Council met for about four-and-a-half hours during our Special Council meeting on August 12, 2025. This meeting was scheduled in order to deal with a number of time-sensitive decisions.
Fire Chief Ron French presented the Fire Department’s biannual (January to June) report. Highlights from the report include:
- The completion of the Crofton fire hall, with the grand opening celebration held on May 3
- Recruitment for a new assistant fire chief is complete, with the successful candidate expected to start work next month.
- The South End hall continues to lead with the most calls, with 446 during the first six months of this year (down from 483 during the same period last year).
Three bylaws were adopted:
- The Parks and Recreation Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw that simplifies and standardize fees, align definitions with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and updates the bylaw to support current operations by removing outdated items.
- The Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw increases the annual garbage fee for larger garbage and organics carts, bear-resistant carts, and a cart exchange fee.
- People who want to exchange one or both of their carts for a different size or for a bear resistant cart will be able to do so later this month. Sign up for schedule reminders to learn when the cart exchange form is available, as well as other important service information and tips.
- The Municipal Fine Amendment Bylaw amends 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.
The Chief Financial Officer presented information about the 2026 budget and Council discussed options for next steps and involving residents in the process.
- Without any new or enhanced services or projects, the projected increase to property tax revenue is 9.26%. This status quo budget projection includes cost drivers such as an increase in debt servicing (for the newly constructed RCMP building), a $943,000 increase in the RCMP staffing contract, $400,000 in downloaded E-Comm (9-1-1) services, replenishing contributions to reserve funds that were removed from the 2025 budget, staffing costs due to the recent CUPE collective agreement, and general cost of living increases.
- Not included in this projection are additional budget pressures that include addressing the infrastructure maintenance and replacement backlog, new Council strategic priorities, increased demand for social and housing supports, implementation of strategic plans (economic development, master transportation plan, Fire Department strategic plan, planning service review, etc.), and upcoming Fire Department collective bargaining.
- Council directed staff to prepare a report outlining options to limit the projected tax increase to a maximum of 5%; and to include a detailed analysis of the potential impacts on service levels, infrastructure investments, and the implementation of Council’s strategic priorities. Staff were also directed to organize town hall meetings in Chemainus, Crofton, and the South End to gather public input on the budget priorities.
- The report will be presented to Council at an upcoming meeting. Stay informed about the budget and opportunities to have a say by visiting connectnorthcowichan.ca/budget and clicking the “follow project” option.
Council approved funding for two urgent water main repair projects:
- The Cowichan River pipe protection/scour hole repair contract was awarded to Draycor Construction with an initial cost of $992,664 and up to a maximum total cost of $4,500,000 to also cover the time and materials component of the project.
- This work will provide erosion protection for two water trunk mains that run under the Cowichan River. These pipes were originally below the riverbed however a recent inspection showed they are now exposed, which puts them at a high risk of breakage. The work will take place during the brief fisheries window (August 15 to September 15) when impact to salmon and trout is lowest. Read more about this project at www.northcowichan.ca/watermains
- Replacement of the Quamichan Park Road water main between Jaynes Road and Somenos Creek. This $630,000 project will replace about 230 metres of 60-year-old+ water main in an area that has experienced a number of breakages. Last month a break caused localized flooding, impacting roads and homes.
Council received a report analyzing the extent to which North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan (OCP) land use designations and zoning bylaw allow for the projected 20-year housing need of 7,023 new units district-wide, as required by provincial legislation.
The OCP and zoning bylaw both support enough housing for the next 20 years and therefore don't need significant amendments to achieve compliance. A relatively minor update will be made to the OCP's text and policies to reflect new housing targets and ensure consistency, as well as recognizing the infrastructure implications associated with the new targets.
Staff presented the draft Affordable Housing Policy, however discussion on its adoption was deferred to the next Council meeting (August 20). The updated draft policy focusses on creating more affordable homes and supporting people experiencing homelessness. The policy outlines steps the municipality can take, such as using public land, offering financial incentives, and working with other governments, to help make housing more accessible and protect existing rental units. This policy has been in development since 2020 and has included public input and feedback from developers and social service organizations.
Council authorized a foreshore sublease in Chemainus to Jones Marine Group. The province has leased the water lot to North Cowichan since the 1972 and it is sub-leased to Jones Marine Group for their tug and barge operation. The lease with the province was recently renewed for a 10-year period and North Cowichan is assigning the responsibilities to Jones Marine for the term of the lease including the annual rental payment to the province of $19,600.
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