Council met for just over three hours during our Regular Council meeting and Public Hearing on July 16, 2025.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- I joined Cowichan Tribes for the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Si’em Lelum Soccer Fields, a vibrant event of cultural activities, workshops, and vendors honouring Indigenous traditions on the summer solstice. Thanks to North Cowichan staff who volunteered, supporting reconciliation efforts.
- I met with BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, local leaders, MLA Debra Toporowski, and MP Jeff Kibble to discuss forestry concerns including mill curtailments, fibre access, watershed health, and regulatory updates. I emphasized our worries about Crofton’s pulp mill and the Chemainus sawmill curtailment impacting 150 workers.
- I also met separately with MP Jeff Kibble and Western Forest Products to explore ways to support local industry and jobs. While most forestry policy falls under provincial jurisdiction, federal action is crucial - especially through a renewed softwood lumber agreement and prioritizing BC wood under the new “Building Canada Homes” initiative.
- North Cowichan staff and I recently sat down with Together We Can, a Vancouver nonprofit opening a 20-bed addiction recovery centre this year. We are now working closely with this organization to secure government funding for this new facility, ensuring it is accessible to a broader segment of our community, regardless of economic status.
- Lastly, I commended North Cowichan firefighters and BC Wildfire Service for swiftly containing a wildfire near the Cowichan River on Gibbins Road. Crews subsequently remained on-site managing hot spots.
Staff Sergeant Steve Perret, from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, presented the RCMP quarterly report for the period January – March 2025, which includes highlights from the detachment over that period as well as statistics on criminal offense and occurrences. Staff Sergeant Perret also shared the results of the detachment’s 2024-25 Annual Performance Plan and presented the 2025-2026 North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Annual Performance Plan, which was endorsed by Council.
Next, we heard from Beverly Suderman, Zoe Lauckner, and Delphine Koyote who presented the results of the Cowichan Women’s Health Collective’s research project and gap analysis regarding the state of youth services in the Cowichan region. Through focus groups, interviews of service providers, a workshop, and an advisory committee, the research team found three key areas that fall within the scope of influence for local governments: community safety, recreation and culture, and public transportation. The presenters highlighted the importance of keeping youth in mind in all of Council’s decision-making.
Board members from the Glen Harper Curling Centre provided an update on the curling club, its membership, and the building. The club has grown its membership significantly in recent years offering programs and leagues for all ages. They thanked North Cowichan staff for their ongoing support in keeping the building well maintained.
A delegation from the owner of 2961 Sherman Road – to request an extension to the remedial action deadline for the removal of the remaining structures on the property – was referred to staff to bring a report to Council with more information at the next regular council meeting on August 20.
Council agreed with the Agricultural Advisory Committee’s recommendation to endorse the Strategic Agricultural Plan Scope of Work and authorize the expenditure of up to $75,000 from the Agricultural Reserve Fund for the revision, update and replacement of the 2001 Strategic Agricultural Plan.
Council authorized the issuance of two Development Variance Permits:
- The first that will decrease the minimum permitted principal building front yard setback from 8.0 metres to 2.5 – 5.2 metres at 9386 Smiley Road to regularize a recently constructed covered front entrance with a future second-storey.
- The second that will facilitate the construction of a detached accessory dwelling unit at 3118 Drinkwater Road by increasing the maximum gross floor area, building height, and depth of an upper-storey deck.
Three bylaws were adopted:
- The Waste Collection Bylaw that provides for the control, collection and disposal of garbage, recyclables and organic materials.
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4008, 2025 that introduces the Rural Residential – Bell McKinnon Zone.
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4016, 2025 that removes reference to the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw (in the Zoning Bylaw) and repeals the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw.
Council advanced several bylaw amendments:
- Three readings were given to the Vian Street Housing Agreement Bylaw which will secure non-market housing units within a 28-unit multi-family development at 2731 Vian Street.
- After receiving an update on the implications of limited water and sanitary servicing capacity in March 2025, the draft Interim Community Amenity Contribution Policy in October 2024, and recent changes as a result of Bill 44 (which increased the maximum density on the site from 54 to 94 housing units), Council rescinded third reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3915, which proposes to facilitate a development at 1771 Robert Street. Council also approved that a second public hearing be held after today’s regular council meeting at 7:00 p.m.
- Three readings were given to the Parks and Recreation Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw that will simplify and standardize fees, align definitions with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and update the bylaw to support current operations by removing outdated items.
- Three readings were given to the Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw that will increase the annual garbage fee for larger garbage and organics carts, bear-resistant carts, and a cart exchange fee.
- Three readings were given to the Municipal Fine Amendment Bylaw that will amend the Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw and Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, following the adoption of the new Waste Collection Bylaw and previous amendments to the Sign Bylaw.
- Three readings were given to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4017 that proposes to legalize an existing detached accessory dwelling unit at 6560 Nevilane Drive.
- Three readings were given to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4018 that proposes to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2950, 1997, to permit a detached accessory dwelling unit at 7911 Stoney Hill Road. Council also requires that a covenant be registered on the property prior to adoption that would restrict the size of the detached accessory dwelling unit to 155 m² and prohibit subdivision or stratification of the property.
- First and second reading were given to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4021 that proposes to add bed and breakfast as a permitted use on 7851 and 7853 Osborne Bay Road. This application will proceed to a public hearing in the coming weeks, prior to Council considering adoption.
A financial update on the General, Water and Sewer Funds Statement of Operations and Capital expenditures for the period ending June 30, 2025 was received for information.
Council authorized issuing a Development Permit with Variance to allow for drainage improvements, landscaping enhancements, and deck alterations within the watercourse setback on 360 Arbutus Avenue.
Council agreed to authorize the Director of Engineering to enter into a sanitary service agreement with Cowichan Tribes for the sanitary servicing of five lots, each containing one single-family home, at 1884 Tzouhalem Road.
We then discussed the motion I introduced at our last council meeting to write a letter to the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, urging the Province and BC Transit to take a more active role in resolving the transit strike in the Cowichan region. Council agreed that I will write a letter on behalf of North Cowichan, and we will also request that the Cowichan Valley Regional District board write to the Province as well on behalf of the entire Cowichan region.
Councillor Justice introduced a notice of motion that will be considered at the August 20 council meeting. The motion asks Council to reaffirm its commitment to keeping municipal taxes as low as possible by ensuring that growth pays for itself, through Development Cost Charges and other community amenity contributions set at levels that reflect actual costs and that do not unfairly burden existing taxpayers with the cost of any new or upgraded infrastructure needed to support growth.
During the public hearing, members of the public were provided an opportunity to comment on the Zoning Amendment Bylaw for 1771 Robert Street, which then passed third reading. This will return to Council to consider adoption once the covenants have been registered.
The next regular council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 20 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