Council met for just over four hours during our Regular Council meeting on June 17, 2026.
During my Mayor’s Report, I shared the following updates:
- One of the highlights of this time of the year is attending the award ceremonies for high school graduates. I have had the pleasure of providing the Tom Walker Forest Legacy Scholarship and Bursary to well-deserving students at Quw’utsun, Frances Kelsey and Chemainus Secondary Schools.
- I recently spoke at the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s speaker series luncheon, where I gave local business owners an update on North Cowichan’s accomplishments over the past year and highlighted the municipality’s major challenges, which include costly upgrades to maintain and expand our infrastructure, efforts to diversify our local economy, and the ongoing issues with homelessness, street disorder, addictions and untreated mental illness.
- The province held an information session for mayors across BC on their new industrial strategy, Look West. I had a chance to discuss the potential re-development of the Crofton mill site with the Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, which could support both local and provincial economic development priorities.
- Following the City of Duncan’s decision to initiate a study focused on its boundary with North Cowichan, I met with the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Christine Boyle, to voice our concerns with this project. The Minister confirmed that a boundary realignment cannot move forward unless both municipalities agree on the proposed changes.
- Earlier this month, I wrote to Premier David Eby regarding the compounding issues of homelessness, street disorder, addictions and untreated mental illness that are having a devastating impact on North Cowichan and the broader region, and requested provincial assistance to advance several specific projects. [Note that I travelled to Vancouver the day after our Council meeting to meet with the Premier to discuss opportunities to work together on these issues].
- I congratulated North Cowichan resident Larry Pynn, who previously wrote for the Vancouver Sun and now has the website www.sixmountains.ca, for winning the gold prize from the Canadian Association of Journalists for his series in an unauthorized landfill in the Cowichan region.
Acting Officer in Charge Ken Beard, from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, presented the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP’s quarterly report (January to March 2026). Highlights include the rescue of a hang glider on Mount Prevost in February; efforts to combat racism in the region; seized cigarettes, stolen goods, and illicit drugs; and the use of Air 8 to combat uninsured dirt bikes that had been driven on public roads. Total calls for police service rose 19% over the same quarter in 2025.
District of Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes made a presentation on a proposed agricultural municipality initiative. The proposal would see an agricultural designation applied to some municipalities, similar to the resort designation. This would better enable municipalities with large agricultural presence an opportunity to receive provincial funding needed for infrastructure in rural areas. Twelve municipalities have been identified as potential members, with the next step to meet with provincial ministers at the Union of British Columbia (UBCM) conference in September.
A development variance permit was issued which relaxes the setback to a watercourse to accommodate a single-family dwelling at Lot 1 Khenipsen Road.
A zoning amendment to permit a maximum of two residential buildings at 5004 Oceanview Terrace was adopted.
An amendment to the Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw was adopted. This amendment establishes the hours of pickleball play at Andy Hutchins Park to be 9am to 8pm each day.
Two zoning amendments were introduced and given first three readings:
- To permit residential use in conjunction with church use at 2852-2858 Mill Street, and to register a covenant to secure a financial contribution equal to three times the current development cost charges rate to the short-term infrastructure fund.
- To rezone 1438 and 1448 Adelaide Street from ‘Urban Residential Rural Zone’ (R1-U) to ‘Adelaide Street Comprehensive Development Zone’ (CD28) to support an 18-lot multi-family subdivision.
Zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments were authorized for 3037 & 3047 Westhill Place to redesignate the properties as “special exemption” and zone A3 (rural restricted) in order to accommodate a two-lot subdivision.
An amendment to the Fees and Charges Bylaw was given first three readings. The changes will allow the implementation of a $2 per hour user fee for municipally owned public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
An expansion to the Chemainus Sewer System Local Area Service was introduced and given first three readings. The expansion would include 9580 Bare Point Road, in order to support the owner, Alsco Canada Corporation, to operate a commercial scale washing facility on the property.
Council received 2025 North Cowichan annual report. Municipalities in B.C. are required to publish an annual report that includes the audited financial statements as well as a progress report on services, operations, and performance on established objectives. This year’s report focuses on progress made on key issues, including continued progress on partnerships with the Quw’utsun Nation and member tribes, regional collaboration on public disorder and local actions related to addictions or homelessness, the groundbreaking for a new 92-unit cooperative housing project, and the adoption of North Cowichan’s Economic Development Action Plan.
Council decided not to issue a statement of concurrence for a 36-metre tripole telecommunications antenna structure on 3186 Gibbins Road. The antenna would have replaced one on the current Cowichan District Hospital, which eventually needs to be moved.
Council authorized that the Mayor send a letter to the province in support of public transit service for the new Quw’utsun Valley Hospital/Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw that is set to open late next spring.
Council discussed an extension for the phased development agreement (PDA) for Kingsview and directed staff to proceed with a parallel processing approach that includes an engagement plan (including at least two information sessions) and First Nations consultation. The proposed extension would change the timeframe by a further 10 years, from 2028 to 2038.
Council received the results from the Crofton Outdoor Pool system assessment following last season’s mechanical issues. The assessment indicates the circulation system is in good condition and replacement is not needed at this time. The $365,250 that had been allocated for this work was directed to unappropriated surplus. The pool is scheduled to open on June 26 for the 2026 summer season.
Council approved the 2026 Cowichan Valley Regional Local Authority Emergency Management Agreement.
Council authorized up to $10,000 to support work by Transport Canada to clean up and dispose of several derelict vessels in Maple Bay. Staff continue to investigate the broader clean-up needs and regulatory response for this ongoing issue.
Council endorsed a list of minister meeting requests at the 2026 UBCM convention that takes place in September. The requests pertain to water servicing and infrastructure capacity, ongoing challenges with the forestry sector, the repurposing of the current Cowichan District Hospital to support mental health and addictions treatment, support for the modernization of the Island Coastal Economic Trust, and the recent letter to Premier Eby regarding the homelessness and street disorder crisis in the region.
Council received a detailed report on the 2027 budget drivers and timeline. An additional $5.5 million in tax revenue is needed to support increases to the RCMP contract and E-COMM, Vancouver Island Regional Library increases, wages, Sherman Road soccer turf replacement, short-term debt for a new fire truck, increase to capital budget contributions, a procurement review, and inflation.
The next regular Council meeting will be held on July 15 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