Council met for about two hours during our Regular Council meeting on March 19, 2025.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- From February 28 to March 23, the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce coordinated Dine & Sip Cowichan, a month-long celebration of local food and drink that features over 50 participating venues across the region. I had a chance to join folks from the Chamber at the Royal Bistro as part of this celebration, which is an excellent new Indian restaurant in Duncan that just opened earlier this year.
- The Chemainus Theatre’s opening for the 2025 season took place earlier this month, where I had the pleasure of seeing Guys on Ice, a comedy about two lifelong friends who spend a winter day in an ice shanty to laugh, sing and philosophize about beer, bait and hockey. North Cowichan has long been a major supporter of the Chemainus Theatre, one of our big tourist attractions in the municipality. In addition to Guys on Ice, which runs until April 6, the 2025 season includes productions of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Footloose, Home to Roost, and Elf.
- Municipal staff and I recently met with senior leadership from Domtar, which owns the Crofton pulp mill, to discuss their challenges in accessing fibre and the impact this has on the viability of their operations (note Paper Excellence recently acquired both Domtar and Resolute Forest Products). I have reached out to both the ministers of forests and economic development for a face-to-face discussion and will be joining other mayors to send a follow-up letter regarding current challenges with the forest industry.
Vanessa Daether, Executive Director of Cowichan Green Community shared a presentation outlining the progress made on the Cowichan Farm & Food Hub project. The Food Hub is currently under construction on their Beverley Street property that is leased from North Cowichan. It will include a commercial kitchen, warehouse space, and will provide shared access for production and training in food processing, culinary arts, new product development and Indigenous and culturally diverse food preservation techniques. The Food Hub received an $82,000 Climate Action Community Grant from North Cowichan in 2019.
Council received a petition from Michele Yeoman, requesting to retain field #3 at the Chemainus Ball Park at the top of Elm Street as an off-leash dog park during the off season (September to March). North Cowichan is considering relocating the off-leash dog park. Council typically does not make any decisions related to petitions or delegation at the time they are presented, though Council may bring the topic up at a later meeting.
A number of bylaws were adopted:
- The 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan Bylaw which sets out North Cowichan’s objectives and policies for the next five years. The 2025 tax rate will be set at an upcoming meeting, based on the financial plan and using the revised BC Assessment figures.
- A Zoning Amendment Bylaw to permit two residential dwelling buildings at Lot 6, Marine Crescent.
- The Subdivision Control Bylaw Amendment which updates the Water and Sanitary Design Standards.
- The Servicing Capacity: Bylaw Amendments, which includes amendments to the Sewer Service, Waterworks, and Building bylaws.
- The Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment which increases cemetery interment fees by 3% annually for five years from 2025 until 2029, and other minor amendments.
Revisions to the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw (and associated fines) was given first three readings. The proposed changes add language that enhances the ability to address unsafe conditions and increases fines for some offences. This bylaw is the legal instrument that allows the municipality to impose a “clean up order” on property owners who create or permit a nuisance or unsafe condition.
Council approved the 2025 Cowichan Valley Regional Emergency Management Local Authority Agreement. The agreement, between the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), North Cowichan, City of Duncan, Ladysmith, and Town of Lake Cowichan, defines the services and supports delivery of emergency management by the CVRD through Emergency Management Cowichan.
Council approved a five-year agreement with Recycle BC for curbside collection of recyclable material.
The terms of reference for the Sports Wall of Fame were amended. The changes include designating October, in addition to November, as an approved month for the bi-annual induction ceremony and formally include a representative from the City of Duncan as a member of the committee.
- The Sports Wall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for worthy athletes, coaches, teams, administrators, and builders for its 2025 induction ceremony. Learn more at northcowichan.ca/swof
Council authorized the Mayor to provide a letter of support for the BC Bike Race’s grant application to Destination BC. The BC Bike Race, which involves more than 650 athletes, has included the mountain biking trails of North Cowichan as part of their staged event since 2018. The 2025 race begins June 30 with three stages in North Cowichan.
Councillor Bruce Findlay introduced a notice of motion that would direct staff to set a strategic planning session to choose new strategic priorities as soon as possible after the upcoming by-election. The notice of motion will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
Council will now take a break over the election period, so the next scheduled council meeting is on Wednesday, May 7 at 5pm.
North Cowichan residents have the opportunity to elect one councillor in the by-election on Saturday, April 12. Advance voting takes place April 2 and 8. Voting is open 8am to 8pm on all voting days. Learn more at northcowichan.ca/election and make your vote count!
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250-746-3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca