.
- We continued to deliver high-quality programs and services to North Cowichan residents, visitors, and businesses through the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Fuller Lake Area, Municipal Hall, and our Operations building.
- Our firefighters, police and bylaw enforcement staff continued to ensure the safety of our community, responding to thousands of calls for service, including fire and medical incidents, crimes against persons and property, and complaints related to street disorder.
- We continued to advance our strategic priorities that will positively impact residents of today while benefitting future generations, including the Official Community Plan, Climate Action and Energy Plan, Climate Adaptation Strategy, Master Transportation Plan, Parks and Trails Master Plan, Biodiversity Protection Policy, Municipal Forest Review, draft Affordable Housing Policy, and new Zoning Bylaw.
- We approved significant new housing developments, including completing and rezoning for projects that will result in an additional 900 housing units in our community, while working closely with the Province on new affordable housing projects on Sherman Road and in Chemainus.
- We took steps to respond to the growing challenges related to homelessness, street disorder and the opioid crisis and are moving forward with several initiatives that focus on making our community safer and supporting our most vulnerable citizens.
- We secured an $18 million grant from the provincial government for a new child care facility that will replace the one currently operated by the Parkside Academy Society.
- We stepped up our advocacy to the senior levels of government and met with Premier David Eby as well as several federal and provincial cabinet ministers to request increased federal and provincial investments in our community.
- We increased our focus on accessibility by establishing the accessibility advisory committee, installed accessible doors at Fuller Lake Arena, and built an adaptive mountain bike loop on Maple Mountain.
- After 10 years, we launched a brand-new website that will better serve our residents, visitors, and businesses.
- We celebrated North Cowichan’s 150th anniversary with a focus on reflecting on our history while also looking forward to a future that includes meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, including the Quw’utsun Nation.
I want to thank North Cowichan Council and staff for all their hard work on these projects and initiatives, and to recognize the contributions from all the local residents who volunteer on our various advisory committees and have participated in our public engagement initiatives at the municipality. Without these folks, none of the success we have seen over the past year would have been possible.
We can expect 2024 to be another busy year for North Cowichan, with major changes on the horizon. These include the Province’s recent housing legislation that will impact future development in our municipality and influence many of our priorities over the coming months, including updating our outdated zoning bylaw. Other major priorities ahead include continued investments in our aging municipal infrastructure and implementing our new Official Community Plan.
In addition, over the next year, we will develop a new Economic Development Action Plan for North Cowichan. Guided by our Economic Development Committee that was re-established earlier this year, the action plan will outline opportunities and challenges, and prioritize goals to help us realize a more welcoming municipality for economic prosperity. We are interested in hearing from local residents, businesses, industry and First Nations on your ideas for economic development, and welcome your input through our online survey.
On behalf of North Cowichan Council, I want to wish you all the best in the new year. It’s a privilege to serve as your Mayor, and I look forward to continuing to work together as we confront the challenges ahead and build a stronger and more resilient community for everyone.
Sincerely,
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250.746.3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca