Council met for about three hours during our Regular Council meeting on February 4, 2026.
During my Mayor’s Report, I shared the following updates:
- Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl and the team at Lookout Health & Housing Society for hosted North Cowichan staff and me on a tour of Homewood Village, which opened in late 2024 and now provides safe, dignified housing for 48 individuals. The project has been successful in helping people who had been living on the street and in encampments move into supportive housing, access much-needed services, and achieve greater stability in their lives.
- I had the pleasure of attending the Clements Centre’s gala at the Khowutzun Heritage Centre to celebrate the local employers who make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with diverse abilities and who demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusion. It was an honour to accept an award on behalf of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.
- The Rotary Club of Duncan invited me to their regular meeting at the Cowichan Golf & Country Club to provide an update on the major issues we’re grappling with in North Cowichan - from the recent mill closures and curtailments to the infrastructure upgrades needed to support future development.
- I recently visited Parksville to meet with Mayor Doug O’Brien and learn about the work the city is doing to enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors who enjoy this beautiful seaside community, and their progress in addressing challenges with homelessness and street disorder and providing supportive housing.
- The Chemainus Business Improvement Association invited me to give a talk to local businesses and residents on the Chemainus Town Centre Revitalization Plan, which North Cowichan adopted in 2011, including the projects implemented to date. I appreciated hearing from the folks who attended on how we should proceed with further community development initiatives in Chemainus.
- Along with members of Council, I attended the Island Agriculture Show at the Cowichan Exhibition, which was a great opportunity to meet with farmers, producers, and other working in the agricultural sector. The event featured two days of educational workshops and a trade exhibition with more than 60 exhibitors showcasing the latest farm equipment and professional services.
- The North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP detachment and I hosted the Cumberland, Comox, and Courtenay mayors for a tour of our new police detachment that opened in spring 2024. Comox Valley RCMP and local governments are now exploring options for a new detachment building, as their current facility, now more than 40 years old, is no longer suitable for their needs, and they are hoping to learn from our experience.
- I provided an update on North Cowichan’s efforts to support workers and businesses impacted by the Crofton Mill closure and Chemainus mill curtailment, including:
- Working with the Province to extend the Community Transition Table services to the Chemainus sawmill workers and host a second information session at the Crofton Community Centre,
- Meeting with company representatives from both Domtar and Western Forest Products to discuss the future of both the Crofton and Chemainus sites and plans for off-site infrastructure and services,
- Holding the first meeting of the Mill Closure Response Working Group, which includes representatives from the federal and provincial governments, industry and labour and provides guidance to the Mayor and Council on municipal, intergovernmental, and community responses to disruptions in the local forest industry, and
- Writing to the federal Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, outlining the challenges workers are facing in accessing Employment Insurance benefits and urging the federal government to advance the comprehensive package of supports for impacted forestry workers proposed by Courtenay-Alberni Member of Parliament Gord Johns.
Calum Matthews from Tourism Cowichan made a presentation about the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) 5-year renewal (2027-2032). The MRDT is a visitor funded tax program established in 1987 to support the growth and management of tourism in the province. The tax is administered at a regional level and is applied on fixed roof accommodation property stays (hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, etc.) and revenue is used for tourism marketing, destination development (such as wayfinding signage), destination development (ambassador programs, training, etc), visitor services, and affordable housing. Affordable housing was added as an eligible expense in 2023 with the recognition some accommodations such as short-term rentals have a direct impact of the availability of housing for locals, including staff that support other tourism activities. Currently the tax is set at 2% however Tourism Cowichan intends to raise the rate to 3% beginning in 2027. In 2025 the Tourism Cowichan MRDT collected $853,629 in revenue.
Council discussed several items that were carried over from the last meeting:
- Councillor Manhas formally withdrew their notice of motion on the appointment of a Special Task Force regarding the Crofton mill closure, Chemainus sawmill curtailment, and related forestry issues.
- The Interim Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy was adopted after a recommendation by the Economic Development Committee.
- The terms of reference for North Cowichan Mill Closure Response Working Group was received.
Three bylaws were adopted after their introduction and discussion at previous meetings:
- A zoning amendment bylaw that permits a non-soil based cannabis production facility at 3925 Cowichan Lake Road.
- The Records Management Amendment Bylaw that now reflects housekeeping amendments.
- The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Bylaw.
Three bylaws were introduced for first three readings:
- The Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw that will update definitions and legislative references to align with the Fire Safety Act.
- The Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw that will update definitions, facilitate enhanced bylaw enforcement of parking related contraventions, and restrict overnight parking.
- The Business Licence Amendment Bylaw that will allow conditions to be attached to the issuance of a business licence including hours of operation, use of amplified music, on-site parking, and the requirement for a good neighbour agreement.
Councillor Justice moved their notice of motion regarding fibreglass pollution in the Cowichan Estuary. A 2025 study identified a significant presence of fibreglass particles in the sediments and biofilm of the Cowichan River estuary, raising concerns about impacts on wildlife, ecosystem health, and the risk of entering the food chain. The mayor was directed to write to our MP and MLA and the appropriate regulatory authorities - including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks, Transport Canada, and any other appropriate regulatory body - to both raise awareness of and request action to address fibreglass pollution in the Cowichan Estuary.
Council discussed two letters that had been received regarding concerns associated with a recent decampment of people living on Lewis Street. The Director of Social Planning was directed to write back to the Coalition to end Homelessness and to the Island Health Authority’s Medical Health Officer regarding effort made to coordinate the decampment with other agencies and on next steps.
Council also discussed a recommendation provided by the Agricultural Advisory Committee to not endorse the zoning amendment that would permit the keeping of backyard chickens on all residential lots in North Cowichan. The committee raised a number of concerns including biosecurity and directed that any future consideration on the matter be referred back to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for potential inclusion with the engagement in the upcoming Strategic Agricultural Plan review.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 18 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