Update from the December 3, 2025 Council meeting: Council discussed a letter from the Maple Bay Community Association asking for support with a growing number of derelict vessels anchored in the bay. Council then directed staff to provide a recommended process and actions for coordinating a multi-agency response, taking into account environmental health, navigation safety, community well-being, and the needs of any vulnerable individuals living aboard.
Council met for just over four hours during our Regular Council meeting and Public Hearing on December 3, 2025.
During my Mayor’s Report, I shared the following:
- On December 2, our community received devastating news that Domtar will be permanently closing the Crofton pulp mill, affecting approximately 350 workers and their families.
- The following day, I had an emergency meeting with Premier David Eby, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson, Cowichan Valley MLA Debra Toporowski, and union leadership from the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) to discuss the closure, secure provincial support, and explore future options for the mill site.
- During this meeting, we advocated for income support, retraining programs, and mental health services for impacted workers and families. We also requested that the Province provide North Cowichan with transition funding to address the expected tax revenue shortfall in 2026 and future years, as the Crofton mill contributes approximately $5 million in property taxes annually.
- We are now working with the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth and PPWC leadership to convene a Community Transition Table. This group will begin meeting next week to coordinate supports for affected workers and businesses.
- I will be providing regular updates as new information and resources become available at northcowichan.ca/croftonmill
Tom Andrews, President, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society, updated Council on how the society is focusing on engagement and technology to enhance the mural experience for residents and visitors from around the world.
Two finance-related bylaws received first three readings:
- The Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw which will enable North Cowichan to borrow money for the short-term, if needed, to continue municipal operations before revenue (property taxes) are collected later in the year.
- The 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan Amendment has been updated to include various motions made by Council during the past year. This includes costs associated with the Chemainus River flood mitigation work, a boiler replacement at the Cowichan Aquatic Cetre, emergency funding for the Cowichan River pipe protection, short-term borrowing for the purchase of a used fire apparatus, and a grant-in-aid for 50% of the development cost charges and building permit fees for the affordable housing project at 3181 Sherman Road.
Council received the Quarter 3 Council Strategic Plan update. Highlights include a new pilot internship partnership with Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council supporting individuals pursuing building official certification, Freedom of the Municipality granted to former Mayor and Councillor Graham Bruce, endorsement of a proposed 28-unit affordable housing project on Vian Street, and receipt of a Community Energy Association Climate & Energy Action Award for the RCMP detachment building.
Council endorsed their 2026 Regular Council and Committee of the Whole meeting schedule. Committee of the Whole meetings take place the second Tuesday of each month and Council on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Dates with conflicts with conventions or holidays have been adjusted.
Council received a report on the next steps of the planned review of the municipality’s procurement policies. On November 12, Council approved $50,000 in the 2026 budget to support a review and requested a report on the benefits a review would provide. The review will include guidance on compliance with trade treaty law, recommend consistency in purchasing practices, mitigate risk, and provide transparency and accountability. North Cowichan does not have a dedicated procurement position.
Council approved the addition of a Wildfire Specialist position to support wildfire protection planning. The position will oversee the development of a Strategic Wildfire Plan for the municipality which will provide a comprehensive and proactive approach to effectively prepare for and respond to wildfire threats, particularly in urban/forest interface areas. The development of the strategy will be funded from the 2026 Climate Action and Energy Plan (CAEP) Reserve Fund, and the specialist position will also be funded from the CAEP Reserve Fund for 2026, and from general taxation thereafter. Council then directed staff to amend the CAEP terms of reference to include climate adaptation expenditures.
Council did not approve the hiring of a Digital Media Field Technician for the RCMP detachment. The position, plus start up costs, would have cost $320,277.
Council directed the Mayor to write to the Province requesting formal consultation with local governments on Bill M 216 – Professional Reliance Act and request detailed information on potential impacts to municipal permitting authority, infrastructure oversight, liability, peer-review mechanisms and environmental protection.
At 7pm, Council held a public hearing for a zoning amendment for 6682 Norcross Road (Together We Can) to increase the number of beds for addictions treatment and recovery from 10 to 20. Following the public hearing, Council gave the zoning amendment first three readings.
On November 27, North Cowichan and Duncan councils held a joint meeting. Items discussed included:
- The relocation of Duncan’s northside welcome sign, which will now be installed at the southeast corner of the old Cowichan Secondary School field, on the Trans-Canada Highway south of James Street. Wayfinding signs will also be installed along the Trans-Canada Highway at Beverly Street and Sherman Road.
- The City of Duncan’s community safety action plan.
- Joint advocacy opportunities to address homelessness, mental health, and addictions, which outlies what topics and issues Duncan and North Cowichan will advocate for with federal and provincial ministries.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at 5pm.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250-746-3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca