(North Cowichan, B.C.) – Freedom of the Municipality, the highest symbol of respect and esteem from a local government to an individual, was awarded today to two individuals: Jon Lefebure and David Haywood.
Both recipients previously served on North Cowichan council. Mr. Lefebure served for 16 years, 13 of which as mayor (1999-2008; 2011-2018). Mr. Haywood served as councillor from 2000 to 2011.
“It is a tremendous honour to be able to confer the award of Freedom of the Municipality to Jon Lefebure and David Haywood,” said Mayor Rob Douglas. “Both Jon and David were dedicated to serving North Cowichan residents, and through their hard work made significant contributions towards the betterment of our community. They are exemplary citizens and very deserving of this award.”
Over North Cowichan’s 150 year history, 11 other individuals have been awarded Freedom of the Municipality:
- Charles Murison, 1973
- Reginald Clegg, 1973
- D.C. Morton, 1973
- Adolphe Vande Casteyen, 1975
- Margaret Robertson, 1991
- Henry Rex Hollett, 1997
- G. Glen Ridgway, Q.C., 2011
- Anne Murray, 2011
- James Dias, 2011
- George Seymour, 2015
- Tom Walker, 2018
Contact:
Mayor Rob Douglas
rob.douglas@northcowichan.ca
About Jon Lefebure:
- Served 16 years on Council: As councillor 1999-2002; and as mayor 2002-2008; and 2011-2018.
- Created the Environmental Advisory Committee to tackle environmental and energy use challenges facing local government and to implement the newly adopted Climate Action and Energy Plan, was instrumental in the building of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, helped to bring transit to Chemainus and Crofton, and brought the Vancouver Island University Campus here.
- Served 12 years on the CVRD Board including five years as chair (2006, 2015-2018). He chaired the Finance Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Harbours Commission, Mutual Business Committee, and the Roundtable on the Environment, and sat on the Joint Utilities Board, the Forestry Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Police and Emergency Measures Committee, and the Technical Planning Committee.
- He layed the groundwork for Cowichan Place, served as co-chair of the Cowichan Watershed Board working on raising the weir at Cowichan Lake.
- His passions include community matters, building relationships with First Nations, affordable housing initiatives, and managing our water resources.
- Mr. Lefebure designs and constructs homes. He has lived in Chemainus with his wife Marlene for 32 years.
About David Haywood:
- Served as councillor from 2000 to 2011, and served on the Finance Committee, Administration Committee, Public Works Committee, and three years as chair on the Joint Utilities Board.
- Served three years on the CVRD Board, and three years as the Parks and Recreation Commission chair.
- Before municipal politics, he served 10 years as a school board trustee for District 65 (two of which as chair). He also served six years on the Island Savings Centre Commission, and six years on the Vancouver island Regional Library Board.
- A strong supporter of recreational development and the expansion of recreational activities, Mr. Haywood supported the improvements to the Evans ball fields, the creation of the Cowichan Sportsplex, and the purchase of the Duncan Curling Club.
- Mr. Haywood retired in 2000 from a long career in the pulp and paper industry, mostly at the Crofton Mill. He has lived in the Cowichan Valley with his wife Elizabeth since 1967, with the exception of a brief period of time when he was transferred to Vancouver for employment.