Council met for about two-and-a-half hours during our Regular Council meeting on March 5, 2025.
My Mayor’s Report included the following:
- I spoke about the tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and potential impacts on our local economy, where we have businesses in the forest industry dependent on the American market. Like other municipalities, North Cowichan is exploring the possibility of introducing our own Buy Canadian policies for purchasing goods and services. The tariffs combined with the U.S. President’s comments about making Canada the 51st state, are a threat to our sovereignty, and it’s important, now more than ever, that we come together as Canadians in the face of this threat.
- Staff and I recently met with Western Products to discuss their current challenges in accessing fibre. The company is very concerned about the continued impacts of the softwood lumber dispute and the new U.S. tariffs on their operations including their facilities in Chemainus and Cowichan Bay. I have reached to the Province offering to host a meeting with our local forestry businesses to discuss these issues.
- Last week staff and I met with representatives from BC Ferries and the Ministry of Transportation & Transit to discuss our concerns with traffic for the Crofton Terminal impacting properties on Chaplin Street. We discussed options for building a new access road from York Avenue/Crofton Road to the existing ferry terminal, including costs and a potential route. This was a preliminary conversation, and we do not yet have firm commitments from either BC Ferries or the Province.
- Last week I joined Councillor Caljouw, members of the North Cowichan Fire Department and the Chemainus Legion Branch 191, to show our support for the 12th annual Wounded Warrior Run BC, which made a stop in Chemainus this weekend. This eight-day event includes a team of runners who make the journey from Port Hardy to Victoria, to raise public awareness about critical mental health programs for injured veterans and first responders who have been exposed to trauma on the job, and also for their families.
Vanessa Daether, the new Executive Director of Cowichan Green Community presented the Cowichan Green Community’s Annual Year in Review (available as a video at https://youtu.be/H4nhUFtMaiY). Outgoing executive director Judy Stafford was also on hand. The Cowichan Green Community cultivates resilient, inclusive, and healthy local food systems through numerous community programs and projects including reFRESH Food Recovery, KinPark Kids Camp, and community-focused education. North Cowichan supports Cowichan Green Community through a permissive tax exemption for their Beverly Street farm and garden. They have also been a past recipient of Climate Action Community Grants that supported the development of the Food Innovation Hub and the agriculture equipment library.
Three bylaws were adopted:
- The Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw enables North Cowichan to borrow money for a short term, if needed, to continue municipal operations while waiting for anticipated revenue (i.e., property taxes) to be received.
- The Fees and Charges Bylaw was amended to include resident rates to eligible veterans who wish to be buried in the veteran’s section at Mountain View Cemetery and have previously lived and/or paid property taxes in North Cowichan.
- The Zoning Amendment Bylaw allows a detached accessory dwelling unit within an existing accessory building and a maximum of three dwelling units at 10117 Chemainus Road.
The 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan Bylaw received first three readings. This plan sets out North Cowichan’s objectives and policies for the period from 2025 – 2029, including the 2025 budget which will set this year’s property tax rate. The plan and budget maintain core services such as policing, firefighting, roads, parks and recreation, while also including major investments in infrastructure such as:
- $20.2 million in capital projects that includes bridge repairs, road improvements, and upgrades to our water and sewer systems, plus the new child care facilities in Crofton and on Kingsview, which are 100% funded through provincial grants.
- $3.4 million for parks, playgrounds, and trails including the new Fuller Lake disc golf course, repairs to Crofton Outdoor Pool, the Chemainus off-leash dog park relocation, accessibility upgrades in parks, neighbourhood park upgrades, and upgrades to the washrooms at the Kaspa Road parking lot.
- Upgraded fitness equipment at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and a slab assessment at Fuller Lake Arena (funded through regional recreation under the Cowichan Valley Regional District).
The financial plan will be adopted at an upcoming meeting, after which the tax rate will be determined, once revised property assessments are available.
Two zoning bylaws received first two readings and will proceed to public hearings.
- Zoning Bylaw Module 2: Legacy Zoned Sites: This bylaw amendment will adjust zoning for 13 properties whose current zoning is no longer in alignment with the Official Community Plan.
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment: Child Care Centres that will allow child care facilities in more places throughout North Cowichan.
The Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment received first three readings. This amendment proposes to increase cemetery interment fees by 3% annually for five years from 2025 until 2029.
North Cowichan’s Director of Engineering provided a report and presentation on the current state of land development and servicing constraints facing the municipality. North Cowichan currently has 370+ land development applications totaling 10,100 residential units. However, the water and sewer systems have only enough capacity to support about 4,200 additional units (equivalent to about 20 years of growth at historical rates). The report outlined the constraints, current projects underway to address some of the constraints, and other measures to come including:
- Updating water, sewer, subdivision, and Development Cost Charge (DCC) bylaws
- Engaging developers on contributions to support new and upgraded infrastructure
- Seeking provincial and federal funding
Additional reports and information will be coming forward in the coming months that will outline in more detail some of the actions needed to facilitate residential and economic growth in key parts of the municipality.
Council directed staff to undertake repairs to the Crofton Outdoor Pool later this summer. The repairs will take place after August 1 in order for the pool to open for part of the summer swim season. Staff will go ahead with the design and tendering of the $360,000 project.
The Fire Department’s surplus 2002 Superior E-One fire engine will be donated to Penelakut Fire Rescue. First Nations fire departments fall under federal legislation, which is not as stringent with fire equipment requirements as municipalities, which need to meet the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS). The fire engine no longer met the FUS requirements but does meet the federal requirements.
Councillor Caljouw’s motion regarding the exploration of surplus properties for potential sale was discussed. Staff will conduct a review of municipally owned properties to identify those that are surplus to the needs of the municipality, along with their estimated market values, potential uses, and recommendations, and report back to Council at a future date.
The next council meeting is on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:00 pm. This meeting was originally scheduled as a Committee of the Whole, which is why it is on a Tuesday. Additional Council business will be on the agenda, ahead of the pause in meetings prior to the by-election.
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 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on all voting days. Learn more at northcowichan.ca/election.
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Rob Douglas, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
T 250-746-3117
E rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca